Abstract: A concrete container including a concrete footing including a shear key; a concrete wall inserted in the shear key; a plurality of footing reinforcing members inserted in the concrete footing on a support side of the shear key and extending above the concrete footing; a plurality of wall reinforcing members inserted in the concrete wall on a support side of the concrete wall and extending diagonally towards the concrete footing; a poured concrete moment connection substantially covering the plurality of footing reinforcing members extending from the pre-cast concrete footing and the plurality of wall reinforcing members extending from the wall.

Abstract: A concrete container including a concrete footing including a shear key; a concrete wall inserted in the shear key; a plurality of footing reinforcing members inserted in the concrete footing on a support side of the shear key and extending above the concrete footing; a plurality of wall reinforcing members inserted in the concrete wall on a support side of the concrete wall and extending diagonally towards the concrete footing; a poured concrete moment connection substantially covering the plurality of footing reinforcing members extending from the pre-cast concrete footing and the plurality of wall reinforcing members extending from the wall.

Abstract: A clip apparatus comprising a pair of opposing clip members, an attachment assembly and a biasing member. Each clip member includes an outer surface and an inner surface, a proximal end and a distal end, and side edges extending substantially from the proximal end to the distal end. The attachment assembly is capable of attaching the pair of opposing clip members between the proximal and distal ends thereof, to facilitate pivoting thereabout. The biasing member comprises a central region, a pair of opposing leg regions extending away from the central region, and an attachment assembly capable of pivotably attaching the opposing end regions to opposing clip members substantially about the proximal end thereof. Upon assembly of the clip apparatus, the biasing member substantially biases against the proximal ends of the respective clip members, to, in turn, force the distal ends of the respective clip members into abutment.

Abstract: A method of establishing a target pressure for a vehicle tire for storage in a receiver having a microcontroller where a sensor/transmitter combination is mounted on each wheel. After each tire is inflated to the target pressure the sensor/transmitters are sequentially triggered to send an identification code and a target pressure signal to the receiver for storage in memory. In an alternate embodiment, the target tire pressures are statistically averaged and a warning signal is generated if a single tire target pressure deviates a predetermined amount from the statistical average.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve (61) including a body (110, 114) interconnecting an inflatable volume (20a,22a) with a source of pressurized fluid (30) and the atmosphere. A pair of valve members (120, 122) cooperate to allow controlled inflation and deflation of the volumes (20a,22a) as well as to close off the fluid path between the source and the volumes and vent fluid from the volumes to the atmosphere in order to achieve at least two predetermined fluid pressures in the volume.

Abstract: A method for measuring the pressure of fluid in the wet tank (32) of a central tire inflation system (10) prior to initiating a tire pressure check sequence in order to ensure an accurate tire pressure reading by waiting for a sufficient wet tank pressure. To measure wet tank pressure, the wet tank (32) is isolated from the atmosphere and from a distribution manifold (55). Pressure is measured with an existing pressure transducer (44). Once wet tank pressure is sufficient, a normal tire pressure check sequence is allowed to begin.

Abstract: An adaptive tire pressure control strategy for a central tire inflation system 10 wherein the programmed demand pressure setting P.sub.D may be increased automatically if certain criteria are met. These criteria are indicative of a running condition wherein tire temperature may be increasing to unacceptable levels due to underinflation. Additionally, air may also be added to tires in this condition in order to increase the load capacity of the tire, reduce tire temperature and prolong tire life.

Abstract: A central tire inflation system for a vehicle is disclosed 10 including a controller 222 for preselecting one of several desired air pressures for the tires 12 by actuating one of the push buttons 226, 228 or 230. The system 10 will adjust the tire pressure to the preselected pressure. Should the operator sense enemy fire or believes combat is eminent, the "run flat" button 234 is actuated which causes the electronic timer of the control unit 237 to cause the automatic measurement of tire pressure every few seconds instead of several times an hour. Should one of the tires 12 be damaged while the button 234 is actuated, the damaged tire will be immediately identified and the system 10 will assume the inflate mode and supply air to the damaged tire so long as the leakage rate does not exceed the capacity of the source 138 of pressurized air.

Abstract: A tire pressure control system (10) for wheels (28) of a vehicle. The system includes an air control circuit (40) having a positive pressure air source (42), a vacuum pressure air source (44), a central control unit (46), a vehicle speed sensor (47), and a command/display console (48). The control circuit (40) includes valves (62,64,66,68,70) and a conduit assembly (74) for controlling communication of the positive and vacuum pressure air to wheel valve assemblies (14) mounted on each wheel. A vent valve (86) provides quick venting of positive air pressure in the conduit assembly (74) for effecting rapid closing of a valve device (100) in each wheel valve (14). Each wheel valve also includes a valve device (104) providing substantially unrestricted air flow from the conduit assembly (74) to the wheels when valve device (100) is open and providing restricted air flow from the wheels to the conduit assembly (74) to ensure closing of the valve device (100 ) when the conduit is vented.

Abstract: A vehicle including a pressure relief valve mounted on a wheel is provided. The valve includes a spring biased vent valve mechanism therein and a blocker which is a actuable or manipulable to either a vent position or a nonvent position. When the blocker is in the vent position, the valve acts as a vent valve. When the blocker is in the nonvent position, the spring biased valve mechanism is prevented from opening.

Abstract: A tire pressure control system (10) for wheels (28) of a vehicle. The system includes an air control circuit (40) having a positive pressure air source (42), a vacuum pressure air source (44), a central control unit (46), a vehicle speed sensor (47), and a command/display console (48). The control circuit (40) includes valves (62,64,66,68,70) and a conduit assembly (74) for controlling communication of the positive and vacuum pressure air to wheel valve assemblies (14) mounted on each wheel. A vent valve (74) for effecting rapid closing of a valve device (100) in each wheel valve (14). Each wheel valve also includes a valve device (104) providing substantially unrestricted air flow from the conduit assembly (74) to the wheels when valve device (100) is open and providing restricted air flow from the wheels to the conduit assembly (74) to ensure closing of the valve device (100) when the conduit is vented.

Abstract: A self-diagnostic method for an on-board CTIS (10) for sensing system faults and/or vehicle conditions requiring system shut down. Includes a method for preventing operations of the CITS if the pressure in the air tank has not reached a desired minimum when the vehicle speed exceeds a reference speed for a preselected period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a vehicle central tire inflation system (CTIS) produces a series of valve open signals in response to a demand tire pressure signal in which each valve open signal has a time period and a time space occurs between each open signal. The series of open signals terminates when the current tire pressure is at least equal to the demand tire pressure and upon termination, a count is made of the number of valve open signals. In each successive series of valve open signals, the time period is increased or decreased depending upon whether the previous count is greater or less than a predetermined count range.

Abstract: A land vehicle wheel end assembly (16) for a rigid tubular drive axle assembly (10) includes a nonrotatable sleeve (34) interposed between a portion of a spindle (14) of the axle assembly and a wheel hub (20). The wheel hub is rotatably supported on the spindle by inboard and outboard bearings (24,26) lubricated by oil from the drive axle. The hub includes a passage for directing the oil to the inboard bearing (24). The sleeve and hub include air passages (34f,34d,39,34e and 20e) for directing air from a vehicle onboard central tire inflation system to a pneumatic tire supported by the hub. A relative rotational interface between the sleeve and hub air passages is sealed by a seal assembly (52) which is lubricated by the oil. An outboard end of the sleeve preferably includes an axially open annular groove (45 or 47) for inserting an O-ring (38) seat therein after installation of the sleeve on the spindle.

Abstract: A self-diagnostic method of for an on-board CTIS (10) for sensing system faults and/or vehicle conditions requiring shut down. The pressure transducer (80) is exposed to atmospheric pressure to determine if the transducer is generating believable input signals to the system controller (88).

Abstract: A solenoid (30) controlled, pilot air actuated valve assembly (10) includes a poppet valve cartridge (20) which is either of the normally open type or normally closed type by reversing assembly of identical component parts.

Abstract: An air circuit for a central tire inflation system having a relief valve (158) in the air circuit to provide the necessary pressure drop for deflation and having make up air from a source (S) bleed into the air circuit via one of two normally closed solenoid actuated valves (164, 174). The make up air is connected via a small orifice (214) when a solenoid (192) associated with a deflate valve (164) or a shut off valve (174) is energized.

Abstract: A central tire deflation system for emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks, rescue vehicles located at airports, enabling the operator to deflate all of the tires of the emergency vehicle to a predetermined minimum pressure while traveling to a crash site so that the "footprint" of the tires is increased at or about the time the vehicle reaches soft terrain. The minimum tire pressure is obtained by controlling the duration of time that the tires are being deflated.

Abstract: A control system and method for sensing and reacting conditions indicative of unacceptable slow CTIS response to selected pressure setting changes.

Abstract: A rotary wheel-end assembly (90) is provided that includes a disc-like member (26) that when secured to a vehicular wheel hub (16) is operative to rotate relative a stationary axle spindle as well as provide a first chamber (28) about the end of axle (2). Assembly (90) has a passageway (36) therethrough for conveying pressurized air to the tire from axle (2) and includes a cover (42) secured in spaced-apart relationship to a side of member (26) facing away from axle (2) to provide a second chamber (46). Chambers (28) and (46) are adapted to hold a lubricant for lubricating frictional interaction between rotary assembly (90) and stationary axle (2) as well as wheel bearings (12) and at least one opening (40) is provided through member (26) for providing fluid communication between chambers (28) and (46) in addition to the preferable inclusion of at least one resilient closable member (48) through cover (42) for conveying lubricant into chamber (46).