Abstract: An air conditioning service system includes an oil receptacle configured to store an oil, a solenoid valve configured to selectively allow the oil to flow from the oil receptacle into an oil injection line, a coupling port in fluid communication with the oil receptacle through the oil injection line when the solenoid valve is in an open condition, and a flow control valve with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the oil receptacle when the solenoid valve is in the open condition, and the outlet in fluid communication with the oil injection line when the solenoid valve is in the open condition. The flow control valve is configured such that, for a given pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet, the oil flows from through the flow control valve at a flow rate that is independent of a viscosity of the oil.

Abstract: A refrigerant service system comprises a compressor having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit, and an accumulator including an outer housing shell and an inner housing shell disposed within the outer housing shell. A first chamber is defined in the accumulator between the inner housing shell and the outer housing shell, the first chamber being configured to receive refrigerant from the inlet conduit and discharge the refrigerant to the compressor inlet. A second chamber is defined in the accumulator within the inner housing shell, the second chamber being configured to receive the refrigerant from the compressor outlet and discharge the refrigerant to the outlet conduit. Heat is transferred from the refrigerant in the second chamber through the inner shell to the refrigerant in the first chamber.

Abstract: A compressor system for an air conditioning service system includes a compressor having a compressor case and a compressor head, an inlet, an outlet, a low side passage fluidly connecting the inlet to the compressor head, and a high side passage fluidly connecting the outlet to the compressor head. A low side return passage fluidly connects the compressor case with the low side passage and a first valve is positioned at least partially in the low side return passage and configured to control flow in the low side return passage.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system for a three-wheeled vehicle comprises a reflecting assembly and a first laser emitting assembly. The reflecting assembly includes a first mirror having a first reflective surface arranged in a first mirror plane that is perpendicular to a rear wheel vertical plane, which is defined centrally through a rear wheel along a direction of travel of the vehicle. The first laser emitting assembly includes a first laser emitter configured to emit a first laser light at the reflective surface along a laser line parallel to a first front wheel vertical plane, which is defined centrally through a first front wheel, and first indicia corresponding to a toe angle of the first front wheel. The first the mirror reflects the first laser light toward the first indicia.

Abstract: A combination gauge tool and a method of measuring are provided. The combination gauge tool includes a processing module having a sensor. The combination gauge tool includes at least two of a brake pad thickness gauge, a tire treads depth gauge, and a rotor thickness gauge each coupled to the processing module at one or more inputs of the sensor and configured to provide measurement data to the sensor.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system includes a first oil separator including a chamber configured to receive refrigerant from an air conditioning system, a heat exchanger disposed within the first oil separator, and a compressor fluidly connected to the chamber and the heat exchanger. A first valve is disposed in a first flow line that is fluidly connected between an inlet of the first oil separator and a source of refrigerant and a second valve is disposed in a second flow line that fluidly connects the compressor and the heat exchanger. A controller is configured to open the first valve to enable refrigerant to pass into the chamber of the first oil separator, open the second valve so that a flow loop for refrigerant is formed between the heat exchanger and the compressor, activate the compressor to heat the refrigerant flowing through the flow loop, and subsequently commence a refrigerant recovery operation.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus and method that can be used to secure a component to be tested to a testing device when the mounting holes of the component are offset from each other in one or more axes in relation to the axis of the component to be tested.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool that includes a smart camera. The smart camera can be used to capture an image of the part that needs to be replaced. The image can also include the bar code that may be attached to the part. The image can be used to search a parts information database for additional parts information such as part number, manuals, pictures, etc. A further search of a parts supplier's database can be conducted using a location of the diagnostic tool to determine the nearest parts supplier that has the part available and the best price.

Abstract: A vehicle lift jack is provided. The jack may include: a frame; a lifting arm attached to the frame; a saddle attached to an end of the lifting arm; and a video camera attached to the jack and oriented to capture video footage of an area proximate to the saddle. A method of lifting a vehicle using a jack may be provided. The method may include: positioning the jack under the vehicle; capturing an image of the vehicle; viewing the image; determining the jack is in a desired position with respect to the vehicle; and raising the vehicle with the jack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tracking, scheduling, and reminding about maintenance status are provided. The apparatus connects to a vehicle and retrieves state information from the vehicle. The apparatus analyzes at least the state information to determine a maintenance status of the system, and creates an alert based on at least the maintenance status of the vehicle. The alert is provided to a user, and the user can instruct the apparatus to respond to the maintenance status through selection of options provided by the alert. Through the options, the apparatus may provide the user with options for maintenance service, schedule the service, and remind the user of the scheduled service.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input device for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information from the input device and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, the processor receiving a selected information of a user and configuration of the diagnostic tool through the input device and correlating the configuration information with the user information, the processor processing the received diagnostic data according to the selected configuration information corresponding to the selected user by the input unit, a memory storing a software controlled by the processor, the memory storing the configuration information according to the corresponding user information, and a display unit receiving and displaying diagnostic information according to the selected

Abstract: A tool for providing a user with information on a particular object related to a position and an orientation of the tool with respect to the object includes an image capturing device configured to capture an image of the object. The tool further includes a position and orientation sensor configured to determine the position of the tool with respect to the object, a processor configured to determine from the image the type of object, a display configured to display the image of the object, the display further configured to display additional information in addition to the image of the object in response to the determination of the type of object, and the processor further configured to determine a change in one of the position and the orientation of the sensor and the tool and further configured to modify the display.

Abstract: A vibration analyzer with an integrated sensor and method are provided to sense a vibration in a component of a vehicle. The vibration analyzer includes a three-axis accelerometer, a controller, a connector, a wireless interface and a battery. The vibration analyzer receives vibration data and vehicle data and packages them together and transmits the packaged data to a remove device such as a scan tool. The vibration analyzer can be networked with the remote device or with another vibration analyzer.

Abstract: A wireless adapter for a measurement device is provided. The wireless adapter includes a first universal serial bus (USB) port to couplably receive data from the measurement device. The wireless adapter includes a battery to power the measurement device via the first USB port. the wireless adapter includes a wireless module to wirelessly transmit the received data to an external computing device after processing by the wireless adapter.

Abstract: An electric vehicle supply equipment may include a first cover element including a well portion to accommodate a first circuitry, wherein the first circuitry includes a chimney stack that couples to a venting hole. Also, the electric vehicle supply equipment may include a second cover element including a recess portion to accommodate a second circuitry, wherein the second circuitry includes a charcoal filter that couples to the chimney stack to absorb impurities generated by the first circuitry and the second circuitry. Further, the electric vehicle supply equipment includes a universal/serial connection port configured to couple to peripheral devices, wherein the universal/serial connection port is an optical coupled connection.

Abstract: An alternator and starter tester system capable of generating a warranty claim code. The warranty claim code can contain information regarding a diagnostic test and the tested components. The alternator and starter tester system can also encode and transmit the warranty claim code to a supplier or a manufacturer to verify warranty credit.

Abstract: A single input having multiple functions is provided. The single input having multiple functions may be used on off-board tools. In accordance with one embodiment, an off-board tool having a read/scroll actuator is provided. The read/scroll actuator, upon being actuated, performs either a read function or a scroll function. Another embodiment of an off-board tool having a display and capable of receiving information is provided. The off-board tool includes a contextual actuator having a first and a second mode. Actuation of the actuator in the first mode effectuates retrieval of information. Actuation of the actuator in the second mode effectuates display of at least a portion of the retrieved information. In accordance with another embodiment, an off-board device is provided. The off-board tool includes a display, read logic, scroll logic and a read/scroll actuator. Another embodiment of an off-board tool includes a display, a read means, a scroll means and a read/scroll means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sequentially charging multiple electric vehicles. The apparatus including an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical 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 vehicles to recharge the vehicles' batteries. The power cord is divided into multiple power cords that extend from the housing and connect to standard electric vehicle connectors compatible with battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The EVSE determines, based on a number of possible criteria, which of the multiple electric vehicles to charge at a given time.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging system and method for charging a refrigeration system with a vapor-phase refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, an input line, a sensor and a pressure regulator. The input line connects the refrigerant source to the refrigeration system. One or more valves are disposed between the refrigerant source and refrigeration system to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant being introduced into the refrigeration system, and the sensor measures the pressure of the refrigerant entering the refrigeration system. A pressure regulator can also be used to regulate the flow of refrigerant. Once the pressure of the refrigerant reaches a predetermined pressure, the refrigeration system is fully charged, and the transfer of refrigerant to the refrigeration system is stopped. The system and method are used to charge the refrigeration system of, e.g., an automotive vehicle, and the refrigeration is carbon dioxide.