TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A tire inflation system comprising:
- a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, the drive mechanism comprising;
a) a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis; and
b) an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis;
a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation and rotatably coupled to the cam, the pump cavity comprising an actuating element and a chamber; and
a force translator coupling the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, the force translator comprising an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tire inflation system including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation, and a force translator coupling the rotational axis to the pump cavity. The drive mechanism includes a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis, and an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis. The pump cavity is rotatably coupled to the cam, wherein the pump cavity includes an actuating element and a chamber. The force translator couples the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, wherein the force translator includes an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A tire inflation system comprising:
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a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, the drive mechanism comprising;
a) a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis; and
b) an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis;a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation and rotatably coupled to the cam, the pump cavity comprising an actuating element and a chamber; and a force translator coupling the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, the force translator comprising an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A two-stage passive pump, comprising:
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a drive mechanism comprising a rotational axis, the drive mechanism comprising;
a) a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having non-uniform curvature, the cam coaxial with the rotational axis; and
b) a mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis;a first pump cavity cooperatively defined by;
a) a first chamber having a first inlet and a first outlet; and
b) a first actuating element that forms a fluid seal with an open side of the first chamber, the first actuating element having a first actuating area;a second pump cavity cooperatively defined by;
a) a second chamber having a second inlet and a second outlet; and
b) a second actuating element that forms a fluid seal with an open side of the second chamber, the second actuating element having a second actuating area larger than the first actuating area;a first roller in non-slip contact with the cam and coupled to the first and second actuating elements, the first roller comprising a first rotational axis having an arcuate position that is fixed relative to the first pump cavity; and a fluid manifold fluidly connecting the second outlet to the first inlet. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification