Apparatus and systems for integration of a central tire inflation system manifold into a wheel

A CTI valve manifold apparatus and system, comprising:

• a circular wheel rim having formed coaxially on opposite ends thereof outwardly flaring circumferential flange sections disposed to be engaged by the beads of a tubeless tire mounted on the rim;
• said wheel rim having intermediate said opposite ends thereof a transverse wall section extending transversely of the axis of said rim, said transverse wall section being adapted to connect to a vehicle wheel hub having a hub port for the passage of air;
• a central tire inflation valve manifold mounted to said transverse wall section, which manifold includes a tire-side manifold air passageway in communication with said tire interior and a hub-side manifold air passageway in communication with said hub port;
• a central tire inflation valve mounted to said manifold, which valve includes a tire-side valve air passageway in communication with said tire-side manifold air passageway and a hub-side valve air passageway in communication with said hub-side manifold air passageway, such that said valve is in communication with said hub port and said tire interior via said manifold air passageways;
• and
• an air duct formed within at least one of said wall section and said rim so as to open at one end thereof on the outer periphery of said rim for communication with the interior of a tire mounted thereon and to be in communication at an other end with said tire-side manifold air passageway, such that said valve is in communication with said tire interior via said air duct and said tire-side manifold air passageway;
• and
• wherein at least one of the central tire inflation valve manifold is removably mounted to said transverse wall section, and the central tire inflation valve is removably mounted to said manifold.

A CTI valve manifold apparatus and system, comprising:

• a circular wheel rim having formed coaxially on opposite ends thereof outwardly flaring circumferential flange sections disposed to be engaged by the beads of a tubeless tire mounted on the rim;
• said wheel rim having intermediate said opposite ends thereof a transverse wall section extending transversely of the axis of said rim, said transverse wall section being adapted to connect to a vehicle wheel hub having a hub port for the passage of air;
• a central tire inflation valve manifold mounted to said transverse wall section, which manifold includes a tire-side manifold air passageway in communication with said tire interior and a hub-side manifold air passageway in communication with said hub port;
• a central tire inflation valve mounted to said manifold, which valve includes a tire-side valve air passageway in communication with said tire-side manifold air passageway and a hub-side valve air passageway in communication with said hub-side manifold air passageway, such that said valve is in communication with said hub port and said tire interior via said manifold air passageways;
• an air duct formed within at least one of said wall section and said rim so as to open at one end thereof on the outer periphery of said rim for communication with the interior of a tire mounted thereon and to be in communication at an other end with said tire-side manifold air passageway, such that said valve is in communication with said tire interior via said air duct and said tire-side manifold air passageway;
• wherein at least one of the central tire inflation valve manifold is removably mounted to said transverse wall section, and the central tire inflation valve is removably mounted to said manifold;
• and
• wherein a sealed air passageway is created between said hub port and said valve when the transverse wall section is mounted to the hub.