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An apparatus for calibration and testing of pressure switches which are typically used in residential and commercial HVAC systems. The apparatus can be used to test, set or adjust a pressure switch to the manufacturer's specifications. The apparatus includes an exterior housing with an on/off switch

An apparatus for calibration and testing of pressure switches which are typically used in residential and commercial HVAC systems. The apparatus can be used to test, set or adjust a pressure switch to the manufacturer's specifications. The apparatus includes an exterior housing with an on/off switch, two vacuum nozzles, and a bypass control valve mounted thereon, with the inside of the housing including an air compressor in communication with the nozzles and the bypass control valve. The air compressor typically operates from a battery power supply located within the housing. A pressure measuring device, such as a differential pressure gage, and a conductivity indicator are typically used in conjunction with the device to calibrate adjustable pressure switches and to test and diagnose faulty pressure switches. The apparatus can be constructed as a compact, hand-held instrument for use in an HVAC service environment, and can include the pressure measuring device and/or the conductivity indicator within its housing.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for calibrating and testing a pressure switch, the apparatus comprising: a. a housing including an inside and an external surface; b. an air compressor located on the inside of the housing, the air compressor including a vacuum-side inlet and a pressure-side outl

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for calibrating and testing a pressure switch, the apparatus comprising: a. a housing including an inside and an external surface; b. an air compressor located on the inside of the housing, the air compressor including a vacuum-side inlet and a pressure-side outlet; c. a first vacuum nozzle located within the external surface of the housing, the first vacuum nozzle being in fluid communication with the vacuum-side inlet of the air compressor; d. a second vacuum nozzle located within the external surface of the housing, the second vacuum nozzle being in fluid communication with the vacuum-side inlet of the air compressor; e. an internal positive pressure opening in fluid communication with the pressure-side outlet of the air compressor, wherein the internal positive pressure opening is located inside the housing of the apparatus; f. a recirculation circuit located on the inside of the housing, the recirculation circuit being in fluid communication with the vacuum-side inlet, the pressure-side outlet, the first and second vacuum nozzles and the internal positive pressure opening; g. a bypass control valve comprising a needle valve located within the recirculation circuit and a control knob located within the external surface of the housing, wherein the bypass control valve is capable of fine regulation of airflow for controlling the amount of air passing from the pressure-side outlet to the vacuum-side inlet of the air compressor; h. a conductivity indicator comprising two lead inputs located on the inside of the housing and an indicator light located within the external surface of the housing, the conductivity indicator operable to visually indicate whether the pressure switch is open or closed; i. a battery in electrical communication with the air compressor and the conductivity indicator, the battery located on the inside of the housing and adapted to supply power to the air compressor; and j. an electrical switch located within the external surface of the housing and configured as an on/off button adapted to permit electrical communication between the battery and the air compressor. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an air pressure measuring device located on the inside of the housing, the air pressure measuring device operable to measure air within the recirculation circuit. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the air pressure measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a manometer, a Magnehelic gage, a differential pressure manometer, and a digital manometer. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air compressor, the battery, the internal positive pressure opening, the lead inputs of the conductivity indicator and the recirculation circuit are located within the inside of the housing, and wherein the first and second vacuum nozzles, the control knob of the bypass control valve, the electrical switch and the indicator light of the conductivity indicator are located within the external surface of the housing. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inside of the housing includes a battery compartment and a compressor compartment, the battery being removably mountable within the battery compartment, and the air compressor being removably mountable within the compressor compartment. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery is selected from the group consisting of a single 9 Volt battery and two size AA batteries. 7. An apparatus for the calibration and testing of a pressure switch, the apparatus comprising: a. a housing including an inside and an external surface; b. an air compressor having a vacuum-side inlet and a pressure-side outlet wherein the air compressor is powered by a battery in electrical communication therewith; c. a first vacuum nozzle in fluid communication with the vacuum-side inlet of the air compressor; d. a second vacuum nozzle in fluid communication with the vacuum-side inlet of the air compressor; e. an internal positive pressure opening in fluid communication with the pressure-side outlet of the air compressor; f. a recirculation circuit in fluid communication with the vacuum-side inlet, the pressure-side outlet, the first and second vacuum nozzles and the internal positive pressure opening; g. a bypass control valve within the recirculation circuit comprising a needle valve and a control knob, wherein the bypass control valve is capable of fine regulation of airflow for controlling the amount of air passing from the pressure-side outlet to the vacuum-side inlet of the air compressor; and h. a conductivity indicator including at least two lead inputs and an indicator light, the conductivity indicator operable to visually indicate whether the pressure switch is open or closed, wherein the air compressor, the battery, the internal positive pressure opening, the recirculation circuit, and the lead inputs of the conductivity indicator arc located on the inside of the housing, and wherein the first and second vacuum nozzles, the control knob of the bypass control valve and the indicator light of the conductivity indicator are located within the external surface of the housing. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an air pressure measuring device located on the inside of the housing, the air pressure measuring device operable to measure air within the recirculation circuit. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the air pressure measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a manometer, a Magnehelic gage, a differential pressure manometer, and a digital manometer. 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the air compressor, the internal positive pressure opening, and the recirculation circuit are located within the inside of the housing, and wherein the first and second vacuum nozzles, the control knob of the bypass control valve and the indicator light of the conductivity indicator are located within the external surface of the housing. 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the air compressor is powered by a battery in electrical communication therewith. 12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an electrical switch configured as an on/off button located within the external surface of the housing and adapted to permit electrical communication between the battery and the air compressor. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the inside of the housing includes a battery compartment and a compressor compartment, the battery being removably mountable within the battery compartment, the air compressor being removably mountable within the compressor compartment. 14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the battery is selected from the group consisting of a single 9 Volt battery and two size AA batteries. 15. An apparatus for calibrating and testing a pressure switch, the apparatus comprising: a. a housing including an inside and an external surface; b. an air compressor including a vacuum-side inlet and a pressure-side outlet; c. a battery adapted to supply power to the air compressor; d. a recirculation circuit in fluid communication with the vacuum-side inlet and the pressure-side outlet of the air compressor, the recirculation circuit comprising: i. an inlet-vacuum portion connected to the vacuum-side inlet of the air compressor; ii. an outlet-pressure portion connected to the pressure-side outlet of the air compressor, the outlet-pressure portion including an internal positive pressure opening in fluid communication with the pressure-side outlet of the air compressor; and iii. a bypass control valve comprising a needle valve and a control knob, the bypass control valve adapted to control the amount of air passing from the outlet-pressure portion to the inlet-vacuum portion; e. a first vacuum nozzle in fluid communication with the inlet-vacuum portion of the recirculation circuit; f. a second vacuum nozzle in fluid communication with the inlet-vacuum portion of the recirculation circuit; g. a conductivity indicator comprising two lead inputs and an indicator light, the conductivity indicator operable to visually indicate whether the pressure switch is open or closed; and h. an electrical switch configured as an on/off button adapted to permit electrical communication between the battery and the air compressor, wherein the air compressor, the battery, the lead inputs of the conductivity indicator, the internal positive pressure opening and the recirculation circuit are located within the inside of the housing, and wherein the first and second vacuum nozzles, the control knob of the bypass control valve, the electrical switch and the indicator light of the conductivity indicator are located within the external surface of the housing. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the battery is selected from the group consisting of a single 9 Volt battery and two size AA batteries. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the inside of the housing includes a battery compartment and a compressor compartment, the battery being removably mountable within the battery compartment, the air compressor being removably mountable within the compressor compartment. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an air pressure measuring device located on the inside of the housing, the air pressure measuring device operable to measure air within the recirculation circuit. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the air pressure measuring device is selected from the group consisting of a manometer, a Magnehelic gage, a differential pressure manometer, and a digital manometer.