Pressure sensing method and apparatus

• US 7,218,210 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2004
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bruce Schoenberger, Edward P. Eberhardt
• Original Assignee: Bruce Schoenberger, Edward P. Eberhardt
• Inventors: Eberhardt, Edward P., Schoenberger, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk; Samuel J
• Application Number:
  US10/799,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20050199328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/445, 340/447, 340/539.16, 340/539.17, 731/46, 116/34.R, 116/34.A, 116/34.B
• US Class Current: 340/445
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0405 Mechanically generated visible signals, e.g. by using a gauge needle
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver

Abstract

A multi-wheel highway vehicle for transporting passengers, cargo or both has a plurality of wheels supporting the vehicle with the wheels having pneumatic tires mounted thereon, at least one transducer connected to one of the wheels for sensing pressure in a tire mounted on the wheel and providing a output signal indicative of the pressure, a comparator mounted on the wheel receiving the output signal provided by the transducer for comparing the output signal from the transducer to a reference and providing a second output signal indicative of the comparison and a transmitter carried by the vehicle receiving the second output signal provided by the comparator for sending tire pressure information derived from the second output signal to a remote locale, optionally together with information identifying the vehicle and/or the location of the vehicle and/or the speed and/or the direction of travel of the vehicle and/or the identity of the driver of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A multi-wheeled highway vehicle for transporting passengers, cargo or both, comprising:

a. plurality of wheels supporting said vehicle, said wheels having pneumatic tires mounted thereon;

b. a transducer mounted on one of said wheels at a position radially inboard of the tire mounted on the wheel, for sensing pressure in the tire mounted on the wheel and providing an output signal indicative thereof;

c. a comparator connected to said wheel at a position radially inboard of the tire-wheel interface, receiving said output signal, for comparing said output signal from said transducer to a reference and providing an second output signal indicative of said comparison;

d. a transmitter carried by said vehicle, receiving said second output signal produced by said comparator, for sending tire pressure information in said second output signal to a remote locale, optionally together with information identifying said vehicle, and/or the location of said vehicle and/or the speed and/or direction of travel thereof;

e. an aerodynamic wheel cover assembly attached to the inner periphery of said wheel having said transducer connected thereto, said wheel cover assembly comprising;

i. a substantially elliptically-shaped dome sized to be securely attached to the wheel with the rim facing into a concave side of said dome;

ii. an exhaust port positioned at an apex of the dome, having diameter creating low pressure within the wheel cover when the wheel cover is fastened to said wheel and said wheel is rotating;

iii. a bridge over the exhaust port;

iv. a mechanical pressure gauge, an intake valve, a valve stem, a valve assembly and a gauge, at least one of which being disposed on said bridge and remaining ones being proximate said bridge, wherein the valve stem, hose, gauge and valve assembly are in pneumatic communication such that when the hose is in pneumatic communication with a fill-valve of the tire, the gauge displays pressure of the tire and the tire can be inflated and deflated via the valve stem;

v. a wheel clip assembly base portion comprising a strip curved to conform to an inner periphery of the rim;

vi. a wheel clip assembly bracket portion attached to the base portion and having a first and second end;

vii. a spring clip secured to the second end; and

viii. a Dzus fastener positioned about the spring clip and securing the aerodynamic wheel cover against the bracket portion.

2. Apparatus for monitoring tire pressure in a tire of multi-wheeled highway vehicle for transporting passengers, cargo or both, comprising:

f. a transducer mechanically mounted on one wheel of the vehicle at a position radially inboard of the tire mounted on the wheel, for sensing pressure in the tire mounted on the wheel and providing an output signal indicative thereof;

g. a comparator mechanically mounted on the exteriorly facing surface of the wheel radially inboard of the tire mounted thereon, receiving said output signal, for comparing said output signal from said transducer to a reference and providing an second output signal indicative of said comparison;

h. a transmitter carried by and mounted on an exteriorly facing surface of the vehicle wheel and inboard of the tire, receiving said second output signal produced by said comparator, for sending tire pressure information in said second output signal to a remote locale, optionally together with information identifying the vehicle, and/or the location of the vehicle and/or the speed and/or direction of travel thereof;

i. an externally facing aerodynamic wheel cover assembly attached to the radially outboard periphery of the wheel having the transducer connected thereto, for shielding the transducer, the comparator and the transmitter from windage during vehicle operation, comprising;

ix. a dome sized to be securely attached to a rim of the wheel having the transducer, comparator and transmitter associated therewith, the exteriorly facing surface of the wheel facing a concave side of said dome.

3. Apparatus of claim 2 wherein the dome further includes an exhaust port, having diameter creating low pressure within the wheel cover when the wheel cover is fastened to the wheel and the wheel is rotating, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a. a bridge over the exhaust port;

b. a mechanical pressure gauge, an intake valve, a valve stem, a valve assembly and a gauge, at least one of which being disposed on said bridge and remaining ones being proximate said bridge, wherein the valve stem, hose, gauge and valve assembly are in pneumatic communication such that when the hose is in pneumatic communication with a fill-valve of the tire, the gauge displays pressure of the tire and the tire can be inflated and deflated via the valve stem;

c. a wheel clip assembly base portion comprising a strip curved to conform to an inner periphery of the rim;

d. a wheel clip assembly bracket portion attached to the base portion and having a first and second end;

e. a spring clip secured to the second end; and

f. a Dzus fastener positioned about the spring clip and securing the aerodynamic wheel cover against the bracket portion.