System and method for decreasing tire pressure

• US 9,296,264 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2014
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• 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: Mozingo, Melvin B., Racine, Lloyd G., Sidders, Jason M., Kona, Venkata R., Gillen, Kurt P., Knapke, Brian V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walters, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIGGS, JAMES J
• Application Number:
  US14/177,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20140224399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 152415-417, 152/427
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00318 on the wheels or the hubs
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00345 Details of the rotational joints
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00354 Details of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00363 Details of sealings
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/00372 characterised by fluid diagrams
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/063 the valve being loaded by a spring
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/20 specially designed for inflatable bodies, e.g. tyres connecting valves to inflatable bodies B60C29/00

Abstract

A system is provided. The system includes a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is attached to the wheel assembly and is in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position. The wheel valve assembly includes an area having a first flow capacity. A valve assembly is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The valve assembly includes an area formed in a perforation that has a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is less than the first flow capacity.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid;

a wheel valve assembly attached to the wheel assembly and in fluid communication with the chamber, the wheel valve assembly operable between an open position and a closed position and comprising an area having a first flow capacity; and

a variable area valve assembly selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly, the variable area valve assembly comprising an area formed in a perforation that has a second flow capacity, the second flow capacity being less than the first flow capacity; and

a channel valve assembly in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly via a fluid control circuit and selectively in fluid communication with the variable area valve assembly, the channel valve assembly permitting fluid communication between the fluid control circuit and an inner fluid conduit or between the fluid control circuit and atmosphere.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wheel valve assembly is in fluid communication with a channel port via the fluid control circuit.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic control unit, wherein the inner fluid conduit is provided in the pneumatic control unit and is selectively in fluid communication with the variable area valve assembly.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure transducer which dynamically measures a pressure of the pressurized fluid and provides a signal to a control device which corresponds to a tire pressure.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the area formed in the perforation varies in size.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the area formed in the perforation is defined by a wall portion and an outer surface of a valve member.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the perforation is sized to receive a portion of a valve member.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid is air.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the variable area valve assembly is in fluid communication with a solenoid valve assembly via a fluid conduit and the atmosphere.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the variable area valve assembly further comprises a valve member which is movable toward or away from the perforation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the variable area valve assembly further comprises a valve member movable toward or away from the perforation via a shaft which extends or retracts due to a signal provided to a motor assembly from a control device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the area having the first flow capacity is formed in a cap perforation provided in the wheel valve assembly.

13. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid control circuit comprises a first fluid conduit, a rotary joint and a second fluid conduit.

14. The system of claim 3, wherein the inner fluid conduit is selectively in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid.

15. The system of claim 3, wherein the inner fluid conduit is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly.

16. The system of claim 5, wherein the area increases in size as pressurized fluid is removed from the chamber.

17. The system of claim 6, wherein the valve member gradually reduces in diameter toward an end thereof.

18. The system of claim 7, wherein the valve member comprises a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein a guide rod is attached to an end of the valve member and extends through the perforation.