A pressure and temperature compensated valve assembly includes a flow valve allowing inflation flow from a control port to a tire port and controlling deflation flow from the tire port to the control port. A throttle valve restricts deflation flow between the tire port and the control port when deflating the tire at high flow rates or when tire pressure is high, thus enabling the flow valve to be closed. The throttle valve includes a throttle diaphragm that throttles in response to flow from the tire port and which does not restrict inflation flow from the control port. The valve assembly further includes a temperature responsive member engaging the flow valve, and which deforms in response to a change in temperature in the valve assembly, thus negating temperature effects on the flow valve, allowing the flow valve to close at a consistent force across a range of operating temperatures.

An air maintenance tire pump simulator that simulates the environment of an air maintenance tire system is provided. The simulator includes at least one pneumatic cylinder, a structure that forms a closed cavity, and a pneumatic conduit extending between and fluidly connecting the pneumatic cylinder and the closed cavity. A cam is operably connected to a motor, and is also operably connected to the pneumatic cylinder. Engagement of the motor actuates rotation of the cam, which in turn actuates operation of the pneumatic cylinder to increase a pressure in the closed cavity. A method of simulating an air maintenance tire system is also provided.

A method for detecting a leak in a pressure vessel of a system including a plurality of pressure vessels in fluid communication with a common header comprises: reducing a fluid pressure in the common header to a first predetermined value below an operating pressure of the plurality of pressure vessels; gradually adding fluid to the common header at a first flow rate to increase the fluid pressure in the common header from the first predetermined value; monitoring, after gradually adding the fluid to the common header, the fluid pressure in the common header; and determining, based on the fluid pressure in the common header after gradually adding the fluid to the common header, a leak in at least one pressure vessel of the plurality of pressure vessels.

A tire inflation optimization apparatus configured to determine an optimum inflation pressure for a tire installed on an aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a memory and a controller. The memory stores information relating tire gas properties to aircraft schedule parameters and a reference pressure for the tire. The controller is configured to receive future schedule information indicative of a future flight schedule for the aircraft and to determine an optimum inflation pressure for the tire based on the received future schedule information, the stored information relating tire gas properties to aircraft schedule parameters, and the stored reference pressure.

An Automatic pressure valve for the inflation-deflation of pneumatic arrangements comprises a main body (102) with an inlet connector (103) communicated with a pressurized air supply network an outlet connector connected to a pneumatic arrangement and a mechanical means which allows for a total or partial air passage or blockage to perform inflation-deflation operations of the pneumatic arrangement in a faster and practical way. The mechanical means comprises a main movable plunger (116) having an inner stepped through channel (117), a spring (120) arranged on a seat (121) defined in the inner stepped channel (117), an inflation plunger (122) operatively retained by said spring (120), a proximal movable end (126) within a first inner chamber (105), a reduced middle section (119), and a distal movable end (128) having a smaller diameter than the proximal end (126) and arranged within a second inner chamber (106).

Vehicle systems and components are set forth, which aim to reduce rolling friction caused in part by the contact between the vehicle's tires and the ground surface over which the vehicle is traversing. These systems and/or components thereof may increase the overall fuel efficiency of a vehicle. In the examples provided, the systems and/or components change the tread contact patch of one or more tires during movement of the vehicle.

A computer-implemented method of compressing a data set including a plurality of historical tire monitoring measurements spaced by a first time interval. The method includes discarding particular ones of the historical tire monitoring measurements which are older than a first threshold age, such that historical tire monitoring measurements which are older than the first threshold age are retained at a second time interval that is longer than the first time interval.

A system and method provide automatic vehicle tire air pressure monitoring, warning, and maintenance for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a controller, wheel rims having tires coupled to wheel hubs, an air compressor configured to inflate the tires, a pressure sensor contained within each wheel rim on a vehicle for measuring air pressure within a tire located on each wheel rim, the compressor coupled to the tire rims for providing needed pressurized air, the compressor, an air pressure line connecting the compressor to the wheel rims, a driver display providing a warning to a driver, and a controller. The controller reads an air pressure value of the air pressure within each tire, determines whether the air pressure values within each tire, when one or more of the air pressure values are below the pre-determined value, activates the compressor to add air to each of the four tires needing the air pressure, and provides the driver a visual status of the air pressure values within in each of the tires and a visual status of the compressor state.

A tire management system includes a control valve and a check valve. A method for managing a tire includes: determining a pressure parameter value, determining an operational parameter for a valve based on the pressure parameter value, and controlling the valve based on the operational parameter.

A wheel assembly includes a wheel having an outer rim and a hub. A first coupling is applied to the hub. A non-return valve is housed in the first coupling, and a second fitting is applied separably between the hub and the outer rim to connect the outlet of the hub hole with the channel hole.