Central Tire Inflation Wheel Assembly, Valve and Central Tire Inflation System
First Claim
1. A central tire inflation system for a work vehicle supported by a set of inflatable wheels, the central tire inflation system comprising:
- a) an electronic control unit coupled to the load transducer configured to receive the load signals and to generate control signals at least partly in response thereto;
b) an air manifold configured to receive the control signals from the electronic control unit, the control signals controlling actions of the air manifold to regulate the air supplied to the set of inflatable wheels; and
c) at least one wheel valve operably connected to a wheel of the vehicle and including a casing securable to a rim of a vehicle, the casing having an open lower end and a closed upper end defining a cavity therein, the closed upper end including a pressure sensor secured thereto that is operably connected to the control unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a valve for use in a central tire inflation system including a casing securable to the rim of a vehicle in communication with the tire that houses a main body connectable to a pressurized fluid supply of the central tire inflation system, and a valve member moveable within the main body to control the flow of air through the valve. The valve can be mounted flush on the exterior surface of the rim or in a recessed position within the rim, and can be connected to a manifold that is able to control the flow of pressurized fluid from the central tire inflation system to each valve and tire connected to the valve. The operation of the manifold and pressurized fluid supply can be controlled utilizing a controller operably connected to the manifold and fluid supply, and to sensing devices in the valve that supply information regarding the operational conditions of the vehicle to the controller to assist in adjusting the inflation of the tires as necessary.
28 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A central tire inflation system for a work vehicle supported by a set of inflatable wheels, the central tire inflation system comprising:
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a) an electronic control unit coupled to the load transducer configured to receive the load signals and to generate control signals at least partly in response thereto; b) an air manifold configured to receive the control signals from the electronic control unit, the control signals controlling actions of the air manifold to regulate the air supplied to the set of inflatable wheels; and c) at least one wheel valve operably connected to a wheel of the vehicle and including a casing securable to a rim of a vehicle, the casing having an open lower end and a closed upper end defining a cavity therein, the closed upper end including a pressure sensor secured thereto that is operably connected to the control unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A valve for use in a tire inflation system for a work vehicle supported by a set of inflatable wheels, the valve comprising:
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a) a casing securable to a rim of a vehicle, the casing having an open lower end and a closed upper end defining a cavity therein; b) a pressure sensor secured within the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of determining the pressure within a tire of a vehicle connected to a central tire inflation system, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a central tire inflation system including an electronic control unit coupled to the load transducer configured to receive the load signals and to generate control signals at least partly in response thereto, an air manifold configured to receive the control signals from the electronic control unit, the control signals controlling actions of the air manifold to regulate the air supplied to the set of inflatable wheels, and at least one wheel valve operably connected to the wheel of the vehicle and including a casing securable to a rim of a vehicle, the casing having an open lower end and a closed upper end defining a cavity therein, the closed upper end including a pressure sensor secured thereto that is operably connected to the control unit; and b) sending a signal from the pressure sensor in the valve to the control unit indicating the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor in the valve. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification