A high temperature warning system for a vehicle steer axle an air pressure supply, a normally-closed valve in fluid communication with pressure supply, a heat sensitive control capable of opening the normally-closed valve upon a predetermined temperature, the heat sensitive control mounted adjacent to the wheel end assembly in a heat exchange relationship therewith, and a warning system connected to the air pressure supply for actuation upon opening of the normally-closed valve.

A filter device for a conduit includes a gas-permeable pre-filter element and a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable filter element. The filter device is configured to be fluidly coupled to a conduit such that a gas can flow, in sequence, through the pre-filter element, the filter element and then the conduit. The filter device can be used in each of a vehicle hollow driveshaft and a hollow wheel stub axle forming a CV joint having a compressed air supply line which passes therethrough. Compressed air can be supplied via the air supply line without the need for an additional fluid transfer device fluidly connecting the driveshaft and the stub axle's conduits.

A tire inflation system for a small trailer may include a fluid pressure source mountable to the trailer, and fluid conduits providing sealed fluid communication between the fluid pressure source and the small trailer's pneumatic tires. The system may further include a fluid connector configured for connection to an external fluid power source.

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.

An on-board centralized system for regulating pressure of tyres of a vehicle includes a pressurized air source, a circuit communicating the source with a plenum of each wheel, and an arrangement for connecting the plenum of each wheel to the inner chamber of the respective tyre that includes first and second connection lines for deflation and inflation, respectively, of the tyre, and first and second one-way valves interposed, respectively, in the first and second connection lines to allow only a flow of air respectively from and to the inner chamber. The first valve includes a spring having a pre-set load so as to isolate the inner chamber from a part of the circuit upstream of the first valve when said upstream part is at atmospheric pressure, and to guarantee a pre-set minimum value of pressure in the inner chamber when the upstream part is at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure.

A system, method and apparatus for the management of tire pressure within a wheel assembly of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing carrying the components for coaxial rotation with an axel of the motor vehicle carrying the wheel assembly. The apparatus is configured to vent an over pressure condition to atmosphere and to deliver a pressurized air source to the tire in the event of an under pressure condition. A system includes an apparatus for each wheel assembly of the motor vehicle.

A load-based tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprises at least one source of fluid pressure, suspension structure of the heavy-duty vehicle, a tire and wheel assembly and a system to control fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly. The suspension structure is located between a frame member and an axle and has a condition indicative of a weight of the heavy-duty vehicle. The tire and wheel assembly is operatively mounted to the axle and is in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure. The control system controls fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly in response to the condition of the suspension structure.

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 pressure management system includes at least an axle enclosing a pressurized fluid, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, a rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap, the rotary union includes at least, a fluid conduit having upstream and downstream ends, a first bearing and a second bearing, the first bearing in pressing engagement with the fluid conduit and adjacent the downstream end of said fluid conduit, the second bearing in pressing engagement with the fluid conduit and adjacent the upstream end of said fluid conduit, and a first and second seal, the first seal is disposed between the first bearing and the downstream end of the fluid conduit, and the second seal is disposed between the second bearing and the upstream end of the fluid conduit.

A vehicle operational diagnostics and condition response system includes at least an axle supporting a vehicle frame, a suspension disposed between and secured to each the vehicle frame and the axle, a load detection device interacting with the suspension and communicating with a system controller, wherein the system controller is supported by the vehicle frame, and a vehicle operational lighting system supported by the frame and communicating with the system controller. The vehicle operational lighting system is activated by the system controller in response to load detection data received by the system controller from the load detection device.