Valve assembly for a central tire inflation system

• US 9,415,645 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group LLC (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Racine, Lloyd G., Sidders, Jason M., Lee, Pheng, Balistreri, Lucas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARUNDALE, ROBERT K
• Application Number:
  US14/177,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20140224352A1
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 138/46
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00318 on the wheels or the hubs
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00354 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00363 Details of sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/002 characterised by particular features of the valve core
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/20 specially designed for inflatable bodies, e.g. tyres connecting valves to inflatable bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3584 Inflatable article [e.g., tire filling chuck and/or stem]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3631 Diaphragm, bellows or expansible tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88062 Coaxial oppositely directed seats

Abstract

A valve assembly for a central tire inflation system is provided. The valve assembly includes a first housing having a first port connected to a second port via a cavity. The second port is in fluid communication with a wheel assembly. A biasing member is disposed in the cavity adjacent a first perforation formed in the first housing. A valve member is contacted by the biasing member. The valve member includes a first portion having an outer surface which is unbroken adjacent an end to allow a pressurized fluid to flow around it. The first portion reduces in diameter toward the end.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for a central tire inflation system, comprising:

a first housing having a first port connected to a second port via a cavity, wherein the second port is in fluid communication with a wheel assembly;

a biasing member disposed in the cavity adjacent a first perforation formed in the first housing; and

a valve member contacted by the biasing member, the valve member comprising a top frusto-conical portion having a continuous outer surface connected to a bottom rounded portion having a continuous outer surface, a first end connected to the bottom rounded portion and a second end connected to the top frusto-conical portion wherein the second end has an opening therein providing for a single channel extending through the valve member from the second end to the first end to allow a pressurized fluid to flow between the housing and the outer surface of the valve member and through the channel.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the top frusto-conical portion reduced in diameter toward the second end.

3. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member biases the valve member away from the first perforation and toward the second port.

4. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the first perforation is sized to receive the top frusto-conical portion.

5. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the top frusto-conical portion comprises a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion, the first diameter portion being of a diameter which is greater than that of the second diameter portion and gradually reducing in diameter toward the second diameter portion which gradually reduces in diameter toward the second end.

6. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the first port is in fluid communication with the second port via a flow pathway formed between the housing and the outer surfaces of the valve member and through the channel.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein a pressurized air biases the valve member and opposes a bias provided by the biasing member to the valve member.

8. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising an area formed in the first perforation which varies in size depending on tire pressure.

9. The valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the area is defined by an inner wall portion of the housing and the top frusto-conical portion of the valve member.

10. The valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the area increases in size as the tire pressure decreases.

11. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the area is defined by the outer surface of the top frusto-conical portion.

12. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the first housing is positioned within a second housing which comprises a control port and a tire port.

13. The valve assembly of claim 12, further comprising a valve device in fluid communication with the control port and the first perforation, the valve device positioned within the second housing operable between an open position and a closed position which allows or prevents fluid communication between the control port and tire port, respectively.

14. The valve assembly of claim 13, further comprising a major biasing member which biases the valve device to the closed position.

15. The valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the major biasing member and biasing member each comprise a spring.

16. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a valve device in fluid communication with the valve assembly which selectively prevents fluid communication between the valve assembly and a source of pressurized air.

17. The valve assembly of claim 16, wherein the source of pressurized air is an air compressor or a wheel assembly.

18. The valve assembly of claim 16, wherein pressurized air is communicated to the valve assembly via the valve device and a fluid conduit.

19. A wheel valve assembly as defined by claim 1.