US5244027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vent for vehicle tire inflation system
Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC
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Filing: 1991-09-03
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Granted: 1993-09-14
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Expires: 2011-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A tire pressure control system (10) for wheels (28) of a vehicle. The system includes an air control circuit (40) having a positive pressure air source (42), a vacuum pressure air source (44), a central control unit (46), a vehicle speed sensor (47), and a command/display console (48). The control circuit (40) includes valves (62,64,66,68,70) and a conduit assembly (74) for controlling communication of the positive and vacuum pressure air to wheel valve assemblies (14) mounted on each wheel. A vent valve (86) provides quick venting of positive air pressure in the conduit assembly (74) for effecting rapid closing of a valve device (100) in each wheel valve (14). Each wheel valve also includes a valve device (104) providing substantially unrestricted air flow from the conduit assembly (74) to the wheels when valve device (100) is open and providing restricted air flow from the wheels to the conduit assembly (74) to ensure closing of the valve device (100 ) when the conduit is vented.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan R. Freigang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/001; B60C23/003; B60C23/00372; B60C23/00309; B60C23/00318; B60C23/00354; B60C23/00363; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/3584; Y10T137/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
336 words
A system for monitoring and controlling air pressure in a tire of a vehicle; the system comprising: an air control circuit including a pressure source and a vacuum source respectively for providing positive and negative air pressures relative to an ambient air pressure, pressure and vacuum control valves each selectively movable from a closed position to an open position for respectively connecting a conduit means with the positive air pressure via a pressure passage interposed between the pressure source and the pressure control valve and with the negative air pressure via a vacuum passage interposed between the vacuum source and the vacuum control valve; at least one wheel assembly rotatably mounted on an axle assembly and a tire chamber defined by a tire mounted on the wheel assembly; a rotary seal assembly for communicating the positive and negative air pressures from a non-rotatable port thereof connected to the conduit means to a rotatable port thereof; a wheel valve assembly having a housing affixed for rotation with each wheel assembly and including an inlet port and an outlet port, an exhaust port, a first valving means for allowing and preventing air communication between the inlet and outlet ports in response respectively to the presence and absence of positive air pressure at the inlet port, a second valving means for allowing and preventing air communication between the outlet and exhaust ports in response respectively to the presence and absence of negative air pressure at the inlet port; and a one-way vent valve for effecting rapid venting of positive air pressure in the conduit means, the vent valve including an inlet communicating with the vacuum passage, an outlet communicating with the ambient air pressure, a vent valving member operative to block venting communication between the vent valve inlet and outlet in response to negative air pressure in the vacuum passage and operative to allow such venting communication in response to the open position of the vacuum control valve during the presence of positive air pressure in the conduit means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
336 words
A system for monitoring and controlling air pressure in a tire of a vehicle; the system comprising: an air control circuit including a pressure source and a vacuum source respectively for providing positive and negative air pressures relative to an ambient air pressure, pressure and vacuum control valves each selectively movable from a closed position to an open position for respectively connecting a conduit means with the positive air pressure via a pressure passage interposed between the pressure source and the pressure control valve and with the negative air pressure via a vacuum passage interposed between the vacuum source and the vacuum control valve; at least one wheel assembly rotatably mounted on an axle assembly and a tire chamber defined by a tire mounted on the wheel assembly; a rotary seal assembly for communicating the positive and negative air pressures from a non-rotatable port thereof connected to the conduit means to a rotatable port thereof; a wheel valve assembly having a housing affixed for rotation with each wheel assembly and including an inlet port and an outlet port, an exhaust port, a first valving means for allowing and preventing air communication between the inlet and outlet ports in response respectively to the presence and absence of positive air pressure at the inlet port, a second valving means for allowing and preventing air communication between the outlet and exhaust ports in response respectively to the presence and absence of negative air pressure at the inlet port; and a one-way vent valve for effecting rapid venting of positive air pressure in the conduit means, the vent valve including an inlet communicating with the vacuum passage, an outlet communicating with the ambient air pressure, a vent valving member operative to block venting communication between the vent valve inlet and outlet in response to negative air pressure in the vacuum passage and operative to allow such venting communication in response to the open position of the vacuum control valve during the presence of positive air pressure in the conduit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
137 words
The system of claim 1, wherein: the wheel valve assembly includes a third valve device in the housing disposed in series between the first valving means and the outlet port, the third valve device including a third valving means movable between first and second positions during the position of the first valving means allowing air communication between the inlet and outlet ports, the third valving means movable to the first position thereof for allowing substantially unrestricted air flow from the inlet port to the outlet port in response to air flow from the inlet port to the outlet port, and the third valving means movable to the second position for allowing only restricted flow of air from the outlet port to the inlet port in response to air flow from the outlet port to the inlet port.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-13 | 1997-03-15 | 1997-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-13 | 2001-03-15 | 2001-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-13 | 2005-03-15 | 2005-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |