Tire inflation system
First Claim
1. A tire pressurization system configured to mount to a wheel having a rotational axis, the system comprising:
- a casing configured to mount to the wheel;
a first compressor mounted to the casing and configured to fluidly connect to a fluid source, the first compressor comprising a first chamber and a first actuating element, the first actuating element having a first area;
a second compressor mounted to the casing, fluidly connected to the first compressor and configured to fluidly connect to a tire interior, the second compressor comprising a second chamber and a second actuating element, the second actuating element having a second area; and
a passive drive mechanism mounted to the casing and configured to actuate the second compressor between a compressed state and a recovered state, the passive drive mechanism comprising an eccentric mass configured to mount to the wheel with a center of mass offset from the rotational axis, wherein relative rotation between the eccentric mass and the second compressor actuates the second compressor between the compressed state and the recovered state.
1 Assignment
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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.
155 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A tire pressurization system configured to mount to a wheel having a rotational axis, the system comprising:
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a casing configured to mount to the wheel; a first compressor mounted to the casing and configured to fluidly connect to a fluid source, the first compressor comprising a first chamber and a first actuating element, the first actuating element having a first area; a second compressor mounted to the casing, fluidly connected to the first compressor and configured to fluidly connect to a tire interior, the second compressor comprising a second chamber and a second actuating element, the second actuating element having a second area; and a passive drive mechanism mounted to the casing and configured to actuate the second compressor between a compressed state and a recovered state, the passive drive mechanism comprising an eccentric mass configured to mount to the wheel with a center of mass offset from the rotational axis, wherein relative rotation between the eccentric mass and the second compressor actuates the second compressor between the compressed state and the recovered state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of inflating a tire to a desired tire pressure with a system contained on a wheel supporting the tire, the method comprising:
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pressurizing fluid from a fluid source to a first pressure below the desired tire pressure with a first compressor having a first pressurization area; facilitating flow of the pressurized fluid from the first compressor to a second compressor, the second compressor having a second pressurization area less than or equal to the first pressurization area; pressurizing the fluid from the first pressure to the desired tire pressure with the second compressor; and facilitating flow of the fluid at the desired tire pressure to a tire interior. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification