Tire pressure management system

• US 5,505,080 A
• Filed: 05/12/1994
• Issued: 04/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tellair Corporation
• Original Assignee: Tellair Corporation
• Inventors: McGhee, C. Lester
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOLLER, RICHARD ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/241,581
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 152/415, 152/416, 152/417, 152/418, 152/419, 116/34 A, 116/34 B, 116/34 R, 141/38, 141/41, 417/231, 301/37.25, 180/65.6, 180/165, 310/74, 310/80, 310/152, 310/153, 73/146.4, 73/146.5, 73/146.8, 340/447, 200/61.22
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/004 the control being done on the wheel, e.g. using a wheel-mounted reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/127 the pumps being mounted on the hubs
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/131 activated by force of gravity

Abstract

A tire pressure management system including a tire condition monitor connected to the tire so as to be interactive with air pressure in the tire and for selectively measuring a pressure in the tire, a controller, and a display. The tire condition monitor includes a transmitter and a receiver. The controller also has a transmitter and a receiver connected thereto. The transmitter of the controller serves to transmit a first radio signal to the receiver of the tire condition monitor. The receiver of the controller serves to receive a second radio signal from the transmitter of the tire condition monitor. The display is connected to the controller so as to display a humanly perceivable indication of a condition of the tire. An air compressor is mounted to a wheel of the tire so as to deliver air to an interior of the tire when the pressure of the tire is below a predetermined value. A power generator is connected to the wheel of the tire and includes an alternator magnet assembly and an induction coil assembly which are connected to the wheel of the tire such that relative rotation occurs therebetween as the tire rotates.

Claims

1. A tire pressure management system comprising:

a tire;

a tire condition monitoring means connected to said tire so as to be interactive with air pressure in said tire, said tire condition monitoring means for selectively measuring a pressure in said tire, said tire condition monitoring means comprising a transmitter and a receiver;

a controller having a transmission means and a reception means connected thereto, said transmission means for transmitting a first radio signal to said receiver of said tire condition monitoring means, said reception means for receiving a second radio signal from said transmitter of said tire condition monitoring means;

a display means connected to said controller for displaying a humanly perceivable indication of the pressure of said tire; and

an air compressor means mounted to a wheel of said tire, said air compressor means for delivering air to an interior of said tire when said pressure is below a predetermined value, said air compressor means for delivering air as said tire is rotating, said air compressor means comprising;

a piston;

a cylinder receiving said piston therein, said piston movable within said cylinder relative to a rotation of said tire, said cylinder having an intake valve and an outlet valve, said outlet valve connected to said tire such that pressurized air from said cylinder passes into said tire, said piston connected to a crankshaft such that said piston moves in said cylinder upon relative rotation between said cylinder and said crankshaft; and

a pendulum torque means connected to said crankshaft, said pendulum torque means for maintaining said crankshaft in a relatively stationary position as said tire rotates.