Aircraft Wheel Tire Pressure Sensor Assembly for Modular Valve Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft wheel assemblies with over-inflation pressure relief valves require costly and complex tire pressure monitoring systems, and replacing a failed tire pressure sensor or pressure relief valve often necessitates replacing the entire unit, which is impractical and expensive, especially for existing aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A modular tire pressure sensor assembly that can be easily disengaged and replaced from the over-inflation pressure relief valve, allowing for separate components and using additive manufacturing techniques for durable materials like metal, composite, or ceramic for the pressure relief housing and sensor housing, with a frangible disk for pressure relief and a pinless connector for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a one-piece unit comprising a combination tire pressure sensor and over-inflation pressure relief valve is used, then the structural integrity and sealing are improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates because failure of either component requires replacing the entire unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the previously integrated one-piece unit into separate modular components: a valve body containing the over-inflation pressure relief valve, a sensor assembly containing the tire pressure sensor, and a connector assembly that joins them. This segmentation allows the sensor assembly to be replaced independently without replacing the entire valve unit, directly resolving the repair difficulty while maintaining structural integrity through the connector design.
2Measurement precision
If a tire pressure monitoring system is added to existing aircraft, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tire pressure sensor functionality with the existing over-inflation pressure relief valve into a single integrated assembly that uses the valve's existing fluid communication pathways. The sensor assembly connects to the valve body through a connector that utilizes the valve's internal passages to sense tire pressure, eliminating the need for separate wiring and equipment, thus reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If a one-piece unit is used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the loss of time increases during maintenance due to complete unit replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the assembly into modular components (valve body, sensor assembly, connector) that can be manufactured separately using optimized processes for each component type, then assembled together. This segmentation enables rapid replacement of only the sensor assembly during maintenance, dramatically reducing maintenance time compared to replacing an entire one-piece unit, while the modular design remains manufacturable through standard processes.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional over-inflation pressure relief valves are used without integration, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional equipment and wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tire pressure sensor assembly with the conventional over-inflation pressure relief valve by utilizing the valve's existing fluid communication pathways and structural components. The sensor assembly connects to the valve body through a connector that uses the valve's internal passages to access tire pressure, eliminating the need for separate wiring harnesses and additional equipment, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tire pressure sensor (210) is provided. The tire pressure sensor (210) comprises a sensor housing (226) having a first engagement portion (230) defining an opening. A pressure sensing element (224) is within the sensor housing (226) and is in fluid communication with the opening of the sensor housing (226). The tire pressure sensor (210) is configured to engage and be in fluid communication with an over-inflation pressure relief valve (106). The over-inflation relief valve (106) is engagable in a wheel (102) of an aircraft wheel assembly. The tire pressure sensor (210) is also disengagable from the over-inflation pressure relief valve (106). A tire pressure sensor assembly (212) and an aircraft wheel system (100) are also provided.