公开(公告)号：US5616196A

公开(公告)日：1997-04-01

申请号：US512773

申请日：1995-08-09

Applicant: Richard T. Loewe

Inventor： Richard T. Loewe

IPC: B60C23/00 ,  B60C23/12

CPC classification number: B60C23/004 ,  B60C23/12

Abstract: A device for automatically maintaining desired air pressure within a vehicle tire utilizes deformation of the rotating tire where it contacts the road surface to operate an air compressor. The air compressor is formed in the wheel and connected to the tire, the compressor responsive to deformation of the tire causing compressed air to pass into the tire. The compressor is preferably of a reciprocating piston type having a cylinder adapted to receive a sliding piston, the piston preferably slidably received within a plunger in contact with the inside of the tire. A spring is preferably disposed between the plunger and the piston to limit the motion of the piston to a fixed displacement less than the deformation of the tire, such that the tire inflation system is operable for a wide range of deformations of the tire. Additionally, a centrifugal intake valve is preferably provided that seals off the inlet passageway to the air compressor and opens only when the wheel is rotating rapidly enough so that centrifugal force on potential liquid or particulate contaminants expels such contaminants. Advantageously, the tire inflation device of the present invention is entirely contained within the wheel, without the need for a rotating joint to the vehicle body or frame.

Abstract translation: 用于在车辆轮胎内自动保持期望的空气压力的装置利用与路面接触的旋转轮胎的变形来操作空气压缩机。 空气压缩机形成在车轮中并连接到轮胎上，压缩机响应轮胎的变形，使得压缩空气进入轮胎。 压缩机优选为具有适于容纳滑动活塞的气缸的往复活塞式活塞，活塞优选地可滑动地容纳在与轮胎内部接触的柱塞内。 优选地，弹簧设置在柱塞和活塞之间，以将活塞的运动限制在小于轮胎变形的固定位移，使得轮胎充气系统可操作用于轮胎的宽范围变形。 此外，优选地提供离心进气阀，其将入口通道密封到空气压缩机，并且仅当车轮足够快地旋转以使得对潜在液体或颗粒污染物的离心力排出这种污染物时才打开。 有利地，本发明的轮胎充气装置完全容纳在车轮内，而不需要向车身或车架的旋转接头。

公开(公告)号：US5591281A

公开(公告)日：1997-01-07

申请号：US512826

申请日：1995-08-09

Applicant: Richard T. Loewe

Inventor： Richard T. Loewe

IPC: B60C23/12 ,  F04B35/00 ,  F04B17/06 ,  F04B19/22

CPC classification number: B60C23/12 ,  F04B35/00

Abstract: A device for automatically maintaining desired air pressure within a vehicle tire utilizes inertial forces from changes in vehicle speed. The device includes a flywheel attached to and concentric with the vehicle wheel but free to rotate relative the wheel, and an air compressor attached to the vehicle wheel and connected to the tire, the compressor piston responsive to rotation of the flywheel with respect to the vehicle wheel to pass air into the tire. Preferably a connecting rod converts the rotation of the flywheel relative the wheel into the reciprocating sliding of a piston to operate the air compressor. Additionally, a centrifugal intake valve is preferably provided that seals off the inlet passageway to the air compressor when the vehicle is stopped or moving slowly to prevent contaminants from entering. Advantageously, the device of the present invention may easily be attached to or removed from the vehicle wheel and is entirely contained on the wheel, without the need for a rotating joint or any physical contact to the vehicle frame or body.

Abstract translation: 用于在车辆轮胎内自动保持期望气压的装置利用来自车速变化的惯性力。 该装置包括附接到车轮并且与车轮同心的飞轮，但是可相对于车轮自由旋转;以及空气压缩机，其连接到车轮并连接到轮胎，压缩机活塞响应于飞轮相对于车辆的旋转 车轮将空气传入轮胎。 优选地，连杆将飞轮相对于轮的旋转转换成活塞的往复滑动以操作空气压缩机。 此外，优选地提供离心进气阀，当车辆停止或缓慢移动以防止污染物进入时，离心进气阀将空气压缩机的入口通道密封。 有利地，本发明的装置可以容易地附接到车轮上或从车轮移除，并且完全容纳在车轮上，而不需要旋转接头或与车辆框架或车身的任何物理接触。

公开(公告)号：US5325902A

公开(公告)日：1994-07-05

申请号：US901240

申请日：1992-06-19

Applicant: Richard T. Loewe ,  Gary B. Shelly ,  Fredrick M. Moran

Inventor： Richard T. Loewe ,  Gary B. Shelly ,  Fredrick M. Moran

IPC: B60C23/00 ,  B60C23/04 ,  B60C23/12

CPC classification number: B60C23/12 ,  B60C23/004 ,  B60C23/041

Abstract: A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure within the tire utilizes a motor and air compressor disposed upon the rotating wheel to eliminate the requirement for a rotary pneumatic joint. The air compressor provides a source of air for maintaining inflation pressure and is driven by a DC motor. The motor is, in turn, driven by a generator which is partially disposed upon the rotating wheel and partially disposed upon a non-rotating portion of the vehicle. A stationary magnet attached to a non-rotating portion of the vehicle defines the generator's stator. Windings which define the generator's armature are formed upon a substrate which is applied to the rotating wheel such that the windings pass within close proximity to the stationary magnet. The air compressor may alternatively be mechanically driven directly by the rotation of the wheel.

Abstract translation: 用于在轮胎内保持期望的充气压力的装置利用设置在旋转轮上的电动机和空气压缩机来消除对旋转气动接头的要求。 空气压缩机为维持充气压力提供空气源，并由直流电动机驱动。 电动机又由发电机驱动，该发电机部分地设置在转动轮上并部分地设置在车辆的不旋转部分上。 附接到车辆的非旋转部分的固定磁体限定发电机的定子。 限定发电机电枢的绕组形成在施加到旋转轮上的基板上，使得绕组通过非常接近固定磁体。 空气压缩机可以替代地通过轮的旋转直接机械驱动。

公开(公告)号：US5975174A

公开(公告)日：1999-11-02

申请号：US209538

申请日：1998-12-11

Applicant: Richard T. Loewe

Inventor： Richard T. Loewe

IPC: B60C23/12 ,  B60C23/10

CPC classification number: B60C23/12

Abstract: A device for maintaining inflation pressure within a tire interior of a tire mounted on a rotating wheel with a rim. The device includes a compressor with piston penetrateably mountable on the wheel rim or in communication with a valve stem that incorporates air delivery to the compressor as mounted within the tire. The piston is in communication with a compressible piston driver having a distal end in contact with the inner floor of the mounted tire where the outer side of the tire contacts the ground once every revolution of the wheel. Repeated deformation of the rotating tire where it contacts the ground outside the distal end of the driver is transferred to the air compressor through a piston compression stroke. When such ground contact is not occurring, centrifugal force causes radial movement to accomplish the intake stroke of the piston. In this repetitious manner a small amount of air is forced into the tire during each rotation thereof when needed to maintain desired inflation pressure.

Abstract translation: 一种用于保持安装在具有轮辋的旋转轮上的轮胎的轮胎内部内的充气压力的装置。 该装置包括具有活塞可穿透地安装在轮缘上或与阀杆连通的压缩机，该阀杆将安装在轮胎内的空气输送到压缩机。 活塞与可压缩的活塞驱动器连通，该活塞驱动器的远端与所安装的轮胎的内层接触，轮胎的外侧每轮转动一次接触地面。 旋转轮胎与驾驶员的远端外部接地的重复变形通过活塞压缩冲程传递到空气压缩机。 当没有发生这种接地接触时，离心力会导致径向移动，以达到活塞的进气冲程。 以这种重复的方式，在需要时，在其旋转期间，少量空气被迫进入轮胎以保持期望的充气压力。