Method for operating a filling adapter, and filling adapter for filling refrigerant R744 into vehicle air conditioning systems

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for operating a filling adapter for filling refrigerant R744 into vehicle air conditioning systems as well as to a corresponding adapter. The adapter comprises mechanical clamping elements actuated by a pneumatically or mechanically controlled clamping piston. The clamping elements are clamped b the clamping system onto specifically designed sections of the vehicle air conditioning system for the filling process and are kept in the clamping position during the filling process. The clamping piston comprises at least two separate piston surfaces to be subjected to the pressure of two different pressurization media, one piston surface being effectively connected to the control pressure of the filling adapter and the other piston surface being effectively connected to the filling pressure of the refrigerant.

Claims

1. A method for operating a filling adapter for filling vehicle air conditioning systems with refrigerant R744, wherein the filling adapter comprises mechanical clamping elements which are operated by a pneumatically or mechanically controlled clamping piston, wherein the clamping elements are tightened by the clamping piston for the filling process onto specifically designed portions of the vehicle air conditioning system and held in the clamped position during the filling process, wherein two different pressure media are applied to the clamping piston, wherein initially the control pressure of the filling adapter is applied, followed by the additional application of filling pressure of the refrigerant.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control pressure of the filling adapter causes basic locking of the clamping piston at a first clamping pressure and the filling pressure of the refrigerant causes an independent second locking of the clamping piston at a different second clamping pressure, wherein unlocking of the mechanical clamping elements only becomes possible after the filling pressure of the refrigerant has been reduced to a value that can be defined depending on the device used.

3. A method for filling an automobile air conditioning system with R744 refrigerant under pressure through a service port of the air conditioning system, the method comprising: providing a filling adapter for attaching to the service port of the air conditioning system comprising a fluid path therethrough and a clamping element comprising a first piston surface and a second piston surface; bringing the filling adapter into operative connection with the service port; applying a control pressure to the first piston surface of the clamping element of the filling adapter and urging the clamping element to fixedly engage the service port of the air conditioning system under a first clamping force; introducing the R744 refrigerant to the automobile air conditioning system through the filling adapter under a filling pressure; and directing a portion of the R744 refrigerant from an outlet of the fluid path of the filling adapter through the clamping element and to the second piston surface of the clamping element of the filling adapter and urging the clamping element to fixedly engage the service port of the air conditioning system under a second clamping force.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first clamping force provides a first locking feature for the filling adapter to the service port; wherein the second clamping force provides second locking feature for the adapter to the service port; and wherein the second locking feature is operable to maintain the filling adapter in fixed engagement with the service port independent of the first locking feature.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein control pressure is applied by compressed air.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the control pressure is about 10 bar and the filling pressure is between about 80 bar to about 120 bar.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) An exemplary embodiment is described below with reference to the drawing.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a filling adapter for filling vehicle air conditioning systems with refrigerant R744.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a filling adapter for filling vehicle air conditioning systems with refrigerant R744. This filling adapter comprises multiple balls 3 as mechanical clamping elements, which are clamped onto specifically designed portions of the vehicle air conditioning system and kept in a clamped position during the filling process by means of a clamping piston 2, which is preferably pneumatically or mechanically controlled. This design with a service port 1 to connect to the vehicle system, a seal 4 towards the vehicle system, and other components is generally known, such that we will only explain those components in detail below that are relevant for the matter at hand.

(4) Accordingly, the clamping piston 2 comprises two separate piston surfaces 5 and 7 for applying pressure thereto by different pressure media. The one piston surface 5 is brought into an operative connection with the control pressure of the filling adapter, and the other piston surface 7 is brought into an operative connection with the filling pressure of the refrigerant R744.

(5) The two piston surfaces 5, 7 are preferably configured as a circumferential annular surface at cross sectional transitions on the contour of the clamping piston 2. The detailed spatial arrangement is largely freely selectable. It should just be paid attention to a functionally flawless interaction of the associated connecting ducts or the like for the respective pressure medium with the piston surfaces 5, 7.

(6) At least one bypass line 6 branches off to the refrigerant supply from the piston surface 7 that is in operative connection with the filling pressure of the refrigerant. Control compressed air of about ten bar is applied to the other piston surface 5, which is in an operative connection with the control pressure of the filling adapter.

(7) Such a design allows application of two different pressure media to the clamping piston 2. First, the control pressure of the filling adapter is applied to the piston surface 5, then the filling pressure of the refrigerant is applied to the piston surface 7.

(8) This has the functional effect that the control pressure of the filling adapter causes basic locking of the clamping piston 2 at a first clamping pressure. Furthermore, the filling pressure of the refrigerant causes an independent second locking of the clamping piston 2 at a different second clamping pressure. It should expressly be pointed out that an increase in the pressure acting on the clamping piston 2 is not the primary goal. Instead, pressure is applied by the control pressure and the filling pressure, that is, by two different pressure sources. This ensures that the clamping piston 2 is kept fixed in its clamped position, even if one of the two pressure components drops or fails, e.g. due to not properly closed filling valve or vehicle valve. This is a considerable advantage over the filling adapters of prior art.

(9) Unlocking the mechanical clamping elements 3 only becomes possible after the filling pressure of the refrigerant has been reduced to a value that can be defined depending on the device used and the clamping piston can therefore be moved from its clamped position.