Inflating Devices Patents (Class 152/415)
  • Patent number: 11891141
    Abstract: A knuckle for a heavy-duty vehicle self-steering axle/suspension system that includes integrally formed structure for mounting components of a drum brake system. The knuckle includes a spindle that is welded directly to the knuckle and a discrete tie rod arm bolted to the knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jay D. White, David L. Schaeffer, Dhawal P. Dharaiya
  • Patent number: 11707949
    Abstract: A tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle having a source of fluid pressure, a tire and wheel assembly, and a fluid path. The fluid path includes at least one conduit, a first valve, and a flow detection structure. The conduit provides fluid communication from the source of fluid pressure to the tire and wheel assembly. The first valve is disposed along the fluid path. The flow detection structure is disposed along the fluid path and is arranged in parallel to the first valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Morris, Jesse W. Cervantez
  • Patent number: 11680382
    Abstract: A stability control system identifies an actionable condition, such as instability, in an off-road mobile machine, based upon an in-rubber tire sensor. A remedial action is identified, and a control signal is generated to control the mobile machine to take the remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Cherney, Michael G. Kean
  • Patent number: 11673433
    Abstract: The vehicle tire inflation system comprises an air jacket and an air hose. The air jacket may reside within a wheel of a vehicle and may be mounted to the inside of a rim of the wheel. The air jacket may determine that a tire of the wheel has at least partially deflated by sensing that tire pressure within the wheel has dropped below a first pressure threshold. The air jacket may release compressed air within the wheel until the air jacket senses that the tire pressure has reached a second pressure threshold such that the tire may be reinflated. The air hose may be configured to couple the air jacket to a tire pressure monitoring system such that the air jacket has access to an external air supply located outside of the wheel via the tire pressure monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Jeff Choizi
  • Patent number: 11655053
    Abstract: A method determines an inflation pressure expected in an aircraft tire provided with a pressure and temperature sensor. Also disclosed is a method for assistance in the maintenance for an aircraft tire and also a portable electronic device intended for assistance in the maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, SAFRAN, SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS, SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventors: Michael Arnoux, Eric Carin Neba
  • Patent number: 11578972
    Abstract: A tire-side device is attached to a tire included in a vehicle and applied to a tire apparatus for estimating a condition of a road surface on which the vehicle travels. The tire-side device includes: a vibration detector outputting a detection signal according to a level of vibration of the tire; a controller having a feature quantity extraction device extracting a feature quantity of the detection signal in one rotation of the tire; and a transmitter transmitting road surface data including the feature quantity extracted by the feature quantity extraction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro Suzuki, Takatoshi Sekizawa, Masashi Mori
  • Patent number: 11427039
    Abstract: A method for adapting a tire inflation pressure of an agricultural vehicle includes ascertaining a current vehicle position by a navigation system, correlating the current vehicle position by a control unit with a cartographically captured field boundary, detecting a travel-induced entry into a cultivation region surrounded by a field boundary, and selecting a set tire inflation pressure designated for field cultivation from a database by the control unit. The method further includes applying the selected set tire inflation pressure to at least one tire of the agricultural vehicle by a tire-pressure regulating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Florian Schott, Bernd Baum
  • Patent number: 11376898
    Abstract: An air inflation system is provided for a vehicle including an axle that supports a wheel and an air supply structure. The air inflation system includes a rotary coupler having a tubular member for communicating with the air supply, a sleeve member connected to an end portion of the tubular member, a bearing receiving the sleeve member, a housing body having a passageway therethrough, wherein the tubular member is received in the passageway, and a housing cap attached to the housing body, wherein the housing cap is provided for communicating with at least one air connection element in communication with the wheel. A first seal for sealing an area between the tubular member and the housing body, and a second seal for sealing an area between the housing body and the housing cap are included. The rotary coupler is provided for supplying air from the air supply to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Globetech Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Begley, Paul Dean Nelson
  • Patent number: 11345196
    Abstract: A tire valve assembly is disclosed. The tire valve assembly includes a gas nozzle structure, a movable rod, an air pipe, an elastic close contact pad, a screw nut, an elastic O-ring and a dust cap. The tire valve assembly can use a punched hole on the end of the movable rod to receive the tire repair liquid flowing into the air pipe. Take out the movable rod during maintenance to remove the tire repair liquid in the punched hole. When the movable rod is reinstalled in the air pipe, the tire repair liquid remaining on the inner wall of the air pipe will also be squeezed out of the air pipe. With this, the tire repair liquid will no longer block the tire valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: KUNSHAN FULUO AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qinglin Su
  • Patent number: 11338626
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and systems for continuous control of tire pressure. In one aspect, a device for continuously controlling tire pressure includes a bracket, a fixed non-rotating member fixedly attached to the bracket, and a non-fixed rotating member rotatably attached thereto. The fixed non-rotating member has at least one first seal surface, the at least one seal surface configured to be in fluid communication with a compressed air source. The non-fixed rotating member has at least one second seal surface, wherein an air chamber defined within a volume between interacting the at least one first seal surface and the at least one second seal surface causes fluid communication between an interior space of the tire and the compressed air source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Peter Vogelpohl
  • Patent number: 11305593
    Abstract: A tire management system includes a control valve and a check valve. A method for managing a tire includes: determining a pressure parameter value, determining an operational parameter for a valve based on the pressure parameter value, and controlling the valve based on the operational parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: AKTV8 LLC
    Inventor: Joshua Coombs
  • Patent number: 11235628
    Abstract: Briefly, the present invention relates, in one embodiment, to an air channeling apparatus for sealing a tubeless tire on a corresponding wheel rim. The air channeling apparatus may have a supply end and an insertion end opposite the supply end. The supply end may be directly or indirectly connected to an air supply that supplies pressurized air. The air channeling apparatus is further sized to be inserted through the valve stem hole of a wheel rim. An inner surface of the air channeling apparatus includes threads that can thread onto a valve stem of the wheel. At least one opening in the air channeling apparatus may blast pressurized air into the space between the wheel rim and the tubeless tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Davis
  • Patent number: 11225113
    Abstract: The present invention provides an unique ID electronic (UID) tag for a tire, which is suitable to be mounted on a surface of tire or embedded in a tire, comprising: a tag unit; a pliable protective layer; and a vulcanizable bonding layer. The pliable protective layer provided on two opposite sides of the tag unit. The vulcanizable bonding layer provided on one or each of the two opposite sides of the pliable protective layer to bond the UID tag tightly to the tire during a vulcanization process. Further, the tag unit comprises a circuit substrate provided with an antenna circuit, and an integrated circuit (IC) chip electrically connected to the antenna circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: MUTUAL-PAK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pi Sung Su, Hsin Cheng Pao, Yun-Da Jung, Chi Chun Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11207930
    Abstract: A tire pressure control system can include a pneumatic line with a first end in fluid communication with an interior of a tire and a pressure sensing device configured to acquire pressure data within the tire measured from the single pneumatic line. A motion sensing device can be configured to acquire motion data of the tire pressure control system. A microcontroller can receive the pressure data from the pressure sensing device and the motion data from the motion sensing device. A pneumatic solenoid in fluid communication with a second end of the single pneumatic line can be in an initial, closed position. The microcontroller can open the pneumatic solenoid and release fluid from the interior of the tire when the pressure data and motion data meet preset conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Lucius James Jones, III
  • Patent number: 11203235
    Abstract: A system for detecting pressure and wear conditions of tires that includes a module positioned inside each wheel of a vehicle. The module includes sensors, a processor, a transmitter and a power source for powering the module. The output from the sensors in each wheel is fed to the processors of each wheel for data processing and the data is transmitted by the transmitter in each wheel to a receiver and data processor located outside of the wheels. The data processor is designed to analyze the received processed data from the modules, and to provide alerts based on stored information and by comparing the processed data from the first wheel with the processed data from the second wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Enervibe Ltd
    Inventors: Dan Haronian, Michael Haronian, Hemi Sagi
  • Patent number: 11203237
    Abstract: An assembly for a tire inflation system includes a ring portion. The ring portion has an outer surface and an inner surface. A first projection and a second projection each extend from the inner surface. A valve assembly is connected to the ring portion and disposed in from the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher D. Blessing, Jason M. Sidders
  • Patent number: 11179976
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a work vehicle includes: a frame housing; a differential housed in the frame housing; an axle carrier coupled to the frame housing; an axle partially disposed in the axle carrier and coupled to the differential; and a tire inflation pack including: a fixed portion coupled to the axle carrier and comprising a pack fluid inlet that is configured to fluidly couple to a pressurized gas source and a fixed opening holding the axle therein, the fixed portion being configured to allow rotation of the axle in the fixed opening without rotating; and a rotatable portion rotatably coupled to the fixed portion and comprising a pack fluid outlet that is fluidly coupled to the pack fluid inlet and a rotatable opening holding the axle therein, the rotatable portion being fluidly sealed with the fixed portion and configured to rotate with the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Arvind Patel, Michael R. Jensen
  • Patent number: 11131076
    Abstract: A stability control system identifies an actionable condition, such as instability, in an off-road mobile machine, based upon an in-rubber tire sensor. A remedial action is identified, and a control signal is generated to control the mobile machine to take the remedial action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Cherney, Michael G. Kean
  • Patent number: 10920380
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling tire air pressure of a compactor having a plurality of tires. A weight distribution of the compactor is determined according to a per-tire basis. Target air pressures for each of the tires are determined in order to achieve a consistent compaction surface contact pressure across all of the tires or a set of the tires. Air pressure of the tires is controlled to achieve the target air pressures to make the compaction surface contact pressure consistent across all of the tires or the set of the tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Maria L. Biberdorf, Brian D. Nagel, Nicholas A. Oetken
  • Patent number: 10850576
    Abstract: The inflation system includes a pump and a dehumidifier fluidly connected between the pump and a reservoir, such as a tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Aperia Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon Richardson
  • Patent number: 10828947
    Abstract: A pumping mechanism in accordance with the present invention is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping mechanism includes a frame having a first chamber and a pump chamber, a strike plate positioned in the first chamber and being connected to a plunger plate, said plunger plate having a nose for engagement with a diaphragm mounted in the pump chamber; said pump chamber being in fluid communication with a pump inlet and a pump outlet; wherein actuation of the strike plate in the first chamber causes engagement of the nose with the diaphragm. Preferably the strike plate is actuated by a permanent magnet mounted on a stationary part, or the strike plate is actuated by an electrically driven magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Cheng-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 10828941
    Abstract: An on-board centralized system for regulating pressure of tyres of a vehicle includes a pressurized air source, two pneumatic rotary joints each associated to a driving wheel of the vehicle, and a circuit that sets in communication the pressurized air source with each rotary joint. An output member of a constant-velocity joint and a wheel spindle have an internal duct for air passage, connected to the respective rotary joint and to a plenum of the respective driving wheel. Each non-driving wheel has its wheel spindle traversed by an axial bore for air passage, connected to the circuit via a pneumatic rotary joint and a plenum of the non-driving wheel, which is connected to the inner chamber of the tyre. Each driving or non-driving wheel has its plenum connected to the inner chamber via two parallel lines, for deflating and inflating, respectively, the tyre interposed in which are respective one-way valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Roberto Vitolo, Stefano D'Ambrosio, Nicolo Salamone, Giuseppe Martorana, Michele Ieluzzi, Giovanni Luigi Gabiati, Dario Scantamburlo
  • Patent number: 10814682
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system with a tire valve and a tire pressure monitoring unit includes a plastic housing, in which a pressure sensor for measuring the tire pressure and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting tire pressure data are arranged. The tire pressure monitoring unit is attached to a stem of the tire valve and the stem comprises latching recesses, into which a latching element of the tire pressure monitoring unit engages. The latching element is realized integrally with a wall of the housing. A method for installing a tire pressure monitoring system on a rim is furthermore proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: HUF BAOLONG ELECTRONICS BRETTEN GMBH
    Inventor: Andre Seifert
  • Patent number: 10766317
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire according to the present technology comprises at least one mechanical fastener member attached to a tire inner surface; and an outer surface mark provided on a tire outer surface, the outer surface mark showing a corresponding position in a tire rotation direction corresponding to the position where the mechanical fastener member is attached to the tire inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanno, Hayato Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10688836
    Abstract: A tire management system includes a control valve and a check valve. A method for managing a tire includes: determining a pressure parameter value, determining an operational parameter for a valve based on the pressure parameter value, and controlling the valve based on the operational parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: AKTV8 LLC
    Inventor: Joshua Coombs
  • Patent number: 10675923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for pneumatically powering a wheel comprising a bearing support (10), a shaft (20) comprising a hub-forming end (21) which extends radially (Y), at least one set of rolling bearings (30), wherein the system further comprises a chamber (C) formed by the hub-forming end (21), the bearing support (10), a rolling bearing seal (40) and a chamber seal (50), a primary channel (60) crossing the bearing support (10) and opening into the chamber (C), a secondary channel (70) crossing the hub-forming end (21) and opening into the chamber (C), wherein seals seal the cavity (C) in order to let air pass from the primary channel to the secondary channel via the cavity (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: POCALIN HYDRAULICS INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Stephane Vidal, Marc Perot, Sylvain Michon
  • Patent number: 10661613
    Abstract: A tire pressure regulating system and method are provided. The system includes a manifold that provides a fluid flow path between a pressure switch and a valve. The valve can switch between an open state and a closed state. Air bleeds from the tire when the valve is in the open state. The pressure switch signals the valve to open and close according to the pressure inside the manifold that is supplied from air pressure inside the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Cody Williams
  • Patent number: 10661612
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wheel valve arrangement (1) for a tire pressure control system of a vehicle, which wheel valve arrangement (1) comprises a pneumatically switchable wheel valve (2) and a shuttle valve (3) operating on the pressure balance principle as a vent valve, the control input (6) of which is to be connected to a tire connection channel (7) leading to a tire interior, and the input (4) of which is to be connected as control input to an air supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: PTG REIFENDRUCKREGELSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Linzbach
  • Patent number: 10562357
    Abstract: An assembly for a tire inflation system including a spindle having a fluid conduit. The spindle is coupled with a rotary joint spindle, and the rotary joint spindle includes a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the spindle fluid conduit. A fluid collector ring is located about the rotary joint spindle such that the fluid collector ring may rotate. The fluid collector ring is also in fluid communication with the rotary joint spindle fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas C. Burke, William J. Foor, Christopher P. Lewark
  • Patent number: 10562356
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Equalaire Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kevin Hennig, James Raymond Snider
  • Patent number: 10503153
    Abstract: A central tire inflation system for a vehicle having a plurality of inflation control valves for controlling inflation of a respective tire, a first gas source for supplying pressurized gas to the inflation control valves, a first gas inlet valve for controlling the supply of gas from the first gas source to a fluid gallery, and a plurality of gallery outlet valves each arranged to control gas flow between the fluid gallery and a respective tire supply line that supplies gas from the fluid gallery to the inflation control valve. The gallery has two gallery pressure sensors for measuring a pressure of gas in the gallery. An electronic controller performs a gallery pressure sensor check that involves, with the gallery outlet valves and first gas inlet valve closed, causing the gallery exhaust valve to open and monitoring the pressure in the gallery according to each of the gallery pressure sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Roxana Ciovnicu, Jonathan Woodley, Paul King
  • Patent number: 10442254
    Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle central tire inflation system. The controller causes the system to operate in a selected one of a plurality of operating modes that include a leakage assist mode in which the controller causes the system to inflate the tires to predetermined leakage assist pressure value. The controller is configured automatically to cause the system to assume the leakage assist mode in dependence at least in part on a first pressure signal indicative of the pressure of one or more tires, wherein when the system determines that a tire is suffering leakage the system is configured to establish a gas flow path between the tire and a remote pressure sensor and to measure a pressure of gas in the tire by means of the remote pressure sensor by reference to a second pressure signal indicative of a pressure measured by the remote pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Woodley
  • Patent number: 10245903
    Abstract: A communication device mounting position determination system and apparatus are provided configured to limit where a device can be installed in a vehicle. An ECU transmits an LF signal from an LF antenna to sensor units. The sensor units receive and detect the signal strength. The sensor units transmit a UHF signal to the ECU having information including the signal strength of the LF signal. The ECU detects the signal strength of the UHF signals. For example, on the basis of the signal strength of the LF signal, the ECU makes a determination as to which of the wheels is the transmission source of the UHF signal, with respect to the left-right direction of the body of the vehicle. Further, on the basis of the signal strength of the UHF signal received by the ECU, the ECU makes the determination with respect to the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10239368
    Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. A tube is positioned within the groove, wherein the tube has a circular cross-sectional shape and an outside diameter D, and the groove does not have a circular cross-sectional shape, wherein said groove has a width W and a length L, wherein D is greater than W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Robert Leon Benedict, Robert Allen Losey, Thulasiram Gobinath
  • Patent number: 10215099
    Abstract: A method of installing a retaining ring assembly in a turbine case is provided. The method may include installing a blade outer air seal into a case before installation of a retaining ring assembly. The method may further include installing a key system on a retaining ring to create the retaining ring assembly. The method may also include installing the retaining ring assembly in a case. The method may further include rotating the retaining ring assembly in the case until key system is aligned with a case slot. The method may also include tightening the key system to the retaining ring and cause key system to engage the case slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Milligan
  • Patent number: 10214059
    Abstract: A tire pressure management system includes a control valve assembly. The control valve assembly directs pressurized air from a first fluid conduit when in a first position and provides fluid communication between a source of pressurized air and the first fluid conduit when in a second position. A deflate member is in fluid communication with the control valve assembly or the first fluid conduit. The deflate member includes an orifice having a constant cross-sectional area which is sized to maintain a predetermined pressure in a fluid control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt P. Gillen, Jason M. Sidders
  • Patent number: 10179484
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Equalaire Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kevin Hennig
  • Patent number: 10161756
    Abstract: A navigation method includes: obtaining status information of one or more tires of a vehicle; obtaining road condition information in real time; and performing a route navigation for the vehicle according to the status information, the road condition information, and a preset navigation strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Xiaomi Inc.
    Inventors: Mingyong Tang, Huayijun Liu, Tao Chen
  • Patent number: 10086662
    Abstract: A device for detecting a pressure change in a tire includes a first temperature sensor located outside the tire being configured to produce a first temperature signal indicative of a first temperature, an input apparatus configured to receive the first temperature signal from the first temperatures sensor, and to receive a second temperature signal from a second temperature sensor being indicative of a second temperature, and to receive a tire pressure signal from a tire pressure sensor being indicative of a tire pressure of the tire, and a processor configured to output an evaluation signal including information about a change of tire pressure based on the pressure signal and based on the first temperature signal and the second temperature signal. The processor is configured to evaluate the pressure signal only if a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is smaller than a predefined limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Jens Graf, Milen Kourtev
  • Patent number: 10086803
    Abstract: A pump system includes a pneumatic pump, a hose, a nozzle that can attach to a tire of a vehicle, and a processing device. The processing device receives a target tire pressure for the tire, receives a current tire pressure of the tire, and controls the operation of the pneumatic pump according to the target tire pressure and the current tire pressure. A method includes receiving a target tire pressure for a tire of a vehicle, receiving a current tire pressure of the tire, and controlling operation of a pneumatic pump according to the target tire pressure and the current tire pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Yellin Schondorf, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Robert Bruce Kleve, Greg Swadling, Dilip B. Patel
  • Patent number: 10023016
    Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly includes an air pumping passageway located within a tire sidewall to generate compressed air. An outlet screw assembly includes an elongate screw body residing within a profiled sidewall bore. The screw body extends through an axial span of the first sidewall to the tire cavity to conduct air from the sidewall air passageway to the tire cavity. The screw body has enlarged sectional end components to deter radial dislodging of the screw body from the sidewall bore during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ralf Reinardt, Jean-Claude Patrice Philippe Griffoin, Frank Pierre Severens, Wolfram Guenther Schuhmann
  • Patent number: 10017016
    Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly having an elongate air pumping sidewall air passageway includes an inlet air passage screw assembly inserted through a tire sidewall profiled bore to conduct air from outside the tire into a regulator positioned within a tire cavity. The screw assembly includes a screw body having at an outer end a large-diameter filter housing, a smaller-diameter midsection shank portion, and an inner large-diameter valve housing connecting to the regulator within the tire cavity. A valve mechanism seats within the valve housing and moves between an open position conducting air from the screw body into the regulator assembly and a closed position preventing a backflow of air from the regulator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ralf Reinardt, Jean-Claude Patrice Philippe Griffoin, Jason Mark Middelberg, Frank Pierre Severens, Yannick Raymond Georges Haegel
  • Patent number: 9952121
    Abstract: A pneumatic circuit of a tire testing apparatus includes: a piping configured to guiding air from an air supply source to a tire; a control part configured to output a target command pressure; a pressure proportional control valve part; and a constant-flow air discharge part. The pressure proportional control valve part supplies and discharges the air of a flow rate proportional to a differential pressure between the target command pressure and an internal pressure of the tire so that the internal pressure of the tire becomes the target command pressure, and has a dead band in which the air is not supplied and discharged within a predetermined range. The constant-flow air discharge part is formed between the tire and the pressure proportional control valve part, and is configured to discharge the air of an inside of the piping to an outside at a constant flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Okada
  • Patent number: 9925835
    Abstract: An assembly for an ATI comprising a tube member forming a portion of a rotary union to be removed through an opening in a wheel hub without removing the wheel hub from the vehicle axle. The tube member may include a hardened shaft that is coupled to a fixed conduit providing a pressurized air source to a tire installed on the wheel hub. A bushing and seal rotates with respect to the tube member to form the rotary union. The assembly is designed to be quickly serviced in the field, where the serviceable parts are very inexpensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: WHARTON VISION, LLC
    Inventors: Clyde Stech, Robert Gao
  • Patent number: 9688109
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity and a filter disposed between the pneumatic cavity and atmosphere. The filter is constructed of a hydrophobic material for avoiding all liquid adhesion. First and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint. A sidewall groove is defined by groove walls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The sidewall groove deforms segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to bending of the bending region of the first sidewall while radially within the rolling tire footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Alain Talbot, Jason Mark Middelberg, Paul Welbes, Annette Lechtenboehmer
  • Patent number: 9688108
    Abstract: An air maintenance tire system and method in accordance with the present invention includes an air pumping mechanism configured to maintain air pressure within a first tire and a second tire in a dual tire arrangement. The system includes a control valve assembly attached to an elongate valve stem projecting from a rim of a first tandem tire, and a one-way valve carrying connecting tube from a sidewall air pumping passageway within a sidewall of the first tire. The control valve assembly further includes first and second outlet tubes connected to the elongate valve stem to selectively pass pressurized air into the tire cavities of both tandem mounted tires on an as-needed basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Robin Lamgaday, Arun Kumar Byatarayanapura Gopala, Christopher Paul Hunt, Dinesh Chandra, Cheng-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 9669670
    Abstract: A manually operated pump for supplying air to a bicycle comprises an outer tube with one end closed and the other end open. A core tube slides in the outer tube and has a piston assembly on one end and an end socket on the other. There is a hose which slides in the core tube. One end of the hose is connects with an air needle, and the other end connects with an air nozzle assembly. The piston assembly comprises a piston, a piston ring, and a one-way valve communicating with the core tube and the outer tube. A narrowing port is formed in the end socket of the core tube. A foot stand is hinged on an outer side of the end socket of the core tube. The air needle has a head matching the narrowing port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Dahon Technologies, LTD.
    Inventors: David Tak-Wei Hon, Ken Chen, Dongming Huang
  • Patent number: 9623711
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a tire pre-inflator to assist in mounting a tire on a tire rim. The pre-inflator includes a bladder that may be positioned within a tire prior to mounting and a bladder filling insert that extends through a valve stem mounted in the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Kirk M. Yates
  • Patent number: 9581517
    Abstract: A real time tire pressure gauge has a first connector for connecting to a compressed air source, a second connector for connecting to a tire valve, an internal passage between the first and second connectors, a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the internal passage and generate a pressure signal indicating air pressure, a controller connected to the pressure sensor to receive the pressure signal, and a display connected to the controller. The controller is configured to store a static pressure in memory based on an initial pressure sensor and display the static pressure, detect a sudden change in pressure and store a changed pressure in memory in response to detecting the sudden change, periodically sample the pressure signal and store a periodic pressure in memory, calculate an estimated tire pressure based on the static pressure, the changed pressure the periodic pressure, and display the estimated tire pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Alex Yung Kan Wong
  • Patent number: 9566833
    Abstract: A tire pressure control system includes a tire mounted on a wheel that is connected to an axle, with pneumatic fittings communicating with an interior of this tire. A digital pressure switch has a pair of pneumatic lines that extend from it. These pneumatic lines connect to the pneumatic fittings so that the digital pressure switch communicates with the tire. An electronic solenoid valve communicates with the digital pressure switch by electrical connection to communicate with the interior of the tire. The electronic solenoid valve operates in a corresponding relationship to the interior of the tire so gas above a set pressure can pass to atmosphere. A battery assembly powers and activates the digital pressure switch, and further powers the electronic solenoid valve through the digital pressure switch. A housing houses the digital pressure switch, the electronic solenoid valve, and the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Swindell