Supply and tire pressure sensing apparatus and method
View Patent ↗An apparatus for and a method of sensing fluid pressure of a tire and the fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same, with a central sensor and which requires the control of only two valves. The apparatus for sensing fluid pressure of a tire and the fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same, includes a sensor disposed so as to be selectably in fluid communication with one or both of: a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow from the fluid supply, and a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire. The method of sensing fluid pressure of a tire and the fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same includes disposing a sensor so as to be selectably in fluid communication with one or both of: a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow through a supply passage from the fluid supply, and a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire.
1. Apparatus for sensing fluid pressure of a tire and a fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same, comprising a sensor disposed so as to be selectably in fluid communication with:
a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow from the fluid supply; and
a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire, said second valve venting a conduit between said second valve and said tire when in said closed position.
2. Apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a bleed air passage that bypasses the first valve for conducting fluid from the fluid supply to a passage containing said sensor.
3. Apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said bleed air passage is configured to conduct fluid continuously.
4. Apparatus of claim 1 , wherein when the second valve defines a closed position, fluid is vented from the tire pressure maintenance system.
5. Apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a restriction in a passage for conducting fluid between the fluid supply and the first valve.
6. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor is configured to indicate a supply pressure of said fluid supply when said first valve is opened and said second valve is closed and said sensor is configured to indicate a tire pressure in said tire when said first valve is closed and said second valve is opened.
7. Method of sensing fluid pressure of a tire and a fluid supply of a tire pressure management system maintaining same comprising:
disposing a sensor so as to be selectably in fluid communication with:
a first valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow through a supply passage from the fluid supply; and
a second valve, operable from an open position through a closed position, for respectively promoting and prohibiting fluid flow to or from the tire, said second valve venting a conduit between said second valve and said tire when in said closed position.
8. Method of claim 7 , further comprising:
positioning the first valve in a closed position; and
positioning the second valve in a closed position;
thereby enabling venting of fluid from the tire pressure maintenance system.
9. Method of claim 7 , further comprising:
positioning the first valve in an open position; and
positioning the second valve in a closed position;
thereby enabling sensing of fluid pressure in the fluid supply.
10. Method of claim 7 , further comprising:
positioning the first valve in a closed position; and
positioning the second valve in an open position;
thereby enabling sensing of fluid pressure in the tire.
11. Method of claim 7 , further comprising:
positioning the first valve in an open position; and
positioning the second valve in an open position;
thereby enabling supplying fluid to the tire.
12. Method of claim 7 , wherein said sensor is configured to indicate a supply pressure of said fluid supply when said first valve is opened and said second valve is closed and said sensor is configured to indicate a tire pressure in said tire when said first valve is closed and said second valve is opened.