Abstract: A holding device for securing a hose clamp in position relative to a tubular fitting connection over which a hose, tube, or pipe is to be positioned. The device is adapted to hold the clamp and maintain the clamp in position on the hose, tube, or pipe. The clamp is positioned orthogonally relative to the hose, tube, or pipe and the assembly is then ready for engagement on a rigid tubular fitting with the holding device positioned on the hose, tube, or pipe adjacent to the tubular fitting. This permits the hose, tube, or pipe to be engaged over the tubular fitting and the holding device to engage the tubular fitting.

Abstract: A hose clamp is provided that contains a built in gage feature to provide visual indication to the installer that the clamp is properly tensioned (crimped) by the installer. The clamp does away with the detrimental effects of a long tongue and over-band, and makes use of the tongue exiting through the band as a visual aid for correct installation. The clamp of the present invention eliminates the need for a separate gage to verify installation.

Abstract: A heavy-duty hose clamp installation tool is described. A pair of lever arms operates a pair of jaw members to engage a pinch clamp ear. The installation tool includes a pair of jaw members with clamp edges forming a lip for receiving the clamp ears. A pair of extension arms connects the jaw members to a pair of lever arms. The extension arms are pivotally interconnected intermediate the jaw member section so that closing the handle ends of the lever arms translates the jaw members towards a closed position thereof, thus squeezing the clamp ear. Once the ear of the clamp is crimped, an auxiliary form punch is used to flatten the ear, resulting in a tighter clamp configuration.

Abstract: A heavy-duty hose clamp installation tool is described. A pair of lever arms operates a pair of jaw members to engage a pinch clamp ear. The installation tool includes a pair of jaw members with clamp edges forming a lip for receiving the clamp ears. A pair of extension arms connects the jaw members to a pair of lever arms. The extension arms are pivotally interconnected intermediate the jaw member section so that closing the handle ends of the lever arms translates the jaw members towards a closed position thereof, thus squeezing the clamp ear. Once the ear of the clamp is crimped, an auxiliary form punch is used to flatten the ear, resulting in a tighter clamp configuration.

Abstract: The clamp includes an overlapping end portion having a plurality of apertures spaced longitudinally from one another with each aperture having an inward projection. An ear projects outwardly between the apertures and an elongated slot in the overlapping portion. The lapped portion includes a plurality of openings, each having an outwardly projecting hook. The hooks and projections are geometrically shaped to, upon engagement with one another, laterally center the lapped and lapping portions and interlock the portions to one another. The lapped portion includes an outwardly projecting protuberance engageable in the slot of the lapping portion to guide the portions for longitudinal and laterally constrained movement. The ear has parallel sides and lobes projecting outwardly from the sides, forming a purchase for the jaws of a crimping tool, preventing the tool from slipping from the ear. Upon interlocking the hooks and projections, the ear is crimped to secure the clamp about the parts.

Abstract: A clamp for hoses, pipes and the like which incorporates an open diameter lock for maintaining the clamp at a selected diameter despite shipping and other stresses, and for preventing the clamp from opening-up beyond the "full-open" diameter. The open diameter lock of the present invention will not interfere with further tightening of the clamp, and it serves to give a visual gauge of the nominal open diameter of the clamp.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a measured amount of hydroscopic lubricant into an air conditioning system. The apparatus includes a container for the lubricant which has a key type coupling to a cylinder. The cylinder has a piston which may reciprocate therein. The piston has a bore therethrough so that the lubricant may pass from the container and through the piston, and thereafter, through a hose and into the air conditioning system. The container has a seal to protect the lubricant from moisture, the seal being interrupted when the cylinder is coupled to the container. The cylinder has driven pins extending outwardly therefrom and the cylinder also has a pair of diametrically opposed slots therein. The piston has a pair of diametrically opposed drive pins thereon arranged so that the piston drive pins communicate with the slots in the cylinders. A detachable leveraged handle having arms joined in a scissor fashion is provided.

Abstract: An air conditioner charging station withdraws refrigerant from an air conditioner, reclaims it by removing certain materials, and returns the reclaimed refrigerant to the same air conditioner from which it was withdrawn, and also provides new, make-up refrigerant to the air conditioner, in the amount necessary to make a full charge. A microprocessor provides a diagnostic capability, and includes tables of acceptable values of parameters, such as air discharge temperature, suction pressure, etc., for different automobile makes and air conditioner types; provision is made for adjusting the acceptable ranges of such values due to one or more ambient factors, of which ambient relative humidity may be one. The microprocessor, after comparing actual values to acceptable value ranges of the air conditioner operating values, displays possible causes of air conditioner malfunction on a video screen.

Abstract: A microprocessor provides a diagnostic capability, and includes tables of acceptable values of parameters, such as air discharge temperature, suction pressure, etc., for different automobile makes and air conditioner types; provision is made for adjusting the acceptable ranges of such values due to one or more ambient factors, of which ambient relative humidity may be one. The microprocessor, after determining whether the air conditioning system has a cycling or a non-cyling clutch and providing a valid set of actual system values based on whether the clutch is cycling or non-cycling, compares actual values to acceptable value ranges of the air conditioner operating values, and displays possible causes of air conditioner malfunction on a video screen. Self-testing of both the microprocessor and associated electrical elements, and of mechanical elements such as conduits, valves and a scale is performed.

Abstract: A system for and method of measuring refrigerant-to-lubricant ratio of liquid within a conduit having a wall and forming part of an enclosed air conditioning refrigerating apparatus which includes a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser. The system involves a first transducer for generating at least one pulse of ultrasonic energy which is coupled via the wall into a path of substantially predetermined length within the liquid. The least one pulse of ultrasonic energy is coupled from the end of the path via the wall and received by a second transducer. Circuitry responsive to the at least one ultrasonic pulse as transmitted and received determines velocity of the ultrasonic pulse within the liquid as a measure of the refrigerant-to-lubricant ratio.

Abstract: A clamp to retain a hose on a conduit for reproducibly controlling the closure of the clamp to obtain a consistent diameter for the clamp. A spacer is removably carried by a screw on the clamp and is disposed between a nut means and a projecting portion of the loop of the clamp. Turning the screw in a closing direction reduces the diameter of the clamp by moving the projecting portion towards the nut means. The removable spacer limits movement and reproducibly defines the diameter, and hence the closure of the clamp. The removable spacer engages the body of the screw with a snap fit for easy installation and removal. The spacer further has a tab on a frontward face to prevent rotation of the spacer and to facilitate removal. The spacer further has a depression on a rearward face in which an instrument may be inserted to assist in removal of the spacer.

Abstract: An air conditioner charging station withdraws refrigerant from an air conditioner, reclaims it by removing certain materials, and returns the reclaimed refrigerant to the same air conditioner from which it was withdrawn, and also provides preselected commands upon receipt of signals indicating conditions of temperature, pressure, etc. The reclaimed refrigerant is deposited into a reservoir, which contains a float that cooperates with a level sensor and signal generator to send a signal when the liquid level has reached a predetermined position. This signal causes a valve in the discharge line from the reservoir to close, to prevent discharge of gas from the reservoir.

Abstract: A quick-disconnect coupling for a pair of telescopic slidable tubular members has an annular garter spring trapped in a spring housing carried by one of the tubular members. The garter spring is adapted to be lodged between a right-angularly disposed flange on the spring housing and an upwardly-inclined annular flange formed on the end of the other tubular member. The respective flanges are arranged transverse to each other. The components of the coupling are formed conveniently and economically, without the necessity for expensive metal-forming dies, and are easily assembled.

Abstract: An air conditioner charging station includes oil and refrigerant reservoirs, a vacuum pump, and an electronic sequencing unit. A header conduit connected to the reservoirs and vacuum pump is connected to a cross-over conduit, which in turn is connected to conduits extending to the high and low pressure sides of an air conditioner compressor. Electrically operated valves are provided in the cross-over conduit, in a dump conduit connected to the cross-over conduit, and in branch conduits connected to the reservoirs and to the vacuum pump. An over-ride control of the cross-over valve is provided, responsive to the pressure of the high pressure side and an over-ride control is provided for cross-over valve, activated if the ambient temperature is below a predetermined level. An excessively high pressure in the high pressure side causes the closing of the valve in the refrigerant reservoir branch conduit.

Abstract: An evaporator core assembly for automotive air-conditioning service is disclosed in which attaching tubes, comprising the inlet, outlet and to some cases, an oil return tube, are removably secured to the core assembly in such a manner that the tubes may be adjusted to any desired angle in relation to the core assembly thereby reducing the service parts storage volume, required for making evaporator core assemblies of different or unique designs, as well as enabling the core assemblies to be made of different stack heights or dimensions. The removability is accomplished through the use of fittings of unique design, and nuts which are used in combination with these fittings.

Abstract: A method for assembling an accumulator dehydrator comprising a cap, a fitting and a deflector, the deflector having a body and an arcuate flange extending from it, the method comprising providing a cap having an opening through it, the fitting having a portion smaller than the opening, the steps including placing the fitting on the outside of the cap and inserting the portion of it into the opening, placing the deflector on the inside of the cap and inserting the flange of it into the opening, exteriorly of the fitting, and welding the fitting to the cap.

Abstract: A wire hose clamp has barbs extending from at least one of the encircling wires forming a part of the hose clamp. The barbs extend in the direction of rotation in which the clamp is urged by the application of a tool to tighten the clamp, and may be inclined to the plane containing the axis of the wire.

Abstract: A mobile air-conditioner charging station having a reluctance-type weighing scale on which are mounted reservoirs of both lubricant oil and refrigerant. A computer module reads the weight loss of the combined reservoirs as, first, the oil is charged into the air-conditioner and then, sequentially and automatically, the refrigerant is charged into the air-conditioner. Each charging cycle is completed when the computer module senses, by a plurality of discrete readings of the scale at timed intervals, that a pre-selected magnitude of weight loss has occurred and has been maintained.