GB2541691A

GB2541691A - Inflation apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2541691A
Application number: GB1515144.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Robinson Nial
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-26
Filing date: 2015-08-26
Publication date: 2017-03-01
Also published as: GB201515144D0

Abstract

An inflation apparatus for an inflatable container, such as a tyre (10.1, Fig.4), comprising at least two radially and symmetrically disposed cylinders 2,2a, each arranged to have the volumes thereof varied by centrifugal force; the inflation apparatus further comprising a comparing means 8.1-8.5 arranged to compare a pressure in said inflatable container with a reference gas pressure provided by a reference gas pressure means, and a valve means 1 arranged to admit gas under a greater pressure than that of the reference gas pressure from at least one of the cylinders to the inflatable container. One of the at least two cylinders may be a dummy, non-functional component 1a-4a acting as a counterweight 4a to balance the apparatus. The apparatus may be radially disposed about a vehicle wheel (10). A geared 7-7c link arm mechanism may be used to synchronise the movement of pistons 4,4a located within the at least two cylinders having adjustable restoring means such as spring 7.2. The inflation apparatus may comprise a mobile phone package having a global positioning system (GPS), a waterproof universal serial bus (USB) 9.1, and may be linked to a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The reference pressure means may interchangeable and a visual pressure indicator 9.2 may be provided.

Description

INFLATION APPARATUS

This invention relates to inflation apparatus and particularly to an apparatus for supplying and maintaining the pressure of a compressed gas in an inflatable container, such as a tyre, mounted on, or as part of, a rotatable structure when the rotating structure is subject to irregular rates of rotation.

The apparatus may be free to rotate on a shaft, or axle, or it may be rotated by a shaft, or axle. Pneumatic tyres, or tires, naturally lose pressure over time because small amounts of air (or gas) diffuse through the tyre material. The loss of pressure may be different for each tyre because of differences in wheel rim surface seals and material wear. Tyres also lose pressure unequally dif^^o the effects of running over rough surfaces, pot holes, and stones, and also from the effects of hard acceleration and braking combined with poor maintenance. Where one, or more, pairs of driven wheels and pneumatic tyre combinations, on a vehicle, have unequal t5u-e pressures, then the wheels will have differing circumferences and it will result in one, or more, of the tyres either being dragged along a surface, or having one tyre with a larger surface contact generating more heat and using more energy or a combination of both. Tyre pressures differing from a manufacturer’s recommended pressure settings are considered unsafe and after a number of fatal accidents in the USA, attributed to under inflation of t5U'es, direct Τ50·ε Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) in vehicles in the USA was mandated in 2000.

Since November 2014 all motor vehicles and mobile homes in the EU must have a TPMS at initial registration. AU TPMS solutions depend on someone to monitor the TPMS and act on the information.

There have been a number of other approaches to resolve the problem. One common solution is to mount relatively heavy gas pressure generating equipment on a vehicle and to supply pressurised gas to t5U'es via a flexible gas-tight connection to the centre of each wheel and on through the spokes, or other means, to the tyre and some variations allow pressure to be controlled remotely while driving. Another solution by the French tyre company Michelin, in 2005, uses an airless wheel called a ‘TweeT which is a combination of ‘T5n-e’ and ‘WhEEL’ but so far, after more than 10 years, the applieation is limited to heavy eonstmction equipment, mooted mihtary applications, and other, mainly eomparatively slow moving applieations. This is in part, due to ride and noise generating problems. Although there has been no widespread eommercial uptake of any significance, other companies, sueh as Yokohama and Resilient Teehnologies, have joined in with their offerings. There have been a number of previous attempts to solve this or related problems: see for example CNIOI858326, CN1063843, CN201151332, CN201914222, CN2049718, CN2106093, CN2122082, CN2125517, CN2133475, CN2163756, CN2169563, CN2233471, CN2343014, CN2584431, CN86105562, DEI02005031099, DE4042446, DE4201691, EP0122303, GB173604, GB2476263, GB296482,

RTM GB319478, GB467096, GB530004, GB634849, GB652812, GB667269, JPH06213185, JPH11139118, RU2077994, RU94031574, US3799035, US5556489, US5558730, US5591281, US5616196, US5865917, and US5975174.

According to this invention there is provided an inflation apparatus for an inflatable container sueh as a tyre including at least two radially and symmetrically disposed variable volume eylinders eaeh arranged to have the volumes thereof varied by centrifugal foree, reference gas pressure means arranged to provide a referenee gas pressure for said inflatable container, eomparing means arranged to eompare a pressure in said inflatable eontainer with said referenee gas pressure, and valve means arranged to admit gas under pressure from at least one of said variable volume cylinders to inflate said inflatable container if the pressure in said inflatable container is less than said referenee gas pressure.

Preferably, plural variable volume eylinders are equi-circumferentially disposed about a wheel or hub so as to provide rotational balance of said wheel or hub.

Conveniently, in some circumstanees, a variable volume cylinder is utilised whieh does not provide gas under pressure and does not have valve means associated therewith for admitting gas to said inflatable eontainer, thereby aeting as a counterweight to a variable volume cylinder which does provide gas under pressure to said inflatable container.

Advantageously, gear means are provided for synchronising movement and centrifugal power generation of pistons located inside said variable volume cylinders.

Preferably, restoring means are provided which act upon said gear means to move said pistons radially inwardly when the centrifugal force is less than a predetermined amount.

Conveniently, the restoring means include adjustment means arranged to vary the restoration power thereof.

RTM

Advantageously, gas filter means are provided for at least the variable volume cylinders that are used to admit gas to said inflatable container, whereby filtered gas is admitted to said variable cylinders on an induction stroke.

In one embodiment, the adjustment means is arranged to be automatically activated by a mass sensing the rotatable velocity of the wheel.

Advantageously, the comparing means is arranged to prevent inflation of said inflatable container if the pressure in said inflatable container is higher or equal to said reference gas pressure.

Conveniently, visual means are provided to indicate the status of gas pressure in said inflatable container.

Conveniently, a mobile phone package having a Global Positioning System (GPS) device are arranged to control the operation of the gear means.

Preferably, said mobile phone is arranged to communicate with a tyre pressure monitor system (TPMS).

Advantageously, a waterproof Universal Serial Bus (USB) is arranged to provide electrical power and data to a mobile phone.

Conveniently, valve means are provided to permit adjustment of the reference gas pressure means and to manually inflate or deflate the inflatable container.

Advantageously, the reference pressure means is arranged to be interchangeable with a similar reference pressure means that is pre-pressurised.

An example of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows a view of an inflation apparatus in accordance with this invention, in a form, suitable for mounting on an automobile wheel (or rim), showing atmospheric air (or gas) being drawn into the device piston prior to compression,

RTM

Figure 2 shows another aspect of the apparatus in Figure 1 showing pressurised air (or gas) being expelled from the device after compression,

Figure 3 shows a view of a standalone version of the inflation apparatus mounted on to alb inch automobile wheel (or rim), and

Figure 4 shows a view of the apparatus built into, for example, a 16 inch automobile wheel (or rim).

In the Figures like reference numerals denote like parts.

Figure 1 shows an inflation device, where 6 is a framework with one, or more, mounting holes 6.1 supporting a compressing piston 4 in a cylinder with one open end 2 and a counterweight 4a, in a non-compressing enclosure 2a, connected to a synchronising and power transmission consisting of arms 7, 7a, 7b, and 7c, each of which terminates in a slot at one end and a near semi-circular toothed gear at the other end. The two sets of arms, set 7 and 7a and set 7b and 7c are meshed together such that when one moves the other moves by the same amount in an opposite direction. The arms are attached to the frame 6 by pivots 7.1, 7a.l, 7b.l and 7c.l. The slots on each set of arms are attached to a compression piston 4 at one end and to a counterweight 4a at the other end using round bars 5 and 5a which allow the arms to move in and out from the eentre of rotation 6.2 and following the movement of the piston and eounterweight as it is foreed away from the centre of rotation 6.2 and bringing the piston and counterweight back towards the centre of rotation 6.2 when the springs 7.2 and 7a.2 exert a greater force that the centrifugal force of rotation around the centre 6.2. 7.3 and 7a.3 are devices to allow the length of the springs 7.2 and 7a.2 to be adjusted to increase or decrease the spring tension.

The piston 4 and the eounterweight 4a draw in air (or gas) to the cylinders 2 and the non compression enclosure 2a through the filters 3, and 3a, (3b, and 3c may be non-functioning dummies retained for balance purposes) where each filter consists of an outer stiff fine mesh, inside of which is an envelope of any commercially

RTM RTM available water excluding textile such as “Gore-Tex” or “Sympa Tex” 3c. 1 expanded over a soft resilient material which allows air (or gas) to permeate it 3c.2 and which can collapse (and afterwards expand again) when the piston and counterweight draw in air (or gas) through one, or more, one-way valves 1.2 faster than the air (or gas) can penetrate through the water excluding textile envelope 3c. 1.

Cylinders 8.4 and 8a.4 contain air (or gas) acting as a reference pressure acting on a gas-tight piston within the cylinder and connected to rods 8.2 and 8a.2 with wedges 8.3 and 8a.3 which enter valves 8.1 and 8a. 1 and terminate in gas tight pistons within the valves. When the air (or gas) external to the valves 8.7 is less than the reference pressure in the cylinders 8.4 and 8a.4 the wedges are held clear of the meshing gears ends of arms 7, 7a, 7b and 7c, otherwise when the air (or gas) external to the valves 8.7 is equal to, or greater than, than the reference pressure the wedges 8.3 and 8a.3 are jammed between the gears attached to arms 7, 7a, 7b, and 7c, assisted by the action of the bias springs 8.6 and 8a.6 (where the external pressure 8.7 is equal to the reference pressure in the cylinders 8.4 and 8a.4) thus preventing the synchronising and power transmission elements arms 7, 7a, 7b and 7c from functioning. The path of the air (or gas) through the filters and the one-way valves 1.2 into the compression cylinder is shown at 3.1. The air (or gas) voided to the atmosphere by the counterweight is shown by 3.2. The one-way valve for high pressure air (or gas) is shown at 1. (Optionally, la may be a non-functioning dummy for balance purposes).

One, or more, miniaturised secure encrypted waterproof mobile phone packages with GPS and encrypted communications facilities to interface with other manufacturers TPMS devices (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems) and with mobile phone interfaces remotely are provided and which are also capable of monitoring and controlling functions on the wheel or rim are attached to the frame 6 at 9 and 9a. A waterproof USB (Universal Serial Bus) 9.1 is provided for connection with the IT packages and re-charging electrical storage. One, or more, visual indicators 9.2 are provided. Valves 8.5 and 8a.5 allow manual adjustment of the reference air (or gas)

RTM pressures. Valves 8 and 8a (one of which, optionally, may be a non-functioning dummy for balance purposes) allow for manual adjustment of the external air (or gas) tyre pressures.

Figure 2 shows another view of the apparatus where air (or gas) 3.1.1 compressed by the compression piston 4 is being ejected through the one-way valve 1. It shows the non-compressed air (or gas) 3.1.2 being dissipated to the atmosphere by the action of the counterweight 4a.

Figure 3 shows another view of the apparatus in Figure I mounted on a wheel (or rim) 10. The tyre 10.1 is of the t5φe and dimensions shown by the alphanumeric group 10.2. The device is secured to the rim 10 by one, or more, fixings 10.3. The synchronising and power transmission elements are shows as stopped because the wedges 8.3 and 8a.3 are jammed into the toothed gears on the sets of arms, set 7 and 7a and set 7b and 7c because the air (or gas) pressure in the t5U'e 10.1 is equal to the reference pressure in the cylinders 8.4 and 8a.4 and the biasing springs 8.6 and 8a.6 have exerted pressure to push the wedges into the toothed gears. Valves to manually adjust air (or gas) pressure in the tyre 10.1 are shown at 8 and 8a. Valves to manually adjust the reference air (or gas) in the cylinders 8.4 and 8a.4 are shown at 8.5 and 8a.5: and

Figure 4 shows the apparatus built into a wheel (or rim) 10. The alphanumeric group 10.2 shows the dimensions of the tyre 10.1. The compression piston 4 is attached to a curved arm 4.1 ending in a toothed rack and attached by a rod 4a.2 to a spring 7a. 2. The counterweight 4a is also attached to a curved arm 4a. 1 ending in a toothed rack and attached by a rod 4.2 to a spring 7.2. Each spring 7a.2 and 7.2 terminates in devices 7.3 and 7a.3 which can be manually adjusted to change the tension on the springs, by lengthening or shortening them. Both toothed racks on curved arms 4.1 and 4a. 1 engage with toothed gear 10.6 which is independently free to rotate about the wheel (or rim) hub 10.7. Optionally, an additional similar toothed gear lOa.6 may be mounted behind toothed gear 10.6 which engages with optional off-set second curved arms 4.3 and 4a.3 on piston 4 and counterweight 4a as an

RTM optional safety measure. Toothed gears 10.6 and lOa.6 rotate in opposite directions. The rods 4.2 and 4a.2 pass through locking/unlocking devices 11.3 and lla.3 which are locked or unlocked by bars 11.2 and 1 la.2 which are attached to rods 11.1 and 1 la. 1 which have both ends terminate in air tight pistons enclosed in both the reference pressure cylinders 8.4 and 8a.4 and in the tyre valves 11 and 1 la so that when the pressure in the tyre is test less than the reference pressure the lock/unlocks 11.3 and 1 la.3 are unlocked allowing the synchronising and power transmission elements to function. Bias springs 8.6 and 8a.6 ensure that unlock/unlock device remains locked when the reference air (or gas) pressure and the tyre air (or gas) pressure are equal. The air (or gas) is taken in via the filters 3 and 3a (one of which optionally may be a non-functioning dummy) and delivered to an annular low pressure ring supply 10.8 (for balance purposes) via one-way valves 3.1 and 3a. 1 (sitting inside the wheel (or rim) tyre space) which, in turn, deliver the low pressure air (or gas) to the one-way valves 10.4 and lOa.4 at the compressing cylinder 2 and the counterweight enclosure 2a. (Optionally, the valve at the counterweight may be a non-functioning dummy.) Operational and data IT storage, communications and electrical energy storage are indicated by 9 and 9a. Reference pressure may be manually adjusted via valves 8.5 and 8a.5. The pressure in the tyre may be manually adjusted via one, or more, valves 10.5 to adjust tyre pressure and lOa.5 to adjust reference pressure when a reference pressure cylinder 10.9 is seated inside the tyre space of the wheel (or rim) instead of on the wheel or rim. One, or more, visual indicators 9.2 show the tyre’s current pressure status and may be activated mechanically or digitally. Means to recharge the electrical storage and manipulate the IT programmes and data are provided by a water-tight USB connection 9.1. One, or more, fixings are shown 10.3. A high pressure one-way valve is shown 1 and a non-functioning dummy valve is shown at la.

From the foregoing it will be understood this invention relates to and has the following features:

RTM 1. An inflation apparatus including a centrifugal compressor with one, or more, air (or gas) filters which maintains a tyre’s air (or gas) pressure by comparison with a predetermined reference air (or gas) pressure in a permanent container, or replaceable container, and which injects pressurised air (or gas) into a tyre using one, or more, compression pistons to generate the air (or gas) pressure using centrifugal force when the air (or gas) pressure in the tyre is less than the pre-determined reference air (or gas) pressure and when the rate of rotation of the device is sufficient to generate the desired air (or gas) pressure. 2. An apparatus which uses one, or more, synchronisation and power transmission elements, to co-ordinate the action of more than one compression piston, or any mixture of compression pistons and counterweights, in a continually balanced movement such that any action of the device’s components will not upset the balance of the wheel (or rim) to which the device is attached to, or the wheel, or rim, the device is enclosed within. 3. An apparatus, where the synchronisation and power transmission elements, transmit some, or all, of the centrifugal power generated by non-compressing counterweights back to the compression pistons. 4. An apparatus, where the synchronisation and power transmission elements, using a return mechanism ensure that the pistons and counterweights are re-set to a point nearer to the centre of rotation, to enable the filters to take in air (or gas) when the rate of rotation of the wheel (or rim) generates less centrifugal force than the pull exercised hy the return mechanism. 5. An apparatus, where the synchronisation and power transmission elements, are prevented from functioning whenever the air (or gas) pressure in the tyre is greater than, or equal, to the pre-determined air (or gas) reference pressure and which also allows the synchronisation and power tiansmission elements to function when the air (or gas) pressure in the tyre falls helow the reference air (or gas) pressure and sets

RTM visual indicators to indicate the status of the air (or gas) pressure in the t5re. 6. An apparatus, where attached digital PC and GPS devices can capture and manipulate device operating data, and initiate, or help initiate, the starting or stopping of the synchronisation and power transmission elements, and which can communicate with other manufacturers’ TPMS (if installed) and with other devices external to the wheel (or rim) and sets visual indicators. 7 An apparatus, where a watertight USB can he used to recharge the electrical power storage and to access the digital components. 8. An apparatus, where the compression pistons, counterweights, cylinders and counterweight enclosures may have circular or oval sections. 9. An apparatus, which allows manual adjustment of the reference and tyre air (or gas) pressures. 10. An apparatus, which supports more than one set of pistons and counterweights of difference weights and volumes. 11. An apparatus, where the return mechanism may he manually adjusted to increase or decrease the power of the return action . 12. An apparatus, where the return mechanism adjustment is activated automatically hy a weight which senses the rotational velocity of the wheel (or rim). 13. An apparatus, where parts of the device may he replaced with non-functioning dummies of similar weight to preserve balance.

Claims

1. An inflation apparatus for an inflatable container such as a t5n-e including at least two radially and symmetrically disposed variable volume cylinders each arranged to have the volumes thereof varied by centrifugal force, reference gas pressure means arranged to provide a reference gas pressure for said inflatable container, comparing means arranged to compare a pressure in said inflatable container with said reference gas pressure, and valve means arranged to admit gas under pressure from at least one of said variable volume cylinders to inflate said inflatable container if the pressure in said inflatable container is less than said reference gas pressure.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein plural variable volume cylinders are equi-circumferentially disposed about a wheel or hub so as to provide rotational balance of said wheel or hub.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein in some circumstances, a variable volume cylinder is utilised which does not provide gas under pressure and does not have valve means associated therewith for admitting gas to said inflatable container, thereby acting as a counterweight to a variable volume cylinder which does provide gas under pressure to said inflatable container.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein gear means are provided for synchronising movement and centrifugal power generation of pistons located inside said variable volume cylinders.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein restoring means are provided which act upon said gear means to move said pistons radially inwardly when the centrifugal force is less than a predetermined amount.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the restoring means include adjustment means arranged to vary the restoration power thereof.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein gas filter means are provided for at least the variable volume cylinders that are used to admit gas to said inflatable container, whereby filtered gas is admitted to said variable cylinders on an induction stroke.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjustment means is arranged to be automatically activated by a mass sensing the rotatable velocity of the wheel.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the comparing means is arranged to prevent inflation of said inflatable container if the pressure in said inflatable container is higher or equal to said reference gas pressure.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein visual means are provided to indicate the status of gas pressure in said inflatable container.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a mobile phone package having a Global Positioning System (GPS) device is arranged to control the operation of the gear means.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said mobile phone is arranged to communicate with a tyre pressure monitor system (TPMS).

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein a waterproof Universal Serial Bus (USB) is arranged to provide electrical power and data to a mobile phone .

14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein valve means are provided to permit adjustment of the reference gas pressure means and to manually inflate or deflate the inflatable container.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the reference pressure means is arranged to be interchangeable with a similar reference pressure means that is pre-pressurised.

16. An apparatus substantially has as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.