Automated apparatus and method for tire pressure maintenance

• US 20090260710A1
• Filed: 04/21/2008
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LYDI, LLC
• Original Assignee: LYDI, LLC
• Inventors: Landry, Kirk Ryan, Huval, Thomas Keith
• Granted Patent: US 8,191,586 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/38
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/046 using electrical or electronical means

Abstract

A device and method for tire air pressure maintenance with a compressor. The device includes a manifold having an input from the compressor and an output, and wherein the output is in pressure communication with the tire and an air chuck for clamping onto the tires, wherein the air chuck is in pressure communication with the manifold. The device also comprises an air pressure sensor, operatively associated with the manifold, for monitoring changes of pressure within the manifold and generating a data signal. A processor, operatively associated with the manifold, for processing changes in pressure is included, and wherein the processor receives the data signal. The device further includes a bleeder line operatively attached to the manifold, and an actuator valve operatively associated with the bleeder line, and wherein the actuator valve is operatively attached to the processor, and wherein the processor is capable of generating a low pressure command signal to open the actuator valve.

Claims

1. A device for inflating a plurality of tires on an automobile with a compressor, the device comprising:

a manifold having an input line from the compressor and an output line, and wherein said output line is in pressure communication with the tire;

a first air chuck for clamping onto the tires, wherein said first air chuck is in pressure communication with said manifold;

an air pressure sensor means, operatively associated with said manifold, for monitoring changes of pressure within said manifold and generating a data signal;

a processor means, operatively associated with said manifold, for processing changes in pressure, and wherein said processor means receives said data signal.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a bleeder line operatively attached to said manifold;

a first actuator valve operatively associated with said bleeder line, and wherein said first actuator valve is operatively attached to said processor means, and wherein said processor means is capable of generating a low pressure command signal to open said first actuator valve.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a second actuator valve operatively associated with said input line, and wherein said processor means is capable of generating a high pressure command signal to open said second actuator valve.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a first dispenser operatively associated with said output line at a hydrocarbon pumping station, and wherein said first dispenser has attached thereto said first air chuck, and wherein said first dispenser is rotatively mounted to inflate the tires on a first side of the automobile.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising a second dispenser operatively associated with said output line at the hydrocarbon pumping station, and a second air chuck for clamping onto the tires, said second dispenser has attached thereto said second air chuck and wherein said second dispenser is rotatively mounted to inflate the tires on a second side of the automobile.

6. The device of claim 5 further comprising an alarm means, operatively associated with the processor means, for determining when a predetermined air pressure has been achieved within said manifold.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said air pressure sensor means includes a first air sensor for detecting a predetermined high pressure setting and a second air sensor for detecting a predetermined low pressure setting.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said processor means includes a key pad for pressure data entry by a customer and a LED screen for pressure data readout from the processor means.

9. An apparatus at a hydrocarbon pumping station for inflating tires with a compressor, the tires mounted on an automobile, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a manifold having an input line from the compressor and an output line, and wherein said output line is in pressure communication with the tire;

a first air chuck for clamping onto the tires, wherein said first air chuck is in pressure communication with said output line;

an air pressure sensor means, operatively associated with said manifold, for monitoring changes of pressure within said manifold and generating a data signal;

a processor means, operatively associated with said manifold, for processing changes in pressure, and wherein said processor means receives said data signal;

a first dispenser operatively associated with said output line, and wherein said first dispenser has attached thereto said first air chuck, and wherein said first dispenser is rotatively mounted to the hydrocarbon pumping station to inflate the tires on a first side of the automobile.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

a bleeder line operatively attached to said manifold;

a first actuator valve operatively associated with said bleeder line, and wherein said first actuator valve is operatively attached to said processor means, and wherein said processor means is capable of generating a low pressure command signal to open said first actuator valve.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a second actuator valve operatively associated with said input line, and wherein said process means is capable of generating a high pressure command signal to open said second actuator valve.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising an alarm means, operatively associated with the processor means, for determining when a predetermined air pressure has been achieved.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a second dispenser operatively associated with said output line, and a second air chuck for clamping onto the tires, said second dispenser has attached thereto said second air chuck and wherein said second dispenser is rotatively mounted to the hydrocarbon pumping station to inflate the tires on a second side of the automobile.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said air pressure sensor means includes a first air sensor for detecting a predetermined high pressure setting and a second air sensor for detecting a predetermined low pressure setting within said manifold.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said processor means includes a key pad for data entry by a customer and a LED screen for data readout from the processor means.

16. A method of automatically filing an automobile tire with air comprising:

a) inputting a desired air pressure into a processor means;

b) filling a manifold to the desired pressure;

c) detecting an actual air pressure within the tire with an air pressure sensor;

d) determining whether the tire pressure is to high or to low with said processor means;

e) allowing air pressure from the manifold into the tire if the tire pressure is to low;

f) releasing air pressure out of the tire if the tire pressure is too high;

wherein air pressure is detected by conducting tire air pressure to the manifold and measuring air pressure within the manifold via air pressure signals from the air pressure sensors that are sent to said processor means.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein air pressure from the manifold is allowed into the tire when the air pressure sensor transmits a first data signal to the processor means and the processor means directs a first valve to release pressure from the manifold into the tire.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein releasing air pressure from the tire is allowed by the air pressure sensor transmitting a second data signal to the processor means and the processor means directs a second valve to allow pressure out of the manifold.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of inputting the desired air pressure includes the processor means determining an acceptable pressure range.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of generating an audible alarm once the desired tire pressure is achieved.