Abstract: A manifold gauge set has at least one sight glass window for viewing contents of a refrigeration system or an air conditioning system being serviced. The window may be non-planar to achieve an appearance that varies with the presence or absence of liquid. Such a non-planar window may be in the form of a dome, prism or a fresnel lens. The gauge set may have a second light transmissive window to allow light to illuminate system contents being viewed. A light source may be provided to illuminate system contents being viewed. The light source may provide light through the same window that is used for viewing contents. A diffuser may be provided with a second window to achieve an illuminated background for viewing system contents. Similar configurations may be used in standalone sight glasses, vacuum pumps, and recovery machines.

Abstract: A manifold gauge set has at least one sight glass window for viewing contents of a refrigeration system or an air conditioning system being serviced. The window may be non-planar to achieve an appearance that varies with the presence or absence of liquid. Such a non-planar window may be in the form of a dome, prism, or a fresnel lens. The gauge set may have a second light transmissive window to allow light to illuminate system contents being viewed. A light source may be provided to illuminate system contents being viewed. The light source may provide light through the same window that is used for viewing contents. A diffuser may be provided with a second window to achieve an illuminated background for viewing system contents. Similar configurations may be used in standalone sight glasses, vacuum pumps, and recovery machines.

Abstract: A conduit is provided for use in association with an air conditioning or refrigeration system. The conduit has first and second conduit portions, and a swivel providing fluid communication between the first and second conduit portions. The swivel permits rotational movement of the first conduit portion relative to the second conduit portion. The swivel is constrained to prevent linear movement between the first and second portions at the swivel. The conduit also has a fitting for external connection of the conduit to a pressure port of an air conditioning or refrigeration system. The conduit provides sealed fluid communication from the first conduit portion, swivel and second conduit portion to the air conditioning or refrigeration system when the fitting is connected to the air conditioning or refrigeration system. There are also conduit adapters, injection hose assemblies, charging manifolds with swivels, and methods of utilizing such conduits and swivels.

Abstract: A manifold gauge set has at least one sight glass window for viewing contents of a refrigeration system or an air conditioning system being serviced. The window may be non-planar to achieve an appearance that varies with the presence or absence of liquid. Such a non-planar window may be in the form of a dome, prism or a fresnel lens. The gauge set may have a second light transmissive window to allow light to illuminate system contents being viewed. A light source may be provided to illuminate system contents being viewed. The light source may provide light through the same window that is used for viewing contents. A diffuser may be provided with a second window to achieve an illuminated background for viewing system contents. Similar configurations may be used in standalone sight glasses, vacuum pumps, and recovery machines.

Abstract: A vacuum gauge has a scale having a safe zone indicia, a working zone indicia, an indicator to indicate a particular location on the scale, and a pressure sensing mechanism and housing having a pressure sensing port accessible for fluid connection to the refrigeration system to receive fluid for sensing. The indicia are distinctly coded for user differentiation. The scale may include a leak indicating zone indicia and a non-working zone indicia The safe zone indicia may represent 0 to 500 microns, the working zone indicia 500 to 2000 microns, the leak indicating zone indicia 2000 to 25,400 microns, and the non-working zone indicia 25,400 to 30,000 microns. Service tool combination includes body assembly, shaft assembly and gauge in direct sealed connection with a fitting for releasable sealed fluid connection. There are methods using the combination. Tool has gripper with cavity to receive valve core pin. Gripper has base to prevent pin from pulling gripper from tool.

Abstract: Absorbent plugs and caps plug or cap fittings that have been used to inject liquids into various systems. The plugs are sized to fit within the interior body cavity of fittings to absorb the residual liquid that is left in the cavity after use. The caps are sized to fit over the exterior of the fittings to absorb any residual liquid that leaks out from fitting exterior surfaces. The caps can also have interior plug extensions that extend into the interior cavities to also absorb the residual liquid from the interior. The plugs have non absorptive tabs for insertion and removal and the caps have non absorptive exterior skins or coverings to contain the absorbed liquid within the cap. One such use is to plug and/or cap fittings such as R134a service couplers which are used to inject dye into automotive air conditioning systems.

Abstract: A vacuum gauge has a scale having a safe zone indicia, a working zone indicia, an indicator to indicate a particular location on the scale, and a pressure sensing mechanism and housing having a pressure sensing port accessible for fluid connection to the refrigeration system to receive fluid for sensing. The indicia are distinctly coded for user differentiation. The scale may include a leak indicating zone indicia and a non-working zone indicia The safe zone indicia may represent 0 to 500 microns, the working zone indicia 500 to 2000 microns, the leak indicating zone indicia 2000 to 25,400 microns, and the non-working zone indicia 25,400 to 30,000 microns. Service tool combination includes body assembly, shaft assembly and gauge in direct sealed connection with a fitting for releasable sealed fluid connection. There are methods using the combination. Tool has gripper with cavity to receive valve core pin. Gripper has base to prevent pin from pulling gripper from tool.

Abstract: A service device connects to a service port of a pressurized system. The device includes a valve opening member for opening a valve within the port. The device can attach to a service unit for servicing the pressurized system. The system can be an air conditioning or refrigeration system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for servicing a pressurized system is described. A purge fitting can be used to vent the pressurized system. Venting can release a gas, such as air, from the system. The pressurized system can be a climate control system (e.g., an air conditioning or refrigeration system), a brake system, a hydraulic system, or a service device for servicing a climate control system. The purge fitting allows air that may be trapped in the pressurized system to be vented by depressing a purge actuator, such as a purge button attached to the fitting. The air can be vented from an opening adjacent to the actuator or other orifice. By purging air directly from the system, the amount of air introduced into the system during servicing can be minimized. The invention also features a coupling member that can be compact in size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing fluid from a fluid system. The method or apparatus can include a pressure-reducing source to facilitate fluid removal. The system can be an engine cooling system or other fluid system.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus provides for controlled delivery of fluids into a fluid system. The fluid delivery apparatus can allow a defined volume of fluid to be delivered to the fluid system cleanly, minimizing fluid waste and spillage.

Abstract: A system for servicing a fluid system can employ a pressure-reducing source to perform the desired service. The fluid system can be an engine cooling system or other fluid system.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding fluid to a closed system can be connected to a service port of the system. The fluid can be added to the system by actuating valves on the system and on the fluid supply. The apparatus facilitates clean addition of the fluid to the system. The system can be a climate control system.

Abstract: A service device connects to a service port of a pressurized system. The device includes a valve opening member for opening a valve within the port. The device can attach to a service unit for servicing the pressurized system. The system can be an air conditioning or refrigeration system.

Abstract: An accessory attachment winding device with rolling and positioning capabilities for installing, removing and storing a tonneau cover or other vehicle covering is disclosed. The accessory system is provided with preferred features of integral-unitary construction or multiple base member construction with extending inter-fitting and sliding parts, so that the device can be adjusted in terms of position and dimension to connect and attach to complimentary coupling or connection portions of a tonneau, vehicle or other covering. In its method and function of operation the device houses and presents complimenting coupling members which can be adjusted in terms of their positional relationship as housed in a respective base member, or in terms of the extensible, sliding and positional features of the cooperating base members utilized in the method and device of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding fluid to a closed system can be connected to a service port of the system. The fluid can be added to the system by actuating valves on the system and on the fluid supply. The apparatus facilitates clean addition of the fluid to the system. The system can be a climate control system.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus provides for controlled delivery of fluids into a fluid system. The fluid delivery apparatus can allow a defined volume of fluid to be delivered to the fluid system cleanly, minimizing fluid waste and spillage.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding fluid to a closed system can be connected to a service port of the system. The fluid can be added to the system by actuating valves on the system and on the fluid supply. The apparatus facilitates clean addition of the fluid to the system. The system can be a climate control system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of servicing fluid systems by draining, filling, or leak testing the fluid system can employ a pressure-reducing source to perform the desired service. The fluid system can be an engine cooling system, or other fluid system.

Abstract: A system for servicing a fluid system can employ a pressure-reducing source to perform the desired service. The fluid system can be an engine cooling system or other fluid system.