Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can recover and recharge refrigerant. The unit is further configured with a pair of service hoses and a refrigerant control circuit operable to receive and transport the refrigerant between the hoses and the storage vessel and to process the refrigerant to substantially remove contaminants from the refrigerant. A fluid connector is provided in fluid communication with the hoses to enable the refrigerant to flow between the hoses and to establish a closed loop through the refrigerant control circuit, and a controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant control circuit and configured to control a flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant control circuit and through the fluid connector.

Abstract: A vehicle communication interface (VCI) that allows for a single communications protocol to be used between a software application and a plurality of software drivers that are connected to physical interfaces of the VCI. Also, a method of communicating with a vehicle using a host system such as a personal computer. The method also makes use of a single communications protocol between a software application that processes information received from a vehicle and a plurality of software drivers.

Abstract: A hybrid cooling tower apparatus that extends along a vertical axis is provided. The cooling tower includes a first housing structure having an inlet and a first outlet located a first position along the vertical axis, wherein the housing structure includes a base and opposing side walls that extend along the vertical axis away from the base. The tower also includes a heat exchanger disposed in the housing structure, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned adjacent the first outlet and extends at least partially all the way across the first outlet. Finally the hybrid tower employs an air current generator positioned in a plane normal to the vertical axis and oriented to direct an air stream toward the base and through the heat exchanger and the first outlet.

Abstract: A recovery apparatus, system and method, including a compressor to evacuate a gas or liquid from a system during a first phase and a second phase of a recovery process, and a vacuum pump to evacuate the gas or liquid during the second phase. A memory stores one or more correlation relations to determine a predetermined second variable recovery time for the second phase to evacuate the system to a second predetermined level related to a first recovery time to evacuate the vessel or system to a first predetermined level during the first phase, and a processor to determine the second variable recovery time, based on the one or more correlation relations and the first recovery time, and selectively control the compressor and the vacuum pump to evacuate the gas or liquid from the vessel or system to the first and second predetermined levels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that allow a diagnostic tool to communicate with a data link connector in a vehicle and place the vehicle in a desired state for diagnostic testing. A cable that can automatically multiplex its connections in order to make the appropriate connections between the diagnostic tool and the data link connector based on a communication protocol of the vehicle under test. A connector allowing for selective switching of pins of the connector to jump connect the selected pins. This allows the vehicle to be placed in the proper state for diagnostic testing and the diagnostic tool to communicate with the data link connector regardless of the pins being used by the communication protocol of the vehicle.

Abstract: A base station for a cellular communication system is provided. The base station includes a transceiver and a phased-array antenna. The phased-array antenna includes a plurality of sectors, each of which includes a plurality of vertically-arranged antenna panels, each of which includes a plurality of radiators arranged in columns. The vertical spacing between the radiators in each column is a predetermined value, and the vertical spacing between the radiators in adjacent columns is one-half of the predetermined value.

Abstract: A crimping tool having an angled crimping portion and a method to use the crimping tool are provided. The angled crimping portion can be angled relative to the crimping tool handle or pivoting portion. The angled crimping portion can also be replaceable with various angled crimping portion having various angles. The angled crimping portion is also adjustable at different angles as needed by the user.

Abstract: An automotive diagnostic tool and method for accessing user configuration data and retrieving vehicle diagnostic data for read/write mode and storage. The diagnostic tool comprises a processor and a non-volatile memory coupled with the processor for storing data as continuously arranged data. The tool further comprises a main memory coupled with the processor for access and transfer of the data between the main memory and the non-volatile memory. The main memory is configured such that the continuously arranged data can be accessed from the non-volatile memory and stored in the main memory as the read/write data in a file system format. The main memory is further configured such that the read/write data can be transferred from the main memory to the non-volatile memory for storage as continuously arranged data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a cellular phone that connects to an existing vehicle data link to perform the functions of an off-board device, such as a scan tool, for displaying diagnostic information relating to vehicles. In addition, the cellular phone connects to a starter/charger system and/or a battery to perform the functions of a starter/charger/battery testing device. Such a device allows a user to connect the cellular phone to a data link connector located in a vehicle, download software to either an adaptor or the cellular phone, retrieve information relating to diagnostic tests on the vehicle and view the results on the cellular phone display, and/or communicate the results to another person or device.

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.

Abstract: A method of processing J1850 requests using a scan tool having multiple processor systems is provided. The scan tool includes a first processor that processes data according to scan tool functions to assist with diagnosing and repairing a vehicle. A second processor receives data transmitted to the first processor and stores the data in a buffer. The second processor determines whether the data is complete to enable the first processor to make a determination regarding the data.

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 brake piston compressor is provided. The brake piston compressor includes: two blocks; a forcing screw configured to engage the blocks to selectively bring the blocks closer together or farther apart from each other depending upon which way the forcing screw is turned; two pads each pad configured to be slidably engaged with at least one block; and a locking mechanism configured to engage and disengage to lock one of the pads to one of the blocks when the locking mechanism is engaged. A method of operating a brake piston compressor is provided. The method includes: sliding a pad into a channel in a block; locking the pad to the block; and turning a forcing screw to move the pad and block with respect to a second pad and block.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle, including a memory receiving and storing vehicle specific information, and storing diagnostic test requirements of a plurality of diagnostic sequences, and a processor identifying the test requirements for a selected diagnostic sequence according to the vehicle specific information in advance of executing the diagnostic sequence.

Abstract: An alternator and starter tester system having a bar code reader. The bar code can contain information regarding the component being tested and can direct the tester to conduct the appropriate test. The bar code can also encode the results of the test on a second bar code. The second bar code can then be coupled to the tested component.

Abstract: A gas dryer is provided. The gas dryer includes a first opening structure forming a cooling pathway fluidly connected to the first opening; a first thermoelectric device thermally connected to the structure forming the cooling pathway and a heat exchanger. A condensate drain is located near an end of the cooling pathway and configured to drain condensate formed when a fluid is cooled along the cooling pathway. A structure forming a warming pathway is located between the condensate drain and a second opening, and a second thermoelectric device thermally connected between the structure forming cooling pathway and the structure forming the warming pathway and connected to exchange heat between the cooling pathway and the warming pathway. A method of drying a gas is provided. The method includes directing the gas through a cooling pathway, removing heat from the gas in the cooling pathway with a first thermoelectric device to a heat exchanger, condensing a fluid out of the gas.

Abstract: A parasitic drain tester measuring the parasitic battery drain of a vehicle and the high current used by the vehicle starter motor, includes a current measuring circuit and a unit. The current measuring circuit includes a capacitor smoothing the current distribution within the circuit, a first interface connected to a vehicle power source being tested and the capacitor, a second interface accommodating an outside connection for communication, a first processor connected to the second interface and the capacitor, the processor communicating with the second interface and performing analysis and calculation of the data received, and a converting unit connected to the processor, converting the signal received through the first interface from a first form to a second form in order to process the signal received.

Abstract: An adapter for coupling a vehicle communication interface device and a computer processing device to a signal source comprises a first port configured for communication with the communication interface device and a second port configured for communication with the computer processing device. The adapter can include a receptacle configured to receive signals having a data portion and a power portion. The adapter can further identify the received signals as being one of vehicle signals or computer signals. Moreover, the adapter can include a relay having a first state associated with the vehicle signals for relaying the vehicle signals between the first port and the signal source and a second state associated with the computer signals for relaying the computer signals between the second port and the signal source. The relay can be selectively placed in one of the first and the second states associated with the received signals as identified by the receptacle.

Abstract: A battery testing and charging system that includes at least one battery testing device and at least one battery charging device, wherein the battery testing device is removable from the battery charging device and wherein the battery testing device may communicate with a plurality of battery charging devices. Also, a method of testing and charging a battery that may be implemented using, for example, the above-described battery testing and charging system.