Abstract: An apparatus including a focused light beam receptor apparatus configured to be positioned proximate a first end of a vehicle, a focused light beam generator; and wherein the focused light beam receptor apparatus includes a focused light beam receiving surface for receiving a focused light beam from the focused light beam generator to provide alignment of the focused light beam receptor relative to a centerline of the vehicle. A method of aligning a focused light beam receptor, focused light beam generator and a movable alignment stand relative to a centerline of a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A target stand having a base, a vertical beam extending upwardly from the base, a crossbeam, a locking and rotation assembly having a first portion engaged for vertical movement with the vertical beam and a second portion attached to the crossbeam, the first portion attached to the second portion with a pivot bolt, wherein the crossbeam is configured to be disposed in a first locked horizontal position using the locking and rotation assembly, and wherein the crossbeam is rotatable about the pivot bolt to move into a first non-horizontal position.

Abstract: A target stand having a base, a vertical beam extending upwardly from the base, a crossbeam, a locking and rotation assembly having a first portion engaged for vertical movement with respect to the vertical beam and a second portion attached to the crossbeam, the first portion attached to a first upwardly extending flange on the second portion with a pivot bolt, wherein the crossbeam is configured to be disposed in a first locked horizontal position using the locking and rotation assembly, wherein the crossbeam is rotatable about the pivot bolt to move into a first non-horizontal position, wherein a second upwardly extending flange on the second portion of the locking and rotation assembly includes a first locking pin which extends through the second upwardly extending vertical flange into a first aperture in the first portion of the locking and rotation assembly when the crossbeam is in the first locked horizontal position.

Abstract: A target stand having a base, a vertical beam extending upwardly from the base, a crossbeam secured to the vertical beam, a locking and rotation assembly having a first portion engaged for vertical movement with the vertical beam and a second portion attached to the crossbeam, the first portion attached to the second portion with a pivot bolt, wherein the crossbeam is securable to the vertical beam in a first locked horizontal position using the locking and rotation assembly, and wherein the crossbeam is rotatable about the pivot bolt to move into a first non-horizontal position.

Abstract: A dual tank refrigerant delivery apparatus including a refrigerant tank housing a first storage tank, a second storage tank, and a refrigerant delivery system positioned therein, the refrigerant delivery system adapted to supply a first refrigerant to the first storage tank and a second refrigerant to the second storage tank, a tank recess on the housing for receiving a refrigerant resupply tank, a first refrigerant hose for connecting to a first refrigerant resupply tank, a second refrigerant hose for connecting to a second refrigerant resupply tank, wherein the first refrigerant is supplied from the first refrigerant resupply tank through the first refrigerant hose and refrigerant delivery system to the first storage tank, and wherein the second refrigerant is supplied from the second refrigerant resupply tank through the second refrigerant hose and refrigerant delivery system to the second storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first storage tank, a frame positioned at least partially beneath the first storage tank, a first lever having a first end and a second end, and the first lever is pivotally mounted to the frame; and a first scale system positioned beneath the first storage tank, wherein in a first position, the first storage tank exerts a force against the first scale system, and wherein in a second position, the second end of the lever exerts a force on a bottom surface of the first storage tank such that the first storage tank is positioned above, and out of contact with, the first scale system, when the first storage tank is in the second position.

Abstract: A target stand having a base, a vertical beam extending upwardly from the base, a crossbeam secured to the vertical beam, a locking and rotation assembly having a first portion engaged for vertical movement with the vertical beam and a second portion attached to the crossbeam, the first portion attached to the second portion with a pivot bolt, wherein the crossbeam is securable to the vertical beam in a first locked horizontal position using the locking and rotation assembly, and wherein the crossbeam is rotatable about the pivot bolt to move into a first non-horizontal position.

Abstract: A target stand having a base, a vertical beam extending upwardly from the base, a crossbeam, a locking and rotation assembly having a first portion engaged for vertical movement with the vertical beam and a second portion attached to the crossbeam, the first portion attached to the second portion with a pivot bolt, wherein the crossbeam is configured to be disposed in a first locked horizontal position using the locking and rotation assembly, and wherein the crossbeam is rotatable about the pivot bolt to move into a first non-horizontal position.

Abstract: An apparatus including a focused light beam receptor apparatus configured to be positioned proximate a first end of a vehicle, a focused light beam generator; and wherein the focused light beam receptor apparatus includes a focused light beam receiving surface for receiving a focused light beam from the focused light beam generator to provide alignment of the focused light beam receptor relative to a centerline of the vehicle. A method of aligning a focused light beam receptor, focused light beam generator and a movable alignment stand relative to a centerline of a vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for adjusting scale(s) of a refrigerant recovery system (RRS) are described. The RRS can determine pressure and weight measurements of content within a refrigerant storage tank. The RRS can determine weight measurements of content within oil storage containers. The RRS can compare the pressure and weight measurements to thresholds to determine whether the scale(s) require adjusting, whether the RRS should be locked to prevent further use of the RRS until after servicing of the RRS, or whether additional functions of an operating state of the RRS should be performed. The RRS can comprise a processor to automatically adjust the scales, determine the pressure and weight measurements, and compare pressure and weight measurements to the thresholds. Locking the RRS can prevent the RRS from recovering refrigerant from a cooling system, such as an air conditioning system in a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus including a storage tank, a frame positioned at least partially beneath the storage tank, a lever having a first end and a second end pivotally mounted to the frame, a scale system positioned beneath the storage tank, wherein in a first position, the storage tank exerts a force against the scale system, and in a second position, the second end of the lever exerts a force on a bottom of the storage tank such that the storage tank is positioned above, and out of contact with, the scale system.

Abstract: A dual tank refrigerant delivery apparatus including a refrigerant tank housing a first storage tank, a second storage tank, and a refrigerant delivery system positioned therein, the refrigerant delivery system adapted to supply a first refrigerant to the first storage tank and a second refrigerant to the second storage tank, a tank recess on the housing for receiving a refrigerant resupply tank, a first refrigerant hose for connecting to a first refrigerant resupply tank, a second refrigerant hose for connecting to a second refrigerant resupply tank, wherein the first refrigerant is supplied from the first refrigerant resupply tank through the first refrigerant hose and refrigerant delivery system to the first storage tank, and wherein the second refrigerant is supplied from the second refrigerant resupply tank through the second refrigerant hose and refrigerant delivery system to the second storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first storage tank, a frame positioned at least partially beneath the first storage tank, a first lever having a first end and a second end, and the first lever is pivotally mounted to the frame; and a first scale system positioned beneath the first storage tank, wherein in a first position, the first storage tank exerts a force against the first scale system, and wherein in a second position, the second end of the lever exerts a force on a bottom surface of the first storage tank such that the first storage tank is positioned above, and out of contact with, the first scale system, when the first storage tank is in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus including a storage tank, a frame positioned at least partially beneath the storage tank, a lever having a first end and a second end pivotally mounted to the frame, a scale system positioned beneath the storage tank, wherein in a first position, the storage tank exerts a force against the scale system, and in a second position, the second end of the lever exerts a force on a bottom of the storage tank such that the storage tank is positioned above, and out of contact with, the scale system.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for adjusting scale(s) of a refrigerant recovery system (RRS) are described. The RRS can determine pressure and weight measurements of content within a refrigerant storage tank. The RRS can determine weight measurements of content within oil storage containers. The RRS can compare the pressure and weight measurements to thresholds to determine whether the scale(s) require adjusting, whether the RRS should be locked to prevent further use of the RRS until after servicing of the RRS, or whether additional functions of an operating state of the RRS should be performed. The RRS can comprise a processor to automatically adjust the scales, determine the pressure and weight measurements, and compare pressure and weight measurements to the thresholds. Locking the RRS can prevent the RRS from recovering refrigerant from a cooling system, such as an air conditioning system in a vehicle.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging system and method for charging a refrigeration system with a vapor-phase refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, an input line, a sensor and a pressure regulator. The input line connects the refrigerant source to the refrigeration system. One or more valves are disposed between the refrigerant source and refrigeration system to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant being introduced into the refrigeration system, and the sensor measures the pressure of the refrigerant entering the refrigeration system. A pressure regulator can also be used to regulate the flow of refrigerant. Once the pressure of the refrigerant reaches a predetermined pressure, the refrigeration system is fully charged, and the transfer of refrigerant to the refrigeration system is stopped. The system and method are used to charge the refrigeration system of, e.g., an automotive vehicle, and the refrigeration is carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging system for charging a refrigeration system with refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, a storage vessel, input and output lines, and a device for detecting mass of refrigerant within the storage vessel. The input line fluidly connects the refrigerant source to the storage vessel, and the output line extends from the storage vessel and is adapted to connect to the refrigeration system. The system also includes an input control valve disposed between the storage vessel and the refrigerant source, and an output control valve disposed between the storage vessel and the refrigeration system. A heater is connected to the refrigerant source for raising the temperature of refrigerant within the refrigerant source. A method of charging a refrigeration system is also disclosed. The system and method are useful to charging the refrigerant system of an automotive vehicle, among others.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging system and method for charging a refrigeration system with a vapor-phase refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, an input line, a sensor and a pressure regulator. The input line connects the refrigerant source to the refrigeration system. One or more valves are disposed between the refrigerant source and refrigeration system to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant being introduced into the refrigeration system, and the sensor measures the pressure of the refrigerant entering the refrigeration system. A pressure regulator can also be used to regulate the flow of refrigerant. Once the pressure of the refrigerant reaches a predetermined pressure, the refrigeration system is fully charged, and the transfer of refrigerant to the refrigeration system is stopped. The system and method are used to charge the refrigeration system of, e.g., an automotive vehicle, and the refrigeration is carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A refrigerant charging system and method for charging a refrigeration system with a vapor-phase refrigerant includes a refrigerant source, an input line, a sensor and a pressure regulator. The input line connects the refrigerant source to the refrigeration system. One or more valves are disposed between the refrigerant source and refrigeration system to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant being introduced into the refrigeration system, and the sensor measures the pressure of the refrigerant entering the refrigeration system. A pressure regulator can also be used to regulator the flow of refrigerant. Once the pressure of the refrigerant reaches a predetermined pressure, the refrigeration system is fully charged, and the transfer of refrigerant to the refrigeration system is stopped. The system and method are used to charge the refrigeration system of, e.g., an automotive vehicle, and the refrigeration is carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A charging system for charging a refrigeration system of a vehicle includes a refrigerant source, a coupler, a line, and a control valve. The coupler is adapted for connection to a connection point on the refrigeration system. The line fluidly connects the refrigerant source to the coupler, and the control valve is disposed proximate the coupler to control flow of the refrigerant from the line through the coupler and into the refrigeration system. The control valve may be integral with the coupler. A scale is used to measure an amount of refrigerant being discharged from the coupler, and a controller is connected to the scale and the control valve. Actuation of the control valve is controlled by the controller based upon an initial weight and a measured weight of the refrigerant source from the scale.