Patent US4598750A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4598750A
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Tire inflation/deflation system
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1984-11-16
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Granted: 1986-07-08
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Expires: 2004-11-16
Abstract
Abstract An automatic tire inflation/deflation system for a vehicle with pneumatic tires. The system may be incorporated into existing vehicles without modification of the axles, wheels or tires. A pressure-responsive bellows is utilized at each wheel to open or close the existing tire valve in accordance with air pressure values applied to the bellows exterior surface. A selector valve at the driver's station permits the human driver to remotely control the tire inflation or deflation process. During normal run operations, the air passage system is depressurized.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence A. Gant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/001; B60C23/003; B60C23/00309; B60C23/00318; B60C23/00354; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/3584; Y10T137/36; Y10T137/3631
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
335 words
In a centrally controlled tire inflation/deflation system for a multi-wheeled vehicle, wherein said system comprises a central air pressure source, air passage means between said source and each tire for adding air thereto or withdrawing air therefrom; a check valve at each tire for controlling air flow between the tire and said air passage means, and pressure-responsive control mechanism at each tire for operating the associated check valve between its open and closed positions: the improvement wherein each check valve comprises a valve housing permanently carried by the associated wheel-tire assembly, a depressible check valve element (53) located within the valve housing, and a compression spring (54) acting on the check valve element to move said element outwardly in the housing, to thereby prevent air flow between the tire and air passage system; each said pressure-responsive control mechanism comprising a housing structure (52) having a screw-on connection with the associated valve housing, said housing structure defining a chamber (56) operatively positioned between the air passage means and the associated check valve, a sealed pressure-responsive bellows unit (58) operatively located within said chamber in axial alignment with the associated check valve element (53), said bellows unit having a first stationary end wall (at 60) proximate to said check valve element and a second movable end wall (67) remote from the check valve element, a movable valve element depressor (64) located within said housing structure (52) in the space between the stationary end wall of the bellows unit and the depressible check valve element (53), and a strap means (62) operatively connecting the movable end wall of the bellows unit to the valve element depressor; each bellows unit having an effective working area (D) that is several times the flow area of the associated check valve; the at-rest pressure within each bellows unit being such that when the chamber (56) pressure is a specified amount above the bellows unit internal pressure the depressor is enabled to operate the associated check valve element (53) to an open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
335 words
In a centrally controlled tire inflation/deflation system for a multi-wheeled vehicle, wherein said system comprises a central air pressure source, air passage means between said source and each tire for adding air thereto or withdrawing air therefrom; a check valve at each tire for controlling air flow between the tire and said air passage means, and pressure-responsive control mechanism at each tire for operating the associated check valve between its open and closed positions: the improvement wherein each check valve comprises a valve housing permanently carried by the associated wheel-tire assembly, a depressible check valve element (53) located within the valve housing, and a compression spring (54) acting on the check valve element to move said element outwardly in the housing, to thereby prevent air flow between the tire and air passage system; each said pressure-responsive control mechanism comprising a housing structure (52) having a screw-on connection with the associated valve housing, said housing structure defining a chamber (56) operatively positioned between the air passage means and the associated check valve, a sealed pressure-responsive bellows unit (58) operatively located within said chamber in axial alignment with the associated check valve element (53), said bellows unit having a first stationary end wall (at 60) proximate to said check valve element and a second movable end wall (67) remote from the check valve element, a movable valve element depressor (64) located within said housing structure (52) in the space between the stationary end wall of the bellows unit and the depressible check valve element (53), and a strap means (62) operatively connecting the movable end wall of the bellows unit to the valve element depressor; each bellows unit having an effective working area (D) that is several times the flow area of the associated check valve; the at-rest pressure within each bellows unit being such that when the chamber (56) pressure is a specified amount above the bellows unit internal pressure the depressor is enabled to operate the associated check valve element (53) to an open position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-07 | 1990-01-06 | 1990-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-07 | 1994-01-06 | 1994-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-07 | 1998-01-06 | 1998-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |