Pneumatic Tire Inflation Responsive Patents (Class 200/61.22)
  • Patent number: 10894450
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring device can include: a magnetic sensor configured to measure a first magnetic field intensity in a first direction, and to measure second magnetic field intensity in a second direction; and a controller configured to control a state of the tire pressure monitoring device based on a variation of the first magnetic field intensity and a variation of the second magnetic field intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventor: Chikang Liu
  • Patent number: 10871556
    Abstract: An angular sensor includes a base body in which a rotating element is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation. At least one transmitting antennae is arranged on the base body and each emits a transmission signal. A reflector element extends over part of the periphery, observed tangentially in relation to the axis of rotation, reflects each transmission signal, and is arranged on the rotating element, at a radial reflector distance from the axis of rotation. A plurality of receiving antennae are arranged on the base body, the receiving antennae receiving the reflected signals as a receiving signal and supplying the receiving signal to an evaluation device. The evaluation device determines the position of rotation of the rotating element by evaluating only the receiving signals or by evaluating the receiving signals and base signals determined on the basis of the transmission signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Martin Meyer, Jürgen Zettner
  • Patent number: 10242512
    Abstract: A self-powered electronic system, which is embeddable in a tire for a ground vehicle or a tire for an aerial vehicle, includes an electronic device, a transmitter, a storage medium, and communication means. The electronic device is structured to measure or record, or measure and record, data relating to a vehicle carrying the electronic device. The data may include information on use of the vehicle. The transmitter is structured to transmit the data to a remote interrogation system. The storage medium is a passive data storage medium that is structured to be able to be remotely interrogated. The communication means is structured to enable communication between the electronic device and the storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: Julien Destraves
  • Patent number: 10234352
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for measuring air tightness of an aluminum alloy hub or a tire and a method for measuring the air tightness of the aluminum alloy hub or the tire by using the device. The device includes a pressure measurement device mounted into a hub or tire to be measured, an inflation device in gas connection with an inside of a tire of a wheel to be measured, and a data acquiring and processing device; wherein the inflation device includes a flow measurement component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chunhai Liu, Zhigao Yin, Hanbao Sun, Debin Tang, Jinqi Lv, Zhipeng Li, Zhihua Zhu, Yongning Wang, Changhai Li
  • Patent number: 10082381
    Abstract: Sensor systems using piezoresistive materials are described that may be integrated with vehicle tires for use in a variety applications such as, for example, tire pressure monitoring, tread wear monitoring, anti-lock braking system control, suspension adjustment and/or control, wheel-drive system control, or road surface determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: BeBop Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. McMillen
  • Patent number: 9983000
    Abstract: A method for determining the thickness of a brake disk of a pneumatic-tired vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle, including the steps of applying an ultrasonic measuring head on the brake disk, without dismounting the wheel associated with the brake disk; and carrying out an ultrasonic measurement for determining the thickness of the brake disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Roger Malmsheimer
  • Patent number: 9884523
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of utilizing a system for monitoring the temperature and/or the pressure of the tires of a vehicle (C) comprising one or more rolling sub-assemblies (100, 200), noteworthy in that it consists in installing on each rolling sub-assembly (100, 200), an additional storage and communication module (300?) comprising: —a data storage means in which are recorded, during a learning phase, the set of unique identifiers and the locations of each measurement and communication pick-up module (300) of said rolling sub-assembly (100, 200), —a means of communication at least with the reception and transmission modules (400) and installed on the rolling sub-assembly, —a means of storing energy for the purposes of powering the communication means, so that said storage and communication module (300?) can retain in memory the set of identifiers and associated locations of the same sub-assembly (100, 200) and can communicate it instantaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: LDL TECHNOLOGY S.A.S.
    Inventor: Thierry Moreau
  • Patent number: 9574966
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for monitoring a condition of a structure using a passive wireless antenna sensor having a known resonant frequency when mounted on the structure. A signal is transmitted with sweeping frequencies around a known resonant frequency to the passive wireless antenna sensor. A signal is received from the passive wireless antenna sensor and a resonant frequency of the passive wireless antenna sensor is determined based on the received signal. The determined resonant frequency is then compared to the known resonant frequency, whereby a change in the resonant frequency indicates a change in the condition of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Haiying Huang, Jung-Chih Chiao, Ronald L. Carter, Uday Shankar Tata
  • Patent number: 9488326
    Abstract: Provided is a lamp configured for both indoor use and outdoor use. The lamp may include several features to protect against conditions encountered during outdoor use, such as wind, precipitation, lack of external power, etc. The lamp also defines an aesthetically pleasing design to provide lighting during upscale outdoor events/celebrations, such as weddings, reunions, holiday events, or a private gathering in a backyard. The functional and aesthetic features of the lamp, such as the lamp's capability of operating independent of a power cord while at the same time defining a stylish appearance, may additionally make the lamp desirable for use in indoor environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Linda Allen
  • Patent number: 9381779
    Abstract: A thermal pressure measurement assembly coupled to a rim of an aircraft wheel. A housing is configured to be fastened to a wheel face. An electronics enclosure is positioned in the housing. Electronics are positioned in the electronics enclosure and configured to process a signal received from a remote sensor that measures tire pressure and temperature. Internal insulation is positioned in an interior of the housing. The internal insulation is configured to reduce the temperature of the electronics sufficiently to permit use of low temperature electronics rated to 125 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: MEGGITT (ORANGE COUNTY), INC.
    Inventor: Gary Thomas Smith
  • Patent number: 9346357
    Abstract: A system for displaying the relative air pressure in an air suspension system for a vehicle comprises an intake line connecting from the air suspension system to a manifold. One or more pressure switches are connected to the manifold. A corresponding light is attached to each of the pressure switches. When the pressure within the manifold reaches preconfigured levels, one of the pressure switches is closed, and a corresponding light is illuminated. The lights are located on the side of the vehicle such that they can be easily seen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Questar Ventures Inc.
    Inventor: Byron Roberts
  • Patent number: 7831346
    Abstract: A method for detecting decompression of tires based on the rotational speed of wheels mounted on a vehicle, comprising the steps of: detecting the rotational speed of each of the above-mentioned wheels, determining the speed against ground of the vehicle, calculating the speed information of a fixed wheel from the rotational speeds of said wheels, calculating the judgment value of the wheel position by comparing the speed information of the wheels with the speed against ground of the vehicle, comparing the judgment value of the wheel position with the basis value of the wheel position obtained by preliminarily comparing the speed against ground of the vehicle with the speed information of the wheels at prescribed inner pressure, and judging decompression of tires based on relation between the comparison value of the basis value with the judgment value and a fixed threshold. A region of judging decompression of tires can be broadened and the accuracy of reduced pressure judgment can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Masashi Kitano
  • Patent number: 7696861
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a wheel identifying apparatus for a vehicle which includes a transmitter, a signal strength determiner, a variation determiner, and a wheel identifier. The transmitter is located on the body of the vehicle and working to transmit a signal during running of the vehicle. The signal strength determiner is located on a wheel of the vehicle away from the rotational axis of the wheel and works to determine strength of the signal thereat. The variation determiner works to determine a variation in the strength of the signal determined by the signal strength determiner. The wheel identifier is configured to identify the wheel as a spare wheel located on the body of the vehicle when the variation determined by the variation determiner is substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Mori, Nobuya Watabe
  • Patent number: 7551992
    Abstract: A method for detecting decompression of tires based on the rotational speed of wheels mounted on a vehicle, comprising the steps of: detecting the rotational speed of each of the above-mentioned wheels, determining the speed against ground of the vehicle, calculating the speed information of a fixed wheel from the rotational speeds of said wheels, calculating the judgment value of the wheel position by comparing the speed information of the wheels with the speed against ground of the vehicle, comparing the judgment value of the wheel position with the basis value of the wheel position obtained by preliminarily comparing the speed against ground of the vehicle with the speed information of the wheels at prescribed inner pressure, and judging decompression of tires based on relation between the comparison value of the basis value with the judgment value and a fixed threshold. A region of judging decompression of tires can be broadened and the accuracy of reduced pressure judgment can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Kitano
  • Patent number: 7528707
    Abstract: A spare tire pressure monitoring system includes a detection mechanism releasably connectable to the valve stem of a spare tire and includes a sensing device for measuring the actual air pressure contained in the spare tire, a selection mechanism for selecting an air pressure desired to be contained in the spare tire, and a transmitter unit for transmitting signals corresponding to the actual air pressure and the desired air pressure; a monitoring unit having a control mechanism, a receiving unit for receiving the signals from the transmitter unit, a display unit for displaying the desired air pressure, a discriminator mechanism for determining the difference between the desired air pressure and the actual air pressure, and an alerting mechanism that is activated when the difference between the desired air pressure and the actual air pressure varies from certain predetermined magnitudes; and an energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: Raymond E. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7417561
    Abstract: An event sensing component includes a housing, wherein the housing includes a first tube that is provided along an entire length of the housing, and a second tube that is provided along the entire length of the housing. The housing also includes a first connector provided at one end of the first tube and configured to couple with a first bypass tube that is attached at another end to another traffic sensing component. The housing further includes a second connector provided at one end of the second tube and configured to couple with a second bypass tube that is attached at another end to the another traffic sensing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Progressive Engineering Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: John W. Reed, Roy Colquitt, Timothy K. Fielder
  • Patent number: 7309141
    Abstract: The invention is a system that provides a means to using passing air to turn on an electronically powered device that is removably attached to an exterior portion of a vehicle as the vehicle travels betweens two locations. The invention is also embodied as a device that provides a means to turn on an incandescent light bulb that illuminates an ornament that is attached to an automobile window using passing air caused a moving automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: ResetOne, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Allan Scott, Denny Pak-kei Wong
  • Patent number: 7298279
    Abstract: An emission prevention system for use on an open-ended line includes an end-cap and a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor is preferably configured to detect a change in the extent of engagement between the end-cap and the open-ended line. A method of monitoring the engagement of the end-cap and the open-ended line includes the steps of measuring the engagement between the end-cap and the open-ended line with a proximity sensor, producing a position signal representative of the engagement between the end-cap and the open-ended line and transmitting the position signal to an operator terminal. A monitoring network may be established by monitoring a plurality of emission prevention systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Williams Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Badon, Klein W. Kirby, Lane M. Stout
  • Patent number: 7022925
    Abstract: An acoustic pulse transfer device according to the invention has one or more carrier segments that can be connected together to transport acoustic pulses through them. Acoustic pulses generated by events in a first segment are transported through a second segment, which may or may not have its own acoustic pulse generator generating acoustic pulses in response to different events. Acoustic pulses generated in the first and second segments are then independently transported through a third segment. Any number of such segments can be connected together. Typically, acoustic pulses are generated by compressing a pneumatic tube in a carrier segment. The pneumatic tube is connected to a substantially non-compressible acoustic pulse carrier tube connected to the segment's pneumatic tube through a trough in a wall separating the pneumatic tube from the acoustic pulse carrier tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Progressive Engineering Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: John W. Reed, Roy Colquitt
  • Patent number: 6870471
    Abstract: A wheel unit (E1, E2, E3, E4) for a system for monitoring the wheels (R1, R2, R3, R4) of a motor vehicle (10) for error states, in particular for incorrect tire inflation pressures comprises that it can be activated by touching a wheel component, in particular with a hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Nikolas Bergerhoff, Martin Fischer
  • Patent number: 6853297
    Abstract: A safety insert comprising a substantially circumferential base intended to come into contact with an adapted wheel rim, a substantially circumferential body intended to support a tread of a tire mounted on the rim during rolling with a pressure capable of causing at least partial flattening of a portion of the tire, and a housing intended to receive a wheel unit, characterized in that the safety insert comprises an aerial which is rigidly connected to the insert and is disposed inside its volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Francis Boulot
  • Patent number: 6745623
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a system for identifying tires of a vehicle, tire pressures of the tires of the vehicle being measured and analysed for the driving-dynamic states of the vehicle with the use of parameters which indicate the driving-dynamic states. Individual tires of the vehicle are unambiguously identified on the basis of the analysis of the measured tire pressures or their variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Lucas Varity GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6633229
    Abstract: A method for allocating identifiers, that are contained in signals issued by transmitters arranged in a tire pressure monitoring system, to the positions of the wheels by transmitting the signals to a receiving and analysis circuit, which analyses the information, contained in the signal, wherein for differentiating between wheels on the right side of the vehicle and wheels on the left side of the vehicle, the sign of a translation acceleration b is determined for each running wheel, the sign of the variation of the centrifugal acceleration z occurring during the translation acceleration b is additionally determined and multiplied by the sign of the translation acceleration b determined for the respective wheel, and the differentiation between wheels on the right side of the vehicle and wheels on the left side of the vehicle is effected by comparing the products of the two signs determined for the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Beru Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Normann, Roland Michal, Ralf Kessler, Andreas Kühnle, Lothar Gunter Schulze
  • Patent number: 6609419
    Abstract: Signal transmission apparatus for use, for example, in a passive sensor system such as an in-vehicle tyre pressure sensing system, comprises transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry coupled together by a coupling, preferably a wireless coupling such as two opposed plate-form antennae. The transmitter circuitry includes a resonator having at least one component whose value influences a natural resonant frequency of the resonator and can be changed in use of the circuitry. The effective value is changed, for example, by a physical parameter being sensed or by a control signal to be transmitted. The receiver circuitry includes a driver section for applying to the resonator an excitation signal having a predetermined excitation frequency that is different from the natural resonant frequency. The transmitter circuitry preferably derives its power supply from the excitation signal via a rectifier circuit. The receiver circuitry detects such a change in the effective value via the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Emtop Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Edmund Bankart, Sarah Catherine Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 6604026
    Abstract: A method and a system for recongnizing both a driving-dynamic state of a vehicle and a surface quality of the carriageway of which the vehicle is moving. The pressures of the tires of the vehicle are measured and evaluated so that conclusions can be draw on both current driving-dynamic states and existing surface qualities of the carriageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Lucas Varity GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6525655
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type tire pressure indicator is fixedly fastened to the air nozzle of a vehicle tire for indicating a low pressure of the tire. A flexible diaphragm is mounted in a receiving chamber in the casing of the tire pressure indicator. A push rod is connected to the flexible diaphragm for being moved up and down with the diaphragm subject to the status of the tire pressure of the vehicle tire. A sleeve is mounted in the receiving chamber and is around the push rod. A spring is sleeved onto the push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Tien-Tsai Huang
  • Patent number: 6486771
    Abstract: A tire pressure and temperature measurement system (100) includes an oxygen sensing subsystem (140) that detects the oxygen concentration in the tire and presents an alarm condition (152) indicative of a potentially hazardous inflation gas mixture. The. oxygen sensing subsystem is mounted on or within the tire and may be implemented standalone or as a part of the temperature and pressure system. A “go no-go” indication is telemetered to the truck operator or to a remote measurement system (80) for monitoring and initiation of corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Fuller Brothers, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Fuller, Melvin M. Priday, Max E. Butz
  • Patent number: 6259361
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system identifies tire locations by recognizing that certain characteristics are unique to front-located tires verses rear-located tires as well as left-side tires and right-side tires. A control circuit is coupled to a temperature sensor and an accelerometer for each tire to receive information processed to discriminate between left and right and front and rear tires, respectively. With this information and a pressure signal, the monitoring system provides the operator with tire location and pressure information without reprogramming upon tire rotation. The system also alerts the operator to run-flat tire operational constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Robillard, Brian S. Honeck, James R. Geschke, Michael J. Suman
  • Patent number: 6194999
    Abstract: The proposed device is fitted on vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires and is used for monitoring tire pressure. The device comprises: a pressure measurement sensor on each of the wheels (2) being monitored; a transmitter mounted next to each pressure measurement sensor which emits signals carrying the pressure data obtained from the pressure measurement sensor, and a receiver for those signals fitted on the vehicle chassis. An antenna (5a, 6a, 7a, 8a) is arranged next to each wheel (2) as the receiver. The antennae are connected to a common receiving and monitoring circuit (15, 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Günter Uhl, Norbert Normann, Gunter Lothar Schulze, Ralph Kessler, Michael Schröttle