Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC

Venkata Ramakanth Kona

Kurt P Gillen

Christopher P Lewark

Jason M Sidders

Brian V Knapke

Lloyd G Racine

Philip M Molloy

Melvin B Mozingo

Systems and methods for determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system are provided. In one example, a method of determining the health of a seal of a tire inflation system on a vehicle includes obtaining one or more pressure measurements of a tire of the vehicle with a pressure transducer in communication with an electronic control unit and sending the one or more pressure measurements to a computer network via a communication network that receives signals from the electronic control unit, the communication network including a telematics device in communication with the computer network, wherein the computer network is configured to determine the health of the seal based on the one or more pressure measurements communicated by the telematics device.

Method of determining the health of a seal in a tire inflation system

A method of determining the health of a tire on a vehicle includes determining a total number of tire inflation events that have occurred due to a loss of tire pressure. A rate in which the tire inflation events have occurred is determined based on the total number of tire inflation events over a predetermined period of time. The health of a tire is determined by comparing the rate in which tire inflation events have occurred to a threshold rate.

Method of determining the health of a tire on a vehicle

A method and system of preventing or reducing water ingress into a tire inflation system is provided.

Method of preventing or reducing water ingress into a tire inflation system

A method of decreasing tire pressure includes opening a wheel valve () to allow pressurized air from a tire () to be directed to a first valve assembly () and to atmosphere. A target pressure is selected for a fluid control conduit (). The fluid conduit () is in fluid communication with the first valve assembly () and a second or control valve assembly (). The pressure in the fluid conduit () is measured. If the measured pressure is greater than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly () is de-energized. If the measured pressure is less than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly () is energized. A valve () prone to leak under very low temperatures may be subjected to repeated cycles of pressure application and pressure release in order to form a fluid-tight seal.

Method of decreasing tire pressure

A method of determining tire pressure includes providing a control unit having a first pressure transducer. The control unit is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir via an air supply circuit. A second pressure transducer is disposed at least partially within the fluid reservoir. The method also includes measuring a pressure of air in the air supply circuit utilizing the first pressure transducer and measuring a pressure of air in the reservoir utilizing the second pressure transducer. The method additionally includes determining a difference in the measurements of the first pressure transducer and the second pressure transducer and calibrating the second pressure transducer pressure measurement to agree with the first pressure transducer pressure measurement where the pressure difference is less than a predetermined value. The method further includes measuring a pressure in one or more tires.

Pressure supply diagnostics and controls and the tire inflation system made therewith

A method of determining tire pressure includes providing a control unit which comprises a pressure sensor. The control unit is in fluid communication with a wheel valve via a fluid control circuit. A pressure of air in the fluid control circuit is measured utilizing the pressure sensor. The method also includes determining whether a leak is present in a fluid control circuit and providing a leakage compensation pressure. The tire pressure is calculated by adding the pressure of the air in the fluid control circuit and the leakage compensation pressure together.

Method of determining tire pressure

A method for decreasing tire pressure includes providing a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is provided in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position and includes an area having a first flow capacity. A variable area valve assembly is provided and is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The variable area valve assembly includes an area formed in a perforation that has a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is less than the first flow capacity. A target tire pressure is selected. If a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is greater than the target tire pressure, then the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is decreased.

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Maumee, OH, United States of America

Venkata Ramakanth Kona