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US 2025/0010669 A1Published application
Hub-integrated inflation system
AssigneeAperia Technologies, Inc.
InventorsKevin Ciocia, Brandon Richardson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hub-integrated inflation system which functions to convert relative motion at the wheel end (e.g., between the axle and the hub or wheel) into a pumping motion. The relative motion is then converted into mechanical or electrical energy, which can be used to actuate a pump of an inflator.
Claims20
An inflation system for a wheel mounted to a vehicle, comprising:
- a cam defining:
- a radially inward surface encircling an axis of rotation of the wheel;
- and
- a radially outward surface;
- and
- a pump system comprising:
- an actuator coupled to the radially-outward surface;
- and
- a pump coupled to the actuator;
- wherein the pump system:
- is mounted to the wheel;
- and
- during wheel rotation, is operable in a power receiving mode, wherein:
- the pump system harvests energy from relative motion of the actuator and the pump;
- and
- the pump system and the cam rotate relative to the vehicle at different angular velocities.
13 more elements
A wheel inflation system comprising:
- a cam arranged within a hub of a wheel and rotatably encircling a wheel axis of rotation;
- a pump mounted to the hub, the pump comprising a piston contacting a surface of the cam and operable between:
- a first mode, wherein relative motion between the pump and the cam drives pump actuation;
- a second mode, wherein the pump is retained in a substantially static position relative to the cam.
1 more element
A wheel inflation system comprising:
- a pumping system driven by wheel rotation, the pumping system operable between a pumping mode and a non-pumping mode, the pumping system comprising:
- a floating cam defining an outer arcuate surface and an inner arcuate surface;
- and
- a pump coupled to the outer arcuate surface of the floating cam;
- wherein in the pumping mode:
- the floating cam translates relative to the wheel;
- and
- relative motion of the outer arcuate surface and the pump drives pump actuation.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.