U.S. patent application number 11/683733 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for moisture indicator.
Invention is credited to Si-Nam Cho, Gi-Sik Kim, Sang-Bong Lee.
Application Number | 20080034763 11/683733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39049193 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080034763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cho; Si-Nam ; et
al. |
February 14, 2008 |
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.
Inventors: |
Cho; Si-Nam; (Seoul, KR)
; Lee; Sang-Bong; (Pusan, KR) ; Kim; Gi-Sik;
(Suwon, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RABIN & Berdo, PC
1101 14TH STREET, NW, SUITE 500
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
39049193 |
Appl. No.: |
11/683733 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/129 ;
62/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 41/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/129 ;
62/126 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/00 20060101
F25B049/00; F25B 47/00 20060101 F25B047/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 8, 2006 |
KR |
20-2006-0021246 |
Claims
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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to moisture indicators and
particularly to an indicator to be used in a refrigeration system
to show a moisture content of refrigerant.
[0003] (2) Description of the Related Arts
[0004] Generally, a refrigeration system, such as an air
conditioner or a refrigerator, performs cooling and freezing
operation by absorbing heat from the area to be cooled and giving
out heat to the outside.
[0005] In a typical refrigeration system, cooling is achieved by
the circulation of refrigerant in a closed system. The refrigerant
is compressed to a high pressure by a compressor and is condensed
through the condenser. Then the condensed refrigerant passes
through an expansion valve into an evaporator where it evaporates
and collects heat from the area to be cooled. From the compressor,
the refrigerant is routed back to the condenser and the cycle
repeats.
[0006] In the refrigeration system, moisture may be spontaneously
introduced into the refrigerant from the air by repeating the
compression and expansion processes. The moisture may be also
introduced by leaking through pipe joints and valves. In case the
refrigerant containing moisture circulates the inside of the
refrigeration system, the refrigeration efficiency may be dropped
and devices may be corroded. Moreover, the whole system can be
damaged severely due to the moisture.
[0007] To solve the above problem, a filter drier has been used to
the refrigeration system. The filter drier absorbs the moisture
contained in the refrigerant, so that the refrigeration system is
maintained in good operating condition.
[0008] Together with the filter drier, a moisture indicator is used
to check the moisture content of the refrigerant. When the filter
drier has completed its span, the moisture content of the
refrigerant may be increased. Then, the indicator notifies a user
of the increasing of the moisture content.
[0009] A conventional moisture indicator comprises a display part
whose color is changed according to the moisture content included
in the refrigerant. The user can see the color of the display part
with naked eyes through a transparent window. For example, when the
displayed color means that the filter drier is used up, the filter
drier can be replaced with a new one.
[0010] In the conventional moisture indicator, it is difficult to
discriminate the color of the display part, because the display
part has too small size and soaks in the refrigerant with a low
degree of transparency. Therefore, the replacement time of the
filter drier cannot be exactly obtained by the conventional
moisture indicator.
[0011] Further, it has an additional problem that the display part
disturbs the flow of the refrigerant.
[0012] On the other hand, the moisture indicator generally has
O-rings for preventing a leakage of the refrigerant. When the
O-rings are used for long time, it does wear out. In case of
deteriorating the sealing capacity of the O-rings, the refrigerant
of high pressure can be leaked out from the gaps of the transparent
window.
[0013] The present invention has been developed to solve the
problems with above-described moisture indicator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
moisture indicator for allowing a user to identify exactly the
display color of the indicator without disturbing the flow of the
refrigerant.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
moisture indicator capable of improving the sealing force in a body
thereof and preventing refrigerant from leaking outside.
[0016] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a moisture indicator for allowing a user to determine
exactly the replacement time of a filter drier and the
supplementation time of refrigerant in a refrigeration system.
[0017] According to an aspect of the present invention there is
provided a moisture indicator for a refrigeration system.
[0018] The moisture indicator comprises a body for containing
refrigerant therein, which includes an inlet formed in one end
thereof, an outlet formed the other end thereof and an opening
formed between the inlet and the outlet;
[0019] 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;
[0020] 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
[0021] a sealing means for sealing up the lens assembly in the
receiving groove of the body.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] It is desirable that the sealing means is a silver soldering
or an adhesive.
[0025] The moisture indicator further comprise 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.
[0026] It is desirable that the moisture indicator is formed in a
ball valve of the refrigeration system as one body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is an illustrated perspective view showing the
moisture indicator according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a lateral cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-sectional view showing an
assembled state of FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a lens assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view showing the used
state of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a top view showing an exemplification paper and a
display member of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Referring now to attaching the drawings, the moisture
indicator according to an embodiment of the present invention will
be described in detail. It is noted that like parts are designated
by like reference numerals throughout the accompanying
drawings.
[0035] As shown FIGS. 1 and 2, the moisture indicator of the
present invention comprises a body 10, a display member 20, a lens
assembly 30, a sealing means (not shown), a lens cap 50, and an
exemplification paper 60.
[0036] The body 10 for containing refrigerant 1 has an inlet 11 for
introducing the refrigerant 1, an outlet 12 for exhausting the
refrigerant 1, an opening 13 for coupling the display member 20 and
the lens assembly 30. The refrigerant 1 flows in the containing
space A of the body 10.
[0037] The inlet 11 is formed in one end of the body 10 and an
outlet 12 is formed in the other end of the body 10. The opening 13
is formed to open upward from the body 10 between the inlet 11 and
the outlet 12, and a receiving groove 14 is formed around the
opening 13.
[0038] Alternatively, the opening 13 may be formed to open downward
or lateral from the body 10.
[0039] The display member 20 has a shape of a flat board for
covering the opening 13 of the body 10. The inner side of the
display member 20 is contacted with the refrigerant 1 flowing
through the containing space A, so that the color of the display
member 20 is changed by the moisture included in the refrigerant 1.
The display member 20 is a flat ring type indicator whose diameter
is at least greater than that of the opening 13 of the body 10 and
a refrigerant display window 21 is formed in the center
thereof.
[0040] The display member 20 is laid over the opening 13. One side
of the display member 20 facing the opening 13 is contacted to the
refrigerant 1 and the other side is exposed to outside, so that a
user can show the color of the display member 20 through the lens
assembly 30 with the naked eyes.
[0041] The display member 20 includes a reaction material that
chemically or physically reacts on moisture, so that its color
changes in response to the moisture of the refrigerant 1.
[0042] In case the refrigerant 1 includes little or no moisture,
the reaction material of the display member 20 contacted to the
refrigerant 1 shows, for example, green color, and in case the
refrigerant 1 includes some of moisture, the material shows, for
example, yellow color. Since the material which changes its color
according to moisture has been generally known, we will omit the
details here.
[0043] Moreover, the user can also check the quantity of the
refrigerant 1 through the refrigerant display window 21. When the
quantity of refrigerant 1 is insufficient, the user may supplement
the refrigerant 1.
[0044] The lens assembly 30 is arranged on the receiving groove 14
of the body 10 formed the outside of the display member 20, so that
it allows the user to check the color of the display member 20 with
the naked eyes.
[0045] As shown FIG. 5, the lens assembly 30 comprises a lens 31
made of glass and a housing 32 for enclosing the lens 31. A male
screw 33 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lens
housing 32 is screwed with a female screw 15 formed on the
surroundings of the opening 13 of the body 10.
[0046] The display member 20 is magnified by lens 31 so that its
color is clearly displayed. That is, the user has good view of the
display member 20 through the lens 31. Further, the lens 31 allows
the user to identify through the refrigerant display window 21
whether it is required to supplement the refrigerant.
[0047] The sealing means seals up the lens assembly 30 in the
receiving groove 14 of the body 10. It is desirable that the
sealing means is a silver soldering 40. The lens assembly 30 is
sealed and fixed up permanently in the receiving groove 14 by the
silver soldering 40.
[0048] Alternatively, for example, an adhesive may be used as the
sealing means.
[0049] The lens cap 50 covers the lens 31 of the lens assembly 30
to protect it. The lens cap 50 has a handle part 52 formed on the
outer circumferential surface thereof. A protrusion part is formed
on the inner circumferential surface of the lens cap 50 so as to
forcibly engage with the body 10.
[0050] The lens cap 50 can be made as a "closed" type without a
transparent window. In such a case, in order to identify the color
of the display member 20 through the lens 31, the user should open
the lens cap 50.
[0051] On the other hand, as shown FIGS. 1 and 6, an "opened" type
of lens cap 50 having a transparent window 51 can be used. In such
a case, the user can identify the color of the display member 20
through the transparent window 51 without opening the lens cap
50.
[0052] The exemplification paper 60 is attached to the surroundings
of the lens assembly 30 to allow the user to contrast and compare
its color with the color of the display member 20. As shown FIG. 7,
the user can compare the color of the exemplification paper 60 with
that of the display member 20 at a glance. Therefore, the user can
exactly determine the replacement time of the filter drier.
[0053] Next, the operation of the moisture indicator according to
the present invention will be described below.
[0054] As shown FIGS. 4 and 5, while the refrigerant 1 is passed
through the inlet 11 of the body 10, the refrigerant containing
space A and the outlet 12 by turns, one surface of the display
member 20 may be contacted with the excessive moisture included in
the refrigerant 1. Then, the other surface of the display member 20
as well as the one surface is changed to a warning color, for
example, yellow color. Therefore, the user can identify the changed
color of the display member 20 through the lens 31 and replace
promptly the filter drier with a new one.
[0055] The display member 20 has a flat ring shape, so that its
color can be displayed through the lens 31 without disturbing the
flow of the refrigerant.
[0056] In addition to the above function, the display member 20
also allows the user to show the quantity of the refrigerant 1
through the refrigerant display window 21. Accordingly, the user
can determine the supplementation time of the refrigerant according
to the shown quantity of the refrigerant.
[0057] Next, it will be described how the moisture indicator in
accordance with the present invention attached to a refrigeration
system.
[0058] The moisture indicator should be connected to circulation
pipes of the refrigeration system. Generally, welding is used to
connect the moisture indicator and the pipes. However, this is not
desirable because the cost of the welding is high and the length of
the whole system becomes long.
[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
moisture indicator is formed in a ball valve of the refrigeration
system as one body. The ball valve controls flow of refrigerant in
the refrigeration system.
[0060] On the other hand, it is desirable that the filter direr is
arranged individually with the ball valve because the filter drier
should be changed more frequently than the moisture indicator.
[0061] The moisture indicator and the ball valve may be arranged in
a line. The filter drier is placed in a side of the ball valve
having the moisture indicator. The moisture indicator formed in the
ball valve as one body can check a moisture content included in the
refrigerant passed through the filter drier.
[0062] As described above, the moisture indicator according to the
present invention has the effects as follows:
[0063] First, the user can easily identify the color of the display
member without disturbing the flow of the refrigerant.
[0064] Second, the sealing force of the body is largely improved to
prevent the refrigerant from leaking outside.
[0065] Third, comparing the color of the display member with that
of the exemplification paper at a glance, the user can determine
exactly the replacement time of the filter drier.
[0066] Forth, the user can determine the supplementation time of
the refrigerant by checking the quantity of the refrigerant.
[0067] Fifth, since the moisture indicator is formed in a ball
valve of a refrigeration system as one body, the installation cost
and the size of a refrigeration system can be reduced.
[0068] Although the present invention has been fully described by
way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is
to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and
modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they
should be construed as being included therein.
* * * * *