A vehicle tire inflation system includes a central gas supply system configured for distribution of inflation gas to a vehicle tire and a distributed gas supply system configured for compressing gas and supplying the compressed gas to a vehicle tire.

A tire deflation and inflation system for a vehicle. The system includes a unit bearing having a plurality of wheel flanges for mounting a wheel thereto. The unit bearing is configured to receive therein a portion of an axle of the vehicle. A wheel hub is mounted to the unit bearing. An air chamber is defined by the unit bearing. In response to positive air pressure generated by an air pressure source, air flows through the air chamber to a tire of the wheel mounted to the unit bearing to increase air pressure of the tire. In response to negative air pressure generated by venting the system to atmosphere, air is drawn out of the tire through the air chamber.

A system (40) for transmitting control pressures and/or working pressures from a wheel-hub pressure medium supply (20, 21, 22), in particular from a wheel-hub pressure medium rotary union (21), to a vehicle rim (2) mounted on the wheel hub (1). The system (40) has a receiving part (41), which has a central region (55) with a central opening (44) and at least one extension region (43) projecting radially from the central region (55), at least in some regions. The receiving part (41) can be connected to the wheel hub (1) by means of the at least one radially projecting extension region (43), in a detachable way, and the control pressures and/or working pressures can be transmitted from the wheel-hub pressure medium supply (20, 21, 22) to the opening (44).

Technology is provided for an inflation hubcap installation system for connecting an air hose to an inflation hubcap air fitting. The inflation hubcap installation system includes a locking tool, a tool retainer, and a torque wrench adapter. The locking tool includes a hubcap interface portion and a wrench portion configured to engage the air fitting when the hubcap interface portion is connected to the inflation hubcap. The tool retainer connects to the locking tool and retains the locking tool on the inflation hubcap. The torque wrench adapter engages the air hose and connects to a suitable torque wrench.

A rotary union for a tire inflation system may comprise a stator and a rotor assembly, and may be contained entirely within the space formed by a hubcap and wheel end. The rotor assembly may be mounted to the interior of a hubcap. The rotor assembly may comprise a tube that extends into the stator. The tube may be sealed in the rotor assembly by a first annular seal, and may be sealed in the stator by a second annular seal.

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

A wheel end assembly includes a spindle having a passage formed therein. The wheel end assembly also includes a hub cap assembly. The hub cap assembly has an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing and outer housing are in fluid communication via an air passage. An air spindle has an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The inboard portion is disposed in the spindle and the outboard portion is disposed in the inner housing. Also, the air spindle has a fluid passage. The fluid passage is in fluid communication with the passage formed in the spindle and the air passage formed in the hub cap assembly. A rotary air seal is disposed around the air spindle. A rotary oil seal is disposed around the air spindle and is spaced apart from the rotary air seal.

A system (40) for transmitting control pressures and/or working pressures from a wheel-hub pressure medium supply (20, 21, 22), in particular from a wheel-hub pressure medium rotary union (21), to a vehicle rim (2) mounted on the wheel hub (1). The system (40) has a receiving part (41), which has a central region (55) with a central opening (44) and at least one extension region (43) projecting radially from the central region (55), at least in some regions. The receiving part (41) can be connected to the wheel hub (1) by means of the at least one radially projecting extension region (43), in a detachable way, and the control pressures and/or working pressures can be transmitted from the wheel-hub pressure medium supply (20, 21, 22) to the opening (44).

A visual flow indicator provided on a tire inflation system air hose or rotary union housing.

A vehicle operational diagnostics and condition response system includes at least an axle supporting a cargo transport unit frame, a suspension disposed between and secured to each the cargo transport unit 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 cargo transport unit frame, and a cargo transport unit health status system supported by the cargo transport unit and configured to communicate with the system controller. The cargo transport unit health status system provides state status information for monitored operational elements of the cargo transport unit.