Low tire-pressure warning system
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for alerting the driver of a vehicle that the air pressure in a pneumatic tire has become low;
- said apparatus comprising,(a) a resonating device capable of transforming a percussion of a rotating tire against it into subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic air waves,(b) a housing into which said resonating device is inserted and containing an echo chamber which transfers the air waves created by said resonating device to(c) a microphone, also contained within said housing, which converts the air waves into an electric current,(d) a system for transmitting the electrical current, and(e) a consonant amplifier which converts the microphone current into an audible or visual alarm which can be heard or seen by the driver.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting low air pressure in pneumatic tires on a vehicle and conveying this information to the operator of the vehicle. The invention utilizes a resonating device which creates subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic air waves when it comes in contact with the rotating sidewall of a tire having undesirably low air pressure. The apparatus provides immediate, dependable warning of potentially dangerous low pressure conditions in tires. Furthermore, the apparatus can be used to detect low air pressure in either of dual mounted tires.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for alerting the driver of a vehicle that the air pressure in a pneumatic tire has become low;
- said apparatus comprising,
(a) a resonating device capable of transforming a percussion of a rotating tire against it into subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic air waves, (b) a housing into which said resonating device is inserted and containing an echo chamber which transfers the air waves created by said resonating device to (c) a microphone, also contained within said housing, which converts the air waves into an electric current, (d) a system for transmitting the electrical current, and (e) a consonant amplifier which converts the microphone current into an audible or visual alarm which can be heard or seen by the driver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- said apparatus comprising,
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7. A method for detecting low air pressure in a rotating pneumatic tire which comprises extending a resonating device parallel to the sidewall of said tire in such proximity so that an increase convexity of said sidewall due to a decrease in air pressure in the interior of said tire will cause said sidewall to come in contact with said resonator;
- the percussion of said sidewall with said resonating device causing air waves which travel to an echo chamber attached to one end of said resonating device;
said air waves are converted to electrical current by a microphone located adjacent to said echo chamber;
said electrical current is converted to an audio or visual alarm by means of a consonant amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
- the percussion of said sidewall with said resonating device causing air waves which travel to an echo chamber attached to one end of said resonating device;
Specification