A method of localizing a TPMS sensor module includes transmitting, by the TPMS sensor module, a TPMS signal; and localizing, by a localization module, the TPMS sensor module based on receiving the TPMS signal at a phase array antenna including a plurality of reception antennas each configured to receive the TPMS signal at a different phase, where the plurality of reception antennas include a reference reception antenna and at least one additional reception antenna. Localizing the TPMS sensor module includes measuring a reference phase of the TPMS signal received at the reference reception antenna, measuring a respective shifted phase of the TPMS signal received at each of the at least one additional reception antenna, determining a respective phase shift between the reference phase and each respective shifted phase, and determining a location of the TPMS sensor module based on each determined respective phase shift corresponding to the TPMS signal.

The invention relates to a method for associating tire sensor modules (6.i) with a trailer vehicle (3), having at least the following steps: capturing data messages (S1) from tire sensor modules (6.i, 106.i, 206.i) in a monitoring region (8); associating the captured data messages (S1) with a tire sensor module (6.i, 106.i, 206.i); ascertaining a number of captured data messages (S1) for each detected tire sensor module; rating the captured data messages (S1) to establish whether the tire sensor modules (6.i, 106.i, 206.i) received in total up to then belong to the driver's own trailer vehicle (3) or to the adjacent trailer vehicle (103, 203); accepting the tire sensor modules (6.i) detected in the rating as affiliated to the driver's own trailer vehicle (3). According to the invention, each tire sensor module (6.i, 106.i, 206.i) detects a wheel position associated with the respective tire sensor module (6.i, 106.i, 206.i) and a trailer axle configuration, so that for an accepted tire sensor module (6.i) the wheel position and the trailer axle configuration can be taken as a basis for making a positional association on the driver's own trailer vehicle (3).

An inflation electronic control module for a tire inflation system comprising a solenoid valve disposed so as to selectively open or close fluid communication between a fluid pressure source and a vehicle tire in response to one or more pressure signals. The tire inflation system further comprising a fluid pressure sensor disposed so as to detect delivery-side fluid pressure between the solenoid valve and the vehicle tire, and provide a pressure signal corresponding to the detected fluid pressure.

The invention relates to a method for managing data relating to an assembly forming a wheel (R) of a vehicle (C), said wheel (R) including a tyre mounted on a rim, said wheel having a measurement module (110), said tyre having an identifier made up of a radio tag (200) such as an RFID marker, said wheel being capable of having different states: mounted in which said tyre is mounted on the rim; and unmounted in which said tyre is not mounted on the rim, in which the measurement module (110) detects a pressure variation inside the tyre, and in which the storage memory of said measurement module (110) is rewritable, characterised in that said method consists of in the event of a pressure variation, replacing the data stored in the measurement module (110) with new data from another tyre. The invention is useful in the management of data relating to tyres and wheels.

A vehicle control system may include a wheel end unit attachable to the wheel-end of a wheeled vehicle. The system may employ one or more sensors to adjust wheel-end parameters and analyze sensor readings to diagnose conditions related to vehicle components, including tires, axles, bearings or components of the monitoring system. The system may analyze readings to predict conditions related to vehicle components or to components of the monitoring system. Wheel-end systems may be modular, allowing different implementations to include varying degrees of mechanical or electrical monitoring, analysis and control.

A vehicle control system may include a wheel end unit attachable to the wheel-end of a wheeled vehicle. The system may employ a plurality of pumps to supply compressed air to a tire associated with the wheel-end. The pumps may be supplied with energy transferred from torque generated by a pendulum, the energy transmitted through a non-circular gearing system.

A tyre pressure sensing module (104) for fitting to a wheel (106) of a vehicle (100) comprising a pneumatic tyre, a driver indicator unit (102) and a TPMS comprising the two. The sensing module comprising: a pressure sensor (214) for sensing a pressure of a gas retained within the pneumatic tyre; an alert generator (216) configured to generate an alert signal based on the sensed pressure of the gas and one or more parameters; and a transmitter (202) configured to transmit the alert signal to the driver indicator unit fitted to the vehicle. The driver indicator unit comprising a receiver (304) configured to receive alert signals from a plurality of tyre pressure sensing modules;

and a display (314) configured to display an indication to a driver of the vehicle that the alert signal has been received.

A tire pressure management system includes at least an axle, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, and a rotary union 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, and a bearing in contact engagement with the fluid conduit via an inner race of the bearing, and in sliding engagement with a bearing sleeve via an outer race of the bearing. The bearing sleeve in pressing contact with the central bore; and a seal, is disposed between the bearing and the downstream end of the fluid conduit.

A tire inflation system safety valve includes at least an air line disposed between a rotary union and a tire communicating with an axle supporting a hubcap, the rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap. The air line facilitating pressurized air transferred between the rotary union and the tire. The tire inflation system safety valve including at least a valve housing providing a valve activation chamber, a fluid conduit, supported by the valve housing, having a downstream end and an upstream end and in fluid communication with the valve activation chamber, and a diaphragm disposed within the valve activation chamber and communicating with the fluid conduit. The diaphragm, in response to the pressurized air of a predetermined pressure, automatically precludes air transfer between the upstream end of the fluid conduit and the downstream end of the fluid conduit.

A tire pressure management system includes at least an axle, which houses pressurized fluid, and is supported by a tire. A vehicle frame supported by the axle, by way of a suspension is disposed between frame and the axle. Also included is a pressure management controller (PMC) supported by the frame, which communicates with the tire. A load detection device (LDD) interacting with the suspension determines a value for a load supported by the suspension. The PMC provides at least a central processing unit (CPU) programmed with a lookup table that associates the value determined by the LDD with a predetermined pressure for the tire. The CPU directs an inflation, else a deflation of of the tire based on the determined value.