Abstract: A spectrophotometer includes an electronics compartment having disposed within, at least one light source, and at least one optical detector. A testing compartment has disposed within, an optical block having at least one fluid connection port, and a first light pipe optically coupled between the at least one light source and the optical block. A second light pipe is optically coupled between the optical block and the at least one optical detector. The testing compartment is adapted to perform spectrophotometry of a fluid sample disposed within a sample container in the optical block, and the electronics compartment is electrically isolated from the testing compartment. A spectrophotometer for use in an explosive atmosphere and a method of measuring a presence or concentration of an organic or inorganic compound in a fluid in an explosive atmosphere are also described.

Abstract: A device includes a computing unit connectable to a Raman spectrometer, refractometer, and database. Data sets represent fluids, active substances and/or active substance combinations. The device can subject a fluid, active substance, or active substance combination to a Raman spectroscopic measurement. The computing unit can identify the fluid, active substance, or active substance combination as Raman active or Raman inactive. The device can also subject the fluid, active substance, or active substance combination to a refractive index measurement. The computing unit can compare the second result with the first result to obtain a final result in the event of a detected Raman activity, and adopt the second result as the final result in the event of a detected Raman inactivity. The computing unit can compare the final result with the data sets to identify an incorrect/unintended fluid, active substance, or active substance combination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle wheel for commercial vehicles, comprising a 15° tapered rim for tubeless tires and a wheel disk connected to the tapered rim, wherein the tapered rim has a rim drop center, an outer rim shoulder, and a cylindrical transition part (ledge) which is arranged between the rim drop center and the outer rim shoulder, and wherein, between the cylindrical transition portion and the outer rim shoulder, a rim section having a transition bevel (transition segment) is located, in which a valve port for receiving the valve is provided. According to the invention, the transition bevel which is formed between the cylindrical transition portion and the outer rim shoulder is subdivided into more than one section, wherein the transition bevel or the transition segment transitions directly, without hump, into the outer rim shoulder, and the valve port is arranged in one of the sections of the transition bevel or of the transition segment.

Abstract: The present invention is a valve for use in a central tire inflation system including a casing securable to the rim of a vehicle in communication with the tire that houses a main body connectable to a pressurized fluid supply of the central tire inflation system, and a valve member moveable within the main body to control the flow of air through the valve. The valve can be mounted flush on the exterior surface of the rim or in a recessed position within the rim, and can be connected to a manifold that is able to control the flow of pressurized fluid from the central tire inflation system to each valve and tire connected to the valve. The operation of the manifold and pressurized fluid supply can be controlled utilizing a controller operably connected to the manifold and fluid supply, and to sensing devices that supply information regarding the operational conditions of the vehicle to the controller to assist in adjusting the inflation of the tires as necessary.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for managing an interface between a machine or work vehicle and a surface that the machine/work vehicle travels on in order to provide an optimum work performance level that balances fuel efficiency and surface adversity. Fleet management and reporting capabilities pertaining to such interface management are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring and adjusting the air pressure in a rotating wheel in air-tight connection with a non-rotating axle, a hub comprising dynamic and static seals, quick release axle adapters and a quick release axle comprising a quick release hollow axle handle, a quick release hollow axle tensioner, a quick release hollow axle outer circumference, a quick release hollow axle passageway in fluid communication with a quick release hollow axle interior, a quick release hollow axle outer threads, and a quick release hollow axle air-port in fluid communication with the quick release hollow axle interior. Some embodiments further comprise an axle sheath.

Abstract: A wheel rim device includes a rim member having a bridge extending between two side walls, and a valve device having a valve stem engaged with the bridge and having a sealing member attached to the valve stem for engaging with the bridge and for anchoring the valve stem to the bridge of the rim member and for making an air tight seal between the valve stem and the rim member, and the sealing member includes a casing engaged onto the valve stem and engaged in the space of the bridge and engaged between the valve stem and the bridge for making the air tight seal between the valve stem and the rim member.

Abstract: A wheel bearing arrangement, in particular wheel bearing arrangement for utility vehicles, comprising a hollow body unit, a securing unit and a stator unit, wherein the hollow body unit has a maximum extent in an axial direction, a pressure space extending substantially in the axial direction, and an end section, wherein the securing unit is secured to the end section, wherein the stator unit is secured to the securing unit, and wherein the stator unit has attachment and sealing means, by means of which a rotor unit can be made to bear against the wheel bearing arrangement in a way which is air-tight and rotatable relative to the stator unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a valve for use in a central tire inflation system including a casing securable to the rim of a vehicle in communication with the tire that houses a main body connectable to a pressurized fluid supply of the central tire inflation system, and a valve member moveable within the main body to control the flow of air through the valve. The valve can be mounted flush on the exterior surface of the rim or in a recessed position within the rim, and can be connected to a manifold that is able to control the flow of pressurized fluid from the central tire inflation system to each valve and tire connected to the valve. The operation of the manifold and pressurized fluid supply can be controlled utilizing a controller operably connected to the manifold and fluid supply.

Abstract: In this invention ballistic resistant materials are integrated into a wheel for protection of the Tire Bead Bundle, protection of hardware, and protection of hub components. The Tire Bead Bundle can be protected by supplementing the existing rim flange with ballistic resistant material and/or by placing such material between the flange and the bead bundle. Further, for protection of hardware (including Manual Inflation or CTI Valves), ballistic resistant material can be incorporated over or on wheel hardware. Finally, ballistic resistant materials can be incorporated over or on the wheel hub diameter to reduce the risk of damage due to ballistic attacks.

Abstract: In an automotive wheel, a well recessed portion that is recessed in the back-side direction along a well bottom portion forming a well of a wheel rim is formed at a portion of a back-side well wall portion of the well opposite a valve hole. Thus, vibration generated by the centrifugal force of an air valve with a pneumatic pressure detection device while an automobile is running can be suppressed by the effect due to the shape of the well recessed portion, and the operation stability, the riding comfort, and so forth of the automobile can be improved. In another automotive wheel, a well recessed portion that is recessed in the surface-side direction along a well bottom portion forming a well of a wheel rim is formed at a portion of a surface-side well wall portion forming the well at which a valve hole is formed such that a surface-side portion of a pneumatic pressure detection device of an air valve with a pneumatic pressure detection device is fitted in the well recessed portion.

Abstract: Wheel assemblies and valves for use with central tire inflation systems are provided. A wheel assembly may include a wheel having a rim and a wall extending radially inwardly from the rim. The wall may include an inboard side and an outboard side, and a central opening therethrough. The wheel may include a wheel duct for communicating pressurized fluid to a tire. A valve may be secured to the wheel wall. The valve may include an inboard side and an outboard side. The valve may include a hub interface adapted to extend from its inboard side. The hub interface may be adapted to extend around the wheel wall. The valve may include an inlet duct opening on the hub interface to communicate with a duct in a wheel hub on which the wheel is mounted. The valve may also include an outlet duct configured to communicate with the wheel duct.

Abstract: A device for selectively connecting a tire to a pneumatic unit of an aircraft, the tire forming part of a wheel mounted to rotate on a hollow axle of the aircraft, the device comprising a stator and a rotor that is mounted to rotate relative to the stator and that includes means enabling it to be rotated by the wheel. The stator is bell-shaped and is designed to be received as a push-fit in the axle, and includes an end wall carrying a first pneumatic port for connection to the pneumatic unit via a tube running along the inside of the axle, the rotor extending substantially inside the stator.

Abstract: The present invention is a wheel assembly having a rim with a valve aperture extending therethrough that is designed to receive a valve having a simplified a construction that can be seated directly within a tire wheel assembly to minimize the number and type of components necessary for the valve. The valve includes a main body that is positionable in a sealed and recessed or embedded configuration within the aperture in the wheel rim in communication with the interior of the tire and with a pressurized air source that is used to inflate or deflate the tire. The main body encloses a valve mechanism that includes a components situated within the main body in a manner that enables the parts to be easily removed, cleaned and/or replaced if necessary without having to remove the entire valve assembly from the wheel.

Abstract: Inflation valve (330; 430) configured for use in a tyre (10)—wheel (20)—assembly, the wheel comprising a mounting rim for the tyre provided with a valve hole of diameter DT, the valve comprising: (i) a deformable valve base (335; 435) designed to fix the valve in the said valve hole in a leakproof manner, the valve base being provided with a peripheral groove (36) of diameter DR, DR being larger than DT, and of width E, designed to fit over the edge (21) of the valve hole; (ii) a rigid, rectilinear tube (33) of circular cross-section, a first end of which is configured to remain outside the tyre and a second end of which is provided with means to enable connection with a unit (40) configured to be fitted inside the tyre, the tube passing through the valve base and extending on either side of the valve base, the inflation valve comprising in the part thereof located between a first plane (71) which is perpendicular to the axis of the tube and intersects the said peripheral groove half-way along, and a second p

Abstract: A chamber (1) that works as a peristaltic pump for the pressure correction in the tire (4), which is a part of the tire (4) or of an ancillary structure (6) placed between the rim (7) and the tire bead (4) and is connected with the tire (4) internal space at one end and with the external environment at the other end. The chamber (1) is in the shape of a curved hollow channel, where at least one enclosing wall is at least partially formed by at least a pair of surfaces (10) coplanar with the longitudinal direction of the chamber (1). When the tire is mounted on the rim, the pair of surfaces (10) are pressed together thus hermetically closing the chamber (1). When the chamber (1) is closed during rotation of the wheel, the surfaces (10) can slightly slide on one another taking internal wall tensions onto themselves thus decreasing the possibility of wall damage through ripping. A method of producing the chamber (1) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating speed of a vehicle having a plurality of wheels includes a wheel speed sensor coupled to each of the wheels for providing a first vehicle speed based on an average tire size associated with the plurality of wheels. A GPS sensor provides a second vehicle speed based on a change in position of the vehicle over a predetermined period of time. A control module automatically calibrates the speed of the vehicle based on a comparison of the first and second vehicle speeds.

Abstract: A rim (5) for a bicycle wheel having a body (20) with a substantially annular extension with a radially outer portion (22) shaped for coupling with a tire is disclosed. The radially outer portion (22) has a hole (39) for an inflation valve. The radially outer portion (22) also includes, at the hole (39) and/or in an area proximal to the hole (39), at least one cross section having a different shape from that at an area distal from the hole, so as to form at least one second surface discontinuity (35) along the annular extension of the radially outer portion (22). The second discontinuity (35) makes it easier to assemble to wheel and allows an optimal coupling to be made between the rim (5), inflation valve, and tire, in the case of a tubeless wheel, and between rim (5), air chamber and tire, in the case of a wheel with an air chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire valve (10) comprising a valve body (11) which penetrates a bore (21) of a rim (20), particularly a vehicle rim, embodies a bottom valve body section (13) that is disposed on one side (23) of the rim (20), particularly in the interior of the rim, in the mounted state as well as a top valve body section (15) that protrudes from the rim bore (21), and is configured so as to cooperate with a cap nut (17) in the area of the top valve body section (15). The bottom valve body section (13) forms a stop collar (19) which is used as an abutment for a flat peripheral section (27) of the rim bore (21) and widens the bottom valve body section (13) relative to the top valve body section (15) beyond an internal width of the rim bore (21). The peripheral section (27) of the rim bore (21) can be braced against said stop collar (19) by tightening the cap nut (17).

Abstract: It is to solve problems in a safety tire in which hollow particles also referred to as the foamable compositions are filled in the hollow ring-shaped partition wall and to provide a safety tire having a partition wall structure capable of sufficiently developing the function of the hollow particles. In a safety tire comprising a tire/approved rim assembly constructed by assembling the tire onto the approved rim, a hollow ring-shaped partition wall disposed inside the assembly to define a chamber extending in a circumferential direction along the rim, and thermally expandable hollow particles filled in the chamber and each consisting of a continuous phase of a resin and a closed cell(s), wherein the partition wall is provided with a filter selectively passing only a gas emitted when the hollow particles are thermally expanded.

Abstract: A combination wheel and valve assembly has a plurality of spokes each having at least one aperture through a rim-end thereof. A rim has an inner surface and a spoke mating element opposite the inner surface. A plurality of through-holes extend through the spoke mating element of the rim. A plurality of bolts are shaped to fit through the aperture of the rim-end of each of the spokes, and into one of the plurality of through-holes of the spoke mating element, to fasten each spoke to the rim. A conduit extends through the inner surface of the rim to one of the through-holes of the rim, such that a valve assembly can extend through the aperture of one of the spokes and engage the through-hole having the conduit, thereby enabling fluid flow through the valve assembly and the conduit to the inner surface of the rim.

Abstract: A dual-wheel valve stem stabilizing clip (20) that is used for immobilizing a reverse-mounted valve (40) mounted on dual truck wheels (28). The clip consists of pair of U-shaped spring brackets (22), with each including an S-shaped outer distal end (24). The brackets are positioned on top of each other with the outer distal ends at opposite extremities. A number of adjustment holes (26) in each bracket align together to permit a variation in overall length. A spring doubler shim (32) that is configured in a U-shape and is sandwiched on top of each spring bracket to provide additional rigidity to the spring brackets. A valve stem cushion (38) is compressed within brackets and shims and receives and secures the valve on an inner wheel of dual truck wheels. Threaded fasteners attach the brackets and shims together to form a clip capable of being manually bent in an arc shape and snapped into a hand hole (30) of an outer truck wheel rim in order to stabilize the valve stem installed on an inner truck wheel rim.

Abstract: The three piece automobile wheel is provided with an inner rim, an outer rim, and a center disc. The center disc is attached to a flange section of the inner rim and outer rim. A trough is established in the inner rim between the flange section and rim flange. The outer side-wall of the trough nearest the flange section is disposed off the rim center-plane towards the center disc, a valve opening passes through the outer side-wall for valve attachment, and the configuration allows the valve base to be disposed inside the trough. The center disc is provided with a through-hole region to expose the valve stem to the outside.

Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel with tubeless tire comprises a radially inner peripheral wall, a radially outer peripheral wall, two circumferential side walls which connect the inner and outer peripheral walls and form two ribs which extend beyond the outer peripheral wall, for anchorage of a tubeless tire. The inner and outer peripheral walls have two holes facing one another, within which an intermediate tubular element is mounted, connected to which is a valve body of a standard type normally used for bicycle wheels provided with inner tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with mounted spare tires is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a valve stem extender and a bracket for holding the valve stem extender in place. The bracket can be designed in one of two different embodiments, depending on the desired use. The present invention would be useful to allow a user to inflate a spare tire or check the air pressure of a spare tire when the spare tire would be difficult to reach, especially on trucks, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, where many times the spare tire is mounted underneath or in a container that is difficult to open.

Abstract: A rotary pneumatic coupling (25) is disclosed, in which the vehicle axle (19) is used as a support for the installation piping. The coupling shaft (49) has an end formed as a nozzle projecting towards the wheel plane and arranged as an axial extension of the vehicle axle end. The shaft is rotatably and slideably supported by a pair of ball bearings (47) inside a block (35-37) secured to the wheel hub cap (39). The internal shaft conduit (51) leads to a chamber (45) having ports for connection to the tires after passing through the respective chamber valve. The shaft abuts against an axially movable plug (57) closing the chamber and having an axial hole as an extension of that conduit. An axial shift of the shaft relative to the plug opens the chamber to a vent port (65). This situation causes a status indicator light (27) to light up in the panel of a control module provided in the trailer within the field of view of the rear-view mirror (33).

Abstract: A bicycle may have a combination comprising a wheel and a rim with a hole in the rim, an inner tube with a valve stem in the hole in the rim, and a tire. If the air pressure is low in the inner tube and the bicycle is ridden with the wheel rotating, the valve stem and the wheel may move with respect to each other. The valve stem is in the opening in the rim. With the low air pressure in the inner tube, the inner tube may slip or move with respect to the rim. The slippage or moving places a stress on the valve stem with the possibility of damaging the inner tube and valve stem and causing the air leak as the valve stem is not definitely positioned. The subject invention is a decorative stabilizing device for definitely positioning the valve stem with respect to the rim and lessening the possibility of causing an air leak in the bicycle inner tube.

Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel with tubeless tire comprises a radially inner peripheral wall, a radially outer peripheral wall, two circumferential side walls which connect the inner and outer peripheral walls and form two ribs which extend beyond the outer peripheral wall, for anchorage of a tubeless tire. The inner and outer peripheral walls have two holes facing one another, within which an intermediate tubular element is mounted, connected to which is a valve body of a standard type normally used for bicycle wheels provided with inner tubes.

Abstract: A Wheel Spoke Adjuster Guard that comprises a visually pleasing outer shape with an internal cavity, where the internal cavity has a lower portion shaped complimentary to the wheel adjuster nuts on the wheel spokes of either motorcycles, bicycles, or other motor conveyances using spoked wheels. The upper portion of the internal cavity has a shape complimentary to the existing diameters of the spokes of the wheel assemblies. The adjuster guard has a means to lock the Wheel Spoke Adjuster Guard onto the wheel spoke, preventing any unwanted motion.

Abstract: A bicycle may have a combination comprising a wheel and a rim with a hole in the rim, an inner tube with a valve stem in the hole in the rim, and a tire. If the air pressure is low in the inner tube and the bicycle is ridden with the wheel rotating, the valve stem and the wheel may move with respect to each other. The valve stem is in the opening in the rim. With the low air pressure in the inner tube, the inner tube may slip or move with respect to the rim. The slippage or moving places a stress on the valve stem with the possibility of damaging the inner tube and valve stem and causing the air leak as the valve stem is not definitely positioned. The subject invention is a decorative stabilizing device for definitely positioning the valve stem with respect to the rim and lessening the possibility of causing an air leak in the bicycle inner tube.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle wheel with valve emerging outside the wheel disk and having a safety element on the outside of the rim, the safety element consisting of a cylindrical wall of axial width p, so that, &PHgr; being the standard diameter of the wheel, there is the relationship: 10≦p/&PHgr;×1000≦35.

Abstract: A device to fill or deflate a tire of a vehicle, such as a tractor, is arranged on the wheel rim of a wheel. The device includes a housing 14 with a second connecting port 11 to connect to a first connecting port 10. An inner member 21 is supported in the housing 14. The inner member 21 and housing 14 are both rotatable relative towards each other. The inner member 21 has a third connecting port 29 to connect to a connection 31, 32, which leads to the pressure supply. A control valve 9 is provided and coupled with the second connecting port. An annular chamber 25 is connected to the second connecting port 11 and the third connecting port 29. The annular chamber 25 is formed between the housing and the inner member 21. Two seals 26 are provided between the housing 14 and the inner member 21. The seal 26 laterally closes off the annular chamber 25.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle wheel with valve emerging outside the wheel disk and having a safety element on the outside of the rim, the safety element consisting of a cylindrical wall of axial width p, so that, &PHgr; being the standard diameter of the wheel, there is the relationship: