A wheel-mounted air compression apparatus for maintaining a predetermined inflation pressure of a tire mounted on a wheel of a vehicle and the tire having an inflation port includes a housing defining an air compression chamber and has an air compressor device positioned therein. The apparatus includes a plurality of support legs spaced apart from one another. Each support leg is attached to the housing and extends away therefrom and may include a pair of sleeves that are length-adjustable for mounting to wheels of various sizes. A pressure sensor is situated in the housing and operably connected to the air compressor and to a nozzle for determining a current pressure of air within the tire. A controller or other electronics cause the air compressor to pump air into a tire if the air pressure therein is detected as declining below a predetermined amount.

An inflation manifold connected to dual pneumatic tires by air hoses provides a central location for tire inflation and location of pressure sensors. A hose block connected to dual pneumatic tires by air hoses provides a central location for location of pressure sensors. The pressure sensors may be TPMS sensors or a combination of TPMS sensor and pressure gauge.

A method whereby a mobile fuel station may refuel vehicles is disclosed. Fuel reservoirs are provided in a mobile fuel station that may store fuel and dispense fuel through a hybrid fuel line. Fuel nozzles are provided which can be detachably connected to the hybrid fuel line and can measure and display fuel dispensed from the mobile fuel station. Communication devices and a network are provided that allow a vehicle and a mobile fuel station to communicate location and status information wirelessly with the network. The network uses vehicle location data to create an optimized fueling path and predict vehicle refueling locations. A prepay deposit account or other automatic payment services that allow refueling and maintenance services to be provided at a user's convenience are also disclosed and claimed herein.

A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and an airless tire mounted on the wheel. A portion of the tire is separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure. A spacer is interposed between the wheel and the portion of the tire separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to limit the inward flexing of the tire. The spacer may be permanently affixed to the wheel assembly or may be removably attached to the wheel assembly. The spacer may be adjustable between a first size and a second size.

A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and an airless tire mounted on the wheel. A portion of the tire is separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure. A spacer is interposed between the wheel and the portion of the tire separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to limit the inward flexing of the tire. The spacer may be permanently affixed to the wheel assembly or may be removably attached to the wheel assembly. The spacer may be adjustable between a first size and a second size.

A wheel inflation apparatus including a wheel engagement unit that suspends a tire/wheel assembly and at least one inflation unit coupled to the robotic arm, each inflation unit being configured to inflate the tire/wheel assembly. A load measuring unit is configured to sense an amount of load being applied to the wheel/tire assembly. A controller is coupled to the load measuring unit for receiving a load signal and determining an internal air pressure of the tire/wheel assembly based on the load signal. The controller controls the at least one inflation unit based on the determined internal air pressure and a target (desired) air pressure value.

An inflator includes an inflator housing, a pressure sensor operable to generate a pressure signal related to an outlet pressure of the inflator, a motor within the inflator housing, a battery pack removably coupleable to the inflator housing, and a controller electrically coupled to the motor and the battery pack. The controller is configured to receive the pressure signal from the pressure sensor, determine a rate of pressurization change based on the pressure signal, determine a static pressure value based on the rate of pressurization change, and determine a motor time delay based on a target pressure value, the static pressure value, and the rate of pressurization change. The controller is also configured to generate a control signal when the motor time delay substantially equals zero. The control signal is operable to cause power to the motor to be turned off to stop a pressurization condition of the inflator.

A tool for seating a tubeless tire on a rim using pressurized gas includes a cylindrical pressure tank with a nozzle affixed to it, and a rapid opening gas valve. The nozzle includes a jet configured to receive pressurized gas from the cylindrical pressure vessel into a chamber of the nozzle. As the stream of gas enters the chamber, the Venturi effect causes air to enter the chamber through air intake ports and the stream of gas and air from the air intake ports is blown out of the outlet of the nozzle. The tire is seated on the rim by positioning the system so that the air from the nozzle rapidly blows into the tire between the bead of the tire and the rim upon the valve being opened.

A pump head configured to secure various air valve types is disclosed. The pump head may include a housing and an interior unit sized and shaped to receive a valve head. A moveable pin disposed within the housing coaxially with the first axis may define a pin notch disposed about an exterior circumference of the moveable pin. A first taper unit may be disposed in the housing coaxially with the first axis and coupled to the pin return spring. A second taper unit may be disposed in the housing coaxially with the first axis and adjacent to the first taper unit. An elastic taper C-ring may be disposed between the first and second taper units. The second taper unit is moveable towards the first taper unit, thereby compressing the elastic taper C-ring circumferentially in at least one of two positions, the elastic taper C-ring compressed about the pin notch in the first position and about the valve head in the second position.

The present application discloses a sealant container and a tire repair and inflation device using the sealant container. The sealant container comprises: a container body having an internal space for storing sealant and a container mouth with an inner wall; and a core component installed onto the container mouth and extending toward the internal space after installation. The core component has an outer end, an inner end, and a first channel between the outer end and the inner end inside the core component for passage of gas, wherein the outer end is provided with an interface, and the inner end is provided with at least one openable outlet to communicate with the internal space when the outlet is opened; and wherein the inner wall further defines a second channel for passage of sealant. The sealant container has a simplified structure and good sealing performance.