Automated apparatus and method for tire pressure maintenance
First Claim
1. An apparatus at a hydrocarbon pumping station for inflating tires with a compressor, the tires mounted on an automobile, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a control unit affixed to the hydrocarbon pumping station and housing a manifold, an air pressure sensor means, and a processor means, said control unit including a swivel bracket;
said manifold having an input line from the compressor and an output line, and wherein said output line is in pressure communication with the tire;
a first air chuck for clamping onto the tires, wherein said first air chuck is in pressure communication with said output line;
said air pressure sensor means being operatively associated with said manifold to monitor changes of pressure within said manifold and to generate a data signal;
said processor means being operatively associated with said manifold to process changes in pressure, and wherein said processor means receives said data signal;
a first dispenser operatively associated with said output line, and wherein said first dispenser has attached thereto said first air chuck, and wherein said first dispenser is rotatively mounted to the control unit via said swivel bracket to inflate the tires on a first side of the automobile.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for tire air pressure maintenance with a compressor. The device includes a manifold having an input from the compressor and an output, and wherein the output is in pressure communication with the tire and an air chuck for clamping onto the tires, wherein the air chuck is in pressure communication with the manifold. The device also comprises an air pressure sensor, operatively associated with the manifold, for monitoring changes of pressure within the manifold and generating a data signal. A processor, operatively associated with the manifold, for processing changes in pressure is included, and wherein the processor receives the data signal. The device further includes a bleeder line operatively attached to the manifold, and an actuator valve operatively associated with the bleeder line, and wherein the actuator valve is operatively attached to the processor, and wherein the processor is capable of generating a low pressure command signal to open the actuator valve.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus at a hydrocarbon pumping station for inflating tires with a compressor, the tires mounted on an automobile, wherein the apparatus comprises:
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a control unit affixed to the hydrocarbon pumping station and housing a manifold, an air pressure sensor means, and a processor means, said control unit including a swivel bracket; said manifold having an input line from the compressor and an output line, and wherein said output line is in pressure communication with the tire; a first air chuck for clamping onto the tires, wherein said first air chuck is in pressure communication with said output line; said air pressure sensor means being operatively associated with said manifold to monitor changes of pressure within said manifold and to generate a data signal; said processor means being operatively associated with said manifold to process changes in pressure, and wherein said processor means receives said data signal; a first dispenser operatively associated with said output line, and wherein said first dispenser has attached thereto said first air chuck, and wherein said first dispenser is rotatively mounted to the control unit via said swivel bracket to inflate the tires on a first side of the automobile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of automatically filing an automobile tire with air comprising:
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a) providing an apparatus at a hydrocarbon pumping station for inflating tires with a compressor, the tires mounted on an automobile, wherein the apparatus comprises;
a control unit affixed to the hydrocarbon pumping station and housing a manifold, an air pressure sensor means, and a processor means, said control unit including a swivel bracket;
said manifold having an input line from the compressor and an output line, and wherein said output line is in pressure communication with the tire;
a first air chuck for clamping onto the tires, wherein said first air chuck is in pressure communication with said output line;
said air pressure sensor means being operatively associated with said manifold to monitor changes of pressure within said manifold and to generate a data signal;
said processor means being operatively associated with said manifold to process changes in pressure, and wherein said processor means receives said data signal;
a first dispenser operatively associated with said output line, and wherein said first dispenser has attached thereto said first air chuck, and wherein said first dispenser is rotatively mounted to the control unit via said swivel bracket to inflate the tires on a first side of the automobile;b) inputting a desired air pressure into said processor means; c) filling said manifold to the desired pressure; d) detecting an actual air pressure within the tire with said air pressure sensor means; e) determining whether the tire pressure is to high or to low with said processor means; f) allowing air pressure from the manifold into the tire if the tire pressure is to low; g) releasing air pressure out of the tire if the tire pressure is too high; wherein air pressure is detected by conducting air pressure from the tire to the manifold and measuring air pressure within the manifold via said data signal from the air pressure sensors means that are sent to said processor means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification