Method of applying liquid fluorescent dyes to the internal parts of air conditioning or refrigeration systems
US6595039B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B45/00
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method is provided for applying an internal coating to a fluid conduit component before assembly of that component in a fluid circuit. A selected amount of coating material is placed into a measuring device and dispensed into an opening of the component to coat an interior surface of the component. The coating material may be a leak detection dye or other additive that is later dissolved when the component is installed in a system of components such as an air conditioning system. When the system is charged with refrigerant and lubricant, the dye dissolves and may be circulated by the refrigerant and lubricant. If a leak exists in the system, the dye is expressed to indicate the location of a leak site. An apparatus is also provided for applying dye to an interior surface of a component of an air conditioning unit, prior to assembly of the component in an air conditioning system. The apparatus has a means for placing a selected amount of dye into a measuring device and a means for dispensing the dye into an opening of the component to coat an interior surface of the component.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.