Supply and tire pressure sensing apparatus and method

• US 7,051,585 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Corporation (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beverly, James A., Claussen, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US10/403,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20040035196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 731/46, 731/462, 731/47, 731/463, 152/415, 152/418, 152/419
• US Class Current: 73/146.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00318 on the wheels or the hubs
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00354 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00372 characterised by fluid diagrams

Abstract

An apparatus for and a method of sensing fluid pressure of a tire and the fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same, with a central sensor and which requires the control of only two valves. The apparatus for sensing fluid pressure of a tire and the fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same, includes a sensor disposed so as to be selectably in fluid communication with one or both of: a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow from the fluid supply, and a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire. The method of sensing fluid pressure of a tire and the fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same includes disposing a sensor so as to be selectably in fluid communication with one or both of: a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow through a supply passage from the fluid supply, and a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire.

Claims

1. Apparatus for sensing fluid pressure of a tire and a fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same, comprising a sensor disposed so as to be selectably in fluid communication with:

a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow from the fluid supply; and

a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire, said second valve venting a conduit between said second valve and said tire when in said closed position.

2. Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bleed air passage that bypasses the first valve for conducting fluid from the fluid supply to a passage containing said sensor.

3. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein said bleed air passage is configured to conduct fluid continuously.

4. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the second valve defines a closed position, fluid is vented from the tire pressure maintenance system.

5. Apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a restriction in a passage for conducting fluid between the fluid supply and the first valve.

6. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor is configured to indicate a supply pressure of said fluid supply when said first valve is opened and said second valve is closed and said sensor is configured to indicate a tire pressure in said tire when said first valve is closed and said second valve is opened.

7. Method of sensing fluid pressure of a tire and a fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same comprising:

disposing a sensor so as to be selectably in fluid communication with;

a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow through a supply passage from the fluid supply; and

a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire, said second valve venting a conduit between said second valve and said tire when in said closed position.

8. Method of claim 7, further comprising:

positioning the first valve in a closed position; and

positioning the second valve in a closed position;

thereby enabling venting of fluid from the tire pressure maintenance system.

9. Method of claim 7, further comprising:

positioning the first valve in an open position; and

positioning the second valve in a closed position;

thereby enabling sensing of fluid pressure in the fluid supply.

10. Method of claim 7, further comprising:

positioning the first valve in a closed position; and

positioning the second valve in an open position;

thereby enabling sensing of fluid pressure in the tire.

11. Method of claim 7, further comprising:

positioning the first valve in an open position; and

positioning the second valve in an open position;

thereby enabling supplying fluid to the tire.

12. Method of claim 7, wherein said sensor is configured to indicate a supply pressure of said fluid supply when said first valve is opened and said second valve is closed and said sensor is configured to indicate a tire pressure in said tire when said first valve is closed and said second valve is opened.