Nitrogen flow stabilizer with tire pressure measuring capabilities

• US 6,612,346 B1
• Filed: 05/21/2002
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Vasser, John Martin, Allen, Daniel Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/152,525
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 141/38, 141/39-40, 141/64, 141/65, 141/66, 152/415
• US Class Current: 141/38
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/04 Supplying air for tyre inflation arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles B60C23/00; tyre pressure gauges G01L17/00 ; pumps actuated by muscle power F04B33/00

Abstract

A method of inflating a tire comprising separating N₂ gas from air using a membrane; providing the N₂ gas to a storage tank having capacity for at least 40 cubic feet of N₂ gas at 18° Centigrade, providing the N₂ gas from the storage tank to a hose, the hose including a stop valve and a fitting suited to mate with a tire inflation stem; securing the fitting to a tire inflation valve, and opening a stop valve to initiate the introduction of N₂ gas into the tire.

Claims

1. A method of inflating a tire using an apparatus including a membrane and a storage tank, said method comprising:

a) separating N₂ gas from air using said membrane;

b) providing said N₂ gas to said storage tank having capacity for at least 40 cubic feet of N₂ gas at 18°

Centigrade;

c) providing said N₂ gas from said storage tank to a hose, said hose including a stop valve and a fitting suited to mate with a tire inflation stem; and

d) securing said fitting to a tire inflation valve and opening said stop valve to initiate the introduction of said N₂ gas into said tire.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said hose further includes a pressure gauge.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said hose further includes a pressure regulation valve.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing N₂ gas from said fitting at a pressure of at least 110 psig.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said hose has a length of at least 10 meters.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said storage tank includes a pressure relief valve.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said pressure relief valve opens at about 200 psig.

8. An apparatus for inflating a tire with N₂ gas comprising a compressed air source feeding pressurized air to a membrane which separates nitrogen and oxygen gasses, an outlet path for said nitrogen, a storage tank in fluid communication with said outlet path for storing said nitrogen, said storage tank having capacity for storing at least 40 cubic feet of N₂ gas at 18°

centigrade, and a outlet hose in fluid communication with said storage tank, said outlet hose further including a fitting suited to mate with a tire inflation valve stem.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said hose further includes a pressure gauge.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said hose further includes a pressure regulation valve.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said hose has a length of at least 10 meters.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said storage tank includes a pressure relief valve.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said pressure relief valve opens at about 200 psig.

14. An apparatus for inflating a tire with nitrogen gas comprising a compressed air source feeding pressurized air to a device which separates a nitrogen rich gas and oxygen gasses, an outlet path for said nitrogen rich gas, a storage tank in fluid communication with said outlet path for storing said nitrogen rich gas, said storage tank having capacity for storing between 50 and 600 cubic feet of N₂ gas at between about 100 and 200 psig and 18°

centigrade, and a outlet hose in fluid communication with said storage tank, said outlet hose further including a fitting suited to mate with a tire inflation valve stem.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a nitrogen sensor positioned to determine N₂ concentration of said nitrogen rich gas.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a nitrogen inflation monitoring hose for selectively mating to a tire and diverting nitrogen gas from said tire to said nitrogen sensor.