Tire inflation system

• US 7,530,379 B1
• Filed: 04/07/2003
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trans Technologies Company
• Original Assignee: John Charles Becker, John Henry Becker
• Inventors: Becker, John Henry, Becker, John Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Stormer; Russell D
• Application Number:
  US10/408,815
• Time in Patent Office: 2,227 Days
• Field of Search: 152/415, 152/416, 152/417, 152/418, 152/419, 731/465, 737/08, 340/442, 340/444
• US Class Current: 152/415
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00305 Wheel circumventing supply lines, e.g. not through or about the axles
• 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 23/00363 Details of sealings

Abstract

Land transportation vehicles using pneumatic tires loose air over time, including tractor trailers, private vehicles, race cars and other vehicle classifications. Tire pressure is important, but only a small number of attendants are concerned. Our invention is an automatic device which supplies air to tractor trailer tires using an onboard air supply. This air, supplied to the rotary air chamber system can be adjusted to a desired tire air pressure by the individual driver to suitable levels of load weights, climates, travel speed and terrain. Rotating tires at high speeds build up friction raising tire pressure to dangerous levels. This will be corrected by built in relief valves. To maintain and verify tire pressures each tire is protected by check valves and visible pressure gauges. The rotary air chamber automates, corrects continuously the neglect of proper tire maintenance, adds road safety for users and public alike.

Claims

1. A tire inflation system in which tire pressure is continuously maintained during use for multiple tires, the system comprising:

an air chamber secured to a hub of a wheel, the air chamber being operable to rotate with the wheel, the air chamber having a plurality of air paths, each air path configured to provide air to a corresponding tire;

a shaft configured to remain stationary when the air chamber rotates with the wheel, the shaft having a proximal end and distal end, the proximal end of the shaft extending into the air chamber, the distal end of the shaft being operable to receive the air;

an inlet valve configured to provide a continuous flow of air through the shaft into the air chamber, the inlet valve coupled to an air source that provides the air at a pressure above a predetermined maximum tire pressure;

a plurality of pressure relief valves, each pressure relief valve disposed on a respective air path of the air chamber, each respective pressure relief valve configured to release air from the corresponding tire when tire pressure rises above an adjustable preset maximum value, the respective pressure relief valve having no effect on tires corresponding to other air paths;

a plurality of check valves, each check valve disposed on a respective air path of the air chamber, each respective check valve configured to inject air into the corresponding tire when tire pressure drops below an adjustable preset minimum value, the respective check valve having no effect on tires corresponding to other air paths; and

a plurality of pressure gauges, each pressure gauge disposed on a respective air path of the air chamber to provide air pressure for the corresponding tire,

wherein each tire pressure is maintained within a range specified by the adjustable preset minimum value and the adjustable preset maximum value.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising ball bearings configured to separate the shaft from the air chamber.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the check valve is further configured to close off air flow upon detecting an increase in air flow rate above a predetermined level.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure gauge further comprises a sensor capable of transmitting a signal indicating measured air pressure to a monitoring system.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a stationary air source configured to inject air through the inlet valve.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising an air line configured between the stationary air source and the inlet valve.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising at least one shut-off valve configured between the stationary air source and the inlet valve.

8. The system of claim 5, further comprising an air pressure regulator configured between the stationary air source and the inlet valve.

9. A tire device to continuously maintain tire pressure during use for multiple tires, the tire device comprising:

an air chamber secured to a hub of a wheel, the air chamber being operable to rotate with the wheel, the air chamber having a plurality of air paths, each air path configured to provide air to a corresponding tire, the air chamber comprising,

a plurality of pressure relief valves, each pressure relief valve disposed on a respective air path of the air chamber, each pressure relief valve configured to release air from the corresponding tire when tire pressure rises above an adjustable preset maximum value, the respective pressure relief valve having no effect on tires corresponding to other air paths;

a plurality of check valves, each check valve disposed on a respective air path of the air chamber, each respective check valve configured to inject air into a tire when the tire pressure drops below an adjustable preset minimum value, the respective check valve having no effect on tires corresponding to other air paths; and

a plurality of pressure gauges, each pressure gauge disposed on a respective air path of the air chamber to indicate air pressure for the corresponding tire; and

a shaft configured to remain stationary when the air chamber rotates with the wheel, the shaft having a proximal end and distal end, the proximal end of the shaft extending into the air chamber, the distal end of the shaft being operable to receive the air,

wherein each tire pressure is maintained within a range specified by the adjustable preset minimum value and the adjustable preset maximum value.

10. The tire device of claim 9, further comprising ball bearings configured to separate the shaft from the air chamber.

11. The tire device of claim 9, wherein the check valve is further configured to close off air flow upon detecting an increase in air flow rate above a predetermined level.

12. The tire device of claim 9, wherein the pressure gauge further comprises a sensor capable of transmitting a signal indicating measured air pressure to a monitoring system.