Fluid injection system
An apparatus for injecting a fluid into a closed pressurized system can be connected to a service port of the system. The fluid can be introduced into the system using the resting and operating pressures of the closed pressurized system. The system can be a climate control system.
1. A method of introducing a fluid into a closed pressurized system comprising:
attaching a first port of an injection apparatus to a service port of the system, the injection apparatus including a chamber containing the fluid and having a chamber pressure, the system being at a resting pressure, the resting pressure being greater than the chamber pressure;
equilibrating the resting pressure and the chamber pressure to a delivery pressure within the chamber; and
reducing the resting pressure to an operating pressure in the closed system, thereby transporting the fluid into the system.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising loading the chamber of the injection apparatus with the fluid.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein loading the chamber includes injecting the fluid into the chamber with a syringe.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein injecting the fluid into the chamber with a syringe includes forming a seal between a second port of the injection apparatus and a tip of the syringe and forcing the fluid through the tip and into the chamber.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a reduced pressure to the chamber prior to equilibrating the resting pressure and the chamber pressure.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the system is a climate control system.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the climate control system is an air conditioning system.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the chamber pressure is ambient pressure.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the chamber pressure is less than ambient pressure.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the operating pressure is less than 75% of the resting pressure.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the operating pressure is less than half of the resting pressure.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein reducing the resting pressure to an operating pressure includes operating the closed pressurized system.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the first port is a low-pressure service port of an air conditioning system.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes a leak detection dye.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the dye includes a naphthalimide dye.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes a lubricant.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes an additive.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes a performance-enhancing product.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the injection apparatus is flexible.
20. An apparatus for introducing a fluid into a closed pressurized system comprising:
a body including a chamber, a first end and a second end;
a coupler at the first end, the coupler being configured to attach to and open a service port of the closed pressurized system;
a fluid loader at the second end, the fluid loader being configured to allow a fluid to be introduced into the chamber;
a sealing member; and
a syringe capable of piercing the sealing member.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein a portion of the body is transparent.
22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the fluid loader includes a one-way valve and a receiving port configured to connect to a fluid dispenser.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the fluid dispenser is a syringe having a tip having a diameter that forms a seal when inserted in the receiving port.
24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the fluid loader is a sealing member.
25. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the body is a section of a hose.
26. A kit for introducing a fluid into a closed pressurized system comprising:
a fluid injector comprising:
a body including a chamber, a first end and a second end;
a coupler at the first end, the coupler being configured to attach to and open a service port of the closed pressurized system; and
a fluid loader at the second end, the fluid loader being configured to allow a fluid to be introduced into the chamber;
a fluid dispenser configured to fluidly connect to the fluid loader;
a sealing member; and
a syringe capable of piercing the sealing member.
27. The kit of claim 26 further comprising a source of the fluid.
28. A method of introducing a fluid into a closed pressurized system comprising:
attaching a first port of an injection apparatus to a service port of the system, the injection apparatus including a chamber containing the fluid and having a chamber pressure, the system being at a resting pressure, the resting pressure being greater than the chamber pressure;
equilibrating the resting pressure and the chamber pressure to a delivery pressure within the chamber;
reducing the resting pressure to an operating pressure in the closed system, thereby transporting the fluid into the system;
loading the chamber of the injection apparatus with the fluid wherein loading the chamber includes injecting the fluid into the chamber with a syringe; and wherein injecting the fluid into the chamber with a syringe includes piercing a sealing member at a second port of the injection apparatus with a needle of the syringe and forcing the fluid through the tip and into the chamber.