Abstract: A flexible universal bladder tool is disclosed to be coupled between a source of “smoke” and a fluid system to be tested for leaks, such as that found in the automotive industry. The bladder tool is an inflatable bladder that surrounds a flexible smoke delivery tube which communicates with the source of smoke and a fluid duct of the system under test. By virtue of the flexible nature of the smoke delivery tube, the inflatable bladder is adapted to be bent around any of a variety of curved fluid ducts. The flexible smoke delivery tube is detachable from the tool so that the tube can be quickly replaced with a different tube having a different length. The inflatable bladder is filled with fluid (e.g., air) to expand into sealing engagement with the fluid duet, and the system under test is pressurized with smoke supplied thereto by way of the flexible smoke deliver tube.

Abstract: A smartphone-operated air pressure meter and system includes an air pressure meter having a pair of input channels that are each connected to a pressure chamber and pressure sensor. A control unit is included with the pressure meter for receiving air pressure data and for transmitting the same. The system also includes an airflow balancing application that generates one or more application icons, and calculates airflow information. The airflow information can include the received pressure data alone, or pressure data that has been applied to a mathematical algorithm, along with environmental data.

Abstract: A digital manifold gauge having a gauge assembly with a display, one or more selectors, and a circuit board wherein the gauge assembly is rotatably disposed within a gauge housing and adapted to rotate to provide a plurality of viewing positions for the user. The circuit board is in electrical communication with a sensor port and the sensor port is adapted to receive a sensor transducer, such as a pressure transducer. The gauge includes internal software and logic for data processing and manipulation. The gauge includes a software algorithm adapted to convert pressure data transmitted to the circuit board from the pressure transducer into temperature data. The temperature and pressure data can be displayed on the display in real time and the gauge can also provide graphing and charting of the pressure-temperature relationship. The gauge is compatible with a variety of refrigerants and other fluids flowing through HVAC systems.

Abstract: A modular system and method for testing and measuring various physical and chemical properties of substances includes a user interface unit having a micro controller, a power source, a display, and an input device; and a sensing module having a sensor probe, a signal conditioner, and a sensor controller. The user interface unit and the sensing modules are in electrical communication with one another such that sensor data generated by the one or more sensor probes, corresponding to one or more properties of the substances, is transmitted to the micro controller of the user interface unit. The user interface unit can be used to remotely view, test, record, and analyze data obtained by the sensing module, which module may be located at a remote location. The user interface unit and the sensing module may be in wired or wireless communication according to various known wired and wireless connection means.

Abstract: A convertible refrigerant recovery, recycle, and recharge unit, comprising a control valve array, a vacuum pump, an oil separator, an oil-less compressor, and one or more storage tanks. The vacuum pump and the oil separator are in flow communication with the control valve array, the oil-less compressor is in flow communication with the oil separator, and the storage tanks are in flow communication with said oil-less compressor. The control valve array receives refrigerant from a refrigerant containing device wherein the oil-less compressor draws the refrigerant into said the storage tanks. The unit is compatible with a plurality of refrigerant types without cross-contamination of the refrigerant due to the oil-less compressor and conversion cycle whereby the vacuum pump is activated to remove residual refrigerant from the unit. A refrigerant identifier sensor is in flow communication with the system and can detect contaminants and selectively open and close the storage tanks.

Abstract: A convertible refrigerant recovery, recycle, and recharge unit, comprising a control valve array, a vacuum pump, an oil separator, an oil-less compressor, and one or more storage tanks. The vacuum pump and the oil separator are in flow communication with the control valve array, the oil-less compressor is in flow communication with the oil separator, and the storage tanks are in flow communication with said oil-less compressor. The control valve array receives refrigerant from a refrigerant containing device wherein the oil-less compressor draws the refrigerant into said the storage tanks. The unit is compatible with a plurality of refrigerant types without cross-contamination of the refrigerant due to the oil-less compressor and conversion cycle whereby the vacuum pump is activated to remove residual refrigerant from the unit. A refrigerant identifier sensor is in flow communication with the system and can detect contaminants and selectively open and close the storage tanks.

Abstract: A modular system and method for testing and measuring various physical and chemical properties of substances includes a user interface unit having a micro controller, a power source, a display, and an input device; and a sensing module having a sensor probe, a signal conditioner, and a sensor controller. The user interface unit and the sensing modules are in electrical communication with one another such that sensor data generated by the one or more sensor probes, corresponding to one or more properties of the substances, is transmitted to the micro controller of the user interface unit. The user interface unit can be used to remotely view, test, record, and analyze data obtained by the sensing module, which module may be located at a remote location. The user interface unit and the sensing module may be in wired or wireless communication according to various known wired and wireless connection means.

Abstract: A metal oxide sensor employing a method of heating that reduces the power required to heat the sensor to an optimal operating temperature and a method to automatically regulate and maintain the temperature of the sensors in the presence of air currents and other ambient conditions. The ultra miniature metal oxide sensors used have a thermal time constant short enough to allow for heating of the ultra miniature metal oxide sensors to occur with very narrow pulses of electricity. Such narrow pulses used to heat the sensor and to maintain the temperature such that the methods for reducing the power requirement apply throughout sensor's operation.

Abstract: A device for automatic processing of contaminated refrigerant from an air conditioning system, said device comprising a compressor for compressing refrigerant. Said device further comprising an oil separator, said oil separator receiving compressed refrigerant from said compressor; said oil separator further including means for draining oil separated from said compressed refrigerant. Said device further comprising a storage tank, said storage tank receiving and temporarily containing said compressed refrigerant from said oil separator. Said storage tank including a vapor port and a liquid port. Said device further comprising a vacuum pump for creating low pressure within said device during evacuation of refrigerant. Said device further comprising a low pressure service hose for connecting said device to said air conditioning system. Said device further comprising a high pressure service hose for connecting said device to said air conditioning system.

Abstract: A self contained internally illuminated diagnostic gauge used to display the magnitude of physically measured quantities in low or no light areas. The diagnostic gauge uses mechanical gauge needles to indicate the magnitude of the measurements on a dial. The dial is illuminated internally with a thin and flexible electroluminescent panel layer. This electroluminescent layer emits photons of light in response to a applied electrical energy. The electrical energy is supplied from a small battery system and driven through electronic circuitry both of which are contained inside of the gauge shell housing unit. The gauge shell has a removable battery cover that enables access to the power supply and the electronic drive circuitry of the device.

Abstract: A device for automatic processing of contaminated refrigerant from an air conditioning system, said device comprising a compressor for compressing refrigerant. Said device further comprising an oil separator, said oil separator receiving compressed refrigerant from said compressor; said oil separator further including means for draining oil separated from said compressed refrigerant. Said device further comprising a storage tank, said storage tank receiving and temporarily containing said compressed refrigerant from said oil separator. Said storage tank including a vapor port and a liquid port. Said device further comprising a vacuum pump for creating low pressure within said device during evacuation of refrigerant. Said device further comprising a low pressure service hose for connecting said device to said air conditioning system. Said device further comprising a high pressure service hose for connecting said device to said air conditioning system.