Abstract: A system and method for rapid recovery of refrigerant from the refrigeration circuit of a vehicle. The method utilizes the compressor of the refrigeration circuits working in tandem with the compressor of a service cart. The recovery finishes using only the compressor of the service cart.

Abstract: A system and method for rapid recovery of refrigerant from the refrigeration circuit of a vehicle. The method utilizes the compressor of the refrigeration circuits working in tandem with the compressor of a service cart. The recovery finishes using only the compressor of the service cart.

Abstract: A method of clearing an orifice of a fluid conduit for refrigerant within an air conditioning service device. The method comprises establishing a pressure gradient between a branch of fluid conduit comprising the orifice and the external atmosphere and utilizing the pressure gradient to flush air through the orifice. The flow of air between the orifice and the fluid conduit is controlled to minimize introduction of unwanted air to the air condition service device.

Abstract: A method of clearing an orifice of a fluid conduit for refrigerant within an air conditioning service device. The method comprises establishing a pressure gradient between a branch of fluid conduit comprising the orifice and the external atmosphere and utilizing the pressure gradient to flush air through the orifice. The flow of air between the orifice and the fluid conduit is controlled to minimize introduction of unwanted air to the air condition service device.

Abstract: A steering shaft apparatus for transferring a torque from a steering wheel to a steering gearbox while adapting to obstructions and movement of the steering gearbox relative to the steering wheel includes a rigid shaft and a flexible shaft. The rigid shaft connects to the steering wheel and the flexible shaft connects to an input of the steering gearbox. A torque applied to the steering wheel is transferred through the rigid shaft and the flexible shaft to the input. The flexible shaft bends as needed while continuing to serve to transfer the torque.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a two-stroke engine includes a fuel system comprising a fuel pressure sensor, fuel temperature sensor and a fuel injector and a controller in communication with the fuel pressure sensor and fuel temperature sensor. The controller controls the fuel injector with a fuel pulsewidth determined by determining a beginning time of a window for measuring fuel pressure, determining an ending time of the window, measuring fuel pressure between the beginning time and the ending time, determining a fuel pulsewidth based on the fuel pressure and fuel temperature and injecting fuel into the two-stroke engine in response to a desired fuel mass.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a two-stroke engine includes a fuel system comprising a fuel pressure sensor, fuel temperature sensor and a fuel injector and a controller in communication with the fuel pressure sensor and fuel temperature sensor. The controller controls the fuel injector with a fuel pulsewidth determined by determining a beginning time of a window for measuring fuel pressure, determining an ending time of the window, measuring fuel pressure between the beginning time and the ending time, determining a fuel pulsewidth based on the fuel pressure and fuel temperature and injecting fuel into the two-stroke engine in response to a desired fuel mass.

Abstract: An air conditioning service system includes a plurality of conduits and voids defining a total refrigerant receiving volume of the air conditioning service system, a pressure transducer configured to sense a pressure at a first location in the plurality of conduits and voids, a compressor operably connected to the plurality of conduits and voids, and a controller. The controller determines a quantity of refrigerant recovered from a refrigeration system by obtaining a first pressure signal from the pressure transducer corresponding to a first pressure at the first location, operating the compressor to recover the refrigerant from the refrigeration system after the first pressure is sensed, obtaining a second pressure signal from the pressure transducer corresponding to a second pressure at the first location after operating the compressor, and determining an amount of refrigerant recovered from the refrigeration system based on the first pressure signal an the second pressure signal.

Abstract: A wire installation tool for installing a wire through an existing wiring harness includes a handle configured to be manually grasped by a user, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a wire engagement feature disposed at the free end of the shaft. In one aspect, the wire engagement feature is a generally flat elongated plate defining two openings sized to snugly receive the wire and spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the wire bent to a curvature between the openings. In another aspect, the wire engagement feature includes a pig-tail element about which the wire is wound and held by friction between the wire and the pig-tail element to hold the wire in engagement with the wire installation tool as the tool and wire are pulled through an existing wiring harness.

Abstract: An air conditioning service system includes a plurality of conduits and voids defining a total refrigerant receiving volume of the air conditioning service system, a pressure transducer configured to sense a pressure at a first location in the plurality of conduits and voids, a compressor operably connected to the plurality of conduits and voids, and a controller. The controller determines a quantity of refrigerant recovered from a refrigeration system by obtaining a first pressure signal from the pressure transducer corresponding to a first pressure at the first location, operating the compressor to recover the refrigerant from the refrigeration system after the first pressure is sensed, obtaining a second pressure signal from the pressure transducer corresponding to a second pressure at the first location after operating the compressor, and determining an amount of refrigerant recovered from the refrigeration system based on the first pressure signal an the second pressure signal.

Abstract: A handheld device comprising a handle assembly containing a longitudinally tubular shank used to manage and/or insert flexible elongated components during the assembly, replacement and/or repair of wired elements of a system is described. The handheld device includes a conduit that can be used to manage and/or insert said flexible elongated components such as wires, cables, flexible tubing, lines, cords, strings, ropes, and the like through constrained spaces and/or barriers. The conduit may be partially opened or completely open to allow removing of the flexible elongated components from the handheld device.

Abstract: A wire handheld tool including a handle contiguous to a shank with a wire securing portion. The wire securing portion may be a relatively flat portion with one or more wire passageways used to secure one or more wires thereto. The wire handheld tool can be used to insert, remove, and/or replace wires contained in wire harness conduits. Some embodiments can include a plurality of passageways traversing the relatively wire securing portion in non-parallel diagonal directions relative to each other. In some embodiments, one wire passageway can be included and configured for a wire to traverse a length of the wire securing portion securing itself thereto. The handle of the tool can be ergonomically designed for comfort and practicality, and additionally, may include non-conductive components or coatings to prevent electrically shocking a user.

Abstract: A wire installation tool for installing a wire through an existing wiring harness includes a handle configured to be manually grasped by a user, an elongated shaft extending from the handle, and a wire engagement feature disposed at the free end of the shaft. In one aspect, the wire engagement feature is a generally flat elongated plate defining two openings sized to snugly receive the wire and spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the wire bent to a curvature between the openings. In another aspect, the wire engagement feature includes a pig-tail element about which the wire is wound and held by friction between the wire and the pig-tail element to hold the wire in engagement with the wire installation tool as the tool and wire are pulled through an existing wiring harness.

Abstract: A wire handheld tool including a handle contiguous to a shank with a wire securing portion. The wire securing portion may be a relatively flat portion with one or more wire passageways used to secure one or more wires thereto. The wire handheld tool can be used to insert, remove, and/or replace wires contained in wire harness conduits. Some embodiments can include a plurality of passageways traversing the relatively wire securing portion in non-parallel diagonal directions relative to each other. In some embodiments, one wire passageway can be included and configured for a wire to traverse a length of the wire securing portion securing itself thereto. The handle of the tool can be ergonomically designed for comfort and practicality, and additionally, may include non-conductive components or coatings to prevent electrically shocking a user.

Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.

Abstract: A handheld device comprising a handle assembly containing a longitudinally tubular shank used to manage and/or insert flexible elongated components during the assembly, replacement and/or repair of wired elements of a system is described. The handheld device includes a conduit that can be used to manage and/or insert said flexible elongated components such as wires, cables, flexible tubing, lines, cords, strings, ropes, and the like through constrained spaces and/or barriers. The conduit may be partially opened or completely open to allow removing of the flexible elongated components from the handheld device.

Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.

Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.

Abstract: A puller tool and method for pulling a component from another component are provided. The puller tool can include a cross bar, a pair of puller legs that are movable along the length of the cross bar and a forcing screw. The puller legs can be quickly positioned anywhere along the length of the cross bar through a quick release mechanism. The cross bar can include notches on its outer surface to ensure that the puller legs are equidistant from each other during use.

Abstract: A tool for holding a belt of an engine during belt replacement. The tool includes a base and a belt holding portion. A magnet can be included in a magnet receiving portion of the base so that the tool can be coupled to the pulley. The tool may also be clipped to the pulley so that the belt can be held in place during replacement. The belt holding portion may also be curved similar to the curvature of the pulley.