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

• US 7,624,774 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nitrofill, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kreska Technologies
• Inventors: Lighter, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US11/447,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20060272732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 141/7, 141/8, 141/38, 141/59, 141/65, 141/98, 141/231, 141/234, 141/236, 141/237, 141/66, 137/210, 137/266, 137/340, 137/557, 137/899.4
• US Class Current: 141/237
• 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 nitrogen-for-air substitution device comprising:

a nitrogen gas source;

a gas supply line operably connected between said nitrogen 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 a gas characteristic;

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; and

,

wherein the processor controls the controller based on a characteristic detected by the sensor and a predetermined duty cycle, said predetermined duty cycle comprising at least an evacuation cycle followed by an inflation cycle.

2. The portable gas delivery device of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises a visual display.

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

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

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises a database corresponding the desired concentration of nitrogen with the predetermined duty cycle.

5. A device for replacing a first gas mixture contained within each of a plurality of tires with a second gas mixture having a predetermined concentration of nitrogen, wherein the device performs a plural set of evacuations of the tires and charging of the tires with a third gas mixture predominantly comprising nitrogen to obtain the second gas mixture, the device comprising:

a nitrogen gas source;

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

a nitrogen delivery line comprising a manifold with a plurality of outlets that are in fluid communication with each other, said nitrogen 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 nitrogen gas from said nitrogen gas supply line to said nitrogen delivery line and further operable to control a relief valve for venting said gas mixture in the tires;

a sensor operable to detect a gas characteristic in the tires;

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

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

,

wherein the processor controls the controller based at least on a characteristic detected by the sensor and a predetermined duty cycle, said predetermined duty cycle comprising at least an evacuation cycle followed by an inflation cycle.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the gas characteristic is pressure.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the gas characteristic is selected from the group consisting of gas temperature, gas flow rate and gas concentration.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the gas characteristic is a concentration of a selected gas.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the processor comprises a database corresponding the desired concentration of nitrogen with the predetermined duty cycle.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein the gas source is a gas tank.

12. The device of claim 5, wherein the gas source is a gas generator.