AU2023229495A1

AU2023229495A1 - Tire safety apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2023229495A1
Application number: AU2023229495A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christopher Robin Koch
Original assignee: Koch Innovations Safety Solutions Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Koch Innovations Safety Solutions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2022-10-27
Filing date: 2023-09-12
Publication date: 2024-05-16

Abstract

An inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus for use with a tire, the inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus comprising: a body formed of one or more members; a first port formed in the body for coupling to a source of an inflating air; a second port formed in the body in fluid communication with the first port for coupling to a void of the tire to thereby pass the inflating air from the first port to the void; and a third port formed in the body in fluid communication with the second port; wherein an over-pressure relief valve is mounted to the third port for venting air upon pressure within the body exceeding a venting pressure threshold of the over-pressure relief valve to thereby reduce pressure in the void of the tire. Cor 040 CCD Coo CDO ci c co N Co coo C.0o CCo 000

Description

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I TIRE SAFETY APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing the risk of tires exploding.

BACKGROUND

Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

Figure 1 is a cross section through a tire 2, being a pneumatic tire, and a rim 4 of a wheel. Pneumatic tires have a wall 6 of synthetic rubber, which is typically steel-wire reinforced, with outer tread 7 and with circumferential beads 8 that seal with the rim 4, and which defines a void 12 that contains pressurized air. The pressurized air is introduced into the void through an inflation valve 16, which is typically a Schrader type valve. Inflation valve 16 is mounted through rim 4 and has an inlet end 17, which is located outside of the tire and which, once cap 15 is removed, is attached to an air compressor during inflation. A portion of inflation valve 16 proceeds through a hole 21 in rim 4 so that an outlet end 19 of inflation valve 16 locates inside void 12. During air is passed through inflation valve 16 from the compressor to the void 12 inside the tire 2.

For domestic vehicles the air in void 12 is typically pressurized to about 35-40 psi above atmospheric pressure at sea level. However, the pressure may be greater in some situations. For example, Figure 2 depicts large haul trucks 18 used in an open cut mine. The tires 2 of trucks 18 may be pressurized to around 11psi. Since the trucks 18 haul heavy loads 22 the pressure in the tires 2 will increase with increased load. In the event that the truck 18 travels over a bump or an obstacle then a spike in the air pressure of one or more of the tires 2 may occur.

There have been incidents where a spike in air pressure has exceeded the strength of the walls 6 of tire 2, resulting in catastrophic failure of the tire. Given the large volume of pressurized air located in the tire, a sudden rupture of the wall 6 of tire 2 results in a very fast release of energy due to equalization of the pressurized air with the surrounding atmosphere, that may be akin to an explosion occurring.

It would be desirable if a simple and convenient solution were provided that reduces the occurrence of incidences such as the one that has been explained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus for use with a tire, the inflation and over pressure relief apparatus comprising: a body formed of one or more members; a first port formed in the body for coupling to a source of inflating air; a second port formed in the body in fluid communication with the first port for coupling to a void of the tire to thereby pass the inflating air from the first port to the void; a third port formed in the body in fluid communication with the second port; wherein an over-pressure relief valve is mounted to the third port for venting air upon pressure within the body exceeding a venting pressure threshold of the over-pressure relief valve to thereby reduce pressure in the void of the tire.

In an embodiment the over-pressure relief valve includes a closure member for closing the third port whilst the pressure within the body is less than the venting pressure threshold.

In an embodiment the closure member comprises a piston.

In an embodiment the over-pressure relief valve includes a seat about the third port for receiving a portion of the piston. In an embodiment the piston is formed with an opening through a sidewall thereof for passage of air.

In an embodiment the over-pressure relief valve includes a valve body formed about the third port wherein at least a portion of the piston locates in the valve body.

In an embodiment the over-pressure relief valve includes a cap that is threadedly engaged with the valve body.

In an embodiment the over-pressure relief valve includes a biasing means arranged to urge the piston against the third port for closure thereof whilst the pressure within the body is less than the venting pressure threshold.

In an embodiment the biasing means comprises a spring.

In an embodiment the biasing means locates between the cap and the seat.

In an embodiment a male thread of the cap is threadedly engaged with a female thread of the valve body.

In an embodiment the over-pressure relief valve includes a locking member for locking the cap relative to the valve body.

In an embodiment the locking member comprises a lock nut threadedly engaged about the cap for abutment with an end of the valve body.

In an embodiment a first end of the biasing means locates on a surface of the piston opposite the third port.

In an embodiment a second end of the biasing means locates against an inner wall of the cap.

In an embodiment the cap is formed with at least one opening for venting air therethrough.

In an embodiment the apparatus includes a hose coupled to the second port.

In an embodiment the apparatus includes a coupling conduit that extends from the second port and inserts into a first end of the hose.

In an embodiment an outer surface of the coupling conduit is formed with barbs for engagement with the hose.

In an embodiment the apparatus includes a ring for placement about the first end of the hose for pressing the barbs against the hose to thereby retain the hose with the coupling conduit.

In an embodiment a second end of the hose is coupled to an air outlet member for mounting through a rim to which the tire is mounted.

In an embodiment the first port includes a valve allowing unidirectional flow of the inflating air through the first port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a cross section through a wheel rim and tire combination.

Figure 2 depicts open cut mine haul trucks fitted with very large tires.

Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of an inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus for use with a tire.

Figure 4 is a cross section through a portion of the inflation and over pressure relief apparatus.

Figure 5 is a cross section through a wheel rim and tire combination with the inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus fitted thereto.

Figure 6 depicts the portion of the inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus during inflation of a tire coupled thereto.

Figure 7 depicts the portion of the inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus subsequent to inflation and during an over-pressure incident.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 3 is a side view of an inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus 24 (or as it may be referred to more simply herein, "over-pressure relief apparatus") for use with a tire. The over-pressure relief apparatus 24 includes a body 26 that is typically formed of a metal such as a brass alloy. Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through the body 26. Body 26 is formed of one or members and in the presently described embodiment is formed of a first member 26a and a second member 26b which are threadedly connected by threads 28.

A first port, in the form of an inflation port 30, is formed in the first member 26a of body 26 for coupling to a source of inflating air, i.e. air for inflating a tire. Typically, the source of inflating air will be an inflation coupler that is connected by a hose to a compressor that is capable of providing air pressurised to the level required for inflation of the tire, e.g. 110 psi.

An inflation valve 32, which is typically a Schrader type valve, is located in fluid communication with inflation port 30. Upon connection of the inflation coupler to first member 26a of body 26, the inflation valve 32 allows air to proceed from the inflation port 30 into the rest of the body 26, so long as the pressure within the body 26 is less than the pressure of the inflating air. Subsequent to removing the inflation coupler the inflation valve 32 prevents air from the body escaping back out through the inflation port 30, provided the pressure in the body is greater than the ambient outside pressure. The operation of Shrader style valves, such as inflation valve 32 is well known and so will not be described in more detail.

The first member 26a of body 26 is formed with a male thread 34 for receiving a complementary female thread 36 of an inflation valve cap 38. The inflation valve cap 38 is threaded over inflation port 30 once the inflation coupler has been removed to protect the inflation valve 32.

A second port 40 is formed in the second member 26b of the body 26. The second member 26b is formed with a coupling conduit 42 that extends from the second port into a hose 44. The coupling conduit 42 is formed with barbs 46 around its outer surface for engagement with a first end of hose 44. A ring 43 is provided that is for placement about a first end of the hose 44 for pressing the barbs 46 against the internal wall of the hose to thereby retain the hose 44 with the coupling conduit 42.

Hose 44 extends from coupling conduit 42 to an air outlet member 47 which mounts through rim 4 of a wheel to which a tire 2 is mounted, as illustrated in Figure 5.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, a third port, in the form of over-pressure port 60 is formed in the body 26 in fluid communication with the second port 40. An over-pressure relief valve 62 is mounted to the over-pressure port 60 for venting air upon pressure within the body exceeding a venting pressure threshold of the over-pressure relief valve to thereby reduce pressure in the void 23 of the tire 2.

The over-pressure relief valve 62 includes a valve body 64 which is disposed about an outer side of the over-pressure port 60. The valve body 64 is tubular and is integrally formed with the second member 26b of body 26. The valve body 64 is is formed with a female thread 65.

The over-pressure relief valve 62 also includes a cap 66 that is generally shaped as a hollow cylinder with an axial lumen 67 and a closed outer end 68. Two vent apertures 70 extend from an outer surface of the cap, on or adjacent the closed outer end 68 to the axial lumen 67 so that air in the axial lumen 67 will escape through the vent apertures 70 if pressure within the axial lumen 67 exceeds external ambient pressure. A sidewall 71 of the cap 66 is formed with a male thread 72 that is threadedly engaged with the female thread 65 of the valve body 64.

The over-pressure relief valve 62 also includes a port closure member in the form of a piston 74 for closing the third port whilst the pressure within the body is less than the venting pressure threshold. The piston 74 is cup-shaped with an outer surface 76 dimensioned to locate within a seat 75 (indicated in Figure 7) about over-pressure port 60 and close the over-pressure port 60 as shown in Figure 4. Piston 74 is formed with an opening 77 through a sidewall 79 thereof for passage of air therethrough.

The over-pressure relief valve 62 includes a biasing means in the form of a coil spring 78 which is arranged to urge the piston 74 into seat 75 and against the over-pressure port 60 for closure thereof whilst the pressure within the body 26 is less than the venting pressure threshold of over-pressure relief valve 62.

As may be observed in Figure 4, the biasing means, in the form of coil spring 78, locates between the cap 66 and the piston 74. In particular, in the presently described embodiment one end portion of the coil spring 78 extends into axial lumen 67 and abuts an inner side of closed outer end 68 whilst an opposite end of the coil spring abuts a floor of piston 74, opposite the outer surface 76.

The over-pressure relief valve 62 further includes a locking member, in the form of lock nut 80, for locking the cap 66 relative to the valve body 64. Lock nut 80 is threadedly engaged about the cap 66 for abutment with an outer end 82 of the valve body 64. Adjusting the position of lock nut 80 acts to increase or distance the distance of the closed outer end 68 from seat 75 (Figure 7) so in turn increases or decreases the length of coil spring 78, which results in the force exerted by the coil spring against the piston decreasing or increasing so that the venting pressure threshold of the over-pressure relief valve 62 can be set as desired.

Referring again to Figure 3, as previously mentioned, in an embodiment the over-pressure relief apparatus 24 includes a hose 44 which is coupled to the second port 40.

Figure 5 shows inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus 24 in use mounted to rim 4 of a wheel to which a tire 2 is mounted.

Figure 6 depicts the inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus 24 in use during inflation. An inflation coupler 81 has been connected to the inflation port 30 so that the inflation valve 32 is opened and air, indicated by arrows 83 passes from the inflation coupler 81, out of second port 40, through hose 48 and into void 12 of tire 2. During this inflation procedure the over-pressure relief valve 62 is set, by the lock nut 80, to have a venting pressure threshold above the target inflation pressure of the tire. Consequently, inflating the tire to the target inflation pressure will not cause the piston 74 of the over-pressure relief valve 62 to open the over-pressure port 60.

Once the pressure in the tire reaches the target inflation pressure the inflation coupler is removed so that the inflation valve closes.

Subsequently, as illustrated in Figure 7, if a pressure spike occurs in the tire, for example due to a vehicle to which the tire is mounted travelling over an unexpected obstacle or becoming unduly hot for some reason, then pressure in the body 26 will also rise so that it is above the venting pressure threshold of the over-pressure relief valve. In that event the pressure in the body 26 will generate a force at over-pressure port 60 against the piston that is greater than the force exerted by coil spring 78 on the piston. Consequently, the piston will move from seat 75 and the over-pressure port 60 will be unobstructed by the piston. Air, as indicated by arrows 90 will then proceed from the tire, through over-pressure port 60, through the opening 77 of the piston 74, through the axial lumen 67 of the cap and thence out through the vent apertures 70. After sufficient air has been vented from the tire the pressure in body 26 will drop sufficiently for the biasing force provided by the coil spring 78 to again urge the piston 74 into seat 75 so that the outer surface 76 of the piston closes over pressure port 60.

It will therefore be realized that the inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus that has been described provides a convenient solution to the problem of being able to inflate a tire and also have over-pressure relief that can protect a tire in the event of an unexpected over-pressure situation occurring.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus for use with a tire, the inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus comprising: a body formed of one or more members; a first port formed in the body for coupling to a source of an inflating air; a second port formed in the body in fluid communication with the first port for coupling to a void of the tire to thereby pass the inflating air from the first port to the void; and a third port formed in the body in fluid communication with the second port; wherein an over-pressure relief valve is mounted to the third port for venting air upon pressure within the body exceeding a venting pressure threshold of the over-pressure relief valve to thereby reduce pressure in the void of the tire.

2. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 1, including a closure member for closing the third port whilst the pressure within the body is less than the venting pressure threshold.

3. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 2, wherein the closure member comprises a piston.

4. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 3, wherein the over-pressure relief valve includes a seat about the third port for receiving a portion of the piston.

5. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 4, wherein the piston is formed with an opening through a sidewall thereof for passage of air.

6. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 4, wherein the over-pressure relief valve includes a valve body formed about the third port wherein at least a portion of the piston locates in the valve body.

7. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 6, wherein the over-pressure relief valve includes a cap that is threadedly engaged with the valve body.

8. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 7, wherein the over-pressure relief valve includes a biasing means arranged to urge the piston against the third port for closure thereof whilst the pressure within the body is less than the venting pressure threshold.

9. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 8, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

10. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 8, wherein the biasing means locates between the cap and the seat.

11. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 7, wherein a male thread of the cap is threadedly engaged with a female thread of the valve body.

12. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 7, wherein the over-pressure relief valve includes a locking member for locking the cap relative to the valve body.

13. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 12, wherein the locking member comprises a lock nut threadedly engaged about the cap for abutment with an end of the valve body.

14. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 8, wherein a first end of the biasing means locates on a surface of the piston opposite the third port.

15. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 14, wherein a second end of the biasing means locates against an inner wall of the cap.

16. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 7, wherein the cap is formed with at least one opening for venting air therethrough.

17. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 1, including a hose coupled to the second port.

18. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 17, including a coupling conduit that extends from the second port and inserts into a first end of the hose.

19. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 18, wherein an outer surface of the coupling conduit includes barbs for engagement with the hose.

20. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 19, including a ring for placement about the first end of the hose for pressing the barbs against the hose to thereby retain the hose with the coupling conduit.

21. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 17, wherein a second end of the hose is coupled to an air outlet member for mounting through a rim to which the tire is mounted.

22. The inflation and over-pressure relief apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first port includes a valve allowing unidirectional flow of the inflating air through the first port.

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