"A Specialty Valve for Quickly & Safely Isolating Components"
U.S. Design & Utility Patent # 5,915,402
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For more information, please contact:
William G. Mitchell II (Sonny)
1212 Hwy 758
Eunice, LA 70535
Cell Phone: 337.335.8149
Home & Fax: 337.457.0423
Email: gmitchell6@charter.net
Isolation Valve
"A Specialty Valve for Quickly & Safely Isolating Components"
Background of the Invention
Industry Application
Commercial & Residential Industry
Commercial refrigeration systems and air conditioning systems have become absolute necessities in commercial ventures around the world. Such systems have become so much of everyday living that we depend on them for our existence and commerce to the point that we can hardly do without them even for short periods. These systems seem to break down more often in the hottest times of the year, thereby causing a backlog for the repair industry. Inventories are depleted and systems are down for long periods thus prompting repeated service calls. The problem is compounded further in countries where refrigeration service technicians are scarce. In many cases, although it is very simple to diagnose the problem in such systems, it is quite another to obtain essential critical components, especially such expensive components as condensing coils and compressors, and locate experienced technicians to install them immediately when they are needed. In most cases to make such major repairs as replacing a coil or compressor, the technicians must first recover the freon (required in some countries) from the system for disposal under regulated conditions. The technician must then cut the refrigeration lines leading to the component unit, thereby contaminating the system with moist air. When the new component is connected in place by soldiering the lines in an attempt to perfect a perfect seal, which is not always easily accomplished on the first try, the technician must draw a vacuum on the system prior to injecting new freon, all of which takes time and some degree of expertise.
The problem may be as simple as providing precharged components. Therefore, if the system were equipped with isolation valves that allow the refrigeration lines to be disconnected with very little loss of the vital freon gas from either the system or the component element, an experienced technician would not be required to get the system back on line. Further, precharged components could be warehoused more easily and ready for use when they are needed.
Refer to Commercial & Residential Industry section for more information.
Oil & Gas Industry
In the Oil & Gas Industry, the valve can be used as a quick-release valve in high-risk areas where environmental hazards are present and/or where limitations exist due to weight & space restrictions.
One area, which would benefit from using the valve, would be the HVAC/R sector of the Oil & Gas Industry. Savings associated with quicker and more efficient change-outs of faulty HVAC/R equipment can be realized if the valve is strategically installed on HVAC/R equipment. Savings would be realized because downtime would be reduced and food-product can be saved if the problem is a refrigeration issue.
Presently, it takes approximately two to three days to replace broken or faulty HVAC/R equipment because of transportation issues. Even though numerous modes of transportation are utilized & range from hot-shot services, vehicles, boats, and helicopters there are still many critical issues that can hinder transportation to an inland or off-shore based rig-site. Transportation can be delayed or postponed as a result of inclement weather, a lack of transportation, long distances, etc. Once the dispatch for a HVAC/R technician goes out, the technician’s turn-around time is dependent on these transportation issues. Once the technician finally reaches the rig and diagnoses the problem, additional time is lost if equipment and parts need to be shipped for replacement. Again, transportation issues are critical in expediting these much needed parts. While waiting on parts, the rig is still experiencing down-time, no air/heat, food spoilage, etc. and still being charged for the technician’s time.
Installing the valve in this sector would greatly expedite the turn-around time for change-outs and repairs. In addition, a preventive maintenance or lease-type program can be offered to maintain system life for equipment that has the valve installed. Cost-savings can be realized with all options explored in this industry!
Refer to Commercial & Residential Industry section for more information.
Plant Industry
The quick-release valve can be used in high-risk areas where environmental & explosive hazards exist due to dangerous chemicals and gasses. If the valve is used on HVAC/R equipment in this industry the use of torches and multiple wrenches can be eliminated, thus eliminating potential safety threats and loss of down-time while waiting on hot-work permits. Bleed-ports between the two ball valves keep air-contaminants out of the system and allow the area between the two ball valves to be purged, thus eliminating the need of a vacuum pump.
Summary of the Invention
Valve Components
 End Seal Caps |
Valve (Disconnected) |
Valve (Connected) |
 Ball Valve |
 Spanner Wrench |
Abstract
A refrigeration isolation valve including an integral pair of ball valves closed coupled by a custom union for disconnecting and replacing charged refrigeration components. The annular bore through the valve bodies and coupling are consistent with the ball valve aperture and thus allow a true & equal flow. The external diameter of the valve body and coupling are also consistent. The isolation valve is further fitted with a vent for purging trapped air and refrigerant. A method is taught for isolating and disconnecting essential refrigerant components from a system and replacing such components with a precharged component without disturbing the system integrity.