Patent classifications
B60C23/003
Integrated tire inflation/deflation adjustment system
A tire pressure system for a vehicle includes an inflation/deflation system that includes a compressor and a valve in fluid communication with four tires. Each of the four tires have a tire pressure. At least one sensor is configured to receive at least one of vehicle location data, vehicle environmental data and other sensor information. A controller is in communication with the inflation/deflation system and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to select at least one of the four tires to adjust the tire pressure of the selected at least one of the four tires. The controller is configured to control at least one of the valve and compressor to achieve at least one of desired fuel economy and desired road control of the selected at least one of the four tires.
Systems and methods for determining vehicle characteristics
A vehicle includes a sprung mass including a cabin coupled to a chassis, tractive assemblies each including at least one tractive element, springs coupling the tractive elements to the sprung mass, each spring imparting an upward force on the sprung mass, load sensors each configured to provide a signal indicative of the force imparted by one of the springs, and a controller operatively coupled to the load sensors. The controller is configured to determine a weight of the sprung mass using the signals from the load sensors and monitor at least one operational condition of the vehicle. The controller is configured to determine whether or not to disable determination of the weight based on the at least one operational condition.
Tire inflator
A tire inflator/bleed system allows tire pressure to be adjusted using controls in a vehicle and while in motion. The inflator system includes a disk portion which rotates with a wheel, and a ring portion rotatably attached to the disk. The disk may be a spacer between the wheel and a vehicle hub, be part of the wheel, or be part of the hub. The ring portion receives air from an air supply/bleeder and is in fluid communication with the disk portion to provide the air to or from the disk portion. The disk portion is in fluid communication with a tire interior to add or remove air from the tire.
Pressure balance valve
An assembly for an ATIS that includes a tire inflation valve and a tire deflation valve, and further includes a safety valve that is configured to receive the tire pressure, deflate a tire when tire pressure is too high such as due to braking heat, road friction, ambient temperature, or other reasons. The safety valve prevents deflation of the tire through the deflation valve in the case of low source pressure, such as the pressure source fails or a leak in the source pressure system lines. The assembly is designed to be quickly serviced in the field, where the serviceable parts are very inexpensive. Multiple devices can be installed in parallel with the others, with one device per tire or tire set. The assembly can be a block configured to be attached to a hub cap of a vehicle. It also enables a sensor placement on the hub cap for hub temperature sensing as well as tire pressures sensing and reporting.
Vehicle
A vehicle includes a center differential device and an air pressure controller. The center differential device includes a first output shaft coupled to front wheels and a second output shaft coupled to rear wheels. The center differential device is configured to perform differential operation between the first output shaft and the second output shaft and to limit the differential operation between the first output shaft and the second output shaft. The air pressure controller is configured to control air pressure of one or more tires of the front wheels and the rear wheels such that an average rotational speed of the front wheels and an average rotational speed of the rear wheels are equal to each other.
Module for detecting a vibrational behavior of a mechanical component
A module for detecting a vibrational behavior of a mechanical component includes an attachment component configured to be rigidly mechanically connected to the mechanical component in order to absorb a mechanical vibration of the mechanical component, a circuit board including a circuit, the circuit board being configured to detect the mechanical vibration of the mechanical component and, based on the detected vibration, to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the vibrational behavior, and at least one spacer mechanically connecting the circuit board to the attachment component such that the mechanical vibration is transferable from the attachment component to the circuit board.
Integrated-sensor valve apparatus
An assembly (8) for a central tire inflation system includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing defines a fluid conduit disposed through the first and second ends. The assembly also includes one or more sensors (205, 210) having a portion disposed in the fluid conduit. Further, a power source (245) is in electrical communication with the sensor. The assembly additionally includes a kinetic energy device (220) in electrical communication with the power source. The kinetic energy device may comprise a magnet (255) sliding on a guide (265). As an alternative, the kinetic energy device may comprise a turbine (275).
Pressurized fluid supply apparatus and method of supplying pressurized fluid
A pressurized fluid supply apparatus and method of supplying pressurized fluid is provided. The pressurized fluid supply apparatus includes a housing configured to rotate about an axis, at least one fluid pump coupled to the housing and configured to pressurize a fluid therein, and at least one movable element disposed within the housing. The at least one movable element is configured to move within the housing when the housing rotates about the axis, which causes the at least one movable element to be in periodic driving engagement with the at least one fluid pump to cause the fluid to be pressurized.
TIRES AND WHEELS COMPRISING ADJUSTABLE STIFFENING LINES, AND MACHINES HAVING SAME
A tire has a carcass with a tread, a bead, a shoulder, and a sidewall. The bead, shoulder, and sidewall partially define a first internal cavity. At least one stiffening line for a pressurized fluid with a second cavity is within the carcass. The second cavity is aligned in an approximately transverse direction relative to the periphery of the tire. The second cavity is connectable to pressurized fluid supply system and can be inflated or deflated to adjust the stiffness of the tire. The stiffening lines may be inflated using a hydraulic fluid to increase the stiffness of the tire. Related wheels, vehicles, and methods are also disclosed.
Automatic tire inflation monitoring system
Embodiments included herein are directed towards an automatic tire inflation monitoring system and method. The method may include confirming, using a battery powered electronic sensor, that there is no active tire re-inflation in progress. The method may further include monitoring, using the battery powered electronic sensor, the status of all tire pressures over a period of time and determining, using the battery powered electronic sensor, whether a rate of tire pressure reduction exceeds a first value. The method may include reporting, using the battery powered electronic sensor, a fault if the rate exceeds the first value.