Tire inflation system
First Claim
1. A tire inflation system comprising:
- a housing configured to statically mount to a rotating surface, the rotating surface configured to rotate relative to a gravity vector, the housing defining a housing interior;
a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, the drive mechanism rotatably coupled to the housing such that the drive mechanism rotates relative to the housing, the drive mechanism comprising;
a) a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis; and
b) an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis;
a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation and rotatably coupled to the drive mechanism, such that the pump cavity rotates about the cam, the pump cavity comprising an actuating element and a chamber;
a force translator coupling the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, the force translator comprising an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity about the rotational axis, such that the force translator rotates with the pump cavity about the drive mechanism; and
a water-selective membrane fluidly connecting an ambient environment to a housing interior, wherein an inlet of the pump cavity is fluidly connected to the housing interior.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tire inflation system including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation, and a force translator coupling the rotational axis to the pump cavity. The drive mechanism includes a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis, and an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis. The pump cavity is rotatably coupled to the cam, wherein the pump cavity includes an actuating element and a chamber. The force translator couples the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, wherein the force translator includes an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A tire inflation system comprising:
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a housing configured to statically mount to a rotating surface, the rotating surface configured to rotate relative to a gravity vector, the housing defining a housing interior; a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, the drive mechanism rotatably coupled to the housing such that the drive mechanism rotates relative to the housing, the drive mechanism comprising; a) a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis; and b) an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis; a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation and rotatably coupled to the drive mechanism, such that the pump cavity rotates about the cam, the pump cavity comprising an actuating element and a chamber; a force translator coupling the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, the force translator comprising an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity about the rotational axis, such that the force translator rotates with the pump cavity about the drive mechanism; and a water-selective membrane fluidly connecting an ambient environment to a housing interior, wherein an inlet of the pump cavity is fluidly connected to the housing interior. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A tire inflation system comprising:
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a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, the drive mechanism comprising; a) a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis; and b) an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis; a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation and rotatably coupled to the drive mechanism, such that the pump cavity rotates about the cam, the pump cavity comprising an actuating element and a chamber; a force translator coupling the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, the force translator comprising an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity about the rotational axis, such that the force translator rotates with the pump cavity about the drive mechanism; and a water-selective membrane fluidly connecting a fluid source to a first reservoir, wherein an inlet of the pump cavity is fluidly connected to the first reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification