Automatic tire pressure monitor and inflation system
First Claim
1. A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure within a tire of a vehicle, the tire mounted upon a wheel, said device comprising(a) a sensing means for sensing the inflation pressure of the tire;
- (b) an inflation means responsive to said inflation pressure sensing means, disposed upon said wheel, said inflation means increasing the pressure within said tire in response to said sensing means, said inflation means comprising an air compressor driven by an electric motor; and
(c) a generator having coils disposed upon the wheel and having a magnet mounted upon a non-rotating portion of the vehicle such that movement of the coil proximate the magnet induces a voltage into the coil for driving the electric motor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure within the tire utilizes a motor and air compressor disposed upon the rotating wheel to eliminate the requirement for a rotary pneumatic joint. The air compressor provides a source of air for maintaining inflation pressure and is driven by a DC motor. The motor is, in turn, driven by a generator which is partially disposed upon the rotating wheel and partially disposed upon a non-rotating portion of the vehicle. A stationary magnet attached to a non-rotating portion of the vehicle defines the generator'"'"'s stator. Windings which define the generator'"'"'s armature are formed upon a substrate which is applied to the rotating wheel such that the windings pass within close proximity to the stationary magnet. The air compressor may alternatively be mechanically driven directly by the rotation of the wheel.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure within a tire of a vehicle, the tire mounted upon a wheel, said device comprising
(a) a sensing means for sensing the inflation pressure of the tire; -
(b) an inflation means responsive to said inflation pressure sensing means, disposed upon said wheel, said inflation means increasing the pressure within said tire in response to said sensing means, said inflation means comprising an air compressor driven by an electric motor; and (c) a generator having coils disposed upon the wheel and having a magnet mounted upon a non-rotating portion of the vehicle such that movement of the coil proximate the magnet induces a voltage into the coil for driving the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure within a tire of a vehicle, the tire mounted upon a wheel having a rim the device comprising
(a) a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the tire for monitoring inflation pressure thereof; -
(b) a motor responsive to said pressure sensor; (c) an air compressor driven by said motor and in fluid communication with said tire for increasing the inflation pressure thereof; and (d) a generator comprising; (i) a plurality of coils formed upon a flexible substrate, said flexible substrate disposed upon the rim; and (ii) a permanent magnet mounted upon a non-rotating portion of the vehicle such that the coils of said flexible substrate pass through the flux of said magnet to generate an electrical current for powering said motor. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification