Abstract: A strut spring compressor (20) having a support frame (22), a plurality of pivot arms (24, 26, 28, 30), a plurality of spring clamps (32, 34, 36, 38), and an actuating mechanism (40) is utilized to compress and expand a spring (42) of a strut assembly (44) whereby maintenance can be performed on the strut assembly (44). Each of the pivot arms (24-30) is pivotally attached to the support frame (22) by ball joints (74) which permit the arms (24-30) to pivot independently and three-dimensionally to compensate for a variety of spring sizes, and the spring clamps (32-38) are pivotally attached to the arms (24-30) to compensate for a variety of spring pitches. The actuating mechanism (40) includes a forcing screw (116) pivotally joined to a top trunnion assembly (118) and threadably engaging a middle trunnion assembly (120) and a bottom trunnion assembly (122).

Abstract: A lift assembly which is coupled to a refrigerant service cart to raise and lock the supply tank of refrigerant off of a weight sensor, locking the tank in a raised position for transportation of the portable servicing cart. In a preferred embodiment, a fixed arm extends from the portable cart and is positioned at a location above the refrigerant tank. A movable connecting link extends from the arm and is coupled to the tank and is controlled by an over-center toggle with a control handle for raising and lowering the tank coupled to the link between a use position resting on the weight sensor and a transporting position engaging the fixed arm and locked thereto by the over-center toggle control.

Abstract: A dolly is provided for facilitating removal and installation of brake drums on vehicles. The dolly includes a frame having a cradle portion for supporting a brake drum. Wheels are rotatably mounted on the frame for moving the frame over a support surface into position beneath a brake drum. A handle projects from the frame for manually manipulating the frame into and out of position relative to the brake drum. An elevating linkage is provided for raising and lowering the frame relative to the wheels to lift and lower the brake drum relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A programmable electronic start-up delay for delaying the start-up of refrigeration units (10, 12, 14) for a user-programmable variable delay period. The delay permits a group of refrigeration units all powered by the same source (16) to be restarted at different time intervals after a power failure to prevent overloading of the power source or associated circuitry.

Abstract: A fluid pumping apparatus (10) includes a soft start valve (16) coupled with the outlet of a pump (14) driven by an electric motor (12) for reducing the startup current of the motor (12). The preferred valve (16) includes a fluid chamber (32), a valve operator in the nature of a ball (22) shiftable in the chamber (32) between the inlet (36) and a valve seat (48), and a biasing assembly (24) including an axially shiftable rod (54) and a spring (56) for biasing the rod (54) against the ball (22) in order to bias the ball (22) toward the chamber inlet (36). Upon startup, the valve (16) provides a reduced start pressure, less than the pump pressure under load, at the inlet (36) as the operator (22) moves toward the seat (48). The chamber (32) presents a volume sufficient for the valve (16) to provide the start pressure long enough for the motor (12) to achieve synchronous speed, thereby reducing motor startup current.

Abstract: A voltage control apparatus (10) selectively boosts or bucks an input voltage in order to provide a selected output voltage. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a transformer (T1) having a plurality of secondary voltages presented at respective output connections (A-E), a connection circuit (12) having actuatable connection elements (R1-R6) to interconnect selected ones of the output connections, and a control circuit (14) operable to sense the input voltage at the primary of the transformer (T1) and to activate selected ones of the connection elements to produce a selected output voltage for delivery to a load. The preferred connection elements include electro-mechanical relays.

Abstract: A normally closed, three-way valve comprises a housing having a supply passage, a control passage, and an exhaust passage. A valve assembly controls communication between the passages. The valve assembly includes a valve in the supply passage to open and close communication between the supply and control passages. The valve assembly also includes a second valve in the exhaust passage to open and close communication between the control and exhaust passages. The supply passage valve is normally held closed by the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the supply passage. A solenoid, when activated, moves the exhaust passage valve to closed position. A pintle between the two valves is shifted in one direction by the closing of the exhaust passage valve to open the supply passage valve against the pressure of fluid in the supply passage. The pintle is shifted in the opposite direction by the supply passage valve when the solenoid is de-activated, to move the exhaust passage valve to its open position.

Abstract: A fluid pumping apparatus (10) includes a soft start valve (16) coupled with the outlet of a pump (14) driven by an electric motor (12) for reducing the startup current of the motor (12). The preferred valve (16) includes a fluid chamber (32), a valve operator in the nature of a ball (22) shiftable in the chamber (32) between the inlet (36) and a valve seat (48), and a biasing assembly (24) including an axially shiftable rod (54) and a spring (56) for biasing the rod (54) against the ball (22) in order to bias the ball (22) toward the chamber inlet (36). Upon startup, the valve (16) provides a reduced start pressure, less than the pump pressure under load, at the inlet (36) as the operator (22) moves toward the seat (48). The chamber (32) presents a volume sufficient for the valve (16) to provide the start pressure long enough for the motor (12) to achieve synchronous speed, thereby reducing motor startup current.

Abstract: A lockout device is designed for use with a valve having a pair of spaced apart, generally opposed abutment surfaces, with at least one of the abutment surfaces being shiftable relative to the other in such manner that the spacing between the surfaces decreases when the valve is actuated from a select condition. The lockout device includes a pair of generally oppositely facing engagement faces positionable between the abutment surfaces, and the device is adjustable so that the user may vary the distance between the engagement faces. In this respect, the lockout device may be disposed between the abutment surfaces and the engagement faces may be brought into secure, positive engagement with the abutment surfaces when the valve is in the select condition. This will prevent movement of the at least one abutment surface toward the other, and thereby prevent actuation of the valve.

Abstract: A method of making an engine block for an internal combustion engine comprising making an engine block with cylinder bores, forming a spray-formed cylinder liner with a predetermined internal diameter and a predetermined external diameter, heating the cylinder block, inserting the cylinder liner in the bore, and permitting the cylinder block to cool such that the liner is locked in position in the bore by compressive forces. The spray-formed cylinder liner comprises a cylindrical body made of a material having predetermined thermal characteristics, wear resistant and scuff resistant materials. The cylindrical body has an external surface formed by spray forming and an internal surface formed by spray forming. The liner can have a single spray-formed layer or multiple spray-formed layers of different materials. The spray-formed liner is preferably heat treated in an inert atmosphere before being inserted in the block. In one form, the spray-formed liner has a radial flange at one end.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system has a processor unit designed to be coupled to the vehicle to receive signals from the vehicle. The processing unit is connected to a long-term memory that stores instructions to be executed by the processing unit. The long-term memory also stores display values capable of being translated into a perceivable output. The instructions stored in the long-term memory include coding objects of a first type that are capable of calling other coding objects of the first type during execution. A random access memory is also coupled to the processing unit to receive a copy of some instructions stored in the long-term memory. At least one coding object of the first type copied into the random access memory includes a reference to a display value stored in long-term memory. The display value is copied into a display portion of the random access memory during execution and is retrieved by a user interface coupled to the random access memory.

Abstract: A preferred clamping apparatus includes an hydraulic pull cylinder having a piston rod connected to the shaft of a wedge-shaped clamp operator received in a complementally shaped opening defined in a clamp block having a shiftable jaw. In operation, retraction of the piston rod pulls the operator toward the base of the block in order to shift the jaw to a clamping position to hold a workpiece. In preferred forms, the clamping apparatus is included as part of a fixture and operable to clamp a workpiece to the fixture.

Abstract: An engine analyzer senses the electrical signals of a combustion engine and displays a representation of the signals on a display that is shared with a separately operable computer platform. The representation of the signals is digital and is in real-time. The display of the signals does not affect the computational burden on the separately operable computer.

Abstract: A vehicle gas analyzing system for testing gas content in exhaust emitted from a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle gas analyzing system is of a size and weight to be held in a user's hands. The system includes a housing having outer dimensions no greater than about 12".times.8".times.3", and has an inlet receiving exhaust emitted from the vehicle. A sensor assembly is disposed in the housing, receives the exhaust emitted from the vehicle through the inlet, and determines the content of a plurality of different gases in the exhaust. A user interface is disposed on an outside surface of the housing, allowing a user to input instructions to the system and to perceive output from the system.

Abstract: A dolly is provided for facilitating removal and installation of brake drums on vehicles. The dolly includes a frame having a cradle portion for supporting a brake drum. Wheels are rotatably mounted on the frame for moving the frame over a support surface into position beneath a brake drum. A handle projects from the frame for manually manipulating the frame into and out of position relative to the brake drum. An elevating linkage is provided for raising and lowering the frame relative to the wheels to lift and lower the brake drum relative to the vehicle.