Wheel-End Tire-Bladder Inflation Valve for High-Flow CTIS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS) for agricultural vehicles face limitations in output flow capacity and require costly, space-consuming air sealing systems, and are susceptible to power consumption and contamination issues, especially when dealing with large agricultural tires and dual pressure management in inner and outer tire cavities.
Innovation Solution
An inflation/deflation system with a valve and fluid passageway arrangement attached to the tire/wheel assembly, utilizing a separate source of pressurized fluid and atmosphere connection, featuring a timer wheel valve and check valves to manage pressure in both tire and bladder chambers efficiently, reducing the need for large compressors and minimizing electrical power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high capacity air supply system is incorporated to quickly re-inflate large agricultural tires, then the output flow capacity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring extensive air sealing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air sealing function from the rotary union and relocates it to the wheel end, where it is integrated into the valve assembly. This allows the rotary union to be replaced with a simpler single-passage design, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high flow capacity for rapid tire inflation
Solution Approach 2:
The air sealing system is nested within the wheel end valve assembly, combining multiple functions (air sealing, pressure regulation, and valve control) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate air sealing mechanisms in the rotary union, reducing device complexity
2Device complexity
If controls and valves are located on the wheel end to accommodate a single passage rotary air seal, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to susceptibility to extreme operating environments and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel end valve assembly is pre-configured with integrated air sealing components and contamination barriers before installation. The design includes sealed chambers and protected passages that prevent contamination ingress, ensuring reliable operation in extreme agricultural environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sealed passageways and protective barriers as intermediaries between the external environment and the internal valve components. These intermediaries prevent direct exposure to contamination while allowing necessary fluid and signal passage, maintaining reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If wheel mounted components are used for CTIS operations, then the adaptability is improved, but the use of energy increases due to electrical power consumption for controls and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel end valve assembly is designed to operate autonomously using mechanical inputs from the operator. The valve mechanism converts direct mechanical input into pneumatic control actions without requiring electrical power, while still providing full CTIS functionality including inflation, deflation, and pressure management
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 system enables efficient inflation and deflation of large agricultural tires with reduced power consumption and increased reliability, allowing for quick re-inflation and pressure management without the need for extensive air sealing systems, enhancing mobility and fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve in the fifth fluid passageway preventing flow from the fourth fluid passageway to the third fluid passageway
Implementation Method 2
a relief or check valve in the fourth fluid passageway preventing flow through the relief or check valve unless the fluid pressure entering the fourth fluid passageway is above a predetermined valve pressure threshold
Data Source
AI summary
An inflation/deflation system for a tire in tire systems such as those having an inner bladder and an outer ground engaging tire is provided in which the inflation/deflation system is adapted to inflate/deflate a tire, inflate a bladder, and inflate a tire utilizing pressurized air from the bladder. The system utilizes a specialized valve and passageway system which utilizes pressurized fluid to operate a timer wheel valve to inflate the tire and/or bladder without requiring electric power at the wheel and utilizes a low power function to inflate the tire from the bladder. The utilization of the bladder to provide a quick tire inflation is particularly useful in agricultural applications utilizing tire with large volumes.