Abstract: A method of determining a type of corrective weight for application to an edge of a rim of a wheel for correcting imbalance of the wheel, including measuring dimensions of an edge of a rim of a wheel to produce measured dimensions, comparing the measured dimensions to actual dimensions of different types of rim edges, determining a type of rim edge the wheel has based upon the comparison between the measured dimensions and the stored dimensions, and indicating a type of corrective weight appropriate for application to the edge of the rim of the wheel based upon the type of rim edge determined.

Abstract: A refrigerant handling system includes coupling apparatus for coupling a refrigerant processing apparatus to an automotive air-conditioning system. The coupling apparatus includes a ball valve including a common port and at least two selectable ports, and a valve member manually movable among a closed condition, wherein the common port is connected to neither selectable port, and three open conditions wherein the common port is connected, respectively, to each of the selectable ports and both of the selectable ports. The common port of the valve is connected to the refrigerant processing apparatus, while the selectable ports are connected, respectively, to conduits for providing connections to the high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the air-conditioning system.

Abstract: A diagnostic platform includes a processor, storage media and user interfaces, including a display screen, the processor being coupled to engine analyzer hardware and adapted to be coupled to a scanner for downloading data from vehicle on-board computers. The system stores libraries of information regarding vehicle identifications, drivability symptoms exhibited by vehicles, vehicle system and component tests and service codes which can be registered by the vehicle on-board computer. System software permits the user to input an identification of the vehicle under test and, in one mode of operation, displays a library of faults, such as symptoms or service codes, from which the user can select those exhibited by the vehicle, whereupon the system selects from the test library those tests pertinent to diagnosis of the causes of the selected faults and displays them in a hierarchically ranked order based on likelihood of successful diagnosis of the faults. The user can then select and initiate any displayed test.

Abstract: Detecting the magnetic field generated by a coil-on-plug (101) (aka coil-over-plug) using an adjustable probe (111). The probe (111) includes a signal detector (115) for detecting the field, a detachable adapter (117) configured to detachably attach to the housing (107) of the ignition coil at a specified location (113), and an adjustable connector (119 and 121) that adjustably connects the signal detector to the detachable adapter in a first predetermined position or in a second predetermined position. A detecting process and a diagnostic system using the probe are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining balancing information of an object in rotation comprises a base, an arm, a spindle, at least one force sensor, a rolling road, a controller, and an actuator. The arm is rotatably connected to the base about a pivot axis. The spindle is positioned on the arm and receives and rotates the object. The force sensor detects forces generated by the object during rotation of the object. The rolling road includes a surface upon which the object can be positioned. The controller receives force information from the sensor and calculates the balancing information from the force information. An actuator connected to both the arm and the base moves with the movement being controlled by the controller. The object can be a wheel.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a system that has a plurality of devices in which the position of a device of the plurality of devices relative to another device of the plurality of devices is self-calibrated. In one embodiment, the system is a five-camera aligner for use in aligning motor vehicle wheels. In this embodiment, the aligner includes a first camera pod having two alignment cameras and a calibration camera, and a second camera pod having another two alignment cameras and a calibration target. Because the aligner has four alignment cameras and a calibration camera, the aligner is often referred to as a five-camera aligner. For illustration purposes, the first camera pod is herein referred to as the left camera pod and the second camera pod is herein referred to as the right camera pod. In one embodiment, the left camera pod is placed to the left of the aligner, and the right camera pod is placed to the right of the aligner.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system for determining an operational status of a multiple-link steering system for steering an object attached thereto. The system includes a position determination system for obtaining positional signals related to a steering system, and a data processing system to calculate positional parameters of the steering system based on the positional signals. The data processing system includes a data processor for processing data and a data storage device for storing data. The data storage device bears instructions upon execution by the data processor causing the data processing system to receive a first, second and third positional signal of the steering system when the object being steered to a first, second and third steering angle respectively.

Abstract: A multi-drawer device includes a first drawer and a second drawer, each carried by a housing, and movable between a closed position disposed within a housing and an open position extending from the housing. A first slide assembly couples the first drawer to the housing and a second slide assembly couples the second drawer to the housing. A ramp and follower are each associated with the first drawer and the follower is adapted to contact and slide along the ramp. A first blocking device is associated with the second drawer and coupled to one of the ramp and the follower.

Abstract: The suspendable locker has a plurality of side walls and a top wall interconnected to define an interior space. The suspendable locker has an open bottom leaving the interior space exposed from below. A door is hingedly connected to a side wall to provide an access opening into the interior space along a side at the bottom so a cart can be rolled into and from the interior space. An attachment structure for suspending the locker from a storage cabinet is connected to a side wall. The attachment structure includes a pair of L-shaped flanges connected to an exterior surface of a side wall. The L-shaped flanges engage a lip on a tool storage cabinet, enabling the suspendable locker to be cantilevered from the storage cabinet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying ignition coil waveforms. The method includes disposing a plurality of capacitive elements adjacent a plurality of coil-over-plug ignition coils. Signals detected by the capacitive elements are supplied to an adapter in which signal gain, polarity, and range are selected according to a particular vehicle tested, and displayed.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a host system having a processor, storage media and a user interface including a display screen, and a plurality of support data sources, which may be resident at or remote from the host system. The storage media stores service or maintenance test designations and descriptions. System software responds to user selection of displayed vehicle systems or symptoms to be diagnosed by displaying test designations. Upon user selection of a test designation, the system displays the first page of the test description and simultaneously links to appropriate support data sources and displays pertinent support data on a portion of the display screen. A method includes selecting and displaying test descriptions and, in response to each such display, automatically retrieving and displaying related data from a support data source.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust analyzer module including a housing enclosure having symmetrical portions secured together, a support shelf supported within the housing enclosure, a gas inlet for directing gaseous vehicle exhaust into the housing enclosure, a sensor assembly positioned on the support shelf for receiving the gaseous vehicle exhaust and providing an analysis of the gaseous vehicle exhaust, circuitry for controlling the sensor assembly, and a signal output connector coupled to the control circuitry for outputting a signal representing an analysis result of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: An image processing type aligner enables proper set-up of one of two optical adjustment elements used to align an adaptive cruise control sensor or the like mounted on a vehicle. One element, such as a laser beam source, is mounted with the sensor on the vehicle; and the other element, such as a mirror, is mounted on a stand. A carrier on the stand positions two optical targets of the aligner at transversely spaced apart locations. The stand is positioned between the vehicle and the aligner and manipulated until the aligner indicates that the axis of the adjustment element on the stand is aligned relative to the thrust line of the vehicle. A beam of light is transmitted between the two adjustment elements, and the technician adjusts the sensor until the beam position indicates a desired alignment of the sensor relative to the thrust line.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic display unit is provided for performing diagnostic procedures on a vehicle using only one hand. The vehicle diagnostic display unit includes a case, a display screen, a main support, and a plurality of keys. The case has a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The display screen is disposed within the front portion, and the main support is coupled to a side of the case. The main support is configured such that a user can simultaneously lift and operate the diagnostic display unit with a single hand.

Abstract: A ROM is provided with sufficient input address terminals for receipt of a unique address for each data storage location, even though the number of ROM input addresses exceeds the capacity of the processor and address bus. A dual mode read operation includes a random address mode for randomly accessing the ROM and a sequential address mode for accessing sequentially stored data strings at a high access rate. A first portion of the bus addresses are allocated as random reading mode bus addresses, the bus addresses having direct correspondence with ROM addresses. Other bus addresses are allocated as sequential reading mode bus addresses for addressing the ROM in sequential ROM address order for reading data. Successive output by the processor of the same sequential reading mode bus address effects application to the ROM of sequentially numbered ROM addresses. The first numbered address of the plurality of the sequential ROM address string is loaded as data into at least one counter.

Abstract: An automatic transmission fluid tester determines the remaining service life of automatic transmission fluid. The tester includes a radiation source for emitting radiation in the direction of an automatic transmission fluid sample under test, and a radiation receiver for detecting radiation passed through the sample. Based on the output of the radiation receiver, the tester measures the opacity of the sample. The remaining service life of the automatic transmission fluid is determined as a function of the measured opacity.

Abstract: A portal for transferring information between a master server and a third-party client using a transportable replicating server is provided. The portal may be particularly useful for and may provide a significant cost advantage and benefit when access to front and back-office servers is limited or not accessible. The master server may replicate information (e.g., applications and data) from the front and back-office servers to the replicating server. After replication, the replicating server appears to third-party clients as the front and back-office servers, containing the functionality and data to facilitate front and back-office operations.

Abstract: An alternator tester having improved heat dissipation. The alternator tester has a housing and a circuit board including tester circuits. The housing has a size suitable to be held in one's hand. The housing includes a first compartment for receiving the circuit board and a second compartment for housing a load. The load is coupled to an alternator when the alternator tester conducts a test on the alternator. The second compartment has an opening disposed on one side and a fan disposed on the other side. The load, the opening and the fan are substantially in line. The opening and the fan form an air flow path, when the fan is in operation, the heat generated by the load is dissipated to the surrounding air and drawn out through the air path.

Abstract: A system for obtaining positional information about a vehicle includes a vision imaging system and a vehicle position adjustment mechanism for moving the vehicle between at least two positions for detection by the vision imaging system. The vehicle position adjustment mechanism includes a body, surface support wheels, a motor, and a controller. The body engages the vehicle, and the controller controls the direction and distance the vehicle position adjustment mechanism moves the vehicle. The surface support wheels are connected to the body and support the body on a surface. The motor drives the vehicle between the at least two positions.