Abstract: A work piece turning tool is provided. The tool includes: a body having two ends; a gripper located at one end configured to grip a work piece; a handle located at the end opposite of the gripper; and tool attachment located at a base of the handle at the end of the tool, wherein the tool attachment includes both an exterior drive and an interior drive. A method of turning a work piece is provided. The method includes: attaching a first tool having a movable gripper end to the work piece; attaching a second tool to a drive mounted to the handle of the first tool; moving the first tool to a desired orientation with respect to the gripper; and turning the work piece by moving the second tool.

Abstract: A component identification system and method, including an identifier associated with a replacement component, a memory to store one or more identifiers for each previously used component corresponding to the replacement component, and a processor to compare the identifier of the replacement component with the one or more stored identifiers of each previously used component. The replacement component is acceptable where the identifier of the replacement component differs from the one or more stored identifiers of each previously used component, and the replacement component is unacceptable where the identifier of the replacement component corresponds to one or more stored identifiers of each previously used component. Prior to accepting the replacement component, one or more predetermined validation operations can be performed on the identifier of the replacement component, with the identifier being formed in a serial number or code type scheme.

Abstract: A hub remover is provided. The hub remover includes a cross bar; a set of jaws having a receiving hole dimensioned to allow the cross bar to fit through the receiving hole to connect the jaws together via the cross bar; a forcing screw configured to extend through the cross-bar and between the jaws; a forcing screw nut configured to threadably engage an end of the forcing screw; and a resilient friction device located in the hole and configured to generate friction between the cross bar and the jaw when the cross bar moves through the hole in the cross bar. A method of operating a hub remover is provided. The method includes extending the forcing screw through a hole in the hub; placing a forcing screw nut on an end of the forcing screw that has extended through the hub; placing a foot portion of a jaw behind a portion of the hub; and turning the forcing screw to urge the forcing screw nut against a rear portion of the hub and thereby push the hub off of a spindle assembly.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool that includes components that allow the diagnostic tool to record data while the vehicle is driven in order to capture data for intermittent faults. The diagnostic tool can operate in harsh conditions such as high and low temperatures. The diagnostic tool includes a capacitor to power the diagnostic tool in order to prevent complete drainage of the vehicle battery. The diagnostic tool includes a support module that can couple with a socket and a plug in order to keep them mated together during use.

Abstract: A valve keeper verification tool is provided. The tool may include: an elongated body having two ends; an axial hole in one end of the body dimensioned to fit over a valve stem; and structure surrounding the hole dimensioned to contact at least one keeper of a retainer for an engine valve, wherein the tool is angled near the hole between about 10 and about 25 degrees. A method of checking to ensure a valve retaining keeper is in place may also be provided. The method may include: inserting a valve stem into a hole in a valve keeper verification tool; moving the valve keeper verification tool against a keeper; and applying a force against the keeper.

Abstract: A system and method for an automotive diagnostic server can provide a portable vehicle diagnostic tool to identify a failed vehicle component. It may also provide a remote information device to serve as a connecting intermediary between devices, and to allow remote control of the devices and to provide information to a user. A remote diagnostic device to analyze data and interpret information to aid the user in making, using, maintaining, and fixing a piece of equipment or product may also be included. Web server functionality may be incorporated into the portable vehicle diagnostic tool to allow dissemination of the diagnostic information resulting from the diagnostic testing, and the web server may be accessed by a web browser of the remote information device.

Abstract: A transmission fill gauge system for a vehicle transmission includes a fill gauge assembly and a vacuum adapter assembly, wherein the vacuum adapter assembly and the fill gauge assembly are configured to be simultaneously in fluid communication with a transmission drain pan of the vehicle transmission. A method of measuring a transmission fluid level in a drain pan includes fluidly connecting a vacuum adapter assembly between a fill port of the vehicle transmission and a constant vacuum source, applying an internal vacuum pressure to the drain pan via a constant vacuum source, removing a drain plug from a drain on the drain pan, attaching a fill gauge assembly to the drain, the fill gauge assembly having a primary fluid tube slidably mounted in an elongated body portion, sliding the primary fluid tube to a predetermined position, and discontinuing the internal vacuum pressure to the drain pan by closing the valve.

Abstract: A tool for filling a tire with a gas is provided. The tool includes: an air chuck; a shaft connected to the air chuck; a rim hook connected to the shaft; and a spring located between the shaft and the rim hook. A method of filling a tire is also provided. The method may include: connecting an air chuck to a valve stem; attaching a hook and spring assembly attached to the air chuck to a rim associated with the tire to be filled; and flowing a fluid through, the air chuck and into the valve stem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring a user to change a filter dryer of a refrigerant recovery unit having a refrigerant determining module that is configured to determine a condition of the refrigerant or an amount of refrigerant that has passed through the filter dryer, or a condition of the filter dryer, an alert device that notifies the user to change the filter dryer in response to the condition, a pressure module that regulates the pressure in the filter dryer, and a pressure-sensing device that is configured to detect a change of pressure in response to filter dryer maintenance. The refrigerant recovery unit is disabled from recovering refrigerant when the refrigerant determining module determines that the filter dryer needs to be replaced, and it is activated in response to the change of pressure detected by the pressure-sensing device.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input unit for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information from the input unit and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, an input and output unit receiving and transmitting audio and video signals controlled by the processor, a memory storing a software controlled by the processor, the memory storing audio and video information, and transferring the audio and video information through the input and output unit; and a display unit displaying information according to the received and processed audio and video signals stored in the memory.

Abstract: A vehicular diagnostic tool configured to interface with a plurality of vehicular computing systems that each utilize a different communications protocol. The tool includes a transceiver that itself includes a voltage threshold controller and a current threshold controller. Also, a method of using a single vehicular diagnostic tool to communicate with a plurality of vehicular computing systems that each utilize a different communications protocol.

Abstract: An injection nozzle sleeve servicing system is provided.

Abstract: A system for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage power source. The system including an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical plug compatible with a high voltage power outlet, the plug connected to a power cord. The power cord is connected to a housing containing a number of electrical components configured to control the power flow to an electric vehicle to recharge the vehicle's batteries. The power cord extends from the housing and is connected to a standard electric vehicle connector compatible with battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The EVSE further includes safety measures, such as a relay that controls the flow of power to the vehicle connector and a ground fault interrupter, to protect users from high voltage electric shocks.

Abstract: A slide hammer may be provided. The slide hammer may include: a body defining a through hole and a first attaching surface; an auxiliary weight having a second attaching surface configured to attach to the body at the first attaching surface, the auxiliary weight having a through hole located to align with the through hole in the body when the auxiliary weight is attached to the body; and a shaft located in the through holes in the body and auxiliary weight. A method of constructing a slide hammer is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that allow the user to quickly load new versions of applications on a scan tool. The latest versions of the applications that a scan tool can operate are loaded onto a memory device. The scan tool verifies which versions of the applications are authorized and allows the scan tool to only access information related to the authorized versions.

Abstract: A wheel stud installing and removing system includes a C-frame; a forcing screw configured to communicate with the C-frame to move laterally through the C-frame; a swivel mounted on an end on the forcing screw; an adapter receiver mounted on an opposite end of the C-frame from the forcing screw, and configured to receive at least one of either a stud installing adapter and a stud removing adapter. A method of moving a stud includes: inserting one of either an installing adapter or a removing adapter into an adapter receiver on a C-frame; aligning a longitudinal axis of the adapter with a longitudinal axis of the stud; aligning the longitudinal axis of the stud with a longitudinal axis of a forcing screw; and turning the forcing screw.

Abstract: A fluid injector includes a cavity in the fluid injector configured to receive a container of fluid to be injected by the injector; a controller configured to control the fluid injector, the controller further configured to monitor a condition of the fluid in the container and modify the operation of the fluid injector based on the condition of the fluid in the container; a valve assembly configured to control fluid from entering and leaving the fluid injector, the valve assembly operatively connected to the controller to be controlled by the controller; a sensor operatively connected to the controller and configured to sense at least one of an amount of fluid in the container and an amount of fluid exiting the container; and an input device configured to input to the controller how much fluid should leave the fluid injector.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic tool configured to interface with a removable memory device. The removable memory device is configured to store information about the vehicle such as, for example, the maintenance history of the vehicle and notes or special instructions from one or more mechanics having performed the maintenance. The memory device, once disengaged from the diagnostic tool, is given to the vehicle's owner for safekeeping and may be incorporated in a key, fob or other device that the owner would often have available when operating the vehicle. Also, a method of collecting and storing vehicle data is also provided.

Abstract: A portable recovery unit for automatically filling a background tank of blended refrigerant includes a main tank for holding recovered refrigerant from a vehicle A/C system which has a first chemical composition, and an auxiliary tank for holding an auxiliary supply of fresh refrigerant which has a second refrigerant composition. The auxiliary tank is arranged in fluid communication with the main tank so that fluid can be transferred from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. An electronic controller controls the flow of fluid from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. A refrigerant identifier is coupled to the main tank to sample and analyze the refrigerant in the main tank in order to determine the chemical composition of the refrigerant in the main tank, so the refrigerant in the main tank can be purified to an acceptable level based on that analysis.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can recover and recharge refrigerant. The unit is further configured with a pair of service hoses and a refrigerant control circuit operable to receive and transport the refrigerant between the hoses and the storage vessel and to process the refrigerant to substantially remove contaminants from the refrigerant. A fluid connector is provided in fluid communication with the hoses to enable the refrigerant to flow between the hoses and to establish a closed loop through the refrigerant control circuit, and a controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant control circuit and configured to control a flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant control circuit and through the fluid connector.