Wheel end assembly high-temperature warning system

• US 7,416,005 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2005
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pressure Systems International LLC
• Original Assignee: Equalaire Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Sonzala, Frank Joseph, Hennig, Mark Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Bellinger; Jason R
• Application Number:
  US11/039,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20050156463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 152415-417, 340/442, 340/449
• US Class Current: 152/417
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/002 by monitoring conditions other than tyre pressure or deformation
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00327 integrally with the hub caps
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00336 on the axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00354 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00363 Details of sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/009 having wheels on a trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/02 Signalling devices actuated by tyre pressure hand-held tyre pressure gauges G01L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/20 Devices for measuring or signalling tyre temperature only
• CPC Class Codes: B61K 9/04 Detectors for indicating the overheating of axle bearings and the like, e.g. associated with the brake system for applying the brakes in case of a fault
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

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.

Claims

1. 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, 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 in a heat exchange relationship to the axle and positioned adjacent said wheel end assembly for measuring the temperature of the wheel end assembly and axle; and

a warning system connected to the air supply for actuation upon opening of the valve.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each end of the hollow axle is closed with a plug and said heat sensitive control includes a heat sensitive pressure barrier positioned in each plug.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wheel end assembly includes wheel bearings and brakes, and said heat sensitive control includes one or more heat sensitive pressure barriers positioned in the axle adjacent said bearings or brakes in the wheel assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air pressure supply includes tubing positioned in the axle, wherein said heat sensitive control includes one or more heat sensitive pressure barriers, and said tubing is connected to said heat sensitive pressure barriers.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said wheel end assembly includes wheel bearings and brakes, and said heat sensitive pressure barriers are positioned adjacent said wheel bearings and brakes.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one of said heat sensitive pressure barriers is positioned in each end of the hollow axle.