Abstract: A service port cap has a body configured to be snapped onto a service port such as an automotive air conditioning service port. The cap has an axial slot allowing the body to spread as it is pressed onto the service port. A rubberized plug in the top of the cap bears and seals against the end of the service port. Should a fluid leak develop through the service port, the rubberized plug maintains a seal until the pressure is sufficient to overcome the seal created by the plug. At this point, the leaking fluid is directed out through the axial slot in the cap. Thus, the cap does not blow off and the flow of leaking fluid is controlled so that it does not spew. One embodiment includes a locking ring that slides to a locking position to lock the cap onto a service or other port to form a fixed seal.

Abstract: A filter includes a relatively rigid support frame having top and bottom frame members and side frame members. A filter element is disposed within and supported by the frame for filtering a medium passing through the filter element. Two opposing members of the frame are bendable into an arch to allow the filter to be progressively inserted along an arched path into a filter housing. In one embodiment, the filter is a cabin air filter for a vehicle and opposing sides of the frame are provided with V-shaped notches to facilitate bending the filter into an arch for insertion.

Abstract: An in-line or in situ filter is disclosed for filtering fluid flowing through a hydraulic system, and particularly an automotive hydraulic system. The filter has a magnetic base with a central opening at its outlet end and a seat with a central opening at its inlet. The base and the seat are joined by a cylindrical filter element made of a magnetically susceptible mesh screen material. A spring within the filter element biases a ball against the central opening of the seat normally sealing off the opening and forcing fluid to flow through the filter element to be filtered before exiting through the central opening of the base. If the mesh screen becomes clogged, backpressure forces the ball away from the seat against the bias of the spring to allow fluid to bypass the filter element and flow directly through the filter. In the process, ferrous debris entrained within the fluid flow continues to be captured by attraction to the magnetic base and the magnetized filter element.

Abstract: A debris shield is disclosed for preventing debris from being sucked into the recirculate inlet of certain trucks used in the rental truck industry and thereby clogging the air conditioning evaporator coils and other components of the air conditioning system. The shield includes a segmented frame configured to fit over an opening of the system in such a way that any debris sucked into the recirculate inlet within the cab encounters and is arrested by the shield before reaching sensitive components. A method of shielding an automotive air conditioning system from entrained debris also is disclosed.

Abstract: A continuous flow regulator for vehicle heating systems includes a body configured to be connected in-line with coolant flowing through the heating coil of the heating system. A spring biased ball valve assembly is disposed in the body and is configured to restrict flow through the regulator in response to increasing flow rate of coolant and to open flow through the regulator in response to decreasing flow rate of coolant. Flow rate of coolant is therefore continuously adjusted and regulated to protect the heater core from corrosion due to high coolant flows therethrough.

Abstract: An in-line filter is disclosed for filtering fluid flowing through a hydraulic system, particularly an automotive hydraulic system. The filter has a magnetic base with a central opening at its outlet and a seat with a central opening at its inlet. The base and the seat are joined by a cylindrical filter element made of a magnetically susceptible mesh screen material. A spring within the filter element biases a ball against the central opening of the seat normally sealing off the opening and forcing fluid to flow through the filter element to be filtered. If the mesh screen becomes clogged, backpressure forces the ball away from the seat against the bias of the spring to allow fluid to bypass the filter element and flow directly through the filter. Ferrous debris within the fluid flow continues to be captured by attraction to the magnetic base and the magnetized filter element.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulator has a body defining a tapered central passageway. A ferrous or magnetic ball is disposed within the central passageway and may be biased to a predetermined location within the passageway by a spring. An electromagnet is disposed at one end of the passageway. Varying electrical power to the electromagnet attracts or repels the ball thereby moving it to different locations within the tapered passageway to vary the flow through the passageway.

Abstract: A power steering fluid filter includes a housing that defines an interior chamber, an inlet port communicating with the upstream end of the interior chamber, and an outlet port communicating with the downstream end of the interior chamber. A movable thimble filter is disposed within the housing and an annular magnet is located at the mouth of the thimble filter. A spring biases the thimble filter and magnet toward the inlet port of the housing. In use, power steering fluid passes through the housing and debris is captured by the thimble filter. Ferrous particles entrained in the fluid flow are attracted to and captured by the magnet. When the thimble filter becomes clogged, it is displaced by the pressure of the fluid against the clogged filter so that fluid can flow around and bypass the thimble filter while still being exposed to the magnet for removing ferrous particles.

Abstract: A service port cap has a body configured to be snapped onto a service port such as an automotive air conditioning service port. The cap has an axial slot allowing the body to spread as it is pressed onto the service port. A rubberized plug in the top of the cap bears and seals against the end of the service port. Should a fluid leak develop through the service port, the rubberized plug maintains a seal until the pressure is sufficient to overcome the seal created by the plug. At this point, the leaking fluid is directed out through the axial slot in the cap. Thus, the cap does not blow off and the flow of leaking fluid is controlled so that it does not spew. One embodiment includes a locking ring that slides to a locking position to lock the cap onto a service or other port to form a fixed seal.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulator has a body defining a tapered central passageway. A ferrous or magnetic ball is disposed within the central passageway and may be biased to a predetermined location within the passageway by a spring. An electromagnet is disposed at one end of the passageway. Varying electrical power to the electromagnet attracts or repels the ball thereby moving it to different locations within the tapered passageway to vary the flow through the passageway.

Abstract: A connector connects the ends of two fluid lines, it is useful for connecting and sealing the ends of refrigerant lines in an automotive air conditioner. A resilient seal is disposed about the end of a fluid line within each end of the passageway and a combination slotted ferrule and sealing ring member formed with a sealing ring portion and a ferrule portion is captured between the seal and a compression nut treaded onto the end of the body. When the nut is tightened onto the end, it causes the ferrule portion to deform and collapse inwardly to grasp and hold the fluid line securely in place and simultaneously drives the sealing ring portion against the seal to compress the seal, which expands to form a fluid-tight seal around the end of the fluid line.

Abstract: An extremely thin profile filter is sized and configured to be installed between tubing couplers of an automotive air conditioning system in regions of an engine compartment that are cramped or otherwise will not accommodate a longer in-line filter. The filter includes a thin flat filter housing formed from first and second thin shells joined together at opposed inside faces. Each shell is formed with a shallow well on its inside face and the wells align to define an interior camber within the filter housing. The outside opposing faces of the filter housing are configured to mate with corresponding sections of a tubing coupler so that the filter is installed by being sandwiched between the sections of the tubing coupler.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning refrigerant recycling system incorporates an improved upstream oil separator that removes virtually all contaminating lubricants from a refrigerant stream before the refrigerant is delivered to sensitive downstream components of the recycling system. The oil separator includes a vaporizing chamber wherein refrigerant vaporizes while dissolved lubricants precipitate and a mist arrestor for trapping remaining lubricant entrained in the refrigerant vapor. The oil separator also may incorporate a temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the refrigerant stream in order to separate other contaminants such as hexane and hexane derivatives, Menthol Chloride, Isoparafins and other contaminants from the stream. A bi-directional valve allows refrigerant to move through the chamber in one direction and bypass the chamber in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying condensate from the heat exchanger of a vehicle's air conditioning system after operation in order to thwart odor buildup is provided. The apparatus and method operate regardless of whether the system's blower control circuit is positively or negatively switched. The apparatus includes relays that bypass the normal operating electrical routing to the air conditioning system's blower motor to operate the blower directly. The method comprises determining that the engine of the vehicle has been switched off and that the air conditioning system of the vehicle was in operation prior to the engine being switched off. If the conditions are met, the air conditioning system's blower is operated on a predetermined time schedule to circulate air in the air conditioning system to dry condensate therefrom. In this way, growth of odor-causing fungus and bacteria is inhibited.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drying condensate from the heat exchanger of a vehicle's air conditioning system after operation in order to thwart odor buildup is provided. The apparatus and method operate regardless of whether the system's blower control circuit is positively or negatively switched. The apparatus includes relays that bypass the normal operating electrical routing to the air conditioning system's blower motor to operate the blower directly. The method comprises determining that the engine of the vehicle has been switched off and that the air conditioning system of the vehicle was in operation prior to the engine being switched off. If the conditions are met, the air conditioning system's blower is operated on a predetermined time schedule to circulate air in the air conditioning system to dry condensate therefrom. In this way, growth of odor-causing fungus and bacteria is inhibited.

Abstract: A method of preventing debris entrained in the refrigerant of an automotive air conditioning system from circulating through the compressor of the system is provided. The method comprises the steps of removing the compressor manifold from the compressor, pressing a mesh screen filter into at least one of the ports of the manifold with a manual press, and reinstalling the manifold on the compressor. The mesh screen filter traps debris entrained within the refrigerant and prevents the debris from entering the compressor. The invention also comprises a filter and press assembly for practicing the method of the invention.