Tire inflation system with discrete deflation circuit

Abstract

A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source in fluid communication with multiple tires of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the tires. Means are fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit for enabling selective inflation and deflation of the tires. The means include a first pneumatic circuit for inflation of the tires, and a second pneumatic circuit for deflation of the tires. The second pneumatic circuit is discrete from the first pneumatic circuit and is common to more than one of the tires. The means provides controlled deflation of the tires in the second pneumatic circuit based upon a predetermined condition, preventing deflation of the tires until the vehicle is parked, or limiting the deflation of the tires, which in turn enables the tire inflation system to accommodate a desirable increased pressure in the tires.

Description

[0001] Cross references to related patent applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 369,159, filed July 30, 2010. technical field [0003] The present invention relates to the field of tire inflation systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to tire inflation systems for heavy duty vehicles, such as trucks and tractor-trailers or semi-trailers, that are capable of being operated while the vehicle is in motion. More particularly, the present invention relates to tire inflation systems that include a tire deflation circuit that is separate or separate from the inflation circuit so that tire deflation can be controlled based on specific predetermined conditions. Background technique [0004] Heavy-duty vehicles typically include trucks and tractor-trailers or semi-trailers. Tractor-trailers and semi-trailers (collectively called tractor-trailers for convenience) consist of at least one trailer, an...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

More specifically, in the absence of deflated-capable wheel valves, this prior art system is unable to respond to excessively increased tire pressure due to increased ambient air temperature, as noted above for non-deflated prior art systems. described

Accordingly, such prior art tire inflation systems may cause the tire to operate under conditions of significant overinflation, which undesirably reduces tire performance and, in turn, reduces tire life.

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