A wheel inflation apparatus including a wheel engagement unit that suspends a tire/wheel assembly and at least one inflation unit coupled to the robotic arm, each inflation unit being configured to inflate the tire/wheel assembly. A load measuring unit is configured to sense an amount of load being applied to the wheel/tire assembly. A controller is coupled to the load measuring unit for receiving a load signal and determining an internal air pressure of the tire/wheel assembly based on the load signal. The controller controls the at least one inflation unit based on the determined internal air pressure and a target (desired) air pressure value.

A tool for seating a tubeless tire on a rim using pressurized gas includes a cylindrical pressure tank with a nozzle affixed to it, and a rapid opening gas valve. The nozzle includes a jet configured to receive pressurized gas from the cylindrical pressure vessel into a chamber of the nozzle. As the stream of gas enters the chamber, the Venturi effect causes air to enter the chamber through air intake ports and the stream of gas and air from the air intake ports is blown out of the outlet of the nozzle. The tire is seated on the rim by positioning the system so that the air from the nozzle rapidly blows into the tire between the bead of the tire and the rim upon the valve being opened.

A pneumatically operated gas valve includes a piston positioned in a cylinder with one closed end so that the piston may seat against a gas outlet to close the gas valve. A control reservoir may be formed in the cylinder between the piston and the closed end of the cylinder. Means for filling the control reservoir with gas to a control pressure may be provided so that the control pressure acting against the piston may close the gas valve. A release valve may be opened to allow the gas in the control reservoir to escape through an exhaust port to open the gas valve.

A pneumatically operated gas valve mounted on a vessel containing pressurized gas. The gas valve includes a piston positioned in a cylinder with one closed end so that the piston seats against a gas outlet to close the gas valve. A control reservoir is formed in the cylinder between the piston and the closed end of the cylinder. Upon filling vessel, some of the pressurized gas enters the control reservoir to provide a control pressure behind the piston. Actuating the control mechanism vents the control reservoir, resulting in the gas valve opening rapidly to release the pressurized gas in the vessel through an exhaust port of the gas valve.

A tire changer apparatus for the assembly or disassembly of tires from a rim of a wheel of a vehicle, said tire changer apparatus comprising: a base; a drive unit movable along a predetermined direction and configured to rotate, around a rotation axis, a wheel of a vehicle; a frame emerging from the base. The rotation axis of the wheel and the predetermined direction define an ideal plane of movement of the drive unit. The apparatus also comprises a first and a second device, each of which comprises: an arm hinged to the frame and configured to rotate around a respective axis parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel, a tool configured to operate on a rim and/or a tire of a wheel; the first and second devices are configured to arrange the respective tools on opposite sides with respect to said ideal plane.

A pneumatic tire seater for seating a tubeless tire on a rim has an advanced rapid air release (RAR) valve mounted on a tank suitable for containing pressurized air. A nozzle is mounted on one end of the RAR valve, and the other end of the valve is in unconstrained pneumatic communication with the interior of the air tank. A piston is within a cylinder of the RAR valve. A control chamber behind the piston contains a compression spring. Control gas passageways provide constrained pneumatic communication between the control chamber and the air tank, passing control gas into the control chamber. In response to actuating a control mechanism, the air in the control chamber is vented out into the atmosphere causing the RAR valve to rapidly open, producing a blast of air of sufficient magnitude to seat a tire on a rim.

A pneumatic tire seater for seating a tubeless tire on a rim has an advanced rapid air release (RAR) valve mounted on a tank suitable for containing pressurized air. A nozzle is mounted on one end of the RAR valve, and the other end of the valve is in unconstrained pneumatic communication with the interior of the air tank. A piston is within a cylinder of the RAR valve. A control chamber behind the piston contains a compression spring. Control gas passageways provide constrained pneumatic communication between the control chamber and the air tank, passing control gas into the control chamber. In response to actuating a control mechanism, the air in the control chamber is vented out into the atmosphere causing the RAR valve to rapidly open, producing a blast of air of sufficient magnitude to seat a tire on a rim.

A hand-held sealing device may be used for sealing a tubeless tire on a corresponding wheel rim. The wheel rim may have a valve stem hole to receive a valve stem. The hand-held sealing device may include a device body. The device body may include an air output nozzle, a directed air outlet defined in the air output nozzle, and an air inlet defined in the device body. The air inlet may be fluidly communicated with the directed air outlet. The hand-held sealing device may also include a valve assembly disposed between the directed air outlet and the air inlet. A cable may be slidably disposed in the air output nozzle. The cable may pass through the directed air outlet. A valve stem engagement member may be configured to removably attach to the valve stem. The valve stem engagement member may be connected to the cable.

A pneumatically operated gas valve mounted on a vessel containing pressurized gas. The gas valve includes a piston positioned in a cylinder with one closed end so that the piston seats against a gas outlet to close the gas valve. A control reservoir is formed in the cylinder between the piston and the closed end of the cylinder. Upon filling vessel, some of the pressurized gas enters the control reservoir to provide a control pressure behind the piston. Actuating the control mechanism vents the control reservoir, resulting in the gas valve opening rapidly to release the pressurized gas in the vessel through an exhaust port of the gas valve.

A tire changer apparatus for the assembly or disassembly of tires from a rim of a wheel of a vehicle, said tire changer apparatus comprising: a base; a drive unit movable along a predetermined direction and configured to rotate, around a rotation axis, a wheel of a vehicle; a frame emerging from the base. The rotation axis of the wheel and the predetermined direction define an ideal plane of movement of the drive unit. The apparatus also comprises a first and a second device, each of which comprises: an arm hinged to the frame and configured to rotate around a respective axis parallel to the rotation axis of the wheel, a tool configured to operate on a rim and/or a tire of a wheel; the first and second devices are configured to arrange the respective tools on opposite sides with respect to said ideal plane.