An apparatus (14) for installation and removal of electronic components (10) for a tire comprises an expansion device (16) having a plurality of movably supported longitudinal prongs (18), wherein the expansion device (16) is adapted for moving at least a part of the plurality of prongs (18) between a neutral position with a least distance between the prongs (18) and at least one expansion position with a distance between the prongs (18) exceeding the least distance. The prongs (18) comprise prong tips (20), which each comprise a curved engagement surface (22), wherein each prong is adapted for engaging an exposed top lip (8) of an elastic container (2), in which the electronic component (10) is storable. The expansion device (16) is adapted for moving at least a part of the plurality of prongs (18) to an expansion position with the engagement surfaces (22) engaging the top lip (8) of the container (2), in which expansion position the top lip (8) is expanded.

A method of setting the rides height of the air springs and air pressures of the tires, including receiving a user selected setting or preprogrammed ride height settings; sensing a ride height of, and air pressure within, each of the air springs; determining the weight of the vehicle based on the sensed ride height and air pressure within each of the air springs; providing specified ride heights for the left and right front and rear air springs; determining specified air pressures for the left and right front and rear tire inflators, based upon the determined weight of the vehicle and selected setting; inflating the left and right front and rear air springs to the specified ride heights; and inflating the left and right front and rear tires to the specified air pressures.

A wheel assembly rotational position identifying apparatus includes an acceleration detector, a control section, and a battery. The control section identifies the rotational position of the wheel assembly based on an acceleration detected by the acceleration detector. The control section operates in a control mode that is a selected one of a normal mode and a power saving mode, in which a power consumption associated with identification of the rotational position of the wheel assembly is smaller than that in the normal mode. The control section switches the control mode to the normal mode when an initiation condition is met in accordance with an input from outside. The control section also switches the control mode to the power saving mode when a termination condition is met in the normal mode.

A wheel assembly rotational position identifying apparatus includes an acceleration detector, a control section, and a battery. The control section identifies the rotational position of the wheel assembly based on an acceleration detected by the acceleration detector. The control section operates in a control mode that is a selected one of a normal mode and a power saving mode, in which a power consumption associated with identification of the rotational position of the wheel assembly is smaller than that in the normal mode. The control section switches the control mode to the normal mode when an initiation condition is met in accordance with an input from outside. The control section also switches the control mode to the power saving mode when a termination condition is met in the normal mode.

A method of repairing a tire includes providing a tire. The tire has a tire pressure. It is determined if the tire pressure is below a target tire pressure. If the tire pressure is below the target tire pressure a first flow of pressurized air is directed to the tire. It is determined if the tire is torn or punctured. If it is determined that the tire is torn or punctured, a signal is sent to a heating element to produce heat energy. The heat energy is transferred to a second flow of pressurized air. The heated, second flow of pressurized air is directed to the tire.

A tire pressure management system includes at least an axle enclosing a pressurized fluid, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, a rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap, the rotary union includes at least rotary union housing providing a central bore, a fluid conduit having upstream and downstream ends, a first bearing and a second bearing. Each of the bearings are in contact engagement with the fluid conduit via an inner race, and in pressing engagement with a bearing sleeve via an outer race, the bearing sleeve in pressing contact with the central bore; and a first and second seal, the first seal is disposed between the first bearing and the downstream end of the fluid conduit, and the second seal is disposed between the second bearing and the upstream end of the fluid conduit.

An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity bounded by first and second sidewalls extending to a tire tread region, air pumping means for generating pressurized air for maintaining air pressure within the tire cavity at a preset pressure level, the air pumping means including a soft tubing and compression fittings for mitigating dynamic loading on the compression fittings, and a valve housing disposed adjacent an outward end of the valve stem and operative to selectively open and close pressurized air flow from the valve stem internal passageway into the tire cavity. The valve housing is connected to the air pumping means by the soft tubing and compression fittings for mitigating dynamic loading on the compression fittings.

Aspects of the present disclosure are generally related to one or more systems, methods, and devices for providing an integrated tire inflation system, mounted on each tire, wheel, rim, axle, or structure of the vehicle, that communicates with a remote device (e.g., communication device located in the cab of the vehicle and/or a remote network entity) and obtains an optimal tire pressure from the network entity that is calculated to maximize fuel economy, tread life, load, or an environmental condition. In some examples, the integrated telematics system may periodically measure and transmit data associated with the tire to the communication device in the cab and/or to a network entity that may calculate the optimal tire pressure for each tire on the vehicle. The integrated telematics system may receive the optimal tire pressure information from the communication device and/or the network entity and automatically adjust the tire pressure accordingly.

A rotary pneumatic seal may have a ring-shaped inner radial seal with an inner lip extending in an axial direction, an outer lip extending in the same axial direction, a connecting flange connecting the inner lip and the outer lip, a pneumatic sealing lip, and an oil sealing lip. The rotary pneumatic seal may also have a ring-shaped outer radial seal located radially outward from the inner radial seal. The outer radial seal may also have a first wall extending in an outward radial direction, a second wall extending in an opposite inward radial direction, a central flange connecting the first and second walls, and a dust lip.

A pressure and temperature compensated valve assembly includes a flow valve allowing inflation flow from a control port to a tire port and controlling deflation flow from the tire port to the control port. A throttle valve restricts deflation flow between the tire port and the control port when deflating the tire at high flow rates or when tire pressure is high, thus enabling the flow valve to be closed. The throttle valve includes a throttle diaphragm that throttles in response to flow from the tire port and which does not restrict inflation flow from the control port. The valve assembly further includes a temperature responsive member engaging the flow valve, and which deforms in response to a change in temperature in the valve assembly, thus negating temperature effects on the flow valve, allowing the flow valve to close at a consistent force across a range of operating temperatures.