Central tire inflation/deflation system with a timed function CTIS wheel valve
First Claim
1. A valve for use in an inflation/deflation system, comprising:
- a valve body having a first inlet/outlet port fluidly connectable to a second inlet/outlet port;
a valve member within the valve body for fluidly disconnecting the first inlet/outlet port and the second inlet/outlet port, the valve member being moveable from a first position to a second position; and
a damper operably connected to the valve member to dampen movement of the valve member from the second position to the first position;
wherein in a first state the first inlet/outlet port is fluidly disconnected from the second inlet/outlet port by the valve member;
wherein the valve would transition to a second state when a fluid pressure at the first inlet/outlet port is at or above a prescribed pressure threshold, when in the second state the first inlet/outlet port would be fluidly disconnected from the second inlet/outlet port;
wherein when the valve is in the second state, lowering the fluid pressure below the prescribed pressure threshold would cause the valve to transition from the second state to a third state; and
wherein when in the third state the first inlet/outlet port would be fluidly connected to the second inlet/outlet port while the damper would dampen movement of the valve member from the second position to the first position to maintain the valve in the third state for a prescribed period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A central tire inflation/deflation system (CTIS) with a novel valve that may deflate more quickly and may deflate to a lower pressure than the previously known central tire inflation/deflation system valves. Also, the present valve may not be temperature sensitive, at least because the present valve does not require trapped air behind a diaphragm to operate the valve. The present valve may be placed into existing CTIS'"'"'s in place of existing valves, without modifying pneumatic lines of the existing CTIS'"'"'s. Thus, the present valve may be operated by a single fluid flow line, receive pressure from the single fluid flow line, and exhaust to the single fluid flow line. A second communication line, either a pneumatic pilot line or an electrical line, is not necessary, which allows the present valve to be retrofit into an existing CTIS without adding weight or complication from additional components.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A valve for use in an inflation/deflation system, comprising:
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a valve body having a first inlet/outlet port fluidly connectable to a second inlet/outlet port; a valve member within the valve body for fluidly disconnecting the first inlet/outlet port and the second inlet/outlet port, the valve member being moveable from a first position to a second position; and a damper operably connected to the valve member to dampen movement of the valve member from the second position to the first position; wherein in a first state the first inlet/outlet port is fluidly disconnected from the second inlet/outlet port by the valve member; wherein the valve would transition to a second state when a fluid pressure at the first inlet/outlet port is at or above a prescribed pressure threshold, when in the second state the first inlet/outlet port would be fluidly disconnected from the second inlet/outlet port; wherein when the valve is in the second state, lowering the fluid pressure below the prescribed pressure threshold would cause the valve to transition from the second state to a third state; and wherein when in the third state the first inlet/outlet port would be fluidly connected to the second inlet/outlet port while the damper would dampen movement of the valve member from the second position to the first position to maintain the valve in the third state for a prescribed period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of operating a valve for use in an inflation/deflation system, comprising:
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providing the valve, the valve including a valve body having a first inlet/outlet port fluidly connectable to a second inlet/outlet port, a valve member within the valve body for fluidly disconnecting the first inlet/outlet port and the second inlet/outlet port, the valve member being moveable from a first position to a second position, and a damper operably connected to the valve member to dampen movement of the valve member from the second position to the first position, wherein in a first state the first inlet/outlet port is fluidly disconnected from the second inlet/outlet port by the valve member; providing fluid with a fluid pressure at or above a prescribed pressure threshold at the first inlet/outlet port; transitioning the valve to a second state based on the fluid pressure being at or above the prescribed pressure threshold, wherein in the second state the first inlet/outlet port is fluidly disconnected from the second inlet/outlet port; reducing the fluid pressure below the prescribed pressure threshold at the first inlet/outlet port; and transitioning the valve to a third state based on the fluid pressure being below the prescribed pressure threshold; dampening movement of the valve member from the second position to the first position with the damper to maintain the valve in the third state for a prescribed period of time, wherein in the third state the first inlet/outlet port is fluidly connected to the second inlet/outlet port. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification