MULTI-BODY HUBCAP FOR TIRE INFLATION SYSTEMS

1 . A hubcap comprising:

a base configured to removably couple to a vehicle hub; and

a cap rotatably coupled to the base.

2 . The hubcap of claim 1 further comprising an annular seal disposed between the base and the cap so as to substantially seal the cap to the base.

3 . The hubcap of claim 2 further comprising a vent configured to release pressurized fluid from the hubcap.

4 . The hubcap of claim 1 , further comprising:

the base having an inboard cylinder and an outboard cylinder, the inboard cylinder having a diameter greater than the diameter of the outboard cylinder, the inboard cylinder and the outboard cylinder joined by a shoulder;

the cap being enclosed at a first end by an outboard wall, the cap having a flange extending radially outwardly from a second end of the cap, the flange being configured to engage the shoulder of the base when the first end of the cap extends from the base; and

a retainer disposed on the base so as to retain the cap in the base.

5 . The hubcap of claim 1 , further comprising:

the base having an inboard cylinder and an outboard cylinder, the inboard cylinder having a diameter less than the diameter of the outboard cylinder, the inboard cylinder and the outboard cylinder joined by a shoulder;

the cap being enclosed at a first end by a removable outboard cover, the cap having a flange extending radially inwardly from a second end of the cap, the flange being configured to engage the shoulder of the base when the first end of the cap extends from the base; and

a retainer disposed about the base or in the cap so as to retain the base in the cap.

6 . The hubcap of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises a solid outboard wall.

7 . The hubcap of claim 1 wherein the cap includes an outboard face including a port configured for accepting a rotary union.

8 . The hubcap of claim 1 wherein the cap includes one or more internal walls, one or more radial fluid channels formed in the one or more internal walls.

9 . The hubcap of claim 1 , the base having threads for threaded coupling to a hub.

10 . The hubcap of claim 1 further having a rotary union integrated into or mounted to the cap, the rotary union being configured to receive pressurized fluid from a vehicle pressure source and communicate the pressurized fluid to a tire through an air connection.

11 . The hubcap of claim 10 , the rotary union comprising:

a rotor body;

a tube having an end disposed in the rotor body; and

an annular seal disposed about the tube, the annular seal being configured to substantially prevent pressurized fluid from flowing between the rotor body and the tube.

12 . The hubcap of claim 11 the rotary union further comprising a telescope cap.

13 . The hubcap of claim 11 wherein the tube is sealingly disposed in said rotor body using one or more annular seals.

14 . The hubcap of claim 11 wherein the tube is rigid, or flexible, or may include both a flexible portion and a rigid portion.

15 . The hubcap of claim 11 wherein the tube is pivotably and translatably disposed in the annular seal.

16 . The hubcap of claim 11 wherein the tube is in sealed fluid communication with an axle through a stator with a second annular seal disposed between the tube and stator.

17 . The hubcap of claim 16 wherein the tube is coaxially extendable and translatably disposed in the axle.

18 . The hubcap of claim 4 wherein the retainer comprises a snap ring or an inner locking nut.

19 . The hubcap of claim 4 further comprising a bushing disposed between the shoulder and the cap.

20 . A method of orienting a hubcap, the method comprising:

on a hubcap comprising a base and a cap rotatably coupled to the base, disposing a rotary union in or on the cap, the rotary union being configured to receive pressurized fluid from a vehicle pressure source and communicate the pressurized fluid to a tire through an air connection; securely coupling a hubcap to a vehicle hub; and

rotating the cap so that the air connection substantially aligns with a tire valve.

21 . The method of claim 20 further comprising coupling the air connection to the tire valve using an air hose.