Epic Technologies, Inc.

Unicomm Signal, Inc.

Donald V Nowicki

Christopher A Munroe

A device is provided for sensing a condition of a non-rotating pneumatic tire preferably of the type used on an automobile wherein the tire is mounted on a tire rim. The device comprises a housing, a band for mounting the housing to the tire rim, a sensor for monitoring the condition within the tire, circuitry operatively connected to the sensor for generating radio signals indicative of the tire condition, a power supply operatively connected to the circuitry, an externally controlled switch, and a receiver for receiving the radio signals. The externally controlled switch is manually or electromagnetically operable to cause the condition sensor to generate radio signals when the pneumatic tire is stationary. A method of mathematically cross-linking data and identification information is provided to ensure data integrity. Also, the system includes a data logging capability for storing time series tire condition information for use as a historical log of tire use. Predictive capabilities retrieve manufacturer's specifications stored in a memory for comparison against real time use data to predict or otherwise anticipate possible hazardous conditions or tire life expectancy.

Data logging tire monitor with condition predictive capabilities and

A device is provided for sensing the condition of a pneumatic tire preferably of the type used on an automobile wherein the tire is mounted on a tire rim. The device comprises a housing, a band for mounting the housing to the tire rim, a sensor for monitoring the condition within the tire, circuitry operatively connected to the sensor for generating radio signals indicative of the tire condition, a power supply operatively connected to the circuitry, a centrifugal switch, and a receiver for receiving the radio signals. The centrifugal switch may be bypassed with the condition sensor switch to generate the radio signals when the pneumatic tire is stationary. Otherwise, the circuitry within the housing remains disabled until such time as the centrifugal switch senses a rotational frequency above a predetermined level. The circuitry is provided with a microcontroller operable between an active and a low power consumption mode wherein the battery comprising the power supply is conserved. A watchdog arrangement between the radio receiver and transmitter provides for a self-checking feature to alert an operator of the automobile of possible fault conditions such as low battery or circuit malfunction.

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Lorain, OH, United States of America

Donald V Nowicki