Patent classifications
B60C23/003
INFLATION/DEFLATION SYSTEM
An inflation/deflation system for a tire in tire systems such as those having an inner bladder and an outer ground engaging tire is provided in which the inflation/deflation system is adapted to inflate/deflate a tire, inflate a bladder, and inflate a tire utilizing pressurized air from the bladder. The system utilizes a specialized valve and passageway system which utilizes pressurized fluid to operate a timer wheel valve to inflate the tire and/or bladder without requiring electric power at the wheel and utilizes a low power function to inflate the tire from the bladder. The utilization of the bladder to provide a quick tire inflation is particularly useful in agricultural applications utilizing tire with large volumes.
AUTOMATIC TIRE INFLATION MONITORING SYSTEM
Embodiments included herein are directed towards an automatic tire inflation monitoring system and method. The method may include confirming, using a battery powered electronic sensor, that there is no active tire re-inflation in progress. The method may further include monitoring, using the battery powered electronic sensor, the status of all tire pressures over a period of time and determining, using the battery powered electronic sensor, whether a rate of tire pressure reduction exceeds a first value. The method may include reporting, using the battery powered electronic sensor, a fault if the rate exceeds the first value.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZATION OF TIRE ROLLING RESISTANCE
Systems and methods for inflating a tire to an operating pressure that is above a cold inflation tire pressure are provided. More specifically, the system may include a tire pressure sensor coupled to a vehicle tire, a compressor configured to provide compressed air to the vehicle tire, a valve between the compressor and the vehicle tire; and a controller configured to: access a tire parameter associated with the vehicle tire, receive a tire pressure of the vehicle tire from the tire pressure sensor, and when then tire pressure received from the tire pressure is less than an operating tire pressure that is based on the accessed tire parameter, cause the valve to pass pressurized air from the compressor to the vehicle tire, wherein the operating tire pressure is greater than a cold inflation tire pressure of the vehicle tire.
Tire Inflator
A tire inflator/bleed system allows tire pressure to be adjusted using controls in a vehicle and while in motion. The inflator system includes a disk portion which rotates with a wheel, and a ring portion rotatably attached to the disk. The disk may be a spacer between the wheel and a vehicle hub, be part of the wheel, or be part of the hub. The ring portion receives air from an air supply/bleeder and is in fluid communication with the disk portion to provide the air to or from the disk portion. The disk portion is in fluid communication with a tire interior to add or remove air from the tire.
Tire pressure control device
A tire pressure control device configured to be arranged in a vehicle includes a processing unit, a linking assembly, an air compressor, a drive switch assembly, a tire pressure measurer, and an inflation assembly. The linking assembly is connected to a wheel driving shaft of the vehicle and can be driven along with the rotation of the wheel driving shaft so as to drive the air compressor to generate a compressed air that is stored in a gas storage cylinder. The processing unit can control an air valve switch assembly of the inflation assembly to be open according to a tire pressure data measured by the tire pressure measurer so that the compressed air in the gas storage cylinder enters the tires of the wheels to increase the tire pressure of the wheels.
Pressure Balance Valve
An assembly for an ATIS that includes a tire inflation valve and a tire deflation valve, and further includes a safety valve that is configured to receive the tire pressure, deflate a tire when tire pressure is too high such as due to braking heat, road friction, ambient temperature, or other reasons. The safety valve prevents deflation of the tire through the deflation valve in the case of low source pressure, such as the pressure source fails or a leak in the source pressure system lines. The assembly is designed to be quickly serviced in the field, where the serviceable parts are very inexpensive. Multiple devices can be installed in parallel with the others, with one device per tire or tire set. The assembly can be a block configured to be attached to a hub cap of a vehicle. It also enables a sensor placement on the hub cap for hub temperature sensing as well as tire pressures sensing and reporting.
TIRE PRESSURE CONTROL DEVICE
A tire pressure control device configured to be arranged in a vehicle includes a processing unit, a linking assembly, an air compressor, a drive switch assembly, a tire pressure measurer, and an inflation assembly. The linking assembly is connected to a wheel driving shaft of the vehicle and can be driven along with the rotation of the wheel driving shaft so as to drive the air compressor to generate a compressed air that is stored in a gas storage cylinder. The processing unit can control an air valve switch assembly of the inflation assembly to be open according to a tire pressure data measured by the tire pressure measurer so that the compressed air in the gas storage cylinder enters the tires of the wheels to increase the tire pressure of the wheels.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
A vehicle includes a sprung mass including a cabin coupled to a chassis, tractive assemblies each including at least one tractive element, springs coupling the tractive elements to the sprung mass, each spring imparting an upward force on the sprung mass, load sensors each configured to provide a signal indicative of the force imparted by one of the springs, and a controller operatively coupled to the load sensors. The controller is configured to determine a weight of the sprung mass using the signals from the load sensors and monitor at least one operational condition of the vehicle. The controller is configured to determine whether or not to disable determination of the weight based on the at least one operational condition.
Systems and methods for determining vehicle characteristics
A vehicle includes a sprung mass including a cabin coupled to a chassis, tractive assemblies engaging the chassis, each tractive assembly including a pair of tractive elements, gas springs coupling the tractive elements to the sprung mass, and a controller operatively coupled to pressure sensors. Each gas spring is configured to impart an upward force on the sprung mass. The upward force varies based on a pressure of a pressurized gas within a chamber of the gas spring. Each pressure sensor is configured to provide a signal indicative of the pressure of the pressurized gas within one of the chambers. The controller is configured to determine a weight of the sprung mass using the signals from the pressure sensors. The controller is configured to monitor at least one operational condition of the vehicle and determine whether or not to disable determination of the weight based on the operational condition.
INTEGRATED-SENSOR VALVE APPARATUS
An assembly (8) for a central tire inflation system includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing defines a fluid conduit disposed through the first and second ends. The assembly also includes one or more sensors (205, 210) having a portion disposed in the fluid conduit. Further, a power source (245) is in electrical communication with the sensor. The assembly additionally includes a kinetic energy device (220) in electrical communication with the power source. The kinetic energy device may comprise a magnet (255) sliding on a guide (265). As an alternative, the kinetic energy device may comprise a turbine (275).