US20150233621A1

US20150233621A1 - Refrigerant Recovery Cooling Blanket

Info

Publication number: US20150233621A1
Application number: US14/619,044
Authority: US
Inventors: Edgar Gregory
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-20
Filing date: 2015-02-10
Publication date: 2015-08-20

Abstract

The present invention provides a cooling blanket configured to be wrapped around a recovery tank during refrigerant recovery to prevent overheating of the recovery tank and a method for the same. The cooling blanket includes a rectangular body portion having a first side and second side constructed of an absorbent and heavy duty cloth designed to be frequently saturated with cold water after being wrapped around the recovery tank. The first side and second side further includes fasteners that are configured to removably secure the body portion around the recovery tank during the refrigerant recovery process. An interior surface of the body portion includes interior pockets designed to receive frozen cooling packs to further prevent overheating of the recovery tank. An exterior surface of the body portion may include customizable designs.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/942,161 filed on Feb. 10, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to refrigerant recovery. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved cooling blanket adapted to be circumferentially wrapped around a recovery tank during the refrigerant recovery process. The cooling blanket includes a rectangular body portion having fasteners to removably secure the body portion to the recovery tank. The body portion is adapted to be saturated in cold water to aid in the refrigerant recovery process by preventing the refrigerant from overheating during recovery.
Most homes and businesses have at least one machine that uses a refrigerant to heat or cool space, food or water. Recently, refrigerators, air conditioning units, heat pumps, and other heat-exchange equipment contain refrigerant chemicals, such as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases that are compressed, circulated, and recompressed. Some refrigerants like in vehicle air conditioning units or other industrial units may require the refrigerant to be changed due to mechanical issues, however, most refrigerants can function for years without being replaced.
The U.S. government began regulating the use of refrigerants with the Clean Air Act of 1990, which prohibited the use of older chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) when global warming potential and ozone depletion potential raised concerns about their usage. Although HFC is non-ozone depleting, this refrigerant and other similar refrigerants have global warming potentials that are thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide. Therefore, the Act gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the responsibility of regulating the removal and recycling of these materials and contains standards and guidelines for their handling.
Refrigerant recovery systems usually work using a vacuum or compression pump connected to the machine that has used the refrigerant. These recovery systems are coupled to one or more tanks to drain the refrigerant. The refrigerant is pulled out of the compressor and evacuated into the recovery tank. The EPA have standards that require a certain percentage of the old refrigerant be evacuated from the compressor. The refrigerant heats during the recovery operation and causes an increase in pressure which decreases the rate of refrigerant recovery.
The present invention provides a solution to overheating which in effect slows the refrigerant recovery process. The present invention provides a cooling blanket configured to be wrapped around a recovery tank during refrigerant recovery. The cooling blanket includes a rectangular body portion having a first and second side, and exterior and interior surfaces, is adapted to be wrapped circumferentially around a recovery tank. The body portion is constructed of an absorbent cloth and is designed to be frequently saturated with cold water after being circumferentially wrapped around the recovery tank. The first side and the second side include fasteners that are adapted to removably secure the body portion around the recovery tank. A recovery machine coupled to the recovery tank contain cooling fans and is placed in close proximity to the recovery tank with the cooling blanket removably wrapped therearound to aid in the cooling process. The exterior surface of the body portion may further include customizable designs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to blankets adapted to cool recovery tanks. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some of these devices disclose a wrapper composed of phase change material that is adapted to wrap around the circumference of a tank. Other devices disclose a thermal jacket consisting of a coil of tubes and a fill and pump mechanism to pump thermally conducive liquid therethrough. These devices, however, do not disclose a body portion configured to be saturated with water having interior pockets designed to receive frozen cooling packs for cooling a recovery tank. The foregoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,840 to Scaringe provides a wrapper adapted to wrap around the circumference of a tank used to store saturated condensed used refrigerant evacuated from a refrigeration system. The wrapper is composed of a phase change material that acts as a heat exchange medium by changing between solid and liquid phases at its melting and freezing temperatures selected from a particular range and thus served to provide a large thermal driving force so as to cool the tank. However, the Scaringe device does not provide a body portion having interior pockets designed to receive frozen cooling packs.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,495 to Daigle provides a temperature controlled thermal jacket for selectively heating and cooling a refrigerant container for capturing refrigerant. The Daigle device discloses a jacket formed of flexible material adapted to be couple about a refrigerant container. The jacket consists of tubes formed in a coil having an inlet and outlet. The Daigle device further provides a fill mechanism adapted to couple to the jacket to fill therethrough a thermally conductive liquid and a pump mechanism coupled between the inlet and outlet for pumping thermally conducive liquid therethrough. However, the Daigle device does not provide a body portion configured to be saturated with cold water and having interior pockets for storing frozen cooling packs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,598 to Alderman discloses a heat insulation blanket for reducing heat transfer between adjacent spaces having four plies of thermoplastic material juxtaposed on one another. The plies are formed into an array of sealed cells with inner cells formed from the inner plies and outer cells formed from the outer plies and inner plies. The Alderman device includes phase change material filled in the inner cells and gas in the outer cells. However, the Alderman device does not provide a body portion having interior pockets and configured to be saturated with cold water to facilitate refrigerant recovery and prevent refrigerant overheating
U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,824 to Galockin provides a cooling jacket and dispenser system for a container of liquid beverage. The Galockin device discloses a flexible sheet of thermally insulating material fit around a container to be cooled thereby. The sheet has a cooling line coil disposed on the interior surface. The cooling line coil is connected to a cooling bath fluid supply. However, the Galockin device discloses a cooling jacket for a liquid beverage, and does not disclose a body portion having interior pockets configured to facilitate refrigerant recovery and prevent refrigerant overheating.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,629,988 to Samuel provides a curved jacket to cover the exterior surface of a barrel of keg. The Samuel jacket further consists of a refrigerator section and a gate joined to the jacket at one side. A keg or barrel can be placed therein through the gate and be completely enclosed therein. The refrigerator section consists of a rectangular plate having a cooling member on the outer face of the plate and a heat-insulating liner. The cooling member covers substantially the entirety of the outer face. The Samuel device further discloses a pan beneath the plate and legs connected therebetween. However, the Samuel device provides a device for cooling a jacket, and does not disclose a body portion having interior pockets for receiving frozen cooling packs.
The devices disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks. Some of these devices disclose a wrapper composed of phase change material that is adapted to wrap around the circumference of a tank. Other devices disclose a thermal jacket consisting of a coil of tubes and a fill and pump mechanism to pump thermally conducive liquid therethrough. These devices, however, are limited and do not disclose a body portion configured to be saturated with cold water and also having interior pockets for receiving frozen cooling packs.
The present invention overcomes these limitations by disclosing a cooling blanket having a body portion having a first and second side, and exterior and interior surfaces. The body portion configured to be wrapped circumferentially around a recovery tank. The body portion is constructed of a moisture absorbent duty cloth and is designed to be frequently saturated with cold water after being circumferentially wrapped around the recovery tank. The first side and second side further include fasteners to removably secure the body portion around the recovery tank. The interior surface also includes a plurality of interior pockets that are designed to hold frozen cooling packs. It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to cooling blankets for refrigerant recovery. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of cooling blankets for refrigerant recovery now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved refrigerant recovery cooling blanket that is adapted to be removably circumferentially wrapped around the exterior of a recovery tank to facilitate refrigerant recovery and prevent overheating.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved refrigerant recovery cooling blanket that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved refrigerant recovery cooling blanket that is designed to facilitate refrigerant recovery and prevent overheating that slows the recovery process.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved refrigerant recovery cooling blanket that comprises a body portion having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a first and second side to be circumferentially wrapped around a recovery tank.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved refrigerant recovery cooling blanket that further comprises fasteners on first and second sides to removably secure the body portion around a recovery tank.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved refrigerant recovery cooling blanket that includes interior pockets on the interior surface of the body portion designed to hold frozen cooling packs.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved refrigerant recovery cooling blanket that further comprises a customizable design on the exterior surface of the body portion.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved refrigerant recovery cooling blanket wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side perspective of the present invention as removably wrapped around the recovery tank and coupled with a recovery machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the refrigerant recovery cooling blanket. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as removably circumferentially wrapped around a recovery tank. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown a front perspective of a pair of preferred embodiments 1, 2 of the refrigerant recovery cooling blanket 20. Blanket 20 comprises a body portion 21 having a first side 22, a second side 23, an interior surface 24 and a coextensive exterior surfaces 25. The body portion 21 is configured to circumferentially wrap around a recovery tank with the interior surface 24 juxtaposed on the surface of the recovery tank. The body portion 21 is composed of a moisture absorbent cloth, wherein the body portion 21 is frequently saturated with cold water after being circumferentially wrapped around the recovery tank to cool the same. The first side 22 and the second side 23 comprise complimentary fasteners to removably secure around the recovery tank by a fastener. Complimentary fasteners include hook and loop fasteners 26 and zip fasteners, however, without limitation, other embodiments are alternatively composed of other suitable fasteners.
In the preferred embodiment 1, the first side and second side 23 further comprise strips of hook and loop fasteners 26 that are removably secure the body portion 21 around the recovery tank. In the alternative preferred embodiment 2, the first side 22 and second side 23 in embodiment 2 further comprise a zip fastener having strips of tape 27 with attached teeth 28, and a slider 29. The slider 29 is configured to join and interlock the teeth 28 to removably secure the body portion 21 around the recovery tank.
The interior surface 24 may further comprise a plurality of interior pockets 31 that are each configured to receive a frozen cooling pack 32 to maintain the efficiency of the refrigerant recovery process. The frozen cooling packs 32 that can be placed therein include dry ice packs and ice packs. Each of these interior pockets 31 are substantially rectangular in shape having enclosed sides and bottom, wherein an open upper end is open for access to an interior chamber within the interior pocket 31. The interior chamber of each interior pocket 31 is designed to receive therein the frozen cooling pack 32.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown blanket 20 removably circumferentially wrapped around recovery tank 30. A conventional recovery machine 31 generally includes a compressor and a cooling fan. The recovery machine 31 condenses the refrigerant and supplies the condensed refrigerant at saturation to the coupled recovery tank 30. The recovery tank 30 is thus warmed by the saturated refrigerant. The blanket 20 is frequently saturated in cold water upon securement to aid in the refrigerant recovery process by preventing the refrigerant from overheating during recovery.
The recovery tank 30 is substantially cylindrical body having an upper end 40 and a bottom end. Typically, the upper end 40 has a flange that holds a release valve. The blanket 20 is circumferentially wrapped around the cylindrical body of recovery tank 30 while leaving the upper end 40 and the bottom end open and unenclosed, wherein the flange 33 on the upper end 40 is uninhibited by the blanket 20. During the refrigerant recovery process, cold water absorbed by the body portion 21 slowly evaporates, as the recovery tank 30 heats during recovery. To continue to facilitate refrigerant recovery, the body portion 21 is periodically saturated with cold water to prevent overheating. In addition, the interior surface of the body portion 21 includes interior pockets that receive frozen cooling packs that further aid in preventing overheating of the recovery tank 30. The recovery machine 31 is also placed in close proximity to the recovery tank 30 to permit the cooling fans within the recovery machine 31 to further aid in the cooling process.
The body portion 21 is preferably composed of cotton, however without limitation, other suitable absorbent fabrics are used in other embodiments. In addition, the absorbent fabric may further be coated with a polymer that allows the fabric to absorb more cold water. In some embodiments, the exterior surface 25 of the body portion 21 may further comprise customizable designs.
According to the preferred embodiment, the cooling blanket 20 further provides a method of cooling a recovery tank 31 during refrigerant recovery to aid in the refrigerant recovery process comprising the steps of:
(a) selecting a recovery tank 30 that requires refrigerant recovery;
(b) wrapping a cooling blanket 20 having a plurality of interior pockets configured to receive frozen cooling packs on an interior surface thereof;
(c) storing said frozen cooling packs within said interior pockets;
(d) fastening said cooling blanket 20 around said recovery tank 30, wherein said cooling blanket 20 includes a first side and a second side having aligning fasteners configured to removably secure said cooling blanket therearound.
Accordingly, the method of cooling a recovery tank during refrigerant recovery to aid in the refrigerant recovery process further comprises the steps of:
(e) saturating said cooling blanket 20 frequently with cold water to prevent said recovery tank from 3 overheating and slowing the refrigerant recovery process.
(f) placing a cooling fan nearby said recovery tank 30 to further aid in said refrigerant recovery process.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A refrigerant recovery cooling blanket, comprising:

a rectangular body portion having a first side and a second side;

said first side and said second side having complimentary fasteners;

wherein said fasteners are designed to removably fasten said first side to said second side when wrapping a recovery tank with said body portion;

said body portion having an interior surface that further comprises a plurality of interior pockets;

wherein each of said interior pockets configured to receive a frozen cooling pack.

2. The refrigerant recovery cooling blanket of claim 1, wherein:

said frozen cooling pack includes a dry ice pack or an ice pack.

3. The refrigerant recovery cooling blanket of claim 1, wherein:

said body portion is composed of a moisture absorbent fabric.

4. The refrigerant recovery cooling blanket of claim 1, wherein:

each of said interior pockets has enclosed sides and bottom, wherein an open upper end is open for access to an interior chamber within said interior pocket;

wherein said interior chamber is designed to receive therein said frozen cooling pack.

5. The refrigerant recovery cooling blanket of claim 1, wherein:

said fastener is a zip fastener or a hook and loop fastener.

6. A method of cooling a recovery tank during refrigerant recovery to aid in the refrigerant recovery process, comprising the steps of:

selecting a recovery tank that requires refrigerant recovery;

wrapping a cooling blanket having a plurality of interior pockets configured to receive a frozen cooling packs on an interior surface thereof;

storing said frozen cooling pack within said interior pockets;

fastening said cooling blanket around said recovery tank, wherein said cooling blanket includes a first side and a second side having aligning fasteners configured to removably secure said cooling blanket therearound.

7. The method of cooling a recovery tank during refrigerant recovery to aid in the refrigerant recovery process of claim 5, wherein:

said frozen cooling pack includes a dry pack or an ice pack.

8. The method of cooling a recovery tank during refrigerant recovery to aid in the refrigerant recovery process of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

saturating said cooling blanket frequently with cold water to prevent said recovery tank from overheating and slowing the refrigerant recovery process.

9. The method of cooling a recovery tank during refrigerant recovery to aid in the refrigerant recovery process of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

placing a cooling fan nearby said recovery tank to further aid in said refrigerant recovery process.