Central Tire Inflation Leak Detection via Header Pressure Cycling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional central tire inflation systems face challenges in detecting leaks, as air can flow from non-leaking tires to mask the leak, especially with both normally-open and normally-closed wheel-end check valves, making it difficult to accurately identify pressure imbalances.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involve reducing the fluid pressure in a common header to a predetermined value, gradually increasing it, and monitoring the pressure to detect leaks by using a control valve and pressure sensor to isolate and control air flow between tires and the header, allowing for accurate leak detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is continuously supplied to maintain tire pressure, then tire pressure is maintained, but leak detection becomes difficult due to pressure masking from non-leaking tires
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by reducing header pressure below operating pressure before attempting leak detection. This creates a controlled low-pressure state that eliminates the masking effect, allowing accurate detection of leaks before normal pressure restoration occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by cycling the header pressure between reduced and normal states. During the reduced pressure phase, leak detection occurs; during the normal pressure phase, tire pressure maintenance occurs. This periodic cycling allows both functions to be performed effectively without interfering with each other.
2Ease of operation
If wheel-end check valves are used to control air flow, then tire pressure control is improved, but leak detection is hindered by air flow from non-leaking tires
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the check valves from the active air flow path during the leak detection phase by closing them. This isolation prevents air from flowing between tires through the check valves, eliminating the pressure equalization that masks leaks and allowing accurate detection of pressure imbalances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the check valves switchable between open and closed states. During normal operation, they remain open for pressure control; during leak detection, they are closed to isolate tires. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt the check valve function to the current operational requirement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If header pressure is maintained at operating level, then system stability is ensured, but leak detection precision deteriorates due to pressure equalization
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary pressure reduction to a first predetermined value below operating pressure before conducting leak detection. This preliminary action creates the necessary pressure differential for accurate detection while maintaining overall system stability through controlled, temporary pressure changes.
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
This approach effectively identifies leaks by stabilizing pressure at a leak-indicative level, enabling precise detection and management of tire pressures, even in systems with only inflate control capabilities, thereby improving tire pressure monitoring and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to monitor a pressure in the common header
Implementation Method 2
a control valve configured to control air flow from the compressed air source to the common header; reducing a fluid pressure in the common header to a first predetermined value below an operating pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting a leak in a pressure vessel of a system including a plurality of pressure vessels in fluid communication with a common header comprises: reducing a fluid pressure in the common header to a first predetermined value below an operating pressure of the plurality of pressure vessels; gradually adding fluid to the common header at a first flow rate to increase the fluid pressure in the common header from the first predetermined value; monitoring, after gradually adding the fluid to the common header, the fluid pressure in the common header; and determining, based on the fluid pressure in the common header after gradually adding the fluid to the common header, a leak in at least one pressure vessel of the plurality of pressure vessels.