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Wheel end valve for central tire inflation system

  • US 4,883,105 A
  • Filed: 09/12/1988
  • Issued: 11/28/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A wheel end valve assembly for a central tire inflation system comprising a valve body having a first fluid connection defined by a first port for connection to a selectively pressurized and exhausted conduit, a second fluid connection defined by a second port for connection to an interior pressurized chamber of an inflatable tire, said valve assembly comprising first valve means responsive to pressurization of said selectively pressurized and exhausted conduit to assume a first position for establishing fluid communication between said first and second ports and responsive to exhausting to atmosphere of said selectively pressurized and exhausted conduit to assume a second position for blocking fluid communication between said first and second ports thereof, said first valve means comprising a valve member having a first surface exposed to fluid pressure at said first port and an opposed second larger surface, said valve assembly comprising a second valve means constantly in fluid communication with said second port and responsive to a sensed pressurization of said interior chamber of said tire being less than a predetermined minimum reference pressure and an isolation circuit to conduct fluid from said first port past said second valve means to said second larger surface to maintain said first valve means in said second position thereof in response to said pressurization of said tire being less than said mimimum reference pressure, said assembly characterized by:

  • a normally opened third valve means in fluid communication with said first port and said isolation circuit, said third valve comprising an elastomeric disc shaped diaphragm having peripheral sealing means and a fixed post, an orifice formed in said diaphragm into which said post extends to thereby maintain a zero reference pressure differential between said first port and said second larger surface, said third valve being responsive to a rapid increase in pressure at said first port to flex said diaphragm causing said post to close said orifice and thereby permit said first valve means to open.

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