Refrigerant valve apparatus

Abstract

An exemplary refrigerant valve apparatus includes a valve body, first and second control valves, a dip tube, a level gauge and a drive subassembly. The level gauge has a level indicator movable between empty and full positions, and may be mounted to the valve body between a pair of connector fittings. The drive subassembly includes a float arm, a float mounting bracket, and an actuator rod. The float arm includes a buoyant float and is pivotably movable between bottom and top positions. A drive portion of the actuator rod may be magnetically engaged with the indicator. Movement of the float arm toward the top position results in the indictor moving toward the full position. Movement of the float arm toward the bottom position results in the indictor moving toward the empty position. The drive subassembly may be mounted to the dip tube by way of the float mounting bracket.

Description

728395.00272REFRIGERANT VALVE APPARATUSRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 707,075 filed October 14, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference in their entireties for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to valve systems associated with pressure vessels, such as refrigerant recovery cylinders.SUMMARY

[0003] Certain deficiencies of the prior art are overcome by the provision of a refrigerant valve apparatus, as disclosed herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0005] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one non-limiting example of a refrigerant valve apparatus;

[0006] FIG. 2 is a further diagrammatic perspective view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1;728395.00272

[0007] FIG. 3 is a further diagrammatic perspective view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0008] FIG. 4 is a further diagrammatic perspective view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic top view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

[0010] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic bottom view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

[0011] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1 deployed with a pressure vessel, wherein the gauge float arm is shown in a bottom position;

[0012] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1 deployed with a pressure vessel, wherein the gauge float arm is shown moved to a top position by way of buoyancy of the gauge float in a refrigerant;

[0013] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic side view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in a first stage of insertion through the neck of a pressure vessel, wherein the gauge float is shown moved to a vessel insertion position to allow a lower section of the apparatus to fit through the neck of the pressure vessel;

[0014] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic front view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 9 shown in a first stage of insertion through the neck of a pressure vessel, wherein the gauge float is shown in a vessel insertion position to allow a lower section of the apparatus to fit through the neck of the pressure vessel;728395.00272

[0015] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic partial side view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 9 shown in a second stage of insertion through the neck of a pressure vessel, illustrating the ability of the float mounting bracket to fit through the neck of the pressure vessel;

[0016] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic partial front view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 9 shown in a second stage of insertion through the neck of a pressure vessel, illustrating the ability of the float mounting bracket to fit through the neck of the pressure vessel;

[0017] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic front view of the valve subassembly of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic side view of the valve subassembly of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the example refrigerant valve apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken across lines 16-16 of FIG. 14, wherein the first control valve and the second control valve are both shown in their closed configurations thereby preventing fluid flow between the first flow channel and the first application port, and between the second flow channel and the second application port;

[0021] FIG. 17 is a further diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken across lines 16-16 of FIG. 14, but wherein the first control valve and the second control valve are both shown having been moved to open configurations thereby allowing fluid flow between the first flow channel and the first application port, and between the second flow channel and the second application port;728395.00272

[0022] FIG. 18A is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken across lines 18-18 of FIG. 13, wherein the example gauge drive portion of the actuator rod is shown having been actuated to move the example level indicator to an empty position;

[0023] FIG. 18B is a further diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken across lines 18-18 of FIG. 13, but wherein the example gauge drive portion of the actuator rod is shown having been actuated to move the example level indicator to a full position;

[0024] FIG. 19A is a magnified view of detail 19 in FIG. 13, wherein the example level indicator is shown in an empty position;

[0025] FIG. 19B is a further magnified view of detail 19 in FIG. 13, but wherein the example level indicator is shown in a full position;

[0026] FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of a first non-limiting example of a refrigerant valve apparatus, wherein the refrigerant level gauge is shown removed from the gauge mounting socket, and the refrigerant level gauge is configured to be press-fit into the gauge mounting socket;

[0027] FIG. 21 is a broken-out section view of a non-limiting example of a refrigerant level gauge;

[0028] FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view of a second non-limiting example of a refrigerant valve apparatus, wherein the refrigerant level gauge is shown removed from the gauge mounting socket, and the refrigerant level gauge is configured to be placed in mounted to the gauge mounting socket by rail-and-groove engagement;

[0029] FIG. 23 is a magnified perspective view of the refrigerant level gauge shown in FIG. 22;

[0030] FIG. 24 is a magnified view of detail 24 in FIG. 22;728395.00272

[0031] FIG. 25 is a partial perspective view of a third non-limiting example of a refrigerant valve apparatus, wherein the refrigerant level gauge is shown removed from the gauge mounting socket, and the refrigerant level gauge is configured to be placed in mounted to the gauge mounting socket by rail-and-groove engagement;

[0032] FIG. 26 is a magnified perspective view of the refrigerant level gauge shown in FIG. 25;

[0033] FIG. 27 is a magnified view of detail 27 in FIG. 25;

[0034] FIG. 28 is a partial perspective view of a fourth non-limiting example of a refrigerant valve apparatus, wherein the refrigerant level gauge is shown removed from the gauge mounting socket, and the refrigerant level gauge is configured to be placed in mounted to the gauge mounting socket by rail-and-groove engagement;

[0035] FIG. 29 is a magnified perspective view of the refrigerant level gauge shown in FIG. 28;

[0036] FIG. 30 is a magnified view of detail 30 in FIG. 28;

[0037] FIG. 31 is an exploded view of one non-limiting example of a gauge drive subassembly with corresponding dip tube;

[0038] FIG. 32 is a further exploded view of the non-limiting example of a gauge drive subassembly with corresponding dip tube shown in FIG. 31;

[0039] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of one non-limiting example of a float mounting bracket;

[0040] FIG. 34 is a further perspective view of the example float mounting bracket shown in FIG. 33;728395.00272

[0041] FIG. 35 is a top view of the example float mounting bracket shown in FIG. 33;

[0042] FIG. 36 is a side view of the example float mounting bracket shown in FIG. 33;

[0043] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of one example valve body;

[0044] FIG. 38 is a further perspective view of the valve body shown in FIG. 37;

[0045] FIG. 39 is a further perspective view of the valve body shown in FIG. 37;

[0046] FIG. 40 is a front view of the valve body shown in FIG. 37;

[0047] FIG. 41 is a side view of the valve body shown in FIG. 37;

[0048] FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 42-42 in FIG. 40; and

[0049] FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 43-43 in FIG. 41.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding features throughout the several views.

[0051] Certain example embodiments of a refrigerant valve apparatus are shown generally at 100. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, preferred implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100 are deployable with a pressure vessel 102, such as a conventional refrigerant recovery cylinder. The pressure vessel 102 may have a vessel chamber 104 configured to store a refrigerant 111 (such as Freon or the like) under higher pressure compared to the ambient environment 106 external to the vessel chamber. The pressure vessel 102 may include a threaded neck 108 and a foot 110.728395.00272

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 13, a refrigerant valve apparatus 100 may comprise a valve subassembly 114, a gauge drive subassembly 116 and a dip tube 118. The valve subassembly 114 may include a valve body 112, a first control valve 132, a second control valve 134, and a refrigerant level gauge 144.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 40-43, a valve body 112 may have a chamber end 120, a first application port 122, a second application port 124, a first flow channel 126 in fluid communication with the chamber end 120, a second flow channel 128, and a gauge drive channel 130. The valve body 112 may also have a vessel interface chamber 226 adjacent the chamber end 120. The valve body may include a vessel connection portion 242, which may be adjacent the chamber end 120. The vessel connection portion 242 may preferably be configured to threadedly engage the neck 108 of the pressure vessel 102. Referring to FIGS. 2, 17 and 19A, the first application port 122 and the second application port 124 may have corresponding first and second application port axes (244, 246), which may preferably be orthogonal to a main axis 113 of the valve body 112.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 43, the first control valve 132 may be disposed in the valve body 112, for example within a first control valve chamber 232 of a first control valve housing portion 228 of the valve body 112. The first control valve 132 may be configured to control fluid flow 248 (e.g., refrigerant vapor flow) between the first flow channel 126 and the first application port 122. The first control valve 132 may be manually actuated by way of a first valve handle 238.

[0055] Referring again to FIGS. 16, 17 and 43, a second control valve 134 may be disposed in the valve body 112, for example within a second control valve chamber 234 of a second control valve housing portion 230 of the valve body 112. The second control valve 134 may be configured to control fluid flow 250 (e.g., refrigerant liquid flow) between the second flow channel 128 and the second application port 124. The second control valve 134 may be manually actuated by way of a first valve handle 240.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 16, a dip tube 118 may be mounted to the valve728395.00272 body 112 and may extend in a direction 136 outwardly of the chamber end 120. This mounting may be via threaded engagement between a threaded portion of the dip tube 118, and a tube mount socket 236 within the valve body 112. The dip tube 118 may have a lumen 138 extending therethrough. The lumen 138 may have a proximal end 140 and a distal end 142. The proximal end 140 may be in fluid communication between the second flow channel 128 and the distal end 142.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1, 13, 19A and 19B, the refrigerant level gauge 144 may have a level indicator 146 movable between an empty position (see, e.g., FIGS. 18A and 19A) and a full position (see, e.g., FIGS. 18B and 19B).

[0058] Referring to FIG. 1 and 31, the gauge drive subassembly 116 may include a gauge float arm 148, a float mounting bracket 150, and an actuator rod 152. The gauge float arm 148 may include a liquid-buoyant gauge float 154 and may be pivotably movable between a bottom position (see, e.g., FIG. 7) and a top position (see, e.g., FIG. 8). Referring to FIGS. 18A and 31, the actuator rod 152 may have a gauge drive portion 156 actuatably disposed within the gauge drive channel 130. The gauge drive portion 156 may preferably comprise a permanent magnet or other ferromagnetic material, and may be in magnetic engagement with the level indicator 146.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 18B and 21, in certain preferred implementations of the apparatus 100, the refrigerant level gauge 144 may include an indicator shuttle 196 which comprises a permanent magnet or other ferromagnetic material. The level indicator 146 may form a part of, or may be connected to, the indicator shuttle 196. Thus, the magnetic engagement between the gauge drive portion 156 and the level indicator 146 may preferably be by way of magnetic attraction between the gauge drive portion 156 and the indicator shuttle 196.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, in certain preferred implementations of a refrigerant level gauge 144, an indicator shuttle 196 and its associated level indicator 146 may be housed within a gauge housing 186. The gauge housing 186 may include at least728395.00272 a transparent display face 190 through which the level indicator 146 may be viewable from a viewing position 182 external to the display face 190. In certain implementations, the gauge housing 186 may be comprised primarily or entirely of a transparent polymer. The indicator shuttle 196 may be slidably mounted on a shuttle guide rod 198. The shuttle guide rod 198 may include a guide rod sleeve 200, which may comprise a material for reducing friction between the shuttle guide rod 198 and the indicator shuttle 196. The gauge housing 186 may include a housing cap 188 for securing the level indicator, indicator shuttle 196, shuttle guide rod 198 within the gauge housing 186. The display face 190 may include one or more gauge markings 193. The gauge housing 186 may include an upper end 191, a lower end 192, a first lateral housing wall 194 A and a second lateral housing wall 194b.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 8, 18B and 19B, in certain preferred implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100, movement of the gauge float arm 148 toward the top position may result in the level indictor 146 moving toward the full position by way of the actuator rod 152. Conversely, referring to FIGS. 7, 18A and 19A, movement of the gauge float arm 148 toward the bottom position may result in the level indictor 146 moving toward the empty position by way of the actuator rod 152.

[0062] Referring to FIG 1, in certain preferred implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100, the dip tube 118 may be elongated and rigid. For example, the dip tube 118 may be comprised of a rigid metal or polymer.

[0063] Referring to FIGS 1 and 31, in particular preferred implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100, the gauge drive subassembly 116 may be mounted to the dip tube 118 by way of the float mounting bracket 150. In certain such implementations, the mounting of the gauge drive subassembly 116 to the dip tube 118 may be by way of clamping engagement between the float mounting bracket 150 and the dip tube 118. The clamping engagement may be secured, for example, by way of a threaded clamp fastener 164.728395.00272

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, certain preferred implantations of a gauge drive subassembly may comprise a gauge float arm 148, a float mounting bracket 150, an actuator rod 152. Referring to FIGS. 33-36, the float mounting bracket 150 may have a clamp portion 158 and arm mounting portion 160. The arm mounting portion may include an arm mounting slot 162 for pivotably receiving a portion of the gauge float arm 148. Referring to FIG. 31, the gauge float arm 148 may be pivotably retained within the arm mounting slot by way of a pivot pin 176. The actuator rod 152 may include an arm engagement portion 166 configured to connect (e.g., pivotably) to a rod lever portion 172 of the gauge float arm 148. The gauge float arm 148 may include rotation detent 174 configured to engage a portion of the float mounting bracket 150 to prevent pivotal movement of the gauge float arm 148 freely about the pivot pin 176 past the bottom position (e g., below the bottom position shown in FIG. 7). The actuator rod 152 may include an elbow 168 (e.g., bend or curve) between the arm engagement portion 166 and the gauge drive portion 156.

[0065] Referring to FIGS 1 and 31, the dip tube 118 may preferably include a bracket mount portion 170, which may be configured to restrict movement of the clamped floating mounting bracket 150 along the dip tube 118 once clamping engagement between the float mounting bracket 150 and the dip tube 118 has occurred.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 13, in certain preferred implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100, the valve body 112 includes a first connector fitting 178 through which the first application port 122 extends, and a second connector fitting 180 through which the second application port 124 extends. In certain such implementations, the refrigerant level gauge 144 may be mountedly connected to the valve body 112 between the first connector fitting 178 and the second connector fitting 180.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 22, in certain preferred implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100, the valve body 112 includes a gauge mount socket 184. In such implementations, the mounted connection of the refrigerant level gauge 144 to the valve body 112 may be by way of the gauge mount socket 184 being in receipt of the728395.00272 refrigerant level gauge 144.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 24, in certain preferred implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100, the gauge mount socket 184 may include a pair of opposing lateral socket faces (204a, 204b). Correspondingly, the refrigerant level gauge 144 may include a gauge housing 186 with a pair of opposing lateral housing walls (194a, 194b). The gauge mount socket 184 may also have a socket floor 206, which may be configured to engage the lower end 192 of the gauge housing 186. Referring to FIG. 20, the gauge mount socket 184 may also have a socket rear wall 207, which may be configured to engage, for example, a rear face of the gauge housing 186. For example, an adhesive bond may be formed between the socket rear wall 207 and the rear face of the gauge housing 186.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 20, the mounted connection of the refrigerant level gauge 144 to the valve body 112 may be by way of frictional engagement between the lateral housing walls (194a, 194b) and the lateral socket faces (204a, 204b). For example, engagement protuberances 202 may be provided on the gauge housing 186 or within the gauge mount socket 184 to facilitate a secure press-fit between the gauge housing 186 and the gauge mount socket 184.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 22, 25 and 28, the mounted connection of the refrigerant level gauge 144 to the valve body 112 may be by way of slidable engagement between the refrigerant level gauge 144 and the gauge mount bracket 184. Such slidable engagement may be releasable, and may involve, for example, a rail-and-groove engagement. In certain implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100, the rail- and-groove engagement may be between the lateral housing walls (194a, 194b) and the lateral socket faces (204a, 204b). FIGS. 22-30 illustrate particular, non -limiting example variations of this rail-and-groove engagement. Referring to FIGS. 22-24, each of the lateral housing walls (194a, 194b) may include a rail 208, each of the lateral socket faces (204a, 204b) may include a groove 210, and the rail-and-groove engagement may be between the rails 208 and corresponding grooves 210. Alternatively or in addition,728395.00272 referring to FIGS. 25-27, each of the lateral housing walls (194a, 194b) may include a groove 210, each of the lateral socket faces (204a, 204b) may include a rail 208, and the rail-and-groove engagement may be between the rails 208 and corresponding grooves 210. Alternatively or in addition, referring to FIGS. 28-30, a first lateral housing wall 194a may include a first rail 208, a first lateral socket face 204a may include a first groove 210, a second lateral housing wall 194b may include a second groove 210, a second said lateral socket face 204b may include a second rail, and in the rail-and-groove engagement, the first rail 208 may be engaged with the first groove 210, and the second rail 208 may be engaged with the second groove 210. In certain preferred implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100 with this rail-and-groove arrangement, the rail-and-groove engagement may be slidably releasable.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 18A, 19A, 38 and 40, in certain implementations of the apparatus 100, the valve body 112 may include a gauge guard portion 121 protruding oppositely of the chamber end 120 (e.g., upwardly) and beyond the refrigerant level gauge 144.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, in particular preferred implementations of the refrigerant valve apparatus 100, the dip tube 118 may extend in elongated fashion along a tube axis 212, and the gauge float 154 may extend in elongated fashion along a float axis 214. In such implementations, the gauge float 154 may be movable to a vessel insertion position (see, e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10) at which the float axis 214 is parallel to the tube axis 212. Moreover, the gauge float 154 may have a tube relief portion 216 configured to prevent the dip tube 118 from impeding the gauge float 154 from moving to the vessel insertion position. In certain such implementations, the gauge float arm 148 may be configured to elastically flex in order to allow a user to temporarily manually force the gauge float 154 to the vessel insertion position even though the gauge float arm 148 may be prevented from pivotably moving freely about the pivot pin 176 past the bottom position.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 3, 18A and 42, certain preferred implementations of728395.00272 the refrigerant valve apparatus 100 may comprise an overpressure relief valve 218 disposed in the valve body 112, for example within a relief valve chamber 224 in a relief valve housing portion 222 of the valve body 112. The overpressure relief valve 218 may be in fluid communication between the first flow channel 126 and an ambient environment 106. The overpressure relief valve 218 may include a removable relief valve dust cover 220.

[0074] The following listing matches certain terminology used within this disclosure with corresponding reference numbers used in the non-limiting examples illustrated in the several figures.100 refrigerant valve apparatus102 pressure vessel104 vessel chamber106 ambient environment108 neck of pressure vessel (e.g., threaded with or without spud)110 foot of pressure vessel111 refrigerant (e . g . , F reon)112 valve body113 main axis (of the apparatus)114 valve subassembly116 gauge drive subassembly118 dip tube120 chamber end121 gauge guard portion122 first application port (e.g., vapor application interface port)124 second application port (e.g., liquid application interface port)126 first flow channel (e.g., vapor flow channel)128 second flow channel (e.g., liquid flow channel)130 gauge drive channel132 first control valve (e.g., on-off valve)728395.00272134 second control valve (e.g., on-off valve)136 direction (outward of the chamber end)138 lumen (of dip tube)140 proximal end142 distal end144 refrigerant level gauge146 level indicator (e.g., visible bar or needle that moves translationally or rotationally)148 gauge float arm150 float mounting bracket152 actuator rod (e.g., translatable or rotatable)154 gauge float (liquid-buoyant)156 gauge drive portion (e.g., permanent magnet or other ferromagnetic material)158 clamp portion (of float mounting bracket)160 arm mounting portion (of float mounting bracket)162 arm mounting slot164 clamp fastener (e.g., threaded)166 arm engagement portion (of actuator rod)168 elbow (e.g., bend in actuator rod)170 bracket mount portion (of dip tube; e.g., recess or relief)172 rod lever portion (of gauge float arm)174 rotation detent176 pivot pin178 first connector fitting (e.g., CGA 165 connector)180 second connector fitting (e.g., CGA 165 connector)182 viewpoint (e.g., outward of the refrigerant level gauge)184 gauge mount socket186 gauge housing (e.g., comprising, at least in part, a transparent polymer)188 housing cap (of gauge housing)190 housing display face (of gauge housing; e.g., transparent material)191 upper end (of gauge housing)728395.00272192 lower end (of gauge housing)193 gauge markings194a first lateral housing wall (of gauge housing)194b second lateral housing wall (of gauge housing)196 indicator shuttle (e.g., permanent magnet or other ferromagnetic material)198 shuttle guide rod200 guide rod sleeve202 engagement protuberances (e.g., on lateral housing walls of level gauge)204a first lateral socket face204b second lateral socket face206 socket floor207 rear wall208 rail210 groove212 tube axis214 float axis216 relief portion (of gauge float)218 overpressure relief valve (e.g., configured to 600 psi relief)220 relief valve dust cover222 relief valve housing portion224 relief valve chamber226 vessel interface chamber228 first control valve housing portion230 second control valve housing portion232 first control valve chamber234 second control valve chamber236 tube mount socket (e.g., threaded)238 first valve handle (e.g., handwheel)240 second valve handle (e.g., handwheel)242 vessel connection portion (e.g., threaded)244 first application port axis728395.00272246 second application port axis248 first fluid flow (e.g. refrigerant vapor flow)250 second fluid flow (e.g., refrigerant liquid flow)

[0075] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

728395.00272WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A refrigerant valve apparatus comprising: a valve body having a chamber end, a first application port, a second application port, a first flow channel in fluid communication with the chamber end, a second flow channel, and a gauge drive channel; a first control valve disposed in the valve body and configured to control fluid flow between the first flow channel and the first application port; a second control valve disposed in the valve body and configured to control fluid flow between the second flow channel and the second application port; a dip tube mounted to the valve body and extending in a direction outwardly of the chamber end, the dip tube having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being in fluid communication between the second flow channel and the distal end; a refrigerant level gauge having a level indicator movable between an empty position and a full position; and a gauge drive subassembly including a gauge float arm, a float mounting bracket, and an actuator rod, the gauge float arm including a liquid-buoyant gauge float and being pivotably movable between a bottom position and a top position, the actuator rod having a gauge drive portion actuatably disposed within the gauge drive channel, the gauge drive portion being in magnetic engagement with the level indicator; wherein,(a) movement of the gauge float arm toward the top position results in the level indictor moving toward the full position by way of the actuator rod; and(b) movement of the gauge float arm toward the bottom position results in the level indictor moving toward the empty position by way of the actuator rod.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dip tube is elongated and rigid.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the gauge drive subassembly is mounted to the dip tube by way of the float mounting bracket.728395.002724. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mounting of the gauge drive subassembly to the dip tube is by way of clamping engagement between the float mounting bracket and the dip tube.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the clamping engagement is secured by a threaded clamp fastener.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein(a) the valve body includes a first connector fitting through which the first application port extends;(b) the valve body includes a second connector fitting through which the second application port extends; and(c) the refrigerant level gauge is mountedly connected to the valve body between the first connector fitting and the second connector fitting.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein(a) the valve body includes a gauge mount socket; and(b) the mounted connection is by way of the gauge mount socket being in receipt of the refrigerant level gauge.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein(a) the gauge mount socket includes a pair of opposing lateral socket faces; and(b) the refrigerant level gauge includes a gauge housing with a pair of opposing lateral housing walls.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mounted connection is by way of frictional engagement between the lateral housing walls and the lateral socket faces.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mounted connection is by way of press-fit between the gauge housing and the gauge mount socket.728395.0027211. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mounted connection is by way of rail-and-groove engagement between the lateral housing walls and the lateral socket faces.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein(a) each of the lateral housing walls includes a rail;(b) each of the lateral socket faces includes a groove; and(c) the rail-and-groove engagement is between said rails and corresponding said grooves.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein(a) each of the lateral housing walls includes a groove;(b) each of the lateral socket faces includes a rail; and(c) the rail-and-groove engagement is between said rails and corresponding said grooves.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein(a) a first said lateral housing wall includes a first rail;(b) a first said lateral socket face includes a first groove;(b) a second said lateral housing wall include a second groove;(d) a second said lateral socket face includes a second rail; and(e) in the rail-and-groove engagement, the first rail is engaged with the first groove, and the second rail is engaged with the second groove.

15. The apparatus of any one of claim 11, wherein the rail-and-groove engagement is slidably releasable.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-15, wherein(a) the dip tube extends in elongated fashion along a tube axis;(b) the gauge float extends in elongated fashion along a float axis;(c) the gauge float is movable to a vessel insertion position at which the float axis is parallel to the tube axis; and(d) the gauge float has a tube relief portion configured to prevent the dip tube from impeding the gauge float from moving to the vessel insertion position.728395.0027217. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-15 further comprising an overpressure relief valve disposed in the valve body and being in fluid communication between the first flow channel and an ambient environment.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-15 wherein the valve body includes a gauge guard portion protruding oppositely of the chamber end and beyond the refrigerant level gauge.

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