Wheel end assembly high-temperature warning system
First Claim
1. A wheel end assembly rotatable on an axle on a vehicle having a high temperature warning system comprising,an air pressure supply positioned inside the axle and connected to a pressure source on the vehicle, a normally closed valve connected to the axle between the inside and outside of said pressure supply, a heat sensitive control connected to and actuating said valve upon a predetermined temperature, said control mounted on the axle adjacent to said wheel end assembly for measuring the temperature of the assembly and axle, and a warning system connected to the pressure supply for actuation upon opening of the valve, wherein the heat sensitive control includes a heat sensitive pressure barrier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a wheel end assembly having a high temperature warning system for giving a warning in the event that the temperature in the assembly reaches a predetermined value such as caused by hub bearing failure or a brake related failure. In one embodiment the system may be a stand-alone system for installation on any vehicle such as a trailer. In another embodiment the system may be combined with an automatic tire inflation system.
42 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A wheel end assembly rotatable on an axle on a vehicle having a high temperature warning system comprising,
an air pressure supply positioned inside the axle and connected to a pressure source on the vehicle, a normally closed valve connected to the axle between the inside and outside of said pressure supply, a heat sensitive control connected to and actuating said valve upon a predetermined temperature, said control mounted on the axle adjacent to said wheel end assembly for measuring the temperature of the assembly and axle, and a warning system connected to the pressure supply for actuation upon opening of the valve, wherein the heat sensitive control includes a heat sensitive pressure barrier.
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8. A wheel end assembly rotatable on an axle on a vehicle having a high temperature warning system comprising,
an air pressure supply positioned inside the axle and connected to a pressure source on the vehicle, a normally closed valve connected to the axle between the inside and outside of said pressure supply, a heat sensitive control connected to and actuating said valve upon a predetermined temperature, said control mounted on the axle adjacent to said wheel end assemble for measuring the temperature of the assembly and axle, and a warning system connected to the pressure supply for actuation upon opening of the valve, wherein the air pressure supply includes tubing positioned in a wheel axle and connected to one or more heat sensitive pressure barriers.
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10. In a vehicle having an automatic tire inflation system for providing air to a rotating tire on a wheel end assembly rotatably mounted on bearings on a hollow axle connected to an air pressure supply for supplying air to the inside of the axle, a rotary connection in communication between the tire and air inside of the axle, the combination of a high temperature warning system comprising,
a normally closed valve connected between the inside and the outside of the axle in connection with the air in the axle, a heat sensitive control connected to and actuating said valve open upon a predetermined temperature, said control mounted on the axle adjacent said wheel assembly for measuring the temperature of the wheel assembly and axle, and a warning system connected to the air supply for actuation upon opening of the valve, wherein the hollow axle is closed at the ends with a plug and the heat sensitive control includes a heat sensitive pressure barrier positioned in each plug.
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11. In a vehicle having an automatic tire inflation system for providing air to a rotating tire on a wheel end assembly rotatable mounted on bearings on a hollow axle connected to an air pressure supply for supplying air to the inside of the axle, a rotary connection in communication between the tire and air inside of the axle, the combination of a high temperature warning system comprising,
a normally closed valve connected between the inside and the outside of the axle in connection with the air in the axle, a heat sensitive control connected to and actuating said valve open upon a predetermined temperature, said control mounted on the axle adjacent said wheel assembly for measuring the temperature of the wheel assembly and axle, and a warning system connected to the air supply for actuation upon opening of the valve, wherein the heat sensitive control includes one or more heat sensitive pressure barriers positioned in the axle adjacent bearings or brakes in the wheel assembly.
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13. In a vehicle having an automatic tire inflation system for providing air to a rotating tire on a wheel end assembly rotatably mounted on bearings on a hollow axle connected to an air pressure supply for supplying air to the inside of the axle, a rotary connection in communication between the tire and air inside of the axle, the combination of a high temperature warning system comprising,
a normally closed valve connected between the inside and the outside of the axle in connection with the air in the axle, a heat sensitive control connected to and actuating said valve open upon a predetermined temperature, said control mounted on the axle adjacent said wheel assembly for measuring the temperature of the wheel assembly and axle, and a warning system connected to the air supply for actuation upon opening of the valve, wherein the air pressure supply includes tubing positioned in the axle and connected to one or more heat sensitive pressure barriers.
Specification