The invention provides a tire inflation pressure method and system. A tire inflation pressure adjustment signal is generated in order to maintain the centerline length of the tire's footprint within a range that allows the good performance of the tire. In embodiments of the invention, a linear relationship between tire inflation pressure, footprint centerline length and vehicle load are exploited to allow for an efficient implementation.

The present invention concerns un rotary joint (10, 10) apt to transfer a fluid between two entities, one of which is in rotary motion with respect to the other, said rotary joint (10, 10) being characterised in that it comprises a cylindrical internal element (11), apt to be fixed to said entity in rotary motion, and a plurality of annular external elements (14, 15, 17, 18), which can be coupled and which are self-centering, which can be fitted modularly, said external elements (14, 15, 17, 18) comprising at least two head elements (14), at least two housing elements (15) of respective gaskets (16), two bearing elements (17) and at least one fluid inlet element (18), said at least one fluid inlet element (18) being placed in an intermediate position between said two bearing elements (17), said at least two housing elements (15) of respective gaskets (16) being arranged externally with respect to said two bearing elements (17) and said at least two head elements (14) being arranged externally with respect to said at least two housing elements (15) of respective gaskets (16), said gaskets (16) defining an annular shaped sealed area in the space delimited laterally by the same gaskets (16), internally by said internal element (11) and externally by said external elements (14, 15, 17, 18) comprised between said gaskets (16), said sealed area being accessible on one side through said fluid inlet element (18) and on the other side through at least one fluid passage channel (20, 21) passing through the body of said internal element (11) up to one of the two axial ends.

Moreover, the invention concerns pressure regulation systems of a tire (B) comprising said rotary joint (10, 10).

A TPMS-sensor-integrated automatic tire inflation system hose is provided that includes an inspection valve and a TPMS sensor.

A rotary union for a tire inflation system includes an axle housing and a wheel axle rotatably mounted in the axle housing. The wheel axle has a flange for attachment of a wheel rim. The wheel axle is received by a passage socket that is connected for conjoint rotation to the wheel axle and supported by a radial bearing relative to a bearing seat within the axle housing. A compressed air duct is disposed inside a cylindrical wall of the passage socket such that the compressed air duct is connected at one end to a pressure connector mounted on the axle housing and at the other end to a tire connector mounted on the passage socket. The passage socket is sealed rotationally movably with respect to an adjacent inner side of the axle housing such that an enclosed chamber is formed between the pressure connector and the compressed air duct.

A tire inflation system, in particular for use in a commercial vehicle includes a control unit, a flow inlet, a pressure sensor, a switchable valve, in particular an electrically or magnetically switchable valve, and a flow outlet, wherein the flow inlet is configured to be connected to a compressed air system, in particular to a compressed air system of an air spring, wherein the flow outlet is configured be connected to a pressure chamber of a tire, wherein the control unit is connected to the pressure sensor and the switchable valve, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to detect a pressure at the flow outlet or at the flow inlet, wherein the control unit is configured such that the control unit opens and/or switches the switchable valve as a function of the detected pressure, in particular when the detected pressure at the flow outlet falls below a threshold value.

A tire pressure regulating system is disclosed for adjusting tire pressures of pneumatic tires of vehicle wheels of a plurality of vehicle axles of a motor vehicle while driving. The tire pressure regulating system comprises: at least one switchover valve, an axle valve, a wheel valve and a valve. A motor vehicle comprising the tire pressure regulating system is also disclosed.

A rotary joint assembly for a tire inflation system includes a rotating portion. The rotating portion is attached to a wheel rim for rotation therewith. The rotating portion includes a center portion which has an air passageway formed therein. The rotary joint assembly also includes a non-rotating portion. The non-rotating portion has a non-rotating portion air passageway formed therein. The non-rotating portion air passageway is in fluid communication with the air passageway formed in the rotating portion via a chamber. A pair of annular sealing members are attached to the rotating portion and sealingly contact a sealing surface of the non-rotating portion. The annular sealing members define an inboard end and an outboard end of the chamber.

A mechanical fluid pressure regulator comprising a regulator portion for housing components of a valve assembly, a pilot port for receiving a control pressure, an exhaust port, and first and second structures disposed within the regulator. The regulator portion has a supply port for receiving a supply pressure and a delivery port for providing a delivery pressure, the delivery port being in selective fluid communication with the supply port. The at least one exhaust port is in selective fluid communication between the delivery port and the external environment. The first structure is adjustable for establishing a maximum threshold pressure without regard to the control pressure. The second structure affects the response of the regulator portion to the supply and delivery pressures. The control pressure cooperates with the first and second structures to proportionally reduce the delivery pressure from the maximum threshold pressure established by the first structure.

A TPMS-sensor-integrated automatic tire inflation system hose is provided that includes an inspection valve and a TPMS sensor.

A tire inflation system includes a first component rotating relative to a second component, a first passageway between the first and second components, the first passageway connecting a pressure source to a pressure consumer, a first seal in contact with an interface between the first and second components, the first seal maintaining pressurized fluid in the first passageway, a second seal in contact with the interface between the first and second components, the second seal spaced apart from the first seal forming a first chamber, a third seal in contact with the interface between the first and second components, the third seal spaced apart from the second seal forming a separate second chamber, and a second passageway connected to the separate second chamber and to the atmosphere.