Portable, remote, fast-fill inflator and nitrogen converter unit

• US 8,196,616 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2010
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nitrofill, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kreska Technologies
• Inventors: Lighter, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US12/845,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20110030840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 141/7, 141/8, 141/38, 141/59, 141/65, 141/66, 141/98, 141/231, 141/234, 141/236, 141/237, 137/210, 137/266, 137/340, 137/557, 137/899.4
• US Class Current: 141/38
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/046 using electrical or electronical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4857 With manifold or grouped outlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A portable device for delivering nitrogen to multiple tires includes a gas source and supply line connected to a controller. The device also includes a gas delivery line comprising a manifold with a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with each other. A gas delivery line is operably connected to the controller and a plurality of extension lines with engagement chucks are operably connected to the outlets. The controller controls the supply of gas to the gas delivery line and controls a relief valve for venting the gas delivery line. The device also includes a sensor and a processor connected the controller and sensor which accepts user inputs. The controller, manifold, and processor are affixed to a stand.

Claims

1. A device for replacing a first gas mixture contained within each of a plurality of tires with a second gas mixture having a predetermined concentration of nitrogen, wherein the device performs at least one set of evacuations of the tires and charging of the tires with a third gas mixture predominantly comprising nitrogen to obtain the second gas mixture, the device comprising:

a nitrogen gas source;

a gas supply line operably connected between said nitrogen gas source and a controller;

a gas delivery line comprising a manifold with a plurality of outlets that are in fluid communication with each other, said gas delivery line operably connected to said controller;

a plurality of extension lines each comprising an engagement chuck at a distal end thereof, wherein each extension line is operably connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of outlets;

said controller operable to control the supply of gas from said gas supply line to said gas delivery line and further operable to control a relief valve for venting said gas mixture in the tires;

a processor operably connected to said controller and operable to accept user input; and

a stand wherein the controller, manifold, and processor are affixed thereto,

wherein the processor controls the controller based on a predetermined duty cycle.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said processor controls said controller based on said predetermined duty cycle and on user input.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the gas source is a gas tank or a gas generator.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor comprises a visual display and a user input device.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor comprises a database corresponding to the desired concentration of nitrogen with the predetermined duty cycle.

6. A method of evacuating and inflating a plurality of pneumatic tires comprising:

opening a relief valve on a manifold connected to a plurality of gas supply hoses to vent the supply hoses to atmosphere;

closing the relief valve;

supplying pressurized inert gas from a gas source to the tires through the manifold to the gas supply hoses to inflate the tires to a first predetermined characteristic of inert gas;

opening the relief valve to vent the gas supply hoses to atmosphere;

closing the relief valve;

supplying pressurized inert gas from the gas source to the tires through the gas supply hoses to inflate the tire to a second predetermined characteristic of inert gas; and

determining the first predetermined characteristic and the second predetermined characteristic of inert gas based on a predetermined duty cycle.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said determining the first predetermined characteristic and the second predetermined characteristic of inert gas is based on a predetermined duty cycle and on user input.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the gas source is a gas tank or a gas generator.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the relief valve is closed at a manifold pressure of 3 psi.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the gas characteristic is selected from the group consisting of pressure, volume, gas concentration, and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein the steps of opening the relief valve, closing the relief valve, and supplying pressurized inert gas are repeated until a concentration of the inert gas in the tires reaches a predetermined threshold.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the concentration is based at least on a sampling of the gas vented to atmosphere.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the gas source is a gas tank or a gas generator.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the relief valve is closed at a manifold pressure of 3 psi.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the gas characteristic is selected from the group consisting of pressure, volume, gas concentration, and combinations thereof.