Abstract: A tire pressure management system includes at least an axle enclosing a pressurized fluid, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, a rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap, the rotary union includes at least, a fluid conduit having upstream and downstream ends, a first bearing and a second bearing, the first bearing in pressing engagement with the fluid conduit and adjacent the downstream end of said fluid conduit, the second bearing in pressing engagement with the fluid conduit and adjacent the upstream end of said fluid conduit, and a first and second seal, the first seal is disposed between the first bearing and the downstream end of the fluid conduit, and the second seal is disposed between the second bearing and the upstream end of the fluid conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering air through a powered axle assembly for use in automatic tire inflation systems. The apparatus comprises a base attachable to a non-rotating structure within the axle assembly and having the drive axle extend therethrough. A rotor is mountable in the axle assembly for rotation with the drive axle and for forming an air chamber between the rotor and the base and extending about the drive axle. An annular sealing member in sealing engagement with the rotor and the base is disposed within the air chamber and is rotatable with the rotor and with respect to the base. The base includes at least one air inlet for delivering air in a radial direction into the air chamber and the rotor includes at least one air outlet for air flow out of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering air through a powered axle assembly for use in automatic tire inflation systems. The apparatus comprises a base attachable to a non-rotating structure within the axle assembly and having the drive axle extend therethrough. A rotor is mountable in the axle assembly for rotation with the drive axle and for forming an air chamber between the rotor and the base and extending about the drive axle. An annular sealing member in sealing engagement with the rotor and the base is disposed within the air chamber and is rotatable with the rotor and with respect to the base. The base includes at least one air inlet for delivering air in a radial direction into the air chamber and the rotor includes at least one air outlet for air flow out of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering air through a powered axle assembly for use in automatic tire inflation systems. The apparatus comprises a base attachable to a non-rotating structure within the axle assembly and having the drive axle extend therethrough. A rotor is mountable in the axle assembly for rotation with the drive axle and for forming an air chamber between the rotor and the base and extending about the drive axle. An annular sealing member in sealing engagement with the rotor and the base is disposed within the air chamber and is rotatable with the rotor and with respect to the base. The base includes at least one air inlet for delivering air in a radial direction into the air chamber and the rotor includes at least one air outlet for air flow out of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering air through a powered axle assembly for use in automatic tire inflation systems. The apparatus comprises a base attachable to a non-rotating structure within the axle assembly and having the drive axle extend therethrough. A rotor is mountable in the axle assembly for rotation with the drive axle and for forming an air chamber between the rotor and the base and extending about the drive axle. An annular sealing member in sealing engagement with the rotor and the base is disposed within the air chamber and is rotatable with the rotor and with respect to the base. The base includes at least one air inlet for delivering air in a radial direction into the air chamber and the rotor includes at least one air outlet for air flow out of the chamber.

Abstract: A fluid-tight flexural joint for enabling a first portion of a rigid fluid flow conduit to flex with respect to a second portion thereof to accommodate off-axis conduit connections. The joint includes a knuckle adjacent to one end of a first conduit portion and defining a fluid flow channel extending therethrough in axial alignment and fluid communication with the first conduit portion. A knuckle housing threadably engages an end portion of a second conduit portion and is in fluid communication with the second conduit portion and disposed about and in sealing engagement with the knuckle so as to define a continuous fluid passageway extending through the first and second conduit portions and the knuckle whereby the first and second conduit portions are coupled together in a flexible fluid-tight sealing engagement and the first portion of the conduit can flex with respect to the second portion thereof.