Patents Assigned to Production Control Units, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7588059
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing tool assembly includes an upper tool unit having an evacuation port and a fluid inlet port with fluid actuated poppet valves selectively controlling the flow through each port to a center passage within the upper tool unit. The assembly also has a lower tool unit connected to the upper tool unit by a quick-release coupler and includes a center tube member projecting into the passage and also into the inlet portion of a fluid receiving system. The tube member is shifted axially by a fluid actuated piston within the lower tool unit to form a fluid-tight seal with the inlet portion after a second coupler secures the tool assembly to the inlet portion. A fluid-tight seal may be formed between an annular seat on a plastic inlet portion of the receiving system and an annular shoulder on the tube member within the lower tool unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. Robinson, Chad E. McKee, Matthew A. Smith
  • Patent number: 7575029
    Abstract: A tool assembly includes a body supporting a rotatable nut which receives and mates with a bleeder valve threaded into a hydraulic fluid system such as a caliper wheel brake or a clutch for a motorcycle. The nut is sealed to the system, and the nut is rotated to move the bleeder valve to an open position while maintaining the seal between the nut and the fluid system. A passage within the body and the nut provides for evacuating the system and then charging fluid into the system. The nut is rotated to move the bleeder valve to its closed position, and the nut is then unclamped and unsealed from the fluid system. In one embodiment, the bleeder valve is gripped to clamp and seal the nut to the fluid system, and in another embodiment, the nut is sealed to the system using a clamping member opposing the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7404414
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing tool includes parallel spaced first and second manifolds supporting therebetween an elongated actuator unit having a tubular body confining a piston connected to move a valve actuator stem projecting into a releasable coupler mounted on the second manifold. The manifolds also support therebetween a plurality of elongated valve units each having a tubular valve body defining a valve chamber and a chamber receiving a piston connected to move an elongated valve member. Each valve body has a port for receiving a corresponding fluid supply line or an evacuation line. The first manifold has separate passages connecting air control lines to the piston chambers for moving the actuator stem and each valve member axially. The second manifold has a fluid passage connecting each valve chamber to the coupler, and a handle supports the tool and a finger actuator connected to the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. Robinson, Glenn C. Danner, Matthew A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6799614
    Abstract: Fuel is dispensed into a fuel tank fill tube by a hand-held tool assembly having a body with an outlet tube connected to a fuel supply passage through an air actuated control valve. Spring biased arcuate jaws surround the outlet tube and expand outwardly into engagement with an inner surface of the fill tube by an air actuated annular clamping piston surrounding the outlet tube. An air actuated annular sealing piston surrounds the clamping piston and is effective to seal the outer end of the fill tube after the fill tube is clamped. The position of the fill tube is sensed by a pin which actuates a proximity switch, and a handle and fluid line connectors projecting from the body at right angles to the outlet tube. Thumb operated control switches are located adjacent the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Smith, Randy S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6298886
    Abstract: A refrigerant dispensing tool includes a three section body with a top manifold section having an evacuation port, a refrigerant supply port and an oil supply port. The intermediate body section has three elongated and converging valve chambers which connect with the corresponding ports and receive corresponding elongated fluid pressure balancing valve members. The valve members are independently operated and precisely controlled by corresponding air actuated pistons which receive pressurized air from corresponding air ports within the manifold section. An air actuated and spring biased annular piston is supported between the intermediate and base sections of the body and operates a set of circumferentially spaced balls which releasably clamp the tool to a stem valve fitting for a refrigerant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. Robinson, Randy S. Stemen
  • Patent number: 6257285
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing tool includes a three section aluminum body defining a top evacuation port and a top fluid fill port each having an annular valve seat and connected by a cross passage. Poppet valve members are supported for vertical movement between retracted open positions below the cross passage and closed positions extending upwardly through the cross passage and engaging the valve seats. The valve members are air actuated in an alternating manner with the evacuation valve member closing before the fluid valve member opens and vice versa. A center passage extends downwardly from the cross passage and through a downwardly projecting discharge spout which carries a sleeve or shuttle supporting a set of resilient sealing bands. The sealing bands are compressed axially by an air actuated piston and expand radially outwardly for sealing with a radiator fill neck above and below a port for an overflow container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. Robinson, Randy S. Stemen
  • Patent number: 5560407
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical body supports an outlet tube on which is mounted a resilient annular sealing member adapted to be inserted into the tubular inlet fitting of a liquid coolant system. The body also supports a set of arcuate collar sections which surround the sealing member and are cammed inwardly for gripping external threads on the inlet fitting in response to axial movement of a first air actuated annular piston surrounding the outlet tube. The sealing member is expanded radially outwardly into sealing engagement with the inlet fitting in response to axial movement of a second air actuated annular piston confined between the outlet tube and the first piston. A tubular valve member is supported for axial movement within the body in alignment with the outlet tube and moves in response to a third air actuated annular piston for selectively connecting the passage within the outlet tube to a suction passage for evacuating the coolant system and then to a liquid supply passage for filling the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Swinford
  • Patent number: 5439258
    Abstract: A tubular metal coupling body defines a chamber which receives an axially movable tubular actuating member defining a bore for receiving an end portion of a metal tube. A counter-bore within the actuating member receives a resilient sealing ring and a compression collar, and a tube gripping spring collet is supported by a retainer confined within a cap threaded onto one end portion of the coupling body. A tubular actuating sleeve surrounds the body and is retained for limited axial movement, and a fitting is threaded into the opposite end portion of the body. A set of circumferentially spaced levers are supported within corresponding slots in the body for pivotal movement in radial directions and move the actuating member axially between released and gripping positions in response to axial movement of a cam surface within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton R. Yates
  • Patent number: 5074332
    Abstract: One end section of a three section tubular coupling body is connected to a flexible hose, and the opposite end section supports a manually actuated coupler for releasably locking the body to a valve fitting of an air conditioning or refrigeration system. A valve member is supported within the body for axial movement between an extended open position and a retracted closed position. In its extended position, the valve member opens a valve stem within the fitting and opens a flow valve within the body. In its retracted position, the valve member closes the fitting valve and the flow valve. A manually actuated lever is connected by rotary cam members to move the valve member and is effective to block disconnection of the coupler when the valve member is in its extended open position and to lock the valve member in its retracted closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Jones
  • Patent number: 4889149
    Abstract: A tubular body supports a fluid actuated tubular piston connected to operate a coupling mechanism for releasably securing the body to a valve or inlet fitting on a refrigerant or coolant receiving system. The body encloses components which define a center passage connected to the fitting for first evacuating air from the system and then for directing liquid refrigerant or coolant into the system. In one embodiment, the passage receives an elongated valve opening member which is fluid actuated to a position opening the valve fitting, and a movable valve member closes the passage to the flow of refrigerant. The fluid actuated coupling mechanism provides for convenient and simple insertion of the tool assembly onto the fitting with no insertion force and also for automatic release of the tool assembly from the fitting after charging is completed. A fluid actuated valve member minimizes the loss of coolant or the volume of residue refrigerant which vaporizes when the tool assembly is removed from the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim A. Weaver, James M. Jones, Joseph A. Thibault
  • Patent number: 4805417
    Abstract: A tubular body supports a fluid actuated tubular piston connected to operate a coupling mechanism for releasably securing the body to a valve fitting on a refrigerant receiving system. The body encloses components which define a center passage connected to the fitting for first evacuating air from the system and then for directing liquid refrigerant into the system. The passage receives an elongated valve opening member which is fluid actuated to a position opening the valve fitting, and a movable valve member closes the passage to the flow of refrigerant. The fluid actuated coupling mechanism provides for convenient and simple insertion of the tool assembly onto the fitting with no insertion force and also for automatic release of the tool assembly from the fitting after charging is completed. A fluid actuated valve member minimizes the volume of residue refrigerant which vaporizes when the tool assembly is removed from the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim A. Weaver, James M. Jones
  • Patent number: 4032041
    Abstract: A plurality of refrigeration units are successively charged with a liquid refrigerant which is dispensed by a positive displacement pump including a hydraulically actuated ram or piston slidably supported within a dispensing cylinder. An elongated tension coil spring extends parallel to the axis of the cylinder, and the piston carries a photosensing device which senses the helical turns of the spring when the piston is actuated to provide corresponding electrical pulses which are counted for precisely controlling the axial movement of the piston and the displacement of the refrigerant into each refrigeration unit. The length of the spring and the uniform spacing or pitch of the helical turns is automatically changed in response to changes in temperature of the refrigerant being dispensed to assure that each refrigeration unit is charged with precisely the desired weight of refrigerant regardless of changes in temperature of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph E. Bruce
  • Patent number: RE34426
    Abstract: A tubular body supports a fluid actuated tubular piston connected to operate a coupling mechanism for releasably securing the body to a valve fitting on a refrigerant receiving system. The body encloses components which define a center passage connected to the fitting for first evacuating air from the system and then for directing liquid refrigerant into the system. The passage receives an elongated valve opening member which is fluid actuated to a position opening the valve fitting, and a movable valve member closes the passage to the flow of refrigerant. The fluid actuated coupling mechanism provides for convenient and simple insertion of the tool assembly onto the fitting with no insertion force and also for automatic release of the tool assembly from the fitting after charging is completed. A fluid actuated valve member minimizes the volume of residue refrigerant which vaporizes when the tool assembly is removed from the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim A. Weaver, James M. Jones