Dual-function tire inlet valve
AssigneeAutoliv ASP, Inc.
InventorBrian Hamilton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual-function tire inlet valve mountable on a tire in communication with a compressor in a tire pressure maintenance system is disclosed. The inlet valve has a conduit extending from an ambient air supply to an interior chamber of the tire. A first check valve and a second check valve are positioned within the conduit to define a pump between the first and second check valves. The pump channel is in fluid communication with a compressor in the tire pressure maintenance system. The first check valve opens automatically only when the compressor is active and the tire is rotating about its axis with at least a pre-determined velocity. The second check valve only opens when it is manually actuated. Manually actuating the first check valve opens the second check valve to permit manual adjustment of the tire pressure.
Claims42
A dual-function tire inlet valve mountable on a tire in communication with a compressor in a tire pressure maintenance system, the dual-function tire inlet valve comprising:
- a conduit having an exterior end and an interior end such that, when mounted on a tire, the exterior end is in fluid communication with an ambient air supply and the interior end is in fluid communication with an interior chamber of the tire;
- a first check valve positioned adjacent to one end of the conduit, wherein the first check valve is configured to open automatically only when the compressor is active and the tire is rotating with at least a pre-determined velocity;
- and
- a second check valve positioned adjacent to an opposite end of the conduit, wherein the second check valve is configured to open only upon manual actuation.
A dual-function tire inlet valve mountable on a tire in communication with a compressor in a tire pressure maintenance system, the dual-function tire inlet valve comprising:
- a conduit having an exterior end and an interior end such that, when mounted on a tire, the exterior end is in fluid communication with an ambient air supply and the interior end is in fluid communication with an interior chamber of the tire;
- a first check valve in fluid communication with the ambient air supply, wherein the first check valve is configured to open automatically only when the compressor is active and the tire is rotating with at least a pre-determined velocity;
- and
- a second check valve in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the tire, wherein the second check valve is configured to open only upon manual actuation.
A dual-function tire inlet valve mountable on a tire in fluid communication with a compressor in a tire pressure maintenance system, the dual-function tire inlet valve comprising:
- a conduit having an exterior end and an interior end such that, when mounted on a tire, the exterior end is in fluid communication with an ambient air supply and the interior end is in fluid communication with an interior chamber of the tire;
- a first check valve for selectively allowing fluid communication between the ambient air supply and a pump channel, wherein the first check valve is automatically opened only when air in the pump channel is being pulled into an interior chamber of a tire and the tire is rotating about its axis with at least a pre-determined velocity;
- and
- a second check valve for selectively allowing fluid communication between the pump channel and the interior chamber of the tire, wherein the second check valve opens upon manual actuation.
A tire pressure maintenance system for maintaining air pressure within an interior chamber of a tire, the tire pressure maintenance system comprising:
- a compressor;
- and
- a dual-function tire inlet valve comprising a conduit having an exterior end and an interior end such that, when mounted on a tire, the exterior end is in fluid communication with an ambient air supply and the interior end is in fluid communication with the interior chamber, a first check valve positioned adjacent to one end of the conduit, wherein the first check valve is configured to open automatically only when the compressor is active and the tire is rotating with at least a pre-determined velocity, and a second check valve positioned adjacent to an opposite end of the conduit, wherein the second check valve is configured to open only upon manual actuation.
A method for allowing ambient air into a compressor of a tire pressure maintenance system, comprising:
- sealing a pump channel from an ambient air supply with a first check valve, wherein the pump channel is in fluid communication with the tire pressure maintenance system;
- automatically opening the first check valve in response to creation of a pressure gradient within the pump channel by operation of the compressor and rotation of the tire with at least a pre-determined velocity;
- and
- sealing the pump channel from an interior chamber of a tire with a second check valve configured to open only in response to manual actuation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.