Abstract: A pressure equalization valve assembly may include a valve body forming fluid chamber configured to receive pressurized fluid from a fluid pressure source, a first port configured for sealed communication with a first vehicle tire, and a second port configured for sealed communication with a second vehicle tire; a first one-way valve disposed in the valve body between the fluid chamber and the first port so as to allow one-way fluid communication from the fluid chamber to the first port when the first one-way valve opens; a second one-way valve disposed in the valve body between the fluid chamber and the second port so as to allow one-way fluid communication from the fluid chamber to the second port when the second one-way valve opens; and a two-way valve disposed in the valve body between the first port and the second port so as to allow two-way fluid communication between the first port and the second port when the two-way valve opens.

Abstract: A steer axle spindle may have one or more channels formed therein. A rotary union may be mounted to a steer axle wheel end assembly. The rotary union may be sealingly connected to a pressurized fluid source through the channel, and sealingly connected to a vehicle tire.

Abstract: A rotary union for a tire inflation system may comprise a stator and a rotor assembly, and may be contained entirely within the space formed by a hubcap and wheel end. The rotor assembly may be mounted to the interior of a hubcap. The rotor assembly may comprise a tube that extends into the stator. The tube may be sealed in the rotor assembly by a first annular seal, and may be sealed in the stator by a second annular seal.

Abstract: A steer axle spindle may have one or more channels formed therein. A rotary union may be mounted to a steer axle wheel end assembly. The rotary union may be sealingly connected to a pressurized fluid source through the channel, and sealingly connected to a vehicle tire.

Abstract: A rotary union having a housing, a shaft rotatably disposed within the housing, and a tube having a first end sealingly disposed within the shaft and a second end sealingly coupled to the housing. A tire inflation system may comprise a rotary union externally mounted to a vehicle wheel end or mounted to a vehicle fairing.

Abstract: A steer axle spindle may have one or more channels formed therein. A rotary union may be mounted to a steer axle wheel end assembly. The rotary union may be sealingly connected to a pressurized fluid source through the channel, and sealingly connected to a vehicle tire.

Abstract: A tire pressure management system for a truck or trailer having a first tire and a second tire, an air pressure supply sealingly connected to the first tire and to the second tire for communication of pressurized air therebetween, and an electronic pressure regulator configured to receive a signal from a load management system and automatically adjust the air pressure setting based on the signal so as to regulate the pressure of air passing from the air pressure supply to the first and second tires.

Abstract: A visual flow indicator provided on a tire inflation system air hose or rotary union housing.

Abstract: A valve assembly may have an inlet configured to receive pressurized fluid, a first port, a diaphragm comprising a first side and an opposing second side, a first one-way valve disposed so as to allow fluid to flow from the inlet to the first side of the diaphragm, and a second one-way valve disposed so as to allow fluid to flow from the inlet to the first port. The first side of the diaphragm may be in fluid communication with the first port and with atmosphere, and the second side may be in fluid communication with the first one-way valve, the diaphragm sealing the first port from the first one-way valve and from atmosphere, such that when fluid pressure in the first port exceeds the fluid pressure at the first valve, the diaphragm may flex to allow fluid to flow from the first port to atmosphere.

Abstract: A tire inflation system for a small trailer may include a fluid pressure source mountable to the trailer, and fluid conduits providing sealed fluid communication between the fluid pressure source and the small trailer's pneumatic tires. The system may further include a fluid connector configured for connection to an external fluid power source.

Abstract: A high temperature warning system for a vehicle steer axle an air pressure supply, a normally-closed valve in fluid communication with pressure supply, a heat sensitive control capable of opening the normally-closed valve upon a predetermined temperature, the heat sensitive control mounted adjacent to the wheel end assembly in a heat exchange relationship therewith, and a warning system connected to the air pressure supply for actuation upon opening of the normally-closed valve.

Abstract: A tire inflation system for a small trailer may include a fluid pressure source mountable to the trailer, and fluid conduits providing sealed fluid communication between the fluid pressure source and the small trailer's pneumatic tires. The system may further include a fluid connector configured for connection to an external fluid power source.

Abstract: A rotary air connection for an automatic tire inflation system having an air pressure source, the rotary air connection comprising a stationary portion and a rotatable portion rotatably mounted to the stationary portion, the rotary air connection having a central channel with a one-way check valve disposed in the central channel so as to allow fluid to flow from the air pressure source in one direction through the central channel but not in the opposite direction toward the air pressure source.

Abstract: A high temperature warning system for a vehicle steer axle an air pressure supply, a normally-closed valve in fluid communication with pressure supply, a heat sensitive control capable of opening the normally-closed valve upon a predetermined temperature, the heat sensitive control mounted adjacent to the wheel end assembly in a heat exchange relationship therewith, and a warning system connected to the air pressure supply for actuation upon opening of the normally-closed valve.

Abstract: A tire inflation system for a small trailer may include a fluid pressure source mountable to the trailer, and fluid conduits providing sealed fluid communication between the fluid pressure source and the small trailer's pneumatic tires. The system may further include a fluid connector configured for connection to an external fluid power source.

Abstract: A tire management system for a truck or trailer having an axle having a first tire mounted thereto, the system having an air pressure supply connected to the tire so as to allow sealed communication of pressurized air between the air pressure supply and the first tire, and a first pilot-operated check valve in sealed fluid communication with the air pressure supply and with the first tire, the first pilot-operated check valve being configured to allow air to flow only from the air pressure supply to the first tire when a pilot of the first pilot check valve is not activated, and to allow air to flow between the first tire and the air pressure supply when the pilot of the first pilot-operated check valve is activated.

Abstract: A valve stem may comprise an auxiliary port. Devices such as an air pressure gauge, a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, temperature gauges and one-way valves may be mounted to the auxiliary port. A valve stem with auxiliary port may be used in an automatic tire inflation system. A sleeve may be translatably mounted to the valve stem to cover and uncover the auxiliary port.

Abstract: An automatic tire inflation system or wheel end assembly may be provided with a pressure reduction valve to allow rapid deflation of a tire. A method of rapidly reducing tire pressure may include use of a pressure reduction valve.

Abstract: A high temperature warning system for a vehicle steer axle an air pressure supply, a normally-closed valve in fluid communication with pressure supply, a heat sensitive control capable of opening the normally-closed valve upon a predetermined temperature, the heat sensitive control mounted adjacent to the wheel end assembly in a heat exchange relationship therewith, and a warning system connected to the air pressure supply for actuation upon opening of the normally-closed valve.