Method for detecting an underinflated tire by monitoring a work vehicle suspension
First Claim
1. A method (250) for detecting an underinflated tire of a work vehicle (12) having a plurality of left and right strut mounted wheels, comprising:
- periodically sensing the internal pressure of each of the struts (16,
18) and delivering a plurality of first signals each having a magnitude correlative to the internal pressure of each respective strut (16,
18);
comparing consecutive first signals of each respecting strut and delivering a second signal having a magnitude correlative to the differential therebetween;
counting the number of second signals exceeding a preselected setpoint during a preselected period of time;
comparing the count for each strut (16,
18) to the count for another strut (16,
18) and delivering a third signal having a magnitude responsive to the count differential, anddelivering a signal indicative of an underinflated tire in response to the count differential exceeding a preselected setpoint.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In the field of off-highway trucks, tires represent a significant portion of operating expenses. Underinflated tires wear more quickly than properly inflated tires. This invention pertains to an apparatus for detecting an underinflated tire of a work vehicle (12) and displaying the information to the operator or service personnel. The apparatus senses internal pressures of preselected struts (16,18), and converts these signals into an indication of relative inflation pressures of the associated tires (32). When a tire is underinflated relative to another tire by a preselected amount, an underinflation signal is transmitted to a display. The display indicates to the operator that a tire is underinflated.
19 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method (250) for detecting an underinflated tire of a work vehicle (12) having a plurality of left and right strut mounted wheels, comprising:
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periodically sensing the internal pressure of each of the struts (16,
18) and delivering a plurality of first signals each having a magnitude correlative to the internal pressure of each respective strut (16,
18);comparing consecutive first signals of each respecting strut and delivering a second signal having a magnitude correlative to the differential therebetween; counting the number of second signals exceeding a preselected setpoint during a preselected period of time; comparing the count for each strut (16,
18) to the count for another strut (16,
18) and delivering a third signal having a magnitude responsive to the count differential, anddelivering a signal indicative of an underinflated tire in response to the count differential exceeding a preselected setpoint. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for detecting an underinflated tire of a work vehicle having pneumatic tires mounted on a plurality of opposed wheels which are mounted on hydraulic struts, comprising:
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periodically sensing the internal pressure of preselected struts and delivering a plurality of first signals each having a value responsive to the internal pressure of a respective strut; converting said first signals to a plurality of second signals by the formula;
space="preserve" listing-type="equation">.sub.Δ
X=K(1/p(t)).sup.5/7where; X is the linear displacement of the strut with respect to time; K is a constant related to strut configuration; and p(t) is strut pressure with respect to time; summing said plurality of second signals for each preselected strut; comparing said summed preselected second signals one with another; delivering a signal indicative of relative inflation pressures of associated tires in response to said compared second signals; and comparing said relative inflation pressure signal with a preselected setpoint signal, and delivering an underinflation signal in response to the difference between said relative inflation signal and said setpoint signal being greater than a preselected difference value. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method (130) for detecting an underinflated tire of a work vehicle (12) having pneumatic tires (32) mounted on a plurality of opposed wheels which are mounted on hydraulic struts (16,18), comprising:
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sensing the internal pressure of preselected struts (16,18) and delivering a plurality of first signals each having a value responsive to the internal pressure of a respective strut (16,18); converting said first signals to second signals, each of said second signals being responsive to a kinetic energy transfer from a tire (32) to an associated strut (16,18); comparing preselected second signals one with another and delivering a signal in response to said comparison, said signal being responsive to relative inflation pressures of preselected tires (32); and comparing said relative inflation pressure signal with a preselected setpoint and delivering an underinflation signal in response to a preselected difference between said relative inflation pressure signal and said preselected setpoint signal. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method (200) for detecting an underinflated tire of a work vehicle (12) having pneumatic tires (32) mounted on a plurality of opposed wheels which are mounted on hydraulic struts (16,18), comprising:
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sensing the internal pressure of preselected struts (16,18) and delivering a plurality of first signals each having a value responsive to the internal pressure of a respective strut (16,18); determining the slopes of selected portions of preselected first signals; comparing said slopes one with another; delivering a signal indicative of relative inflation pressures of preselected tires in response to said comparison; and comparing said relative inflation pressure signal with a preselected setpoint signal, and delivering an underinflation signal in response to a preselected difference between said relative inflation pressure signal and said preselected setpoint signal. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method (160) for detecting an underinflated tire of a work vehicle (12) having pneumatic tires (32) mounted on a plurality of opposed wheels which are mounted on hydraulic struts (16,18), comprising:
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sensing the internal pressure of preselected struts (16,18) and delivering a plurality of first signals each having a value responsive to the internal pressure of a respective strut (16,18); determining maximums and minimums of selected portions of preselected first signals; comparing said maximums and minimums with each other; delivering a signal indicative of relative inflation pressures of preselected tires in response to said comparison; and comparing said relative inflation pressure signal with a preselected setpoint signal, and delivering an underinflation signal in response to a preselected difference between said relative inflation pressure signal and said preselected setpoint signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification