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US-20260126280-A1 - System for installing refrigerant of an air conditioner or refrigerator

US20260126280A1US 20260126280 A1US20260126280 A1US 20260126280A1US-20260126280-A1

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved fish tape and housing. Generally, the disclosed fish tape and housing includes: a modified and scaled fiberglass, metallic or plastic tape designed for accurately measuring the total length of round pipes; a modified tip for the tape that prevents damage to copper piping of a refrigerant piping system; and a housing containing the tape such that the tape is extractable from the housing and wherein the housing includes squeegee that wipes clean the tape as it is extracted from the housing.

Inventors

  • Trent Samson

Assignees

  • Trent Samson

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251231

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A fish tape and housing comprising: a scaled fiberglass, metal, or plastic tape designed for accurately measuring the total length of round pipes; a bulbous tip for the tape configured to minimize damage to copper piping of a refrigerant piping system; the housing containing the tape such that the tape is extractable from the housing; and a squeegee that both encircles the tape and wipes clean all sides of the tape as it is extracted from the housing.
  2. 2 . The fish tape and housing of claim 1 wherein the squeegee is defined at least in part by a body with a through hole through which the tape may electively pass, wherein the through hole is configured with a surface area that interfaces a corresponding surface area on the external surface of the tape such that said surface area of the through hole wipes clean the corresponding surface area on the external surface of the tape whenever the tape electively passes there through said through hole.
  3. 3 . The fish tape and housing of claim 2 wherein the housing features a panel that features printed, embedded material defining at least one formula.
  4. 4 . The fish tape and housing of claim 3 wherein the squeegee is made of rubber, fiber material, or silicone.
  5. 5 . The fish tape and housing of claim 4 wherein the body of the squeegee is cylindrical.
  6. 6 . The fish tape and housing of claim 5 wherein the squeegee is coupled to the housing.
  7. 7 . The fish tape and housing of claim 6 wherein the squeegee is coupled to the entrance of the refrigerant piping system.
  8. 8 . A method of using the fish tape and housing of claim 7 , the method comprising: locating the fish tape; locating the refrigerant piping system; extracting the fish tape from the housing such that the squeegee wipes the tape clean and free of contaminants; inserting the tip of the fish tape into a first end of the piping system; threading the fish tape through the piping system via slowly feeding the fish tape into the refrigerant piping system such that the squeegee continues to remove any debris or contaminants from the exterior surface of the tape as the tape is extracted from the housing and advanced into the refrigerant piping system; pulling the tip from a second end of the refrigerant piping system; identifying a scale displayed on the scaled tape at the first end of the piping system such that the scale corresponds to the length of the refrigerant piping system; noting the length of the refrigerant piping system; retrieving the fish tape via retraction from the system and reentry of the tape into the housing; calculating a refrigerant amount based on the length of the refrigerant piping system; and, charging the system via adding refrigerant in the calculated refrigerant amount to the system; and verifying or testing a refrigerant system coupled to the refrigerant piping system to ensure that said refrigerant system is operating or that said refrigerant system meets a predetermined performance standard.
  9. 9 . A method of using the fish tape and housing, the method comprising: locating the fish tape and housing, where the fish tape and housing comprise— a scaled fiberglass, metal, or plastic tape designed for accurately measuring the total length of round pipes, a bulbous tip for the tape configured to minimize damage to copper piping of a refrigerant piping system, the housing containing the tape such that the tape is extractable from the housing, and a squeegee that both encircles the tape and wipes clean the tape as it is extracted from the housing; locating the refrigerant piping system; extracting the fish tape; inserting the tip of the fish tape into a first end of the piping system; threading the fish tape through the piping system via slowly feeding the fish tape into the refrigerant piping system such that the squeegee continues to remove any debris or contaminants from the exterior surface of the tape as the tape is extracted from the housing and advanced into the refrigerant piping system; pulling the tip from a second end of the refrigerant piping system; identifying a scale displayed on the scaled tape at the first end of the piping system such that the scale corresponds to the length of the refrigerant piping system; noting the length of the refrigerant piping system; retrieving the fish tape via retraction from the system and reentry of the tape into the housing; calculating a refrigerant amount based on the length of the refrigerant piping system; and, charging the system via adding refrigerant in the calculated refrigerant amount to the system; and verifying or testing a refrigerant system coupled to the refrigerant piping system to ensure that said refrigerant system is operating or that said refrigerant system meets a predetermined performance standard.
  10. 10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the squeegee is defined at least in part by a body with a through hole through which the tape may electively pass, wherein the through hole is configured with a surface area that interfaces a corresponding surface area on the external surface of the tape such that said surface area of the through hole wipes clean the corresponding surface area on the external surface of the tape whenever the tape electively passes there through said through hole.
  11. 11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the housing features a panel that features printed, embedded material defining at least one formula.
  12. 12 . The method of claim 10 wherein the squeegee is made of rubber, fiber material, or silicone.
  13. 13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the body of the squeegee is cylindrical.
  14. 14 . The method of claim 12 wherein the squeegee is coupled to the housing.
  15. 15 . The method of claim 12 wherein the squeegee is coupled to the entrance of the refrigerant piping system.
  16. 16 . A fish tape comprising: a scaled fiberglass, metal, or plastic tape designed for accurately measuring the total length of round pipes; a bulbous tip for the tape configured to minimize damage to copper piping of a refrigerant piping system; and a squeegee that is threaded by the tape and that wipes clean all sides of the tape as the tape is pulled through a through the squeegee.
  17. 17 . The fish tape of claim 16 wherein the squeegee is defined at least in part by a body with the through hole through which the tape may electively pass, wherein the through hole is configured with a surface area that interfaces a corresponding surface area on the external surface of the tape such that said surface area of the through hole wipes clean the corresponding surface area on the external surface of the tape whenever the tape electively passes there through said through hole.
  18. 18 . The fish tape of claim 17 wherein the squeegee is made of rubber, fiber material, or silicone.
  19. 19 . The fish tape of claim 18 wherein the squeegee is coupled to the housing.
  20. 20 . The fish tape of claim 18 wherein the squeegee is coupled to the entrance of the refrigerant piping system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS See ADS. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT Not applicable. REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC Not applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR Reserved for a later date, if necessary. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention The disclosed subject matter is in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Background of the Invention HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) technicians are responsible for ensuring that new or existing HVAC systems function efficiently and effectively. Central to this responsibility is the management of refrigerant, for example “freon,” in these systems. Refrigerant is responsible for cooling and heat exchange processes. One typical scenario HVAC technicians encounter is working with preexisting refrigerant piping systems, e.g., when retrofitting an older system, repairing a leak, or simply performing regular maintenance. In this scenario, technicians often face the challenge of determining precisely how much refrigerant should be charged (i.e., added) to the system. Accurate refrigerant charging is paramount to the proper HVAC functions. Insufficient or excessive refrigerant levels can lead to poor performance, increased energy consumption, and equipment damage. Traditionally, HVAC technicians rely on a variety of systems or methods to measure and introduce refrigerant into systems. These tools often include rulers, common measuring tapes, gauges, and cylinders. However, when it comes to retrofitting or servicing existing systems, these methods can pose a significant problem. There are several problems associated with traditional systems/methods. One problem is that refrigerant piping can be inaccessible or have obstructed access because measuring the length of the copper piping becomes difficult or impossible. Another problem is ensuring the cleanliness of the tools used for measuring and adding refrigerant. Contaminants, moisture, or residues left on these tools can compromise the integrity of the refrigerant and the overall efficiency of the HVAC system. Furthermore, many rulers or measuring tapes and tools are not designed with the specific needs of HVAC technicians in mind. These may lack precision, ease of use, or compatibility with refrigerant installation procedures. Description of Related Art Here is a list of related art that has one or more of the problems identified above: USD351561 by Wu (circa 2006) discloses a “DRAIN CLEANER STRIP”USD518252 by Moffatt et al. (circa 1994) discloses a “FISH TAPE CASING”US8584297 by Tash (circa 2013) discloses a “HAND-OPERATED DRAIN SNAKE WITH AUGER.”US7415778 by McEwan et al. (circa 2008) discloses a “TAPE MEASURE WITH MOVING TAPE EXIT PORT.”US6224038 by Walstent et al (circa 2001) discloses a “FISH TAPE REEL ASSEMBLY.”US4092780 by Trenthewey et al. (circa 1978) discloses a “ELECTRICIAN'S FISH TAPE.” According to this patent's abstract, the “fish tape and reel and spreader mechanism... includes a handle and a counter device so that the length of the tape payed out will be measured.”US2764294 by Johnson (circa 1956) discloses “ATTACHMENTS FOR DIP-STICKS.”US2743884 by Briggs (circa 1953) discloses “FISH TAPE THREADER.”US1858997 by Lewin (circa 1932) discloses “SPIRAL FISH CABLE.”US20070256314A1 by Ruiz (circa 2007) disclose a “MEASURED STEEL FISH TAPE.” The abstract explains that the “steel fish tape . . . is functional and time- and money-saving. The original wide, flat form of the fish tape allows for imprinted measurements, thereby enabling the measurement imprints to start at one (1) and reach up to the length of the fish tape, including every inch in between each foot.”US20050126029A1 by Smith (circa 2005) discloses a “TAPE MEASURE DEVICE.”US20050011082A1 by Bautista et al (circa 2005) discloses a “WIRE MEASURING SYSTEM.” The abstract says: “A wire measuring system include[es] a housing having a handle secured thereto. The housing has a hollow interior including an exit slot formed therein. A length of tape is disposed within the hollow interior of the housing. The length of tape has incremental measurements imprinted thereon. Then length of the tape has a free end extending outwardly of the exit slot of the housing. A tip portion is swively coupled with the free end of the length of tape. The tip portion has a slot formed therethrough for receiving a free end of a length of wire therethrough. US20030192193A1 by Potts et al. (circa 2003) discloses “MEASURING FISHTAPE.” [003] of the document says: “the metal tape has measuring marks in the instruments of inches and feet marking to the end of the metal tape.” [005] says: “The measuring fish tape is used for measuring the conduit or flex to get and exact measurement of the conduit, so that th