US-20260126228-A1 - MANIFOLD GAUGES FOR SIMULTANEOUS ANALOG AND DIGITAL DISPLAYS

US20260126228A1US 20260126228 A1US20260126228 A1US 20260126228A1US-20260126228-A1

Abstract

The present invention provides manifold gauges for diagnosing or servicing a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration system, each including: a manifold; a high-pressure passageway; a low-pressure passageway; a high-pressure valve; a low-pressure valve; a high-pressure gauge configured for reading and displaying high-side pressures in both digital and analog formats simultaneously; a low-pressure gauge configured for reading and displaying low-side pressures in both digital and analog formats simultaneously; and an interface. The manifold gauge may also display temperature data.

Inventors

Zhukai Zhang
Lintao Lu
Jason Sierra
Yiyi Li

Assignees

NAVAC INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20250702

Claims (16)

1 . A manifold gauge for diagnosing or servicing a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration system, comprising: a) a manifold; b) a high-pressure passageway and a low-pressure passageway, each in fluid communication with the manifold; c) a high-pressure valve for controlling the fluid communication between the high-pressure passageway and the manifold; d) a low-pressure valve for controlling the fluid communication between the low-pressure passageway and the manifold; e) a high-pressure gauge, associated with the high-pressure passageway, and configured for reading a high-side pressure in a high-pressure side of the system and displaying the high-side pressure in both a digital format and an analog format simultaneously; f) a low-pressure gauge, associated with the low-pressure passageway, and configured for reading a low-side pressure in a low-pressure side of the system and displaying the low-side pressure in both a digital format and an analog format simultaneously; and g) an interface configured to convert data into visual display and receive input from a user.
2 . The manifold gauge of claim 1 , wherein the analog format for displaying the high-side pressure or low-side pressure comprises an analog scale using a needle and graduated scale to visually indicate the high-side pressure or low-side pressure.
3 . The manifold gauge of claim 1 , wherein each of the high-pressure gauge and the low-pressure gauge comprises an electronic screen configured for displaying pressure in both the digital format and the analog display.
4 . The manifold gauge of claim 1 , wherein the electronic screen is colored.
5 . The manifold gauge of claim 4 , wherein the high-pressure gauge and the low-pressure gauge have distinguishable color displays.
6 . The manifold gauge of claim 1 , wherein the manifold gauge is configured to read and display temperatures.
7 . The manifold gauge of claim 6 , wherein the low-pressure gauge is configured to display a bubble point temperature; and the high-pressure gauge is configured to display a dew point temperature.
8 . The manifold gauge of claim 1 , further comprising a refrigerant database that comprises separate presets for different types of refrigerant, and allows the user to choose the type of refrigerant via the interface.
9 . The manifold gauge of claim 8 , wherein for each type of the refrigerant, the refrigerant database comprises a preset pressure range suitable for said type of refrigerant, thereby allowing the manifold gauge to provide changeable analog reading and display for different types of refrigerant.
10 . The manifold gauge of claim 9 , wherein the manifold gauge is compatible with four or more types of refrigerants.
11 . The manifold gauge of claim 1 , wherein the interface is configured to allow the user to set parameters.
12 . The manifold gauge of claim 11 , wherein during parameter setting, one electronic screen is configured for displaying parameter setting items, and the other electronic screen is configured for simultaneously displaying corresponding parameter setting contents.
13 . The manifold gauge of claim 11 , wherein the parameters comprise refrigerant type, pressure unit, or temperature unit.
14 . The manifold gauge of claim 11 , further comprising a knob for the user to set parameters.
15 . The manifold gauge of claim 1 , further comprising a rechargeable battery.
16 . The manifold gauge of claim 1 , further comprising a USB port for charging the manifold gauge.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to United States Application No. 63/717,826, filed on Nov. 7, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A manifold gauge, also known as a manifold gauge set, is a tool used to measure and control the pressure of refrigerants in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems. It is an essential device for HVAC technicians and mechanics who work with systems that require precise refrigerant management. A manifold gauge can be used as both a diagnostic and service tool. In diagnostics, a manifold gauge tells an HVAC technician if the system is operating correctly, or if there is a problem within the system that needs to be addressed. When used as a service tool, a manifold gauge can be used to release moisture and sludge, and to remove contaminated refrigerants from the system. It is an important tool for a technician to quickly and accurately get the reading of the pressure of a system in which the manifold gauge is used. Currently, manifold gauges are available with either one of two types of readings. One type is an old-fashion analog meter with a scale and needle one endpoint of which pointing to a number in the scale which is typically round and has the look for a vintage watch. The other type is a digital reader showing the pressure only with numbers. Both types of reading have disadvantages. For analog (e.g., needle style) reading and display, although it provides an idea where the pressure stands in the scale, it lacks the precision required for today's high-efficiency systems. Conventional analog gauges communicate pressure and temperature through needle movement, offering technicians an intuitive sense of system behavior. However, these gauges lack the accuracy required for modern, energy-efficient HVAC systems, where temperature differences can be less than 1° F. On the other hand, for digital reading and display, it shows only a numeral reading of a specific pressure at a specific time, but does not give the technician an idea as to if the pressure is at the lower end or higher end of the allowed capacity. Conventional gauges with digital display can provide precise readings, but eliminate the visual movement that indicates fluctuations and range positioning. As such, they have sacrificed the intuitive visualization of needle movement that helps technicians assess changes quickly. To overcome those drawbacks, it is desired to have improved manifold gauges providing both precision digital readings and the visual dynamics of traditional analog gauges at the same time, preferably on a novel high-definition color display. Brief Summary of the Invention This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present invention provides a pressure gauge (or meter) containing a display capable of showing the pressure and/or temperature in a digital form and an analog form at the same time. The present invention provides a solution to the issues presented by the conventional types of pressure reader in a manifold gauge. The improved gauges according to the present invention may incorporate a high-definition (HD) color display that can merge numerical accuracy with a visual representation of P/T (Pressure/Temperature) data. This provides clear, real-time insights into system performance, making complex diagnostics simpler and faster. These novel gauges can deliver accuracy with digital reading, real-time visuals, and advanced animations through its innovative graphical user interface (e.g., HD Color Graphic Interface). Also, the gauges according to the present invention may include a rechargeable battery (e.g., lasting up to 100 hours), and/or intuitive one-knob design for easy operation. In particular, fully compatible with A2L refrigerants, they may support multiple (e.g., four or more; or even 72) refrigerants, replacing the need for multiple analog gauges commonly associated with substantial costs in time, space, and money. Due to all the benefits achieved by the claimed invention, products embodying the claimed invention achieved commercial success, including notable market acceptance and financial returns. One aspect of the present invention provides a manifold gauge for diagnosing or servicing a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or refrigeration system, including: (i) a manifold; (ii) a high-pressure passageway and a low-pressure passageway, each in fluid communication with the manifold; (iii) a high-pressure valve for controlling the fluid communication between the high-pressure passageway and the manifold; (iv) a low-pressure valve for controlling the