Method of repairing leaky HVAC service valves and an improved HVAC service valve which prevents leaks

摘要

In a HVAC service valve comprised of a valve body, the valve body defining a cylindrical cavity for receiving a valve stem, the valve stem being rotatably positioned in the cylindrical cavity of the valve body so as to open and close the service valve when the valve stem is rotated counterclockwise and clockwise respectively, the valve stem having a top portion, the top portion being provided with an O-ring to seal any fluid passageway between the top portion of the valve stem and an inner wall of the cylindrical cavity of the valve body, the valve body further having an upper portion, the upper portion being provided with means for preventing the valve stem from being forced out of the valve body due to refrigerant pressure, the improvement being an elastic seal ring positioned above the top portion of the valve stem and below the means for preventing the valve stem from being forced out of the valve body, the elastic seal ring being sized to fit tightly against the inner wall of the cylindrical cavity.

主权项

1. A method of repairing a refrigerant leak in a HVAC service valve, the service valve being of the type which has a cap, a valve body defining a cylindrical cavity for receiving a rotatable valve stem, and means provided on an upper portion of the valve body for preventing the valve stem from being forced out of the cylindrical cavity, comprising, in the following sequence:
a. removing the cap from the service valve; b. rotating the valve stem clockwise; c. inserting an elastic seal ring above a top portion of the valve stem and below the means for preventing the valve stem from being forced out of the cylindrical cavity; the rotating the valve stem clockwise step being a sufficient amount of rotation to accomplish the inserting the elastic seal ring step; d. inserting a rigid retainer ring inside the elastic seal ring, the rigid retainer ring having an outer diameter at least as great as an inner diameter of the elastic seal ring; e. back-seating the valve stem against the means for preventing the valve stem from being forced out of the cylindrical cavity by rotating the valve stem counterclockwise, thereby pushing the elastic seal ring against the means for preventing the valve stem from being forced out of the cylindrical cavity; and f. replacing the cap on the service valve after the back-seating step.