Pilot operated regulator with adjustable minimum delivery pressure
AssigneeHendrickson USA, L.L.C.
InventorsJesse W. Cervantez, Matt J. Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A regulator for establishing outlet fluid pressure. The regulator includes a valve body having a fluid pressure inlet in selective fluid communication with a fluid pressure outlet. A pilot pressure inlet is formed in the valve body and in fluid communication with a source of pilot pressure. Valving structure in the valve body establishes outlet fluid pressure as a function of pilot pressure. First adjustable structure within the valve body may establish a minimum outlet fluid pressure threshold without regard to pilot pressure. Second adjustable structure within the valve body may establish outlet fluid pressure offset relative to pilot pressure.
Claims23
A regulator for establishing outlet fluid pressure, the regulator comprising:
- a valve body having a fluid pressure inlet in selective fluid communication with a fluid pressure outlet;
- a pilot pressure inlet formed in the valve body and in fluid communication with a source of pilot pressure;
- valving structure within the valve body for establishing outlet fluid pressure as a function of pilot pressure;
- and
- first adjustable structure within the valve body to establish a minimum outlet fluid pressure threshold without regard to pilot pressure.
A load-based tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle, the load-based tire inflation system comprising:
- an air spring generating a pilot pressure as a function of the weight of the heavy-duty vehicle;
- a regulator having a fluid pressure inlet in selective fluid communication with a fluid pressure outlet;
- a pilot pressure inlet formed in the regulator and in fluid communication with the air spring to communicate the pilot pressure to the regulator;
- valving structure within the regulator for establishing outlet fluid pressure as a function of the pilot pressure;
- and
- first adjustable structure within the regulator to establish a minimum outlet fluid pressure threshold without regard to pilot pressure.
A load-based tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle, the load-based tire inflation system comprising:
- a source of fluid pressure;
- a tire and wheel assembly operatively mounted to the heavy-duty vehicle and being in selective fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure;
- an air spring suspension system having a fluid pressure that is a function of a weight of the heavy-duty vehicle;
- a regulator in fluid communication with and located between the source of fluid pressure and the tire and wheel assembly, the regulator also being in fluid communication with the air spring suspension system, the regulator continuously controlling fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly;
- and
- adjustable structure within the regulator to establish a minimum fluid pressure delivered to the tire and wheel assembly, the regulator maintaining fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly at or above the minimum pressure threshold without regard to the fluid pressure in the air spring suspension system.
A method of establishing pressure in at least one tire used on a heavy-duty vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a source of fluid pressure to the heavy-duty vehicle;
- mounting a tire and wheel assembly to an axle of the heavy-duty vehicle;
- generating a pilot pressure as a function of the weight of the heavy-duty vehicle from an air spring in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure;
- regulating fluid pressure from the source of fluid pressure to the tire of the heavy-duty vehicle as a function of pilot pressure;
- and
- setting a minimum outlet fluid pressure threshold without regard to pilot pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.