Importance

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Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for the automated filling of a container mounted on a vehicle with a fluid. In one embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an engine cooling system, and in the other embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an air conditioning system. Each of the fluid fill devices includes a housing in which a pair of spool valves are mounted. One of the spool valves controls the flow of vacuum and the other spool valve controls the flow of the fluid. A coupling mechanism including a movable piston releasably and fluidly connects its respective device to its container during evacuation and filling cycles. The device receives control signals from a pressurized air source to control movement of the spool valves and the pistons. If the container and the vehicle on which it is mounted are particularly well located, the device can be utilized in a hard automation system. Alternately, the device may be utilized as an end effector for mounting at the distal end of a robot arm. When utilized with the robot, the programmed motion of the robot is automatically adjusted by optically measuring the position of the container. Preferably, a compliance mechanism is interposed between the robot arm and the device to compensate for small amounts of misalignment between the device and the container.

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First Claim