Tire pressure sensor
First Claim
1. A tire pressure sensor for a pneumatic tire, the tire pressure sensor comprising:
- a housing;
a pressure transducer within the housing;
a transmitter within the housing electronically coupled to the pressure transducer;
one or more batteries within the housing connected to deliver electrical power to the pressure transducer and to the transmitter;
a pressurized compartment within the housing bounded at least partially by a flexible membrane, the membrane within the housing and having an outward surface spaced apart from the housing;
wherein the pressure transducer is in fluid communication with air within the compartment; and
at least one inlet port extending through the housing to allow pressurized air within the tire to contact the outward surface of the membrane;
wherein the pressure transducer, the transmitter and the one or more batteries are encased within the housing so as to prevent contact with the pressurized air within the tire.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tire pressure sensor is provided having a housing, a pressure transducer within the housing electronically coupled to a transmitter, a battery within the housing connected to deliver electrical power to the pressure transducer and to the transmitter, and a pressurized compartment within the housing bounded at least partially by a flexible membrane. A first conduit extends from the pressure transducer to the compartment. An inlet port extends through the housing to allow pressurized air within the tire to contact the membrane. In particular embodiments, the pressure transducer, transmitter and battery are rubber coated and encapsulated with epoxy.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tire pressure sensor for a pneumatic tire, the tire pressure sensor comprising:
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a housing; a pressure transducer within the housing; a transmitter within the housing electronically coupled to the pressure transducer; one or more batteries within the housing connected to deliver electrical power to the pressure transducer and to the transmitter; a pressurized compartment within the housing bounded at least partially by a flexible membrane, the membrane within the housing and having an outward surface spaced apart from the housing; wherein the pressure transducer is in fluid communication with air within the compartment; and at least one inlet port extending through the housing to allow pressurized air within the tire to contact the outward surface of the membrane; wherein the pressure transducer, the transmitter and the one or more batteries are encased within the housing so as to prevent contact with the pressurized air within the tire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of detecting air pressure within a pneumatic tire, the method comprising:
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providing a tire pressure sensor comprising; a housing; a pressure transducer within the housing; a transmitter within the housing electronically coupled to the pressure transducer for transmitting output signals corresponding to the air pressure within the tire; one or more batteries within the housing connected to deliver electrical power to the pressure transducer and to the transmitter; a pressurized compartment within the housing bounded at least partially by a flexible membrane, the membrane within the housing and having an outward surface spaced apart from the housing; wherein the pressure transducer is in communication with air within the compartment; and at least one inlet port extending through the housing to allow pressurized air within the tire to contact the outward surface of the membrane; wherein the pressure transducer, the transmitter and the one or more batteries are encased within the housing so as to prevent contact with the pressurized air within the tire; positioning the tire pressure sensor in the tire so that the inlet port is in communication with pressurized air within the tire; and receiving the signals transmitted by the transmitter.
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17. A tire pressure sensor for a pneumatic tire, the tire pressure sensor comprising:
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a housing having an opening thereto; a pressure transducer within the housing; a transmitter within the housing electronically coupled to the pressure transducer; one or more batteries within the housing connected to deliver electrical power to the pressure transducer and to the transmitter; a flexible membrane covering the opening; a pressurized compartment within the housing bounded at least partially by the membrane; and wherein the pressure transducer is in communication with air within the compartment; wherein the pressure transducer, the transmitter and the one or more batteries are encased within the housing so as to prevent contact with the pressurized air within the tire. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification