Constant pressure pneumatic balancing tire inflation system

Abstract

A constant pressure vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply source. A first wheel valve is in fluid communication with a first tire of the vehicle, and a second wheel valve is in fluid communication with a second tire of the vehicle. A pneumatic conduit extends between and is in fluid communication with the air supply source and the wheel valves. At least a portion of the pneumatic conduit remains charged with air from at least one of the supply source and the tires. The system includes means for distributing air flow between the pneumatic conduit and the first and second wheel valves, in which the wheel valves and the means selectively maintain fluid communication between the first and second tires and the pneumatic conduit to provide pneumatic balancing between the tires, and the wheel valves provide emergency protection when a tire experiences significant pressure loss.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system, comprising:
 a hub cap;   a first tire fluidly connected to said hub cap;   a second tire fluidly connected to said hub cap; and   at least one wheel valve mounted in said hub cap and being fluidly connected to said first and second tires, whereby said wheel valve selectively maintains fluid communication and flow between the first and second tires to provide pneumatic balancing between said first and second tires.   
     
     
         2 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one wheel valve is independent of a vehicle air supply source. 
     
     
         3 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one wheel valve includes a pair of wheel valves. 
     
     
         4 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one wheel valve is biased to close when a pressure in at least one of said first and second tires decreases below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         5 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 1 , wherein said system does not employ electronic components. 
     
     
         6 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 1 , wherein said hub cap includes:
 a generally cylindrical sidewall;   an outboard wall extending generally perpendicular to said sidewall at a first end of said hub cap; and   a flange extending radially outwardly from said sidewall at a second end of said hub cap.   
     
     
         7 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one wheel valve is attached to an outboard surface of said outboard wall of said hub cap. 
     
     
         8 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one wheel valve is attached to an inboard surface of said outboard wall of said hub cap. 
     
     
         9 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one wheel valve is integrated into said outboard wall of said hub cap. 
     
     
         10 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 6 , wherein said hub cap further comprises an intermediate wall disposed between said outboard wall and said flange. 
     
     
         11 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one wheel valve is attached to an outboard surface of said intermediate wall of said hub cap. 
     
     
         12 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one wheel valve is attached to an inboard surface of said intermediate wall of said hub cap. 
     
     
         13 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one wheel valve is integrated into said intermediate wall of said hub cap. 
     
     
         14 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one wheel valve is removable from said hub cap. 
     
     
         15 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 6 , wherein said hub cap includes a first port to receive a tire hose of said first tire and a second port to receive a tire hose of said second tire. 
     
     
         16 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 15 , further comprising a first poppet valve assembly disposed in said first port and a second poppet valve assembly disposed in said second port, whereby said poppet valve assemblies enable selective fluid communication between said wheel valves and said tire hoses. 
     
     
         17 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 6 , further comprising a first fitting attached to said hub cap for receiving a tire hose of said first tire and a second fitting attached to the hub cap for receiving a tire hose of said second tire, wherein said first fitting and said second fitting are disposed non-axially on said hub cap. 
     
     
         18 . The constant pressure vehicle tire equalization system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one wheel valve includes more than one wheel valve, and said wheel valves are incorporated into a single wheel valve assembly.