Tire inflation method

• US 7,437,920 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2006
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beverly, James A., Claussen, Stephen P., Stacer, Daryl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen; Andre J
• Application Number:
  US11/523,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20080066533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 731/462, 152/417, 340/442
• US Class Current: 73/146.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/002 by monitoring conditions other than tyre pressure or deformation
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00354 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00363 Details of sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00372 characterised by fluid diagrams

Abstract

A tire inflation method is disclosed for moving air through a fluid control circuit to at least one tire that is below a target pressure. The dynamic pressure of the moving air in the fluid control circuit is monitored. A pressure control valve in the fluid control circuit is cycled on and off to prevent the dynamic pressure from reaching a predetermined amount over the target pressure.

Claims

1. A tire inflation method, comprising:

providing a source of fluid and at least one tire at a pressure below a target pressure for said at least one tire and a fluid control circuit connecting said source of fluid with said at least one tire;

flowing fluid into said fluid control circuit from said source of fluid;

monitoring an increasing dynamic pressure in said fluid control circuit; and

modulating a pressure control valve in said fluid control circuit based on said monitored dynamic pressure while said fluid is flowing to prevent said dynamic pressure from increasing beyond a predetermined amount over said target pressure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor is located downstream of said pressure control valve to alternatingly sense said increasing dynamic pressure in said fluid control circuit and static pressure in said at least one tire.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said pressure sensor senses said increasing dynamic pressure in said fluid control circuit and signals an electronic control unit, said electronic control unit modulating said pressure control valve by signaling it to close when said dynamic pressure reaches said predetermined amount over said target pressure and signaling said pressure control valve to open when said pressure sensor senses that the pressure in said at least one tire is below said target pressure.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said pressure control valve is opened and closed a plurality of times a second during said modulation.

5. A tire inflation method, comprising:

moving air through a fluid control circuit to at least one tire that is below a target pressure;

monitoring the dynamic pressure of said moving air in said fluid control circuit;

cycling a pressure control valve in said fluid control circuit on and off to prevent the dynamic pressure of said moving air from reaching a predetermined amount over said target pressure.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein cycling said pressure control valve introduces air at a predetermined dynamic pressure into said fluid control circuit so said air substantially flows to said at least one tire below said target pressure and not into tires at said target pressure.

7. A tire inflation method, comprising:

a. providing a fluid control circuit that connects a source of fluid to at least one tire on a vehicle;

b. providing a pressure control valve located in said fluid control circuit;

c. flowing fluid from said source of fluid through said pressure control valve to said fluid control circuit;

d. monitoring an increasing dynamic pressure of said flowing fluid downstream from said pressure control valve; and

e. modulating said pressure control valve a plurality of times a second as said fluid flows to prevent said dynamic pressure from exceeding a predetermined amount over a target pressure for said at least one tire.

8. The tire inflation method of claim 7, further comprising utilizing a pressure sensor downstream of said pressure control valve to determine if said at least one tire is below a target pressure.

9. The tire inflation method of claim 7, wherein said dynamic pressure downstream of said pressure control valve does not exceed a pressure of said source of fluid.

10. The tire inflation method of claim 7, wherein said target pressure is below said dynamic pressure downstream from said pressure control valve.