Wheel end assembly high-temperature warning system

• US 8,186,403 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2008
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• 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:
  US12/166,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20090242092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 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. A high-temperature warning system mounted on a vehicle having an axle and a wheel-end assembly rotatable thereon, the high-temperature warning system comprising:

an air pressure supply in the axle and connected to a pressure source on the vehicle;

a normally closed valve connected to said air pressure supply, the valve capable of opening upon actuation to release air from the air pressure supply to atmosphere, the valve mounted to the axle or at a location other than on the rotatable wheel-end assembly;

a thermal electric switch connected to said valve, the thermal electric switch capable of actuating the valve upon a predetermined temperature, the thermal electric switch mounted adjacent said wheel end assembly so as to allow detection of heat from the wheel-end assembly; and

a warning system connected to the pressure supply, the warning system capable of actuating upon opening of the valve.

3. The high-temperature warning system of claim 1, wherein the location other than on the rotatable wheel-end assembly is a plug mounted in an end of the axle.

2. A high-temperature warning system mounted on a vehicle having an axle and a wheel-end assembly rotatable thereon, the wheel-end assembly comprising a bearing and a hub rotatably mounted thereon, the high-temperature warning system comprising:

an air pressure supply in the axle and connected to a pressure source on the vehicle; and

a thermally-operated normally closed valve connected to said air pressure supply, the valve mounted to the axle or at a location other than on the rotatable wheel-end assembly, the valve capable of opening upon a predetermined temperature to release air from the air pressure supply to atmosphere, the valve mounted adjacent said wheel end assembly so as to allow detection of heat from the bearing or hub.