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.

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for optimizing a valve orifice shape. According to one representative embodiment, a method includes determining a specified relationship between a valve position and an output characteristic, and determining an orifice profile. The method also includes determining a relationship of an orifice area to the output characteristic. Further, the method includes shaping an orifice in a valve based on the orifice profile and the specified relationship between the valve position and the output characteristic. According to the method, the valve should approximately exhibit the specified relationship.

An assembly method is provided by orienting a cylinder-head at a first orientation. A first plurality of spring caps and a first plurality of retainer keys are installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a first robot. A first plurality of valves is installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a second robot, into engagement with the first plurality of retainer keys. An end effector is provided with an actuator supported upon an adapter plate. A shaft extends from the actuator with a mating surface to engage a spring cap. Porting is provided through the shaft to convey pressurized air upon a plurality of retainer keys within the spring cap. A plurality of gripper fingers extend from the distal end of the shaft to grip a valve spring while retaining a spring cap between the valve spring and the mating surface of the shaft.

A valve core removal tool can include a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A valve core gripper can be coupled to the distal end of the shaft and can include a first valve core engaging surface and an opposing second valve core engaging surface spaced therefrom. The first and second valve core engaging surfaces can be flexible and movable relative to each other between a first position, where the free ends of the first and second valve core engaging surfaces are spaced apart a first distance, and a second position, where the free ends of the first and second valve core engaging surfaces are spaced apart a second distance that is greater than the first distance. The first and second valve core engaging surfaces can be spring-biased in the first position for gripping a valve core between the first and second valve core engaging surfaces.

A device for crimping a radially expandable and collapsible prosthetic valve comprises a crimping loop having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a loop portion extending between the first and second end portions and defining an opening configured to receive the prosthetic valve. The crimping loop is movable between a first state in which the opening has a first diameter and a second state in which the opening has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter such that when the prosthetic valve is positioned within the loop portion, movement of the crimping loop from the first state to the second state is effective to reduce a diameter of the prosthetic valve. A method for crimping a prosthetic valve comprises reducing a diameter of an opening of a crimping loop, thereby radially compressing an at least partially expanded prosthetic valve disposed within the opening.

A system for crimping a prosthetic valve can include a radially compressible collet positioned around the prosthetic valve, a housing positioned around the collet, and a pusher at least partially disposed within the housing. The collet can include a first axial end portion, a second axial end portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween. The first axial end portion can have an outer diameter adjacent the intermediate portion that is greater than an outer diameter of the intermediate portion. The second axial end portion can have an outer diameter adjacent the intermediate portion that is greater than the outer diameter of the intermediate portion. The housing can include a housing internal annular ledge configured to slidably engage the second axial end portion of the collet. The pusher can include a pusher internal annular ledge configured to slidably engage the first axial end portion of the collet.