Tire inflation method
View Patent ↗A method of inflating a tire, or vehicle tire, that minimizes the amount of time needed for same is disclosed. The method of inflating a tire with a tire pressure management system includes introducing continuous fluid flow of a fluid into the tire, ascertaining the dynamic pressure of the fluid during said introducing continuous fluid flow, terminating continuous fluid flow when the dynamic pressure exceeds or equals a predetermined amount, and introducing pulsed fluid flow of the fluid into the tire.
1. Method of inflating a tire with a tire pressure management system comprising:
introducing continuous fluid flow of a fluid from a fluid source into the tire through a fluid control circuit;
ascertaining the dynamic pressure of the fluid during said introducing continuous fluid flow using a sensor disposed in a conduit of said fluid control circuit;
terminating continuous fluid flow when the dynamic pressure exceeds or equals a predetermined amount; and
introducing fluid flow of the fluid from said fluid source into the tire for a predetermined time through said fluid control circuit.
2. Method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined amount substantially equals a target pressure.
3. Method of claim 1 , further comprising:
ascertaining a static pressure of fluid in the tire prior to said introducing continuous fluid flow; and
initiating an alarm when the static pressure is less than a second predetermined amount.
4. Method of claim 3 , wherein the second predetermined amount substantially equals ninety percent of the predetermined amount.
5. Method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating an alarm if a duration of said inflating exceeds a predetermined time.
6. Method of claim 1 , further comprising ascertaining a source pressure of said fluid source if a duration of said introducing continuous fluid flow exceeds a predetermined time.
7. Method of claim 6 , further comprising initiating an alarm if the dynamic pressure is less than the source pressure offset by an offset amount.
8. Method of claim 1 , further comprising ascertaining a static pressure of fluid in the tire prior or subsequent to said introducing pulsed fluid flow.
9. Method of claim 8 , further comprising terminating pulsed fluid flow when the static pressure exceeds a second predetermined amount.
10. Method of claim 9 , wherein the second predetermined amount substantially equals a target pressure.
11. Method of claim 1 , further comprising:
pausing after terminating continuous fluid flow until the fluid attains a static pressure as measured by said sensor; and
determining whether the static pressure exceeds a second predetermined amount.
12. Method of claim 11 , wherein one or both of the predetermined amount and the second predetermined amount substantially equal a target pressure.
13. Method of claim 11 , wherein said step of introducing fluid flow of the fluid from said fluid source into the tire for a predetermined time occurs only if the static pressure does not exceed the second predetermined amount.
14. Method of claim 13 , further comprising terminating pulsed fluid flow when the static pressure exceeds a third predetermined amount.
15. Method of claim 14 , wherein the third predetermined amount substantially equals a target pressure.
16. Method of claim 11 , further comprising ascertaining a source pressure of a said fluid source if a duration of said introducing continuous fluid flow exceeds a predetermined time.
17. Method of claim 16 , further comprising initiating an alarm if the dynamic pressure is less than the source pressure offset by an offset amount.