A rotary joint for use with a central tire inflation system and a network of sensorized components for a driveline is provided. The rotary joint comprises a sealing gasket wear detection system and a rotary encoder disposed within a joint cavity. The network of sensorized components comprises a sensorized wheel hub, a transmission speed sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensorized wheel hub and the transmission speed sensor through a communication bus. A method of utilizing a network of sensorized components to analyze a driveline and a method for monitoring a wear of a sealing gasket of a rotary joint is also provided.

A tire valve for controlled filling and emptying of a tire, having a valve body and a filling conduit, which is routed in the valve body from a valve inlet to a valve outlet and in which a filling valve is provided. In order to be able to perform an emptying of the tire, an emptying conduit, which is separated from the filling conduit in a pressure-tight manner, is formed in the valve body and includes an emptying valve, and from this emptying conduit an emptying opening leads through the valve body to the outside, wherein a shut-off element of the emptying valve is coupled to an element, which is movable by pressure medium loading, in such a way that a movement of the movable element, which is brought about by the pressure medium loading in the filling conduit, moves the shut-off element of the emptying valve into an open position.

A rotary union assembly for use with a tire inflation system includes a hollow tube configured to deliver air between proximal and distal ends, a bullet having a central axial aperture receiving the tube therethrough, a proximal retaining structure defined on the proximal end of the tube, and a distal retaining structure defined on a distal end of the tube, configured to retain the bullet on the tube therebetween. A cartridge is coupled to a distal end of the tube and includes one or more apertures on a sidewall thereof in fluid communication with the tube. In use, the rotary union assembly is coupled between a non-rotating axle of a vehicle and the rotating hubcap of a tire rotating about the axle and may be removed as a unit for repair and/or replacement of wear parts on the assembly.

A vehicle fluid supply system includes a fluid supply valve configured to control fluid flow from a vehicle fluid supply to a trunk conduit in fluid communication with a vehicle tire inflation system; and a lift axle valve configured to control fluid flow from the trunk conduit to a lift axle deployment system.

A wheel end high-temperature warning system for a vehicle having a wheel-end assembly mounted to an axle is described. The system may include a first temperature sensor including a sensor head configured for mounting within a spindle section of the wheel end assembly, the sensor head in a heat exchange relationship with a bearings of the wheel-end assembly. The system may further include a transmitter disposed on the axle to which the wheel-end assembly is mounted, the transmitter being configured to receive a first sensor signal from the first temperature sensor indicative of a wheel-end temperature and transmit the signal to a receiver. A vehicle data acquisition module may be coupled to the receiver, the data acquisition system being programmed to receive the first sensor signal and process the signal to determine a measured temperature of the spindle.

A controller for controlling a pneumatic control valve (PCV) in a central tire inflation system (CTIS). The controller includes an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving a supply-side pressure signal. The electronic processor is configured to control a first control valve (V.sub.INSS) to generate a pneumatic control signal for changing an operating state of a pneumatic control valve (PCV). The electronic processor also monitors the supply-side pressure signal and identifies a change in the operating state of the pneumatic control valve (PCV) in dependence on a change in the supply-side pressure. The electronic processor is configured to output a first valve close signal upon determining that the pneumatic control valve (PCV) has changed operating state. Also provided is a CTIS incorporating a controller; to a vehicle; and to a method of controlling a pneumatic control valve (PCV).

A vehicle includes a center differential device and an air pressure controller. The center differential device includes a first output shaft coupled to front wheels and a second output shaft coupled to rear wheels. The center differential device is configured to perform differential operation between the first output shaft and the second output shaft and to limit the differential operation between the first output shaft and the second output shaft. The air pressure controller is configured to control air pressure of one or more tires of the front wheels and the rear wheels such that an average rotational speed of the front wheels and an average rotational speed of the rear wheels are equal to each other.

An axle assembly having a constant shaft disposed at least partially through a bearing hub assembly. The constant shaft defines a fluid conduit therethrough. A steering knuckle is disposed at least partially about the constant shaft. The axle assembly may include a bearing spacer disposed about the constant shaft, the bearing spacer being disposed at least partially axially between the bearing hub assembly and the steering knuckle. Additionally, a first rotary seal and a second rotary seal may be disposed radially between the bearing spacer and the constant shaft. The first and second rotary seals may at least partially define a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the constant shaft fluid conduit. Further, a port may be disposed through the bearing spacer, wherein the port is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber.

Methods and systems for adjusting air pressure of one or more tires of a vehicle. The system includes one or more valves respectively corresponding to the one or more tires, each valve of the one or more valves configured to receive air for inflating a corresponding tire or release air for deflating the corresponding tire. The system includes an air regulation device configured to provide air to the one or more valves of the one or more tires via one or more respective air lines and provide air to one or more air suspension devices via the one or more respective air lines. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to cause the one or more tires to inflate or deflate based on a tire air pressure configuration.

A wheel end assembly for a tire inflation system includes a sealing ring disposed on an axle housing. The sealing ring includes a conduit formed therethrough in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a hub. The hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing adjacent the sealing ring. An inner rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. An outer rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The hub conduit is in fluid communication with the sealing ring conduit via an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The bearing seal is disposed outboard of the outer rotary seal. The inner rotary seal, the outer rotary seal, and the bearing seal are each in sealing contact with the sealing ring.