Portable, remote, fast-fill inflator and nitrogen converter unit

• US 20060272732A1
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nitrofill, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kreska Technologies
• Inventors: Lighter, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,624,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/38
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/046 using electrical or electronical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4857 With manifold or grouped outlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A portable device for delivering nitrogen to multiple tires includes a gas source and supply line connected to a controller. The device also includes a gas delivery line comprising a manifold with a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with each other. A gas delivery line is operably connected to the controller and a plurality of extension lines with engagement chucks are operably connected to the outlets. The controller controls the supply of gas to the gas delivery line and controls a relief valve for venting the gas delivery line. The device also includes a sensor and a processor connected the controller and sensor which accepts user inputs. The controller, manifold and processor are affixed to a stand.

Claims

1. A portable gas delivery device comprising:

a gas source;

a gas supply line operably connected between said gas source and a controller;

a gas delivery line comprising a manifold with a plurality of outlets that are in fluid communication with each other, said gas delivery line operably connected to said controller;

a plurality of extension lines each comprising an engagement chuck at a distal end thereof, wherein each extension line is operably connected to a corresponding one of said plurality of outlets;

said controller operable to control the supply of gas from said gas supply line to said gas delivery line and further operable to control a relief valve for venting said gas delivery line;

a sensor operable to detect gas characteristics;

a processor operably connected to said controller and said sensor and operable to accept user input; and

,

a stand wherein the controller, manifold and processor are affixed thereto.

2. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the gas is nitrogen.

3. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the gas source is a gas tank,

4. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the gas source is a gas generator.

5. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the stand is a hand truck with a contact surface restricting horizontal movement.

6. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the gas characteristic is pressure.

7. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the gas characteristic is selected from the group comprising, gas pressure, gas temperature, gas flow rate and gas concentration.

8. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the gas characteristic is percentage of a selected gas.

9. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the outlets comprise quick disconnect fittings.

10. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises a visual display and a user input device.

11. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical power interface.

12. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processor controls the controller based on characteristics detected by the sensor.

13. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processor controls the controller based on characteristics detected by the sensor and a predetermined duty cycle.

14. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, comprising engagement chuck retainers, said retainers securing the engagement chucks during storage, said retainers located on an upper portion of the stand.

15. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1 wherein said sensor is located downstream of said controller.

16. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1 wherein said relief valve vents to 3 psi.

17. A method of ensuring pressure equalization between a plurality of tires during evacuation and inflation of the tires, comprising:

providing a plurality of supply hoses in fluid communication with each other;

attaching each of the supply hoses to a corresponding valve stem on the plurality of tires;

supplying pressurized gas from a gas source to said plurality of tires via the supply hoses;

monitoring and controlling a gas characteristic of the pressurized gas in the plurality of supply hoses to thereby inflate the plurality of tires to a predetermined pressure to thereby ensure pressure equalization between each of the plurality of tires.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising

inputting into a processor the number and identity of the plurality of tires

retrieving tire data associated with the identity of the plurality of tires

determining the predetermined pressure based on tire data and at least one monitored gas characteristic.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the pressurized gas is nitrogen.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the gas characteristic is selected from the group comprising:

pressure, temperature, concentration and flow rate.

21. A method of evacuating and inflating a plurality of pneumatic tires comprising:

opening a relief valve on a manifold connected to a plurality of gas supply hoses to vent the supply hoses to atmosphere;

closing the relief valve;

supplying pressurized inert gas from a gas source to the tires through the manifold to the gas supply hoses to inflate the tires to a first predetermined characteristic of inert gas;

opening the relief valve to vent the gas supply hoses to atmosphere;

closing the relief valve;

supplying pressurized inert gas from the gas source to the tires through the gas supply hoses to inflate the tire with a second predetermined characteristic of inert gas.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising determining the first predetermined characteristic and the second predetermined characteristic of inert gas based on the volume of the tire at the desired pressure, temperature of the inert gas.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising sensing the flow rate of the inert gas.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the steps of opening the relief valve, closing the relief valve and supplying pressurized inert gas are repeated until a concentration of the inert gas reaches a predetermined threshold.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the concentration is based at least on a sampling of the gas vented to atmosphere.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the gas characteristic is selected from the group comprising pressure, volume and gas concentration.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the relief valve is closed at a manifold pressure of 3 psi.