Measuring and testing – Tire – tread or roadway
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-04
2003-12-23
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Tire, tread or roadway
C073S146300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06666078
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional tire pressure management systems typically have central tire inflation systems (CTI systems), also known as on-board inflation systems and traction systems. These tire pressure management systems are well known, as may be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,516,379; 5,313,995; 5,273,064; 5,253,687; 5,180,456; 5,179,981; 5,174,839; 5,121,774; 4,924,926; 4,922,946; 4,917,163; 4,893,664; 4,883,106; 4,883,105; 4,825,925; 4,782,879; 4,754,792; 4,724,879; 4,678,017; 4,640,331; and 4,619,303. The entire disclosure of each of these patents is incorporated herein.
Generally, tire pressure management systems employ a pneumatically controlled wheel valve that is affixed to each vehicle wheel assembly for controlling tire pressure in response to pressure signals from a fluid control circuit. The fluid control circuit is connected to each wheel valve via a rotary seal assembly associated with each wheel valve. In some systems, tire pressure is monitored by means of a sensor that is positioned in a conduit assembly in the fluid control circuit. When the wheel valve and certain control valves are opened, the pressure in the conduit assembly equalizes to tire pressure which can be sensed by the sensor. An electronic control unit receives electrical pressure signals generated by the sensor and appropriately controls the fluid control circuit in response thereto for inflating or deflating a selected tire.
Prior vehicular systems exist which use pressure sensors/transmitters located in each tire that transmit pressure information to a receiver. Each sensor/transmitter may have an identification code associated therewith which enables the receiver to know which sensor/transmitter the pressure information is received from. The receiver analyzes the pressure information and, in some systems, displays current pressure information to the vehicle's operator via a mounted display. Some systems also contemplate the provision of a warning signal to the operator in the situation where the tire pressure is determined to be low. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,301, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
Some tire pressure maintenance systems provide for “learning” a tire pressure by measuring and registering the pressure of a particular tire. However, such systems either are limited to multiple, tire-designated pressure sensor applications or do not include the learning of an ultimate target tire pressure. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,246,317 and 5, 309,969.
Practical application of “target tire pressure learning” tire management systems which dedicate a pressure sensor to each tire for measure the fluid pressure therein is costly and limits utility to only those vehicles having tire-specific pressure sensors. What is needed is a target tire pressure learning method wherein tire pressure is ascertained via a central pressure sensor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a target tire pressure learning method wherein tire pressure is ascertained via a central pressure sensor. The method of learning a target tire pressure for a tire maintained by a tire pressure maintenance system, having conduit assemblies for conducting fluid to and/or from the tire and a pressure sensor for ascertaining fluid pressure in the conduit assemblies, according to the invention includes ascertaining a current tire pressure with the pressure sensor and designating the current tire pressure as a target tire pressure.
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Cameron, David S. and Frank, David A, “Tire Pressure Management System,” 2244 Research Disclsoure No. 342 (Oct. 1992).
Beverly James A.
Claussen Stephen P.
Dana Corporation
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Jenkins Jermaine
Lefkowitz Edward
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