Tire inflation system for a steering knuckle wheel end

Details Tire inflation system for a steering knuckle wheel end Tire inflation system for a steering knuckle wheel end

1999-12-23

2001-12-04

Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)

Resilient tires and wheels

Tires, resilient

Inflating devices

C152S417000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06325123

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a central tire inflation system for a steering knuckle wheel end assembly; and more particularly to an inflation system having an inlet passage formed directly through the steering knuckle.
b) Background of the Related Art
Central tire inflation systems for heavy-duty commercial and military vehicles are known in the art. Such systems utilize a source of pressurized air in communication with the vehicle's tires. Pressure sensors monitor the pressure within each tire and the vehicle operator can monitor the tire pressure and remotely control tire inflation. An inherent problem in such systems is the need to create a reliable sealed flow path between the vehicle and the rotating wheel hub.
Central tire inflation systems are usually adapted to provide compressed air from a remote pressurized air source to a pneumatic tire of a motor vehicle. Since the tire is rotating and the pressurized air source is stationary, the typical tire inflation system includes some kind of sealing means located between a stationary member of the wheel end assembly and a rotating tire. The typical tire inflation system also is provided with a conduit that extends from the sealing means through the wheel end assembly to the pneumatic tire. It has been found particularly difficult to design the tire inflation system for live full float steering knuckle wheel end assembly wherein pressurized air is transmitted from the pressurized air source to the tires mounted on steerable wheels of a drive axle. Specifically, heretofore, the prior art has not provided a simple shortened flowpath between the source of pressurized air directly through a live steering knuckle and a rotating driven wheel end hub.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention alleviates the drawbacks of the related art. The present invention provides a central tire inflation system for a steering knuckle wheel end assembly providing a unique arrangement for a steerable driving axle that minimizes changes in the current production wheel end designs. In the preferred embodiment disclosed, the live wheel end assembly comprises a steering knuckle secured to the vehicle, and a wheel end hub rotatably mounted about the steering knuckle. A bearing assembly is disposed between the steering knuckle and wheel end hub to establish the rotatably connection. A drive shaft is rotatably disposed through the steering knuckle and is in driving connection with the wheel end hub. A pair of adjacent rotary seals are disposed between the wheel end hub and steering knuckle and defines a chamber there between. An inlet passage is formed directly through the steering knuckle in communication with the sealed chamber. The inlet passage transmits pressurized air from a pressurized air source directly to the sealed chamber. An outlet passage is formed directly through the wheel end hub and is in direct communication with the sealed chamber thereby establishing communication between the wheel end hub and steering knuckle. The arrangement provides a shortened reliable flowpath between a steering knuckle and wheel end hub in a live full float assembly and separates the pressurized air from the lubricating axle fluid and reduces such lubricating fluid contamination into the tires. The present design also requires less seals than the related art and provides a simpler inboard arrangement reducing manufacturing costs and assembly time to provide an overall superior seal interface arrangement reducing potential leakage and increasing reliability. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings.


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