Apparatus And Method For Urging Fluid Into A Pressurized System

Abstract

Apparatus has a body with a conduit defined therein. Body is mounted between, and connected to, a charging system containing pressurized fluid and a pressurized system. One apparatus has a retractable discharge tube inserted into a first end of the body. Once the body is connected to both the charging system and the pressurized system, a force is applied on the charging system toward the pressurized system. The force causes the charging system and the pressurized system to mate with the body urging the discharge tube to retract to release fluid into the conduit, and actuates the fitting to permit the fluid in the conduit to enter the pressurized system. Another apparatus has a manually deformable charging system and an adapter with a check valve to permit manual urging of fluid in the charging system through deformation of the charging system.

1 . A method of urging fluid from a charging system to a pressurized system; the charging system having a vessel containing fluid; the pressurized system having a pressure-actuated valve assembly operable to permit entry of the fluid into the pressurized system; the method comprising the steps of: 
 operating a deep vacuum in the pressurized system for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined pressure;    connecting the charging system to a first end of an adapter;    connecting the pressurized system to a second end of the adapter; and    applying a force to the adapter toward the pressurized system to cause the pressurized system to mate with the adapter thereby actuating the valve assembly to permit the vacuum to draw fluid from the charging system into the pressurized system through a conduit defined within the adapter.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the deep vacuum is operated for a period of 20 minutes at a pressure of 29 inches of Hg.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of connecting the charging system includes the step of fastening an end of the charging system to the first end of the adapter.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the step of fastening includes the step of threadingly engaging the end of the charging system to a bore defined at the first end.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of connecting the pressurized system includes the step of inserting a depressor mounted at the second end of the adapter into a tubular fitting connected to the pressurized system.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of connecting the pressurized system to the adapter includes the step of providing a seal between the fitting and the adapter.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing a seal between the fitting and the adapter includes the step of compressing a sealing member mounted about the adapter between an inner surface of the fitting and the adapter.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing a seal between the fitting and the adapter includes the step of compressing a sealing member mounted about the adapter between an outer surface of the fitting and the adapter.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing a seal between the fitting and the adapter includes compressing a sealing member mounted about the adapter between a rim extending about the fitting and the adapter.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 5  wherein: 
 the valve assembly has a valve and a pin connected to the valve;    the pin being retractable to actuate the valve to allow entry of the fluid into the pressurized system; and    the step of applying a force includes the step of urging the depressor against the pin thereby causing retraction of the pin and actuation of the second valve.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of connecting the pressurized system is performed before the step of connecting the charging system.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of urging the release of the fluid from the charging system into the conduit by squeezing the vessel of the charging system.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of discouraging the flow of fluid from the pressurized system to the charging system by providing a one-way valve mounted within the conduit.