Abstract: An assembly for a central tire inflation system includes a first housing having a first end and a hose member provided in the first end. A valve assembly is in fluid communication with the hose member via the first housing. The valve assembly includes a second housing and a valve positioned within the second housing. The second housing includes a base portion which comprises a lower wall portion. The valve is biased towards the lower wall portion by a biasing member to open the valve assembly.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a central tire inflation system is provided. The valve assembly includes a first housing having a first port connected to a second port via a cavity. The second port is in fluid communication with a wheel assembly. A biasing member is disposed in the cavity adjacent a first perforation formed in the first housing. A valve member is contacted by the biasing member. The valve member includes a first frustoconical portion having a continuous outer surface connected to a second portion having a continuous outer surface, a first end connected to the second portion and a second end connected to the first frustoconical portion wherein the continuous outer surfaces of the first frustoconical portion and the second portion allow a pressurized fluid to flow between the housing and the outer surfaces of the valve member.

Abstract: A rotary joint assembly including a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes an annular body and a pair of annular sealing members. Each annular sealing member of the pair of annular sealing members is attached to a side of the annular body. An air passageway is formed in the annular body. The rotary joint assembly also includes a non-rotating portion. The non-rotating portion has a non-rotating portion air passageway formed therein. The non-rotating portion air passageway is in fluid communication with the air passageway formed in the annular body. A pair of annular air seal members are provided between the rotating portion and the non-rotating portion. Each annular air seal member of the pair of annular air seal members contacts a sealing surface of one of the annular seal members to provide a seal around an interface between the air passageway formed in the annular body and the non-rotating portion air passageway.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a tire inflation system includes a hub configured to hold a wheel assembly. The hub has a hub conduit formed therethrough. The hub conduit has an inlet formed in an inner surface of the hub and an outlet formed adjacent an outboard end of the hub. A vent is formed in the hub. The vent includes one or more vent conduits which extend from the inner surface to an outer surface of the hub.

Abstract: An exhaust stem for use with a valve assembly is provided. The exhaust stem is a hollow body which comprises an inner surface, a distal end, and an outer surface. The inner surface forms a portion of a fluid conduit through the exhaust stem. The distal end is shaped to sealingly engage a valve of the valve assembly. The outer surface defines a plurality of turbulence reducing protuberances. The plurality of turbulence reducing protuberances distributes a fluid within a valve housing of the valve assembly to facilitate operation of the valve assembly. The valve assembly decreases an amount of fluid turbulence in a tire inflation system, provides greater flexibility in configuring the tire inflation system, and facilitates accurate control of a pressure within individual tires of a vehicle.

Abstract: A rotary joint assembly including a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes an annular body and a pair of annular sealing members. Each annular sealing member of the pair of annular sealing members is attached to a side of the annular body. An air passageway is formed in the annular body. The rotary joint assembly also includes a non-rotating portion. The non-rotating portion has a non-rotating portion air passageway formed therein. The non-rotating portion air passageway is in fluid communication with the air passageway formed in the annular body. A pair of annular air seal members are provided between the rotating portion and the non-rotating portion. Each annular air seal member of the pair of annular air seal members contacts a sealing surface of one of the annular seal members to provide a seal around an interface between the air passageway formed in the annular body and the non-rotating portion air passageway.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing. The hub is disposed adjacent the sealing ring and has a conduit formed therethrough which is in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a fastener engaged with the hub. The tire inflation system also includes an inner rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub and an outer rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The conduit formed through the hub is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the hub and the axle housing and outboard of the outer rotary seal.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a base portion and a cap portion attached to the base portion. The valve assembly also includes a biasing member disposed between the base portion and the cap portion. The biasing member is adjacent a perforation formed in the cap portion. A shuttle assembly is in contact with the biasing member. The shuttle assembly includes a shuttle and a plug member. The plug member is attached to the shuttle.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing. The hub is disposed adjacent the sealing ring and has a conduit formed therethrough which is in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a fastener engaged with the hub. The tire inflation system also includes an inner rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub and an outer rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The conduit formed through the hub is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the hub and the axle housing and outboard of the outer rotary seal.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a central tire inflation system is provided. The valve assembly includes a first housing having a first port connected to a second port via a cavity. The second port is in fluid communication with a wheel assembly. A biasing member is disposed in the cavity adjacent a first perforation formed in the first housing. A valve member is contacted by the biasing member. The valve member includes a first frustoconical portion having a continuous outer surface connected to a second portion having a continuous outer surface, a first end connected to the second portion and a second end connected to the first frustoconical portion wherein the continuous outer surfaces of the first frustoconical portion and the second portion allow a pressurized fluid to flow between the housing and the outer surfaces of the valve member.

Abstract: An assembly for a central tire inflation system includes a first housing having a first end and a hose member provided in the first end. A valve assembly is in fluid communication with the hose member via the first housing. The valve assembly includes a second housing and a valve positioned within the second housing. The second housing includes a base portion which comprises a lower wall portion. The valve is biased towards the lower wall portion by a biasing member to open the valve assembly.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing. The hub is disposed adjacent the sealing ring and has a conduit formed therethrough which is in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a fastener engaged with the hub. The tire inflation system also includes an inner rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub and an outer rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The conduit formed through the hub is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the hub and the axle housing and outboard of the outer rotary seal.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a central tire inflation system is provided. The valve assembly includes a first housing having a first port connected to a second port via a cavity. The second port is in fluid communication with a wheel assembly. A biasing member is disposed in the cavity adjacent a first perforation formed in the first housing. A valve member is contacted by the biasing member. The valve member includes a first portion having an outer surface which is unbroken adjacent an end to allow a pressurized fluid to flow around it. The first portion reduces in diameter toward the end.

Abstract: A method for decreasing tire pressure includes providing a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is provided in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position and includes an area having a first flow capacity. A variable area valve assembly is provided and is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The variable area 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. A target tire pressure is selected. If a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is greater than the target tire pressure, then the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is decreased.

Abstract: An exhaust stem for use with a valve assembly is provided. The exhaust stem is a hollow body which comprises an inner surface, a distal end, and an outer surface. The inner surface forms a portion of a fluid conduit through the exhaust stem. The distal end is shaped to sealingly engage a valve of the valve assembly. The outer surface defines a plurality of turbulence reducing protuberances. The plurality of turbulence reducing protuberances distributes a fluid within a valve housing of the valve assembly to facilitate operation of the valve assembly. The valve assembly decreases an amount of fluid turbulence in a tire inflation system, provides greater flexibility in configuring the tire inflation system, and facilitates accurate control of a pressure within individual tires of a vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly includes a rotary joint spindle and a rotary joint body rotatably disposed on and in fluid communication with the rotary joint spindle. The rotary joint body is housed by a hub cap and provided adjacent an end of a spindle. A pressure relief valve is disposed between the hub cap and the rotary joint body. The pressure relief valve selectively provides a seal between the hub cap and the rotary joint body.

Abstract: A method for decreasing tire pressure includes providing a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is provided in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position and includes an area having a first flow capacity. A variable area valve assembly is provided and is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The variable area 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. A target tire pressure is selected. If a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is greater than the target tire pressure, then the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is decreased.

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.

Abstract: A tire inflation system for a vehicle includes an axle spindle having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, a sleeve having a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface, an inboard end portion and an outboard end portion with a flared end. A cavity is located between the radially inner surface of the axle spindle and the radially outer surface of the sleeve. The cavity being in fluid communication on an inboard end portion with a first rotary seal and in communication on an outboard end portion with a second rotary seal, wherein the flared end of the sleeve closes the cavity on the outboard end portion.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a base portion and a cap portion attached to the base portion. The valve assembly also includes a biasing member disposed between the base portion and the cap portion. The biasing member is adjacent a perforation formed in the cap portion. A shuttle assembly is in contact with the biasing member. The shuttle assembly includes a shuttle and a plug member. The plug member is attached to the shuttle.