Measuring and testing – Tire – tread or roadway – Tire inflation testing installation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-17
2001-08-07
McCall, Eric S. (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Tire, tread or roadway
Tire inflation testing installation
C141S038000, C152S416000, C152S417000, C340S442000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269691
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an automatic tire inflation system (ATIS) for use in a vehicle such as a truck trailer having an air supply thereon which is provided with a booster pump for increasing the air pressure necessary to comply with the recommended pressure set forth by the tire manufacturer. The system also includes pressure surge protection and pressure relief protection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide an ATIS which controls the inflation pressure of tires on a vehicle, such as a truck-trailer as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,584,949, 5,287,906, 5,767,398, 5,769,979; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/309,140, filed May 10, 1999. The ATIS will utilize the air supply of the vehicle to provide air to the rotating tires when the tires' air pressure falls below the desired pressure. However, it may become necessary to inflate tires to a pressure higher than the output of the vehicle's compressor. For example, in Europe the trailer tire of choice is known as the Super Single. The proper air pressure for a Super Single tire is between 120 psi (8 bars) and 135 psi (9.5 bars). However, there are laws in the U.K. and other European countries that limit the air pressure that can be provided to the trailer to a maximum pressure of 120.7 psi or 8.5 bar. In such situations, there is no ATIS available, and such high pressure tires are required to be inflated from conventional roadside compressors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an automatic tire inflation system which provides a higher inflation pressure than the truck-trailer system is allowed to deliver. The present invention takes the available air pressure from the vehicle air supply and utilizes a booster pump which increases the air pressure from the air supply to an amount necessary for proper tire inflation. In the preferred embodiment, the improved ATIS includes a booster pump, a pressure relief valve, and a surge protector valve.
The present invention is directed to an air inflation system for a vehicle having at least one axle with at least one wheel having a pneumatic tire at each end of the axle, in which the vehicle includes an air supply. An air connection including a rotary connection is provided between the air supply and the tires. Means are provided for increasing the air pressure from the air supply to the tires and includes an air booster pump having an inlet and an outlet and the inlet is connected to the air supply and the outlet is connected to the rotary connection and the tires in which the pump increases the air pressure from the air supply.
Still a further object of the present invention is wherein the booster pump includes first and second cylinders and each cylinder includes a piston movable therein and the pistons are connected together. In the preferred embodiment the pistons are equally sized.
Still a further object is wherein the first cylinder includes chambers A and B on opposite sides of the piston therein and the second cylinder includes chambers C and D on opposite sides of the piston therein.
Yet a further object is wherein the booster pump includes a spool valve which controls pressuring and exhausting air in the chambers A and D and first and second pilot valves that control the spool valve.
A still further object of the present invention is wherein the booster pump includes first and second check valves connected between the inlet and chambers B and C, respectively, and third and fourth check valves connected between chambers B and C, respectively, and the outlet.
Still a further object is wherein the spool valve is connected to the inlet and to an exhaust.
Yet a still further object of the present invention is a provision of an air inflation system for a vehicle having at least one axle with at least one wheel having a pneumatic tire at each end of the axle in which the vehicle includes an air supply. An air connection is provided between the air supply and the tires including an air passageway inside the axle and a rotary air connection is in communication with a passageway. A pressure control valve controls the pressure in the air connection and a sensor is connected to the air connection for detecting an air leak in a tire. The system includes an air booster pump having an inlet and an outlet with the inlet connected to the air supply and the outlet connected to the air connection to the tires in which the pump increases the air pressure from the air supply. Preferably, the air inflation system includes a surge protection valve connected to the outlet of the booster pump and to the sensor for dampening any surge pressure produced by the pump. Also it is preferable to include a pressure relief valve connected to the outlet of the booster pump for additional protection.
Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Hennig Mark Kevin
Sonzala Frank Joseph
Sowatzke Kent Andrew
Equalaire Systems, Inc
Fulbright & Jaworski
McCall Eric S.
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