FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pumps, and more particularly to recovery and vacuum pumps for refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides, in one aspect, a system attachable to a refrigeration circuit includes a recovery pump attachable to the refrigeration circuit to remove refrigerant therefrom. The recovery pump includes a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, a battery pack for providing power to the electric motor, and a recovery pump controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor. The recovery pump controller has a first communication interface. The system further includes an accessory attachable to the refrigeration circuit concurrently with the recovery pump. The accessory includes a sensor for detecting a characteristic value of the refrigeration circuit, and an accessory controller electrically connected with the sensor to receive a signal therefrom corresponding with the characteristic value of the refrigeration circuit. The accessory controller has a second communication interface to communicate the signal to the recovery pump controller via the first and second wireless interfaces. The recovery pump controller is operable to control the operation of the electric motor based upon the signal received from the accessory.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a system attachable to a refrigeration circuit includes a recovery pump attachable to the refrigeration circuit to remove refrigerant therefrom. The recovery pump includes a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, and a recovery pump controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor. The recovery pump controller has a first communication interface. The system further includes an accessory attachable to the refrigeration circuit concurrently with the recovery pump. The accessory includes a sensor for detecting a characteristic value of the refrigeration circuit, and an accessory controller electrically connected with the sensor to receive a signal therefrom corresponding with the characteristic value of the refrigeration circuit. The accessory controller has a second communication interface to communicate the signal to the recovery pump controller via the first and second communication interfaces. The recovery pump controller is operable to control the operation of the electric motor based upon the signal received from the accessory. The accessory includes at least one of an electrically actuated fluid valve coupled between the pump and the refrigeration circuit to selectively place the pump in fluid communication with the refrigeration circuit, or a gauge accessory that is attachable to the refrigeration circuit and is disposed remotely from the recovery pump. The signal being indicative of the pressure within the refrigeration circuit proximate the gauge accessory.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a system attachable to a refrigeration circuit includes a vacuum pump attachable to the refrigeration circuit to remove fluid therefrom. The vacuum pump includes a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, and a vacuum pump controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor. The vacuum pump controller having a first communication interface. The system further includes an accessory attachable to the refrigeration circuit concurrently with the vacuum pump. The accessory includes at least one of an electrically actuated fluid valve coupled between the pump and the refrigeration circuit to selectively place the pump in fluid communication with the refrigeration circuit, or a gauge accessory attachable to the refrigeration circuit concurrently with the vacuum pump. The gauge accessory includes a sensor for detecting pressure within the refrigeration circuit, and an accessory controller electrically connected with the sensor to receive a signal therefrom corresponding with the pressure of the refrigeration circuit. The accessory controller has a second communication interface to communicate the signal to the vacuum pump controller via the first and second communication interfaces. The vacuum pump controller is operable to control the operation of the electric motor based upon the signal received from the gauge accessory.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a system including a recovery pump attachable to a refrigeration circuit to remove refrigerant therefrom. The recovery pump includes a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, a battery pack for providing power to the electric motor, and a recovery pump controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor. The recovery pump controller has a communication interface. The system includes a vacuum pump attachable to the refrigeration circuit concurrently with the recovery pump to create a vacuum in the refrigeration circuit. The vacuum pump includes a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, a battery pack for providing power to the electric motor, and a vacuum pump controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor. The vacuum pump controller has a communication interface. The recovery pump controller and the vacuum pump controller are capable of bi-directional communication via the respective communication interfaces to control operation of the electric motors in the respective recovery pump and the vacuum pump.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a system attachable to a refrigeration circuit. The system includes a recovery pump attachable to the refrigeration circuit to remove refrigerant therefrom. The recovery pump includes a first pump, a first electric motor for driving the first pump, and a first battery pack for providing power to the first electric motor. The system further includes a vacuum pump attachable to the refrigeration system to create a vacuum therein. The vacuum pump includes a second pump, a second electric motor for driving the second pump, a second battery pack for providing power to the second electric motor. The first and second battery packs are interchangeable to provide power to the recovery pump and the vacuum pump.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a system attachable to a refrigeration circuit includes a pump assembly attachable to the refrigeration circuit. The pump assembly includes a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, and a pump controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor. The pump controller having a first communication interface. The system further includes an accessory attachable to the refrigeration circuit concurrently with the pump assembly. The accessory includes a sensor for detecting a characteristic value of the refrigeration circuit, and an accessory controller electrically connected with the sensor to receive a signal therefrom corresponding with the characteristic value of the refrigeration circuit. The accessory controller having a second communication interface. The system further includes a communication hub configured to receive the signal from the second communication interface of the accessory and transmit the signal to the pump controller via the first communication interface. The pump controller is operable to control the operation of the electric motor based upon the signal received from the communication hub.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a recovery pump for use with a refrigeration circuit. The recovery pump includes a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, a battery pack for providing power to the electric motor, and a controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor. The controller includes a communication interface for communicating at least one of a performance parameter of the recovery pump to a user or a characteristic value associated with the refrigeration circuit to a user.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a vacuum pump for use with a refrigeration circuit. The vacuum pump includes a pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, a battery pack for providing power to the electric motor, and a controller for controlling the operation of the electric motor. The controller includes a communication interface for communicating at least one of a performance parameter of the vacuum pump to a user or a characteristic value associated with the refrigeration circuit to a user.

The invention provides, in another aspect, a method of performing work on a refrigeration circuit includes connecting a recovery pump, a vacuum pump, and an electrically actuated fluid valve to the refrigeration circuit, operating the recovery pump in a fluid removal state, in which the recovery pump removes the refrigerant from the refrigeration circuit, wirelessly communicating a first notification to a portable computer in response to termination of the fluid removal state, and wirelessly communicating an instruction via the portable computer to actuate the electrically actuated fluid valve to isolate the recovery pump from the refrigeration circuit and to place the vacuum pump in fluid communication with the refrigeration circuit.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

