# US 2016/0250902 A1 · Device for controlling the pressure in a vehicle tyre

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2016/0250902 A1
- Document ID: US20160250902A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/032,317
- Filed: 2014-10-28
- Published: 2016-09-01
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-28
- Assignees: PressureRite (Pty) Ltd.
- Applicants: Pressurerite (Pty) Ltd
- Inventors: Pierre Van Wyk BECKER
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160250902A1

## CPC

- B60C 23/004: {the control being done on the wheel, e.g. using a wheel-mounted reservoir}
- B60C 23/127: {the pumps being mounted on the hubs}
- B60C 23/137: {comprising cam driven pistons}
- F04B 35/01: the means being mechanical
- F04B 35/06: Mobile combinations
- F04B 39/125: {Cylinder heads}
- F04B 49/02: Stopping, starting, unloading or idling control
- F04B 53/14: Pistons, piston-rods or piston-rod connections
- F04B 53/16: Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
- F04B: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS (machines for liquids, or pumps, of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F04C; non-positive-displacement pumps F04D; pumping of fluid by direct contact of another fluid or by using inertia of fluid to be pumped F04F)

## Abstract

A device 10 for providing air to a tyre which is mounted on a rim (16) which itself is free to rotate about a fixed, that is, non-rotatable axle (22). A pump is provided which in use rotates with the tyre and which is configured to provide, when activated, air under pressure to the tyre. The pump drive system for activating the pump upon a loss of air pressure in the tyre consists of a first part that is rotationally connected to the tyre and a second part which includes a first clutch plate (42) which rotates with the first part whilst the pump is not activated. The pump is activated by inhibiting the second part of the drive system from rotating with the first part. Relative rotation between the first and second parts drives the pump to provide air under pressure to the tyre. There is a second clutch plate (26) which is configured so that it can be attached to the fixed axle (22) so that it itself is fixed, that is, non-rotatable. The first and second clutch plates (26, 42) are normally spaced apart. A clutch piston, moved by pressure in the tyre, engages the clutch by urging the first clutch plate (42) against the second clutch plate (26) upon the pressure in the tyre dropping below a predetermined value.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for providing air to a tyre which is mounted on a rim which itself is free to rotate about a fixed, that is, non-rotatable axle, the device comprising:—
a) a pump which in use rotates with the tyre and which is configured to provide, when activated, air under pressure to the tyre:—
b) a pump drive system for activating the pump upon a loss of air pressure in the tyre, the pump drive system comprising:—
b1) a first part that is rotationally connected to the tyre;
b2) a second part which includes a first clutch plate and which rotates with the first part whilst the pump is not activated, the pump being activated by inhibiting the second part from rotating with the first part, relative rotation between the first and second parts driving the pump to provide air under pressure to the tyre;
c) a second clutch plate which is configured so that it can be attached to said fixed axle so that it itself is fixed, that is, non-rotatable, the first and second clutch plates normally being spaced apart;
d) a clutch piston, moved by pressure in the tyre, for engaging the clutch by urging the first clutch plate against the second clutch plate, upon the pressure in the tyre dropping below a predetermined value, whereby rotation of said second part with respect to the first part is inhibited and the pump is activated.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second clutch plate includes a threaded bore to enable it to be screwed onto the threaded end of the fixed axle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A device as claimed in claim 1, and including a non-rotatable pump axle having a shaft and an enlarged head, the second clutch plate having a central opening through which the pump axle shaft, but not the head, can pass, the second clutch plate, in use, trapping the pump axle head between itself and the fixed axle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A device as claimed in claim 3, and including an eccentric body which is mounted, by way of bearings, on said pump axle, the eccentric body being integral with the first clutch plate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A device as claimed in claim 2, and including a non-rotatable pump axle having a shaft and an enlarged head, the second clutch plate having a central opening through which the pump axle shaft, but not the head, can pass, the second clutch plate, in use, trapping the pump axle head between itself and the fixed axle.