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Tire inflation system

  • US 8,763,661 B2
  • Filed: 07/21/2011
  • Issued: 07/01/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A tire inflation system that couples to a wheel of a vehicle, the tire inflation system comprising:

  • a pumping ring that rotates with the wheel;

    a positioning system with a center of rotation, rotatably coupled to the wheel, the pumping ring and positioning system defining an annular channel therebetween, the positioning system comprising;

    a positioning mechanism with a first bearing surface, wherein the center of rotation of the positioning system is the center of rotation of the positioning mechanism; and

    ,an eccentric mass, coupled to the positioning mechanism, that offsets the center of mass of the positioning system from the center of rotation of the positioning system;

    a planetary roller disposed within the annular channel in non-slip contact with the first bearing surface and a second bearing surface, the second bearing surface being a radial surface of the pumping ring proximal the positioning mechanism;

    a flexible diaphragm disposed along a radial surface of the pumping ring and defining a pump cavity, wherein successive sections of the pump cavity are occluded by deformation of the diaphragm by the pumping ring.

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