An on-board centralized system for regulating pressure of tyres of a vehicle includes a pressurized air source, two pneumatic rotary joints each associated to a driving wheel of the vehicle, and a circuit that sets in communication the pressurized air source with each rotary joint. An output member of a constant-velocity joint and a wheel spindle have an internal duct for air passage, connected to the respective rotary joint and to a plenum of the respective driving wheel. Each non-driving wheel has its wheel spindle traversed by an axial bore for air passage, connected to the circuit via a pneumatic rotary joint and a plenum of the non-driving wheel, which is connected to the inner chamber of the tyre. Each driving or non-driving wheel has its plenum connected to the inner chamber via two parallel lines, for deflating and inflating, respectively, the tyre interposed in which are respective one-way valves.

A steer axle spindle may have one or more channels formed therein. A rotary union may be mounted to a steer axle wheel end assembly. The rotary union may be sealingly connected to a pressurized fluid source through the channel, and sealingly connected to a vehicle tire.

A method of decreasing tire pressure includes opening a wheel valve (22) to allow pressurized air from a tire (10) to be directed to a first valve assembly (14) and to atmosphere. A target pressure is selected for a fluid control conduit (28). The fluid conduit (28) is in fluid communication with the first valve assembly (14) and a second or control valve assembly (30). The pressure in the fluid conduit (28) is measured. If the measured pressure is greater than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is de-energized. If the measured pressure is less than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is energized. A valve (42) prone to leak under very low temperatures may be subjected to repeated cycles of pressure application and pressure release in order to form a fluid-tight seal.

A tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle having a source of fluid pressure, a tire and wheel assembly, and a fluid path. The fluid path includes at least one conduit, a first valve, and a flow detection structure. The conduit provides fluid communication from the source of fluid pressure to the tire and wheel assembly. The first valve is disposed along the fluid path. The flow detection structure is disposed along the fluid path and is arranged in parallel to the first valve.

An axle assembly having a spindle yoke defining at least one fluid conduit therethrough. A collector ring disposed about the spindle yoke. A seal housing coupled with a knuckle, and the seal housing disposed coaxially with the collector ring. First and second rotary seals disposed radially between the collector ring and the seal housing. Additionally, a port disposed in the knuckle, wherein the port is in fluid communication with the spindle yoke at least one fluid conduit via the seal housing and the collector ring.

A method of determining tire pressure includes providing a control unit having a first pressure transducer. The control unit is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir via an air supply circuit. A second pressure transducer is disposed at least partially within the fluid reservoir. The method also includes measuring a pressure of air in the air supply circuit utilizing the first pressure transducer and measuring a pressure of air in the reservoir utilizing the second pressure transducer. The method additionally includes determining a difference in the measurements of the first pressure transducer and the second pressure transducer and calibrating the second pressure transducer pressure measurement to agree with the first pressure transducer pressure measurement where the pressure difference is less than a predetermined value. The method further includes measuring a pressure in one or more tires.

The invention relates to design of all-terrain vehicles. The vehicle comprises a gas line which is connected to all of the wheel tires simultaneously and is coupled to a system for inflating the tires. A suspension comprises a wheel springing system connected to the wheel tires, a pneumatic drive and a system for inflating the tires, wherein the wheel springing system is configured in the form of an gas line formed from the cavities of the pipes from which a frame is welded, or is configured outside the frame, forming a closed loop that is connected to each of the tires by means of pipes with closure members, and wherein the pneumatic drive and the system for inflating the tires are constituted by an engine exhaust system which is provided with a baffle and is coupled to the air line by means of a pipe with a closure member.

A combination includes at least: an air line disposed between a rotary union and a tire; and a tire pressure management safety valve disposed within the air line. The air line facilitates pressurized fluid transferred between the rotary union and a valve stem of the tire, to inflate the tire, and the tire pressure management safety valve includes: a valve housing providing a valve activation chamber; a fluid conduit having a downstream end and an upstream end; a check valve disposed within the valve activation chamber, the check valve responsive to pressurized fluid within the air line, at a predetermined pressure the check valve automatically precludes air transfer through the fluid conduit; and a fitting communicating with the check valve activation chamber and the valve stem of the tire. The combination further includes a tire pressure measurement sensor interacting with the check valve activation chamber and the inflated tire.

A tire inflation system is provided for a vehicle supported by a plurality of inflatable tires. The system includes a compressor carried on the vehicle, and an air storage tank carried on the vehicle and connected to the compressor for storing compressed air. A plurality of automatically operable fill valves are provided, each fill valve being associated with a respective one of the tires so that each tire is communicated with the air storage tank via a separate one of the fill valves to increase inflation pressure in the tire when its respective fill valve is in an open position. A controller is operably associated with all of the fill valves. The controller has a multiple tire rapid inflation mode in which the fill valves associated with at least two of the tires are maintained in their open positions for an initial period until pressure in the air storage tank and the at least two tires substantially equalizes, and for a subsequent period during which the compressor provides additional inflation air to the at least two tires.

A tire inflation system is provided for a vehicle supported by a plurality of inflatable tires. The system includes a compressor, a main air storage tank and an auxiliary air storage tank. An automated shut off valve is disposed between the main air storage tank and the auxiliary air storage tank. An inflation sensor is arranged to detect an inflation pressure provided to the tires. A controller has a rapid inflation mode configured to initially communicate stored compressed air from both the main air storage tank and the auxiliary air storage tank to the tire or tires being inflated, and to then close the automated shut off valve so that additional compressed air from the compressor is communicated to the tire or tires being inflated without repressurizing the auxiliary air storage tank.