Moisture indicator

Abstract

A moisture indicator for a refrigeration system. The moisture indicator includes a body for retaining refrigerant. The body includes an inlet, an outlet and an opening. A display member covers the opening of the body. An inner side of the display member contacts with the refrigerant. A lens assembly displays the color of the display member to the naked eye. The lens assembly is arranged on a receiving groove formed at the outside of the display member. The lens assembly is sealed within the receiving groove. The moisture indicator allows a user accurately to identify the color of the display member without disturbing the flow of the refrigerant. It also allows the user accurately to determine when to replace a filter drier and when to supplement the refrigerant.

1 . A moisture indicator, which comprises:
 a body for containing refrigerant therein, which includes an inlet formed in one end thereof, an outlet formed in the other end thereof and an opening formed between the inlet and the outlet;   a display member for covering the opening of the body, which has a shape of a flat board and whose inner side contacts with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant containing space of the body, so that its color is changed by moisture included in the refrigerant;   a lens assembly for displaying the color of the display member with naked eyes, which is arranged on a receiving groove of the body formed the outside of the display member; and   a sealing means for sealing up the lens assembly in the receiving groove of the body.   
   
   
       2 . A moisture indicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the display member is a ring type indicator whose diameter is at least greater than that of the opening of the body and which has a refrigerant display window in the center thereof. 
   
   
       3 . A moisture indicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the lens assembly comprises a lens made of glass and a housing for enclosing the lens, and a male screw is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lens housing, so as to screw into a female screw formed on the surroundings of the opening of the body. 
   
   
       4 . A moisture indicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing means is a silver soldering. 
   
   
       5 . A moisture indicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing means is an adhesive. 
   
   
       6 . A moisture indicator according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lens cap for covering the lens assembly to protect it; and   an exemplification paper for comparing with the color of the display member, which is attached to the surroundings of the lens assembly.   
   
   
       7 . A ball valve for a refrigeration system, which is formed as one body with the moisture indicator according to  claim 6 . 
   
   
       8 . A ball valve for a refrigeration system, which is formed as one body with the moisture indicator according to  claim 5 . 
   
   
       9 . A ball valve for a refrigeration system, which is formed as one body with the moisture indicator according to  claim 4 . 
   
   
       10 . A ball valve for a refrigeration system, which is formed as one body with the moisture indicator according to  claim 3 . 
   
   
       11 . A ball valve for a refrigeration system, which is formed as one body with the moisture indicator according to  claim 2 . 
   
   
       12 . A ball valve for a refrigeration system, which is formed as one body with the moisture indicator according to  claim 1 .