Dana Corporation

Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC

Eaton Corporation

Parker-hannifin Corporation

Stephen P Claussen

James Alden Beverly

Daryl J Stacer

Leo Wenstrup

Gerard O McCann

Gary R Schultz

Mark D Boardman

Robert Brian Knepple

Leonard Joseph Jabcon

Gerard Mccann

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.

Central tire inflation/deflation system with a timed function CTIS wheel valve

The present invention relates to a vehicle brake system, which has a brake reservoir, and utilizes a tire management system that is in communication with the brake reservoir and a vehicle operator. As a result of this configuration, the tire management system communicates brake reservoir pressure signals to the vehicle operator, so that the operator is made aware of any low pressure conditions, in the trailer, before trying to move the trailer.

Vehicle brake pressure monitoring system an method

A method of monitoring the fluid pressure of, with a sensor of a tire pressure management system disposed without, a tire that prevents overinflation of same. The method of monitoring a fluid pressure of a tire with a sensor, disposed in conduit assemblies for conducting fluid to or from the tire, of a tire pressure management system includes providing a pulse of compressed fluid to the conduit assemblies, unless a counter exceeds a count, the fluid in the conduit assemblies thereafter having a conduit pressure. The pulse has a duration that corresponds to a ratio defined by a first predetermined amount divided by a second predetermined amount.

Tire pressure monitoring method

The present invention relates to an automatic inter-axle differential sensor configuration (i.e., location) and calibration method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle. The method involves determining the speed of the vehicle, determining pulses per minute from each inter-axle differential sensor via the vehicle electronic control unit (ECU), where each of the inter-axle differential sensors are connected to an inter-axle differential gear, determining a location of each inter-axle differential sensor from each of the inter-axle differential sensor pulses per minute, and assigning a number of teeth to each of the inter-axle differential gears in calibrating each of the inter-axle differential sensors. The revolutions per minute for each of the inter-axle differential sensors may be utilized to lock the inter-axle differential during slippage of the vehicle, without human intervention.

Automated inter-axle differential lock sensor configuration and calibration method

A method of verifying the integrity of a valve in service in a tire pressure management system is disclosed. The method of verifying valve integrity of a valve interposed between a tire and conduit assemblies for conducting fluid to and/or from the tire in a tire maintenance system includes closing the valve for prohibiting fluid flow into the conduit assemblies in fluid communication with the valve and monitoring the pressure of fluid in the conduit assemblies in fluid communication with the valve for ascertaining a pressure increase therein.

Tire pressure management system valve integrity verification method

A tire inflation method is disclosed for moving air through a fluid control circuit to at least one tire that is below a target pressure. The dynamic pressure of the moving air in the fluid control circuit is monitored. A pressure control valve in the fluid control circuit is cycled on and off to prevent the dynamic pressure from reaching a predetermined amount over the target pressure.

Tire inflation method

Vehicle brake pressure monitoring system and method

An actuation enhancement for an automated vehicle inter-axle differential (IAD) locking system. The vehicle having an engine and a tandem drive axle. The IAD actuation enhancement locking system comprises a rotating sliding clutch and a rotating side helical gear, which are capable of an engagement mode and a disengagement mode, a microprocessor, and an electrical connection between the microprocessor and an engine electronic control unit. When the sliding clutch and the helical gear are placed in the engagement mode or are placed in the disengagement mode, the microprocessor momentarily communicates a data link message to the engine electronic control unit to break engine torque, to facilitate engagement or disengagement of the sliding clutch and the helical gear.

Automated inter-axle differential locking system actuation enhancement

The present invention relates to an automatic inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method for a vehicle having a tandem drive axle. The inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method comprises providing a clutch locking mechanism of an inter-axle differential for a vehicle, the clutch locking mechanism having a first set of teeth in a fixed position and a second set of teeth on a sliding clutch, locating a speed sensor such that when the clutch mechanism is disengaged the sensor measures a speed of the sliding clutch, and when the clutch mechanism is fully engaged the sensor measures zero speed even though the sliding clutch continues to rotate, providing a speed of the vehicle from a vehicle data link, and using the speed sensor-speed and the vehicle speed to determine status of clutch mechanism engagement.

Automated inter-axle differential lock actuation sensing method

An apparatus for and a method of sensing fluid pressure of a tire and the fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same, with a central sensor and which requires the control of only two valves. The apparatus for sensing fluid pressure of a tire and the fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same, includes a sensor disposed so as to be selectably in fluid communication with one or both of: a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow from the fluid supply, and a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire. The method of sensing fluid pressure of a tire and the fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same includes disposing a sensor so as to be selectably in fluid communication with one or both of: a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow through a supply passage from the fluid supply, and a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire.

Supply and tire pressure sensing apparatus and method

A method of inflating a tire, or vehicle tire, that minimizes the amount of time needed for same is disclosed. The method of inflating a tire with a tire pressure management system includes introducing continuous fluid flow of a fluid into the tire, ascertaining the dynamic pressure of the fluid during said introducing continuous fluid flow, terminating continuous fluid flow when the dynamic pressure exceeds or equals a predetermined amount, and introducing pulsed fluid flow of the fluid into the tire.

A method for control of a tire pressure management system (or central tire inflation system) is provided which enables active adaptation of control variables in the system in response to variations in air line volume. The air line volume in a conduit between an air source and a vehicle tire is determined. Subsequently, one or more values for control variables are adjusted in response to the air line volume and various parameters associated with the system are determined in response to the adjusted values of the control variables.

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Richland, MI, United States of America

Stephen P Claussen