IP Library Granted Patent US 11,608,261
Granted Patent B2
US 11,608,261 · App. 16/941,970 · Granted Mar 21, 2023

Robotic servicing system

Inventor: John K. Apostolides (Pittsburgh, PA)
Assignee: RPM INDUSTRIES, LLC
B67D7/0401B60S5/00B67D7/36B67D2007/0417
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,608,261
App. No.
16/941,970
Granted
Mar 21, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A robotic servicing system. The robotic servicing system includes an evacuation system, a refill system and a robotic assembly. The evacuation system includes a first quick connect fitting configured to mate with a quick connect valve of a vehicle. The refill system includes a second quick connect fitting configure to mate with the quick connect valve of the vehicle. The robotic assembly is couplable to the evacuation system and the refill system, and is configured to autonomously connect the first and second quick connection fittings to the quick connect valve of the vehicle.

Claims (30)

1. A robotic servicing system, comprising:

an evacuation system comprising a first quick connect fitting configured to mate with a quick connect valve of a vehicle;

a refill system comprising a second quick connect fitting configured to mate with the quick connect valve of the vehicle; and

a robotic assembly couplable to the evacuation system and the refill system, wherein the robotic servicing system further comprises a processing circuit and is configured to:

initiate an evacuation operation by autonomously attaching the first quick connect fitting to the quick connect valve of the vehicle; and

following completion of the evacuation operation, initiate a refill operation by autonomously attaching the second quick connect fitting to the quick connect valve of the vehicle.

2. The robotic servicing system of claim 1 , wherein the evacuation system further comprises at least one of the following:

a hose coupled to the first quick connect fitting;

a valve coupled to the first quick connect fitting; and

a pump coupled to the first quick connect fitting.

3. The robotic servicing system of claim 1 , wherein the refill system further comprises at least one of the following:

a hose coupled to the second quick connect fitting;

a valve coupled to the second quick connect fitting; and

a pump coupled to the second quick connect fitting.

4. The robotic servicing system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic assembly comprises at least one robotic arm configured to hold a tool.

5. The robotic servicing system of claim 4 , wherein the robotic assembly further comprises the tool.

6. The robotic servicing system of claim 4 , wherein the robotic assembly further comprises:

at least one motor coupled to the at least one robotic arm; and

at least one controller coupled to the at least one motor.

7. The robotic servicing system of claim 4 , wherein the robotic assembly further comprises a vision system.

8. The robotic servicing system of claim 4 , wherein the robotic assembly further comprises one or more sensors.

9. The robotic servicing system of claim 8 , wherein a first one of the one or more sensors is configured to sense whether the first quick connect fitting is connected to the quick connect valve of the vehicle.

10. The robotic servicing system of claim 9 , wherein a second one of the one or more sensors is configured to sense whether the second quick connect fitting is connected to the quick connect valve of the vehicle.

11. The robotic servicing system of claim 1 , wherein the robotic servicing system is further configured to identify the vehicle based on at least one of the following:

a signal received from the vehicle; and

an image associated with the vehicle.

12. The robotic servicing system of claim 11 , wherein the robotic servicing system is further configured to determine a type, a viscosity and a volume of motor oil associated with the vehicle.

13. The robotic servicing system of claim 11 , wherein the robotic servicing system is further configured to control a volume of new oil added to the vehicle.

14. The robotic servicing system of claim 1 , further comprising a purge system couplable to the robotic assembly.

15. The robotic servicing system of claim 14 , further comprising a filter cleansing system couplable to the robotic assembly.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2026
From: RPM INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074543/0491 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2020
From: APOSTOLIDES, JOHN K.
To: RPM INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 053950/0862 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62880007 · Jul 29, 2019
Related Publication 20210032093A1 · Feb 4, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,286,339