Patent · US Expired

Wheel mounting for tire pressure adjustment system

US5203391A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
7References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 15, 1991
Grant dateApr 20, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 15, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16C19/543
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A mounting for a wheel having a pneumatic tire includes a hub to which the wheel is attached, a spindle about which the hub and wheel rotate, and a pair of indirectly mounted tapered roller bearings between the spindle and hub. The end of the hub is closed by a seal carrier which is attached to the hub and an end cover which is attached to the carrier. The end cover forms one end of a sealed chamber that is at the end of the spindle. The opposite end of the chamber is closed by a seal which is carried by the seal carrier beyond the two tapered roller bearings. The seal has an elastomeric seal element which bears against a sealing surface that is, in effect, carried by the spindle. One passageway extends from a location on the spindle that is remote from the bearing, along the spindle to the chamber at the end of the spindle. Another passageway extends from the exterior of the hub through the end ring to the chamber. The former is connected to a source of pressurized air, whereas the latter is connected to the interior of the pneumatic tire. Thus, the mounting permits the transfer air to or from the tire while the wheel rotates.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.