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Inflation control system

  • US 5,570,716 A
  • Filed: 08/11/1994
  • Issued: 11/05/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An inflation control system comprising:

  • a main air supply;

    a pilot air supply;

    three modules, each module havinga main outlet;

    a main inlet, wherein the main inlet for one of the modules is attached to the main air supply, and the main inlet for each of the remaining two modules is attached to the main outlet of another module;

    a pilot outlet;

    a pilot inlet, wherein the pilot inlet for one of the modules is attached to the pilot air supply, and the pilot inlet for each of the remaining two modules is attached to the pilot outlet of another module;

    a main air conduit portion providing fluid communication between the main inlet and the main outlet;

    a pilot air conduit portion providing fluid communication between the pilot inlet and the pilot outlet;

    a high-flow valve having (i) a pilot port and (ii) a high-flow outlet, the high-flow valve being in fluid communication with the main conduit portion, the high-flow valve having an open state in which the main air conduit portion is in fluid communication with the high-flow outlet and a closed state in which fluid communication between the main conduit portion and the high-flow outlet is disrupted;

    a pilot valve disposed between the pilot air conduit portion and the pilot port, the pilot valve having an open state in which the pilot air conduit portion is in fluid communication with the pilot port and a closed state in which fluid communication between the pilot air conduit portion and the pilot port is disrupted;

    a vent valve connected to the pilot port, the vent valve having an open state and a closed state, wherein, when the vent valve is in its open state, the high-flow valve is urged into its closed state, and, when the pilot valve is in its open state and the vent valve is in its closed state, the high-flow valve is urged into its open state;

    wherein the modules are adapted to be interchangeable with each other;

    wherein the high-flow outlet of one of the modules is attached to a vent, and the high-flow outlets of each of the remaining two modules is connected to an inflatable bag;

    wherein the modules are arranged so that the pilot air conduit portions form a pilot air conduit and so that the main air conduit portions form a main air conduit; and

    wherein air flows from the main air supply through the main air conduit to the bags to inflate the bags, and air flows from the bags through the main air conduit to the vent to deflate the bags; and

    means for switching each of the pilot valves and each of the vent valves between their open and closed states.

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