Tire pressure maintenance system
First Claim
1. A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure of an interior of a tire mounted on a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel rotatably connected to a stationary member of a vehicle wheel assembly and defining an axis of rotation, the device comprising:
- at least one magnetic element mounted on the stationary member at a radial distance from the axis of rotation, the magnetic element producing a magnetic field;
an electrical coil mounted on the wheel and radially disposed from the axis of rotation relative to the magnetic element to pass through the magnetic field during each revolution of the wheel, the coil operative to induce electrical voltage pulses in response to transiting the magnetic field and to output the electrical voltage pulses for powering at least a portion of the device;
an air compressor mounted on the wheel, the air compressor powered by one of transiting the magnetic field and the electrical voltage pulses induced in the coil, the air compressor in fluid communication with the interior of the tire and operative to output compressed air to the interior of the tire; and
means for regulating output pressure of the compressor to the desired inflation pressure without off-wheel aid,wherein the magnetic element is an electromagnet that serves as the primary winding of an intermittent split transformer with the electrical coil forming the secondary winding of the split transformer, the split transformer operative while the primary and secondary windings are in magnetic communication, the split transformer performing at least one of transferring electrical power from the vehicle to the wheel and providing two-way pulse data communication between the vehicle and the wheel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device is provided for maintaining a desired inflation pressure within a tire mounted on a wheel of a vehicle. The device includes a microcompressor and a magnetic element. The compressor is mounted on the wheel and is in fluid communication with the atmosphere and the tire. The magnetic element is mounted on a stationary member of the wheel assembly and produces a magnetic field. The compressor is activated by transiting the magnetic field during each wheel revolution. Alternatively, an electric coil mounted on the wheel may transit the magnetic field to generate electrical power for an electrically-driven compressor. Thus, the compressor may pump air into the tire to maintain the desired inflation pressure. For leaks or device failure, a driver may be notified and a battery can operate the compressor at a high rate to maximize tire use until a safe place is reached.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure of an interior of a tire mounted on a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel rotatably connected to a stationary member of a vehicle wheel assembly and defining an axis of rotation, the device comprising:
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at least one magnetic element mounted on the stationary member at a radial distance from the axis of rotation, the magnetic element producing a magnetic field; an electrical coil mounted on the wheel and radially disposed from the axis of rotation relative to the magnetic element to pass through the magnetic field during each revolution of the wheel, the coil operative to induce electrical voltage pulses in response to transiting the magnetic field and to output the electrical voltage pulses for powering at least a portion of the device; an air compressor mounted on the wheel, the air compressor powered by one of transiting the magnetic field and the electrical voltage pulses induced in the coil, the air compressor in fluid communication with the interior of the tire and operative to output compressed air to the interior of the tire; and means for regulating output pressure of the compressor to the desired inflation pressure without off-wheel aid, wherein the magnetic element is an electromagnet that serves as the primary winding of an intermittent split transformer with the electrical coil forming the secondary winding of the split transformer, the split transformer operative while the primary and secondary windings are in magnetic communication, the split transformer performing at least one of transferring electrical power from the vehicle to the wheel and providing two-way pulse data communication between the vehicle and the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification