Automatic electronic air pump

• US 10,173,483 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2015
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Torrx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Torrx, Inc.
• Inventors: Neir, Thomas, Otten, Sally
• Primary Examiner(s): Freay, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pekarskaya, Lilya
• Application Number:
  US14/951,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20160144676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 73146-1488
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/02 Bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/12 Tools or devices for blowing up or closing balls for pricking-balls A63B39/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/068 Pressure relief devices, i.e. safety devices for overpressure
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/05 Pressure after the pump outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 35/04 the means being electric
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/121 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/123 Fluid connections
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/00 Control , e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/022 by means of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/06 Control using electricity regulating by means of floats actuating electric switches F04B49/04

Abstract

An electronic air pump pressurizes object in either manual or automatic mode. In automatic mode, the electronic air pump determines air pressure needed to adjust an object to a set target pressure. The electronic air pump inflates or deflates the ball automatically until the air pressure inside the ball matches the preset value. In manual mode regulation of the air pressure is adjusted by a user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by an electronic air pump, a target pressure for an object;

measuring, by the electronic air pump, a current air pressure of the object;

determining, by the electronic air pump, that the current air pressure of the object is greater than the target pressure; and

in response to determining that the current air pressure of the object is greater than the target pressure;

automatically deflating, by the electronic air pump, the object for a predetermined time period;

waiting a specified period of time after closing a solenoid valve before measuring a second air pressure of the object, and

outputting, by the electronic air pump, an indication that the object has been pressurized to the target pressure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically deflating the object comprises opening the solenoid valve for the predetermined time period.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication that the object has been pressurized to the target pressure comprises an audio signal.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the second air pressure of the object exceeds a threshold of the target pressure, the threshold comprising a maximum value;

automatically deflating, by the electronic air pump, the object for a second predetermined period of time; and

measuring a third air pressure of the object.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the target pressure is based on an user input.

2. A method comprising:

receiving, by an electronic air pump, a target pressure for an object;

measuring, by the electronic air pump, a current air pressure of the object, wherein measuring a current air pressure of the object comprises averaging a plurality of air pressure sample measurements taken at specified intervals;

determining, by the electronic air pump, that the current air pressure of the object is less than the target pressure;

in response to determining that the current air pressure of the object is less than the target pressure;

automatically inflating, by the electronic air pump, the object for a predetermined time period; and

outputting, by the electronic air pump, an indication that the object has been pressurized to the target pressure.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein automatically inflating the object for a predetermined time period comprises actuating a pump motor.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining that a second air pressure of the object is below a threshold of the target pressure, the threshold comprising a minimum value;

automatically inflating, by the electronic air pump, the object for a second predetermined period of time; and

measuring a third air pressure of the object.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the indication that the object has been pressurized to the target pressure comprises an audio signal.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the target pressure is based on an user input.