Abstract: Automotive service equipment for brake fluid exchange includes a central unit having a controller for operating the equipment and a communication module for wirelessly communicating with each of a plurality of remote bleed modules to control bleeding brake fluid from respective brake bleeders of a vehicle connected to the modules. The brake fluid from the brake bleeders is stored in containers in the modules for later removal. When disconnected from the brake bleeders, the modules are moved to docking stations on the central unit for emptying brake fluid from the module containers and vacuum charging the containers for brake bleeding. The automotive service equipment and related method of performing brake fluid exchange in an automotive vehicle avoid the use of hoses for returning the waste fluid to the central unit thus reducing the problem of storage and handling of such hoses and spillage of residual fluid left in the hoses.

Abstract: Automotive service equipment for brake fluid exchange includes a central unit having a controller for operating the equipment and a communication module for wirelessly communicating with each of a plurality of remote bleed modules to control bleeding brake fluid from respective brake bleeders of a vehicle connected to the modules. The brake fluid from the brake bleeders is stored in containers in the modules for later removal. When disconnected from the brake bleeders, the modules are moved to docking stations on the central unit for emptying brake fluid from the module containers and vacuum charging the containers for brake bleeding. The automotive service equipment and related method of performing brake fluid exchange in an automotive vehicle avoid the use of hoses for returning the waste fluid to the central unit thus reducing the problem of storage and handling of such hoses and spillage of residual fluid left in the hoses.

Abstract: Automotive service equipment for brake fluid exchange includes a central unit having a controller for operating the equipment and a communication module for wirelessly communicating with each of a plurality of remote bleed modules to control bleeding brake fluid from respective brake bleeders of a vehicle connected to the modules. The brake fluid from the brake bleeders is stored in containers in the modules for later removal. When disconnected from the brake bleeders, the modules are moved to docking stations on the central unit for emptying brake fluid from the module containers and vacuum charging the containers for brake bleeding. The automotive service equipment and related method of performing brake fluid exchange in an automotive vehicle avoid the use of hoses for returning the waste fluid to the central unit thus reducing the problem of storage and handling of such hoses and spillage of residual fluid left in the hoses.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for filling tires with high purity nitrogen involves evacuating and then filling tires with nitrogen. An automated apparatus has a mode of operation which can be selected from among a four tire service, a spare tire service and a top off service, with or without vacuuming during evacuation. With the four tire service, four tires connected to the apparatus are evacuated and then filled to set front and rear tire pressures. With the spare tire service a single tire connected to the apparatus is evacuated then nitrogen filled to a set tire pressure. A five tire service for evacuating and filling two front and two rear tires and a spare tire is also disclosed. The top off service of a tire connected to the apparatus involves sensing the tire pressure and then evacuating or nitrogen filling to obtain a set tire pressure. Evacuation of a tire is automatically stopped when a set minimum pressure level or a set maximum time limit for evacuation is reached.

Abstract: Automotive service equipment and method of servicing an automotive vehicle use an automotive service machine having at least one automatic mode of operation during which an operator is not required to be present. A first, stationary communication module connected to the service machine receives first signals from the machine indicating the status of an automatic mode of operation of the machine and wirelessly transmits second signals communicating when an operator's attention to the machine is required. A second, portable communication module remotely receives the second signals and in response activates a signaling device in the second module for signaling an operator that attention to the machine is required. Thereby, during vehicle servicing the operator can perform other tasks within the workshop, thus being more productive and efficient.

Abstract: A multi-block manifold facilitates assembly of the manifold in a fluid handling apparatus during manufacture and disassembly and removal of a secondary manifold block of the manifold during service without disconnecting external tubes and flow control devices from the manifold. The external tubes are isolated and integral to a primary manifold block of the manifold which is permanently mounted in the apparatus and the flow control devices are integral to the secondary manifold block which is quickly, releasably secured to the primary manifold block in the apparatus.

Abstract: Automotive service equipment for brake fluid exchange includes a central unit having a controller for operating the equipment and a communication module for wirelessly communicating with each of a plurality of remote bleed modules to control bleeding brake fluid from respective brake bleeders of a vehicle connected to the modules. The brake fluid from the brake bleeders is stored in containers in the modules for later removal. When disconnected from the brake bleeders, the modules are moved to docking stations on the central unit for emptying brake fluid from the module containers and vacuum charging the containers for brake bleeding. The automotive service equipment and related method of performing brake fluid exchange in an automotive vehicle avoid the use of hoses for returning the waste fluid to the central unit thus reducing the problem of storage and handling of such hoses and spillage of residual fluid left in the hoses.

Abstract: A multi-block manifold facilitates assembly of the manifold in a fluid handling apparatus during manufacture and disassembly and removal of a secondary manifold block of the manifold during service without disconnecting external tubes and flow control devices from the manifold. The external tubes are isolated and integral to a primary manifold block of the manifold which is permanently mounted in the apparatus and the flow control devices are integral to the secondary manifold block which is quickly, releasably secured to the primary manifold block in the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for filling tires with high purity nitrogen involves evacuating and then filling tires with nitrogen. An automated apparatus has a mode of operation which can be selected from among a four tire service, a spare tire service and a top off service, with or without vacuuming during evacuation. With the four tire service, four tires connected to the apparatus are evacuated and then filled to set front and rear tire pressures. With the spare tire service a single tire connected to the apparatus is evacuated then nitrogen filled to a set tire pressure. A five tire service for evacuating and filling two front and two rear tires and a spare tire is also disclosed. The top off service of a tire connected to the apparatus involves sensing the tire pressure and then evacuating or nitrogen filling to obtain a set tire pressure. Evacuation of a tire is automatically stopped when a set minimum pressure level or a set maximum time limit for evacuation is reached.

Abstract: Automotive service equipment and method of servicing an automotive vehicle use an automotive service machine having at least one automatic mode of operation during which an operator is not required to be present. A first, stationary communication module connected to the service machine receives first signals from the machine indicating the status of an automatic mode of operation of the machine and wirelessly transmits second signals communicating when an operator's attention to the machine is required. A second, portable communication module remotely receives the second signals and in response activates a signaling device in the second module for signaling an operator that attention to the machine is required. Thereby, during vehicle servicing the operator can perform other tasks within the workshop, thus being more productive and efficient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separation of non-condensible gas from recovered refrigerant collected in a collector tank. Non-condensible gas is intermittently vented from the collector tank. The vented non-condensible gas is directed to an accumulator which processes the vented non-condensible gas in a manner which allows gravity separation of the non-condensible gas from refrigerant liquid and vapor which may be mixed therewith in the vented gas from the collector tank. The gravity separated non-condensible gas and refrigerant in the accumulator are removed from the accumulator through respective outlets in the accumulator. The refrigerant is recycled in a refrigerant recovery apparatus and the gravity separated non-condensible gas is released to the atmosphere. The method and apparatus reduce release of refrigerant to the atmosphere as a result of venting of the collector tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for reclaiming and purifying used refrigerant is comprised of a purification unit having a suction inlet for gaseous refrigerant and an outlet for fluid refrigerant. The suction inlet is connected through a suction accumulator in which remnants of oil are precipitated from the refrigerant and collected at the bottom of the accumulator. The outlet is connected to a collector tank for partially purified liquid refrigerant, an upper end portion of the collector tank is connected to the atmosphere through controllable means for blowing off non-condensable gases precipitated from the received liquid refrigerant. Means are provided for condensing out remnants of refrigerant from the blown-off gas from the collector tank before the gas is released to the atmosphere. An outlet in the bottom of the suction accumulator is connected to a separate underlying oil reservoir in which the precipitated oil, extracted from the used refrigerant in the oil separator, is collected.

Abstract: A disc brake lathe for machining a brake disc on a vehicle without removing the brake disc from the vehicle but only the wheel and other parts of the brake mechanism. The disc brake lathe comprises a power drive unit for rotating a brake disc on the vehicle and a lathe head having at least one cutting tool for machining a brake disc while the brake disc on the vehicle is rotated by the power drive unit. The lathe head is adapted to be mounted on the vehicle for machining a brake disc on the vehicle and includes a motor for power feeding of the at least one cutting tool during machining. The vibration of the lathe head during machining, which causes rough surface finish on the machined brake discs, is avoided or reduced by the provision of a vibration dampener which is attached to the lathe head for absorbing energy of vibration.

Abstract: A system for recovering and refining volatile liquids such as refrigerants includes a suction accumulator which serves as a precleaning module. The accumulator has an intake for contaminated fluids. A compressor having a suction side thereof is connected to the suction accumulator, while a discharge side thereof is connected to a condenser which, in turn, delivers the condensed liquid gas to a collector tank. A filter removes contaminants from the fluid flow in the connection between the suction accumulator and the collector tank. Precleaning of the intake fluid in the suction accumulator is accomplished by cold surface distillation to remove contaminants. Efficient distillation of the intake fluid is achieved from the beginning of the recovery of the volatile fluid by diffusing the incoming fluid over a cold surface of an evaporating refrigerant provided as a precharge in the suction accumulator.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a motor power unit, a load carrier and a track along which the motor power unit and the load carrier can move. A vacuum pad is mounted on the motor power unit and extends rearwardly and a vacuum power unit is mounted on said motor power unit for applying vacuum to the vacuum pad. A plate is mounted on and extends forwardly of the load carrier and is adapted to be engaged by the vacuum pad whereby when the vacuum pad engages the plate and is activated a coupling is provided between the motor power unit and said load carrier so that the motor power unit will move the load carrier along the track in either direction.