Fastest, Inc.

Robert B Danielson

Stanlee W Meisinger

Allen Wagenius

Jason David Clifford

Jake G Clifton

Christopher Wagner

William John Rankin

Chris Wagner

Jake Chandler

Jacob Chandler

Scott Allan Gulden

Jake Clifton

A traveling service tool that is configured to removably attach to a fluid access port of a refrigerant system. The fluid access port can be the fluid access port described herein or an existing fluid access port. When used with the fluid access port described herein, the traveling service tool is configured to hold a removable core during processing, and ultimately install the core into the fluid access port at a suitable stage in the processing operations. In an embodiment, the traveling service tool remains attached to and travels with the refrigerant system for the refrigerant system to be processed at two or more separate fluid processing stations.

Service tools and systems for processing fluid through a fluid access port

A quick connect fluid connector is directly connected to a fluid port of a fluid manifold using a quick connect fluid connector swivel that is configured to permit rotational and/or longitudinal movement of the quick connect fluid connector relative to the fluid port. The relative axial and/or rotational movements provided by the swivel eliminates the need for a fluid hose to be used in the fluid path between the quick connect fluid connector and the fluid port.

Quick connect fluid connector, swivel, and combination thereof

A fluid connector that connects a first fluid system with a fluid port of a second fluid system for transferring fluids, including gaseous or liquid fluids, between the first and second fluid systems. The fluid connector can be used with differently configured, non-matching threaded fluid ports and allow for misalignment/tipping of the fluid connector to maintain a seal with the fluid port.

Internal thread grip fluid connector

A simplified service connection valve assembly that provides access to fluid systems, such as air conditioning units, freezer units, refrigeration units and like systems, for fluid processing through the valve assembly. The valve assembly can include a valve body and a valve core received in the valve body. The valve core is movable relative to the valve body in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis between an open position allowing fluid flow through the valve assembly and a closed position preventing fluid flow through the valve assembly. At the closed position, a metal-to-metal seal is created between the valve body and the valve core which creates a seal to prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly.

Service connection valve assembly

Quick connect fluid connectors with modular connection state sensors removably or detachably mounted thereon. Each modular connection state sensor is configured to sense a connection state of the fluid connector it is mounted on. The connection state sensor indicates that the fluid connector of the first fluid system is connected to the second fluid system prior to initiating fluid flow between the first and second fluid systems. The connection state sensor senses movements of one or more elements of the quick connect fluid connector that is involved in the actual connection of the fluid connector to the second fluid system. The elements that are sensed can be, for example, one or more cylindrical sleeves of the fluid connector or a piston of the fluid connector. Therefore, the connection state of the fluid connectors can be determined accurately.

Fluid connectors with modular connection state sensors

A quick connect fluid connector that is detachably connectable to a fluid system to process a gas into or from the fluid system through the quick connect fluid connector. The quick connect fluid connector includes one or more temperature sensors that can sense the temperature of the gas within the fluid connector during processing. Based on the sensed temperature(s), an alert can be generated to alert a human operator conducting the processing and/or automatically shut-off the processing if the sensed temperature becomes too high. The operator will therefore be alerted if the cylinders are being processed too quickly or if the processing duration could be shortened.

Quick connect fluid connector with temperature sensing

Fluid connectors are described where one or more sensors are provided for sensing a connection state of the fluid connectors. The sensor(s) indicates that the fluid connector of the first fluid system is connected to the second fluid system prior to initiating fluid flow between the first and second fluid systems. The sensor(s) senses movements of one or more elements of the quick connect fluid connectors that are involved in the actual connection of the fluid connectors to the second fluid system. The elements that are sensed can be, for example, one or more cylindrical sleeves of the connector or a piston of the connector. Therefore, the connection state of the fluid connectors can be determined accurately.

Fluid connectors with connection state sensing

A service connection valve that is configured for use on air conditioning and refrigeration units. The valve includes a pin guide that is separate from the poppet assembly and installed in the valve body prior to installation of the poppet assembly. In addition, the pin guide can be disposed in a large diameter flow passageway of the valve body. Further, the poppet assembly includes a seal that expands in diameter upon installing the poppet assembly into the valve body. The service connection valve provides high flow rates during charging and evacuation operations.

High flow service connection valve

A quick connect fluid connector that is provided with sealing and gripping feature that are able to tolerate variations in a tube of a second fluid system to which the fluid connector connects. The fluid connector tolerates the variations while maintaining the sealing and gripping at high fluid pressures through the fluid connector. In one embodiment, the fluid connector may also be provided with an RFID tag to verify that the fluid connector is properly connected to the tube.

Quick connect fluid connector with tube variation tolerance and connection verification

A fluid connector having a connector body that is connectable to a first fluid system. The connector body includes a connection mechanism that is connectable to a tube of a second fluid system, and the connector body defines a fluid passageway that allows fluid to flow between the first fluid system and the second fluid system. A connector sleeve surrounds the connector body and is connected thereto, and the connector sleeve is actuatable relative to the connector body between a retracted position and a connected position. The connector sleeve actuates the connection mechanism as the connector sleeve is actuated from the retracted position to the connected position. In addition, the fluid connector is devoid of coil springs and dynamic seals.

Fluid connectors with bellows

A system for performing rapid charging and evacuation of systems that contain a fluid, such as cooling systems on refrigeration products. In addition, the invention relates to methods of accomplishing rapid charging and evacuation, as well as to tools that form part of the system and that are used to accomplish the methods.

Rapid evacuation and charging system, and apparatus and methods relating thereto

A fluid connector that is designed to work with a wide range of tube configurations and sizes by being able to adjust to the configuration and size of tube being connected to. The fluid connector can also include a pressure driven actuation resistance mechanism to achieve higher pressures. Therefore, a single fluid connector can be used over a wide range of applications. This permits the creation of a standardized cost effective fluid connector design.

Wide tolerance fluid connector

Quick connect fluid connectors are described that can be used to connect a first fluid system to a second fluid system for transferring fluids between the first and second fluid systems. The connectors include an eccentric mounted roller mechanism disposed within a slot in a main body and that is in continuous engagement with front and back walls of the slot. The eccentric mounted roller mechanism is used to actuate connection collets when the eccentric mounted roller mechanism is rotated. Since the eccentric mounted roller mechanism is in substantially continuous contact with the front and back walls, this ensures a smooth actuation of the main body and the connection collets without any lost motion.

Quick connect fluid connectors with roller mechanism actuator

A service valve assembly that is designed to minimize leakage by reducing the number of leakage paths from the valve assembly. In addition, the service valve assembly is designed to permit connection to many different refrigeration systems and has higher flow capacity. The valve assembly is engageable by current servicing tools so that purchase of new service tools is not required. In the valve assembly, the service connection is designed as part of the shut-off valve and communicates with the condenser side port. Therefore, initial processing through the condenser side port and subsequent processing through the evaporation side port occur through the combined service connection and shut-off valve structure. Once installed, the described valve assembly has one leak path versus two leak paths in known valve assemblies.

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Mahtomedi, MN, United States of America

Robert B Danielson