CTIS Valve Member with Damper for Rapid Deflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing central tire inflation/deflation systems (CTIS) are limited in their ability to quickly deflate tires to low pressures and are temperature sensitive due to the use of spring-loaded diaphragm valves, which require a reference pressure from a pressure source to maintain deflation below ambient pressure.
Innovation Solution
A novel valve design that operates without a diaphragm, using a damper to prevent immediate closure and allowing fluid flow in both directions, eliminating the need for a small control orifice and reference pressure from a pressure source, enabling quicker deflation to ambient pressure without additional components or pneumatic lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a spring-loaded diaphragm valve is used in CTIS, then the valve can maintain closed state and control pressure, but the deflation speed is slow and the valve is temperature sensitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diaphragm component from the valve assembly entirely. Instead of using a spring-loaded diaphragm mechanism, the invention employs a valve member that directly responds to pressure differentials across the valve body, eliminating the temperature-sensitive diaphragm while maintaining pressure control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-loaded diaphragm system with a pressure-differential-driven valve mechanism. The valve member is actuated by the imbalance between inlet and outlet pressures rather than by spring force on a diaphragm, eliminating the problematic mechanical components that cause temperature sensitivity and slow response
2Reliability
If a small control orifice is used to limit back pressure sensitivity, then the valve can maintain stable operation, but the fluid flow rate is restricted and deflation is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the small control orifice entirely from the design. The valve achieves back pressure stability through the pressure-differential actuation mechanism on the valve member itself, rather than through flow restriction via a small orifice, allowing full-bore fluid flow capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter from flow-rate-limited (via small orifice) to pressure-differential-limited. By making the valve response dependent on the pressure imbalance across the valve member rather than on restricted flow through a small opening, the system achieves both stability and high flow capacity
3Measurement precision
If a reference pressure from a pressure source is required to maintain deflation below ambient pressure, then the valve can control pressure precisely, but additional pneumatic lines and components are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The single fluid flow line serves multiple functions: it provides the inlet pressure to the valve, serves as the reference pressure source for the pressure-differential actuation mechanism, and carries the deflated tire pressure to the outlet. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pneumatic lines while maintaining precise pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reference pressure supply function with the main fluid flow line. The inlet pressure from the same line that supplies operating pressure to the valve also provides the reference pressure needed for the pressure-differential mechanism, consolidating multiple functions into a single pneumatic pathway
4Speed
If the valve closes immediately upon pressure drop, then the valve responds quickly to pressure changes, but the deflation cannot be maintained below reference pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pressure-differential balance mechanism where the valve member position continuously adjusts based on the instantaneous balance between inlet pressure force and outlet pressure force. This dynamic equilibrium allows the valve to remain open during deflation as long as the pressure differential favors outward flow, enabling maintenance of pressures below the reference pressure while retaining quick response capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The new valve design allows for faster and more efficient deflation to lower pressures, reducing weight and complexity, and operates independently of temperature, enhancing the performance of CTIS by maintaining the valve in an open state for a prescribed period.
Implementation Method 1
a damper operably connected to the valve member to dampen movement of the valve member to a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A central tire inflation/deflation system (CTIS) with a novel valve that may deflate more quickly and may deflate to a lower pressure than the previously known central tire inflation/deflation system valves. Also, the present valve may not be temperature sensitive, at least because the present valve does not require trapped air behind a diaphragm to operate the valve. The present valve may be placed into existing CTIS's in place of existing valves, without modifying pneumatic lines of the existing CTIS's. Thus, the present valve may be operated by a single fluid flow line, receive pressure from the single fluid flow line, and exhaust to the single fluid flow line. A second communication line, either a pneumatic pilot line or an electrical line, is not necessary, which allows the present valve to be retrofit into an existing CTIS without adding weight or complication from additional components.