Abstract: A system for tire inflation including a drive mechanism defining a rotational axis, including an eccentric mass that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis along a radial vector; a pump arranged radially distal the rotational axis of the drive mechanism, including a chamber defining a chamber lumen, and a reciprocating element arranged at least partially within the chamber lumen and translatable along a pump axis; a drive coupler coupled between the drive mechanism at a first position and the reciprocating element at a second position fixed to the reciprocating element; a torque regulation mechanism; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the torque regulation mechanism; wherein the system is operable between at least a first mode and a second mode by the torque regulation mechanism in cooperation with the controller.

Abstract: A hub-integrated inflation system which functions to convert relative motion at the wheel end (e.g., between the axle and the hub or wheel) into a pumping motion. The relative motion is then converted into mechanical or electrical energy, which can be used to actuate a pump of an inflator.

Abstract: A system for tire inflation including a drive mechanism defining a rotational axis, including an eccentric mass that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis along a radial vector; a pump arranged radially distal the rotational axis of the drive mechanism, including a chamber defining a chamber lumen, and a reciprocating element arranged at least partially within the chamber lumen and translatable along a pump axis; a drive coupler coupled between the drive mechanism at a first position and the reciprocating element at a second position fixed to the reciprocating element; a torque regulation mechanism; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the torque regulation mechanism; wherein the system is operable between at least a first mode and a second mode by the torque regulation mechanism in cooperation with the controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the field of water pumps, and more specifically, to an attachment configured to connect to the rear wheel of a motorcycle or motorscooter to provide power to a water pump and a method of pumping water using the attachment. One aspect of the aquacycle pump includes a base plate and a kick-stand support bracket configured to slidably adjust so that the aquacycle pump may be compatible with different sizes of motorcycles or motorscooters. The aquacycle pump may further include a roller that is configured to abut against the rear wheel of the motorcycle or motorscooter. The aquacycle pump may further include a water pump, wherein the water pump is connected to the roller. The aquacycle pump is configured such that as the engine of the motorcycle or motorscooter is started and power is provided to rotate its rear wheel, the abutting roller of the aquacycle pump also rotates.

Abstract: A compressor assembly (10) for supplying pressure medium to a tire cavity (7) of a tire of a vehicle wheel, which can be mounted on a wheel hub (4) that is mounted on a wheel carrier (3) for rotation about an axis of rotation (32). The compressor assembly (10) includes a hub-side compression chamber (16) and a compressor component (18). A pressure medium is conducted into the tire cavity (7) upon being pressurized in the compression chamber (16) by oscillating translational motion of the compressor component (18). The compressor assembly (10) includes a transmission (20) that converts a rotational motion between the wheel carrier side and the wheel hub side into an oscillating translational motion of the compressor component (18) when a hub-side transmission part (24) is in an operating position with a wheel-carrier-side transmission part (26).

Abstract: A system for tire inflation including a drive mechanism defining a rotational axis, including an eccentric mass that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis along a radial vector; a pump arranged radially distal the rotational axis of the drive mechanism, including a chamber defining a chamber lumen, and a reciprocating element arranged at least partially within the chamber lumen and translatable along a pump axis; a drive coupler coupled between the drive mechanism at a first position and the reciprocating element at a second position fixed to the reciprocating element; a torque regulation mechanism; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the torque regulation mechanism; wherein the system is operable between at least a first mode and a second mode by the torque regulation mechanism in cooperation with the controller.

Abstract: A tire inflation system and method for a tire supported by a wheel, the tire inflation system including a pump system including a pump cavity configured to fluidly connect to the tire, an actuating element configured to actuate relative the pump cavity, a drive mechanism rotatably coupled to the wheel, the drive mechanism including a motion transformer and an eccentric mass, a valve fluidly connecting the pump cavity to a fluid reservoir; and a control system configured to operate the valve.

Abstract: A wheel hub arrangement having a wheel hub for mounting a rim with an inflated tire. The wheel hub arrangement has a rotary piston compressor mounted rotatably on the wheel hub. The wheel hub arrangement has a switchable mechanical coupling device, by way of which the rotary piston compressor can be switched over between a compression mode, in which the rotary piston compressor can be actuated by way of a rotational movement relative to the mounted rim or the wheel hub, and a rest mode, in which it is passive and does not produce any compressed air on the outlet side, and the rotary piston compressor producing compressed air on the outlet side for filling the tire in the compression mode.

Abstract: A tire inflation system and method for a tire supported by a wheel, the tire inflation system including a pump system including a pump cavity configured to fluidly connect to the tire, an actuating element configured to actuate relative the pump cavity, a drive mechanism rotatably coupled to the wheel, the drive mechanism including a motion transformer and an eccentric mass, a valve fluidly connecting the pump cavity to a fluid reservoir; and a control system configured to operate the valve.

Abstract: A pumping system configured to pump fluid from the ambient environment to a target reservoir, the pumping system including: a fluid pump configured to statically mount to a rotating surface, the pump configured to rotate about an axis of rotation; a pump reservoir statically coupled to the fluid pump and configured to fluidly couple to the target reservoir, the pump reservoir including a collection area defined along a portion of the pump reservoir radially outward of the axis of rotation; and a liquid separation member arranged along a portion of the collection area, the liquid separation member including a membrane configured to preferentially permit liquid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A tire inflation system having a spindle, a pump actuating member, and a pump. The pump actuating member may actuate the pump when the pump rotates about an axis, thereby causing the pump to output a pressurized gas.

Abstract: A pump system including a drive mechanism that provides a pumping force, a primary pump including a first pump cavity, an actuating element in reciprocal relation with the first pump cavity, and an outlet fluidly connected to a reservoir, a force translator that facilitates pump force transfer from the drive mechanism to the actuating element, a pressure regulation mechanism including a reciprocating pump that includes a pump chamber including an inlet manifold fluidly connected to the reservoir, a valve located within the inlet manifold, and a reciprocating element in reciprocal relation with the pump chamber. The pressure regulation mechanism preferably passively ceases force transfer from the drive mechanism to the primary pump based on the pressure of the reservoir.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation, and a force translator coupling the rotational axis to the pump cavity. The drive mechanism includes a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis, and an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis. The pump cavity is rotatably coupled to the cam, wherein the pump cavity includes an actuating element and a chamber. The force translator couples the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, wherein the force translator includes an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity.

Abstract: An energy extraction system for a rotational surface including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface and an energy extraction mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a cam rotatable about the rotational axis and an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass cooperatively formed by a first and a second section, the eccentric mass operable between a connected mode wherein the first and second sections are adjacent and a disconnected mode wherein the first and second sections are separated. The energy extraction mechanism is connected to the cam and is statically coupled to the rotating surface, wherein the energy extraction mechanism configured to extract energy from relative rotation between the energy extraction mechanism and the cam.

Abstract: A pump system including a drive mechanism that provides a pumping force, a primary pump including a first pump cavity, an actuating element in reciprocal relation with the first pump cavity, and an outlet fluidly connected to a reservoir, a force translator that facilitates pump force transfer from the drive mechanism to the actuating element, a pressure regulation mechanism including a reciprocating pump that includes a pump chamber including an inlet manifold fluidly connected to the reservoir, a valve located within the inlet manifold, and a reciprocating element in reciprocal relation with the pump chamber. The pressure regulation mechanism preferably passively ceases force transfer from the drive mechanism to the primary pump based on the pressure of the reservoir.

Abstract: An energy extraction system for a rotational surface including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface and an energy extraction mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a cam rotatable about the rotational axis and an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass cooperatively formed by a first and a second section, the eccentric mass operable between a connected mode wherein the first and second sections are adjacent and a disconnected mode wherein the first and second sections are separated. The energy extraction mechanism is connected to the cam and is statically coupled to the rotating surface, wherein the energy extraction mechanism configured to extract energy from relative rotation between the energy extraction mechanism and the cam.

Abstract: An energy extraction system for a rotational surface including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface and an energy extraction mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a cam rotatable about the rotational axis and an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass cooperatively formed by a first and a second section, the eccentric mass operable between a connected mode wherein the first and second sections are adjacent and a disconnected mode wherein the first and second sections are separated. The energy extraction mechanism is connected to the cam and is statically coupled to the rotating surface, wherein the energy extraction mechanism configured to extract energy from relative rotation between the energy extraction mechanism and the cam.

Abstract: This is an invention for a system and method of automatically inflating the wheels of a vehicle during driving operation. When air pressure in a wheel of the vehicle decreases below a pre-determined limit, a solenoid device is activated to extend a kick-rod. As the wheel rotates, a pump mounted on the wheel strikes the kick-rod of the solenoid device, thereby causing air to be injected into the wheel. The automatic tire inflation system works by employing the mechanical energy of the rotating wheel to drive the pump upon contact with the solenoid device.

Abstract: A tire pump that is housed within the hub of a wheel is described. The pump includes a piston that moves axially with respect to the wheel's axle. The pump also includes a pressure switch configured to stop the pump when sufficient tire pressure is reached.

Abstract: A tire-air-pressure-generating apparatus includes an air pump, a pressure control valve, and an adjustment device, which are disposed coaxially in a shaft portion of an axle hub. The air pump includes a pump chamber located in the interior of the axle hub. The pressure control valve and the adjustment device are assembled into a cylinder head, which is assembled airtightly and removably to the axle hub. The cylinder head includes a suction-discharge path, discharge paths, pressure lead paths, and a suction path.

Abstract: To provide an automatic air-feeding mechanisms which can produce a large amount of compressed air with a small number of rotations of a wheel body and with a small force. The automatic air-feeding mechanisms has first and second compressed air producing sections 1a and 1b, and pneumatic tire compressed air supply passages 2a and 2b for introducing the compressed air produced in the compression air producing sections to a pneumatic tire. The first and second compressed air producing sections 1a and 1b are attached to a hub drum 102a of the hub 102 at positions 180° apart from each other. When the wheel body is rotated, the first and second compressed air producing sections 1a and 1b alternately produce compressed air.

Abstract: A tire pump that is housed within the hub of a wheel is described. The pump includes a piston that moves axially with respect to the wheel's axle. The pump also includes a pressure switch configured to stop the pump when sufficient tire pressure is reached.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a self-contained air pump mechanism that maintains tire pressure at a desired level. The pump mechanism includes a piston and cylinder assembly that rotate with the tire. A linkage assembly drives the piston within the cylinder as the wheel end assembly rotates to pump air into the tire via a valve. The linkage assembly includes a first link fixed to a non-rotating wheel end component and a second link that rotates relative to the first link and which is coupled to drive the piston within the cylinder. The tire valve is in fluid communication with the cylinder and automatically opens when air pressure in the tire falls below a predetermined level and automatically closes when the air pressure achieves the predetermined level. An atmospheric valve is in fluid communication with the cylinder, and automatically opens to recharge the cylinder once the initial pressure charge has been delivered to the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressurizing a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle wheel which includes a displacement type air pump having a spring loaded piston and cylinder combination for generating air under pressure. The air pump is axially attached to the vehicle wheel and an air pressure connection conduit introduces air under pressure generated from the pump into the pneumatic tire. A cam and cam follower arrangement is mounted in the housing for the pump for creating relative cam actuated movement therebetween which is utilized for driving the air pump. A pendulum is mounted for free axial rotation relative to the pump housing and the pendulum is connected to one of the cam or cam follower, and the other is secured to the pump housing for rotation therewith to provide this cam actuated driving movement. The axis of piston reciprocation in its cylinder is substantially aligned axially with the wheel axis of rotation.