GB2398043A - Tyre inflating device using nitrogen - Google Patents
Tyre inflating device using nitrogen Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2398043A GB2398043A GB0302892A GB0302892A GB2398043A GB 2398043 A GB2398043 A GB 2398043A GB 0302892 A GB0302892 A GB 0302892A GB 0302892 A GB0302892 A GB 0302892A GB 2398043 A GB2398043 A GB 2398043A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tyre
- nitrogen
- inflating device
- air
- pressure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 82
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 41
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 23
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Alumina Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron(III) oxide Inorganic materials O=[Fe]O[Fe]=O JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- UQSXHKLRYXJYBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron oxide Chemical compound [Fe]=O UQSXHKLRYXJYBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003963 antioxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60S5/00—Servicing, maintaining, repairing, or refitting of vehicles
- B60S5/04—Supplying air for tyre inflation
- B60S5/043—Supplying air for tyre inflation characterised by the inflation control means or the drive of the air pressure system
- B60S5/046—Supplying air for tyre inflation characterised by the inflation control means or the drive of the air pressure system using electrical or electronical means
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
Abstract
The device comprises suction means 2 adapted to draw fluid from inside a tyre 15 fitted to a wheel 16, and nitrogen supply means 3, 10 adapted to inflate the tyre with nitrogen. The device, which can be portable with a battery 11 or part of fixed inflation equipment at a fuel station, comprises a control system 4 with a tyre pressure sensor 8 and a vacuum sensor 9. The programmable system controls initial deflation of the tyre 15, subsequent suction of air and water vapour from the tyre to a required vacuum level, followed by pumped nitrogen, from a canister or air scrubber 10, up to a desired inflation pressure.
Description
Tyre Inflation Device This invention relates to device for removing air
from tyres, and re-inflating them with nitrogen.
Vehicle tyres are commonly inflated with ambient air. However, oxygen in air reacts with unsaturated double valence bonds in rubber, which degrades the inside of tyres. Pressurised oxygen invades the tyre liners, then destroys the insulation rubber and so on, until the rubber loses its strength and elasticity and suffers so- called "tyre fatigue". This results in air percolating through the tyre material, and deflating the tyre.
In addition tyres are commonly inflated with air containing moisture, in particular when air is used from a compressor tank. Such moisture laden air can attack iron or aluminium in the wheel and form iron oxide or aluminium oxide rust.
This can cause a particular problem when a tyre pressure reading is taken. The small escape of pressurised air stirs up the rust particles inside the tyre, and causes them to fowl the valve mechanism. This often results in a slow air leak.
When a vehicle tyre deflates it deforms under the weight of the vehicle, and the contact patch with the road increases in size. As a result greater force is required to turn the vehicle wheels, and more heat is generated in the tyre. This in turn deforms the tyre even more and so on, with the result that fuel efficiency declines and tyre wear increases.
This kind of tyre deflation is not readily noticeable to the vehicle user, and the decline in fuel efficiency may also go unnoticed. However, over the life of the vehicle the loss in efficiency can be considerable, and when multiplied by all the vehicles in use today, the loss is enormous.
lt is known to coat the inside of tyres with antioxidants or so-called uage resisters", which are adapted to intercept and neutralise any invading oxygen.
However, such coatings only last a fraction of the life time of a regular road tyre.
If a tyre is inflated with nitrogen the above described problems do not occur.
Nitrogen percolates through a tyre only a third as much as air, and it is inert and dry so no rust is formed. It has been found that tyres filled with nitrogen last approximately 25% longer than those filled with air, and they provide a 2% increase in fuel economy.
Nitrogen is used in aircraft tyres to increase safety in the case of a fire, and because the lack of water vapour prevents ice forming at high altitudes. Nitrogen is also used in top level motor sport because the pressure increase as a tyre heats up is more predicable with nitrogen than with air, so changes to the vehicle's handling can be more readily anticipated.
In line with the prestige associated with motor sport some vehicle manufacturers now supply vehicles with nitrogen inflated tyres.
However, for the above described advantages to take effect the tyre must be filled entirely with nitrogen. This requires the tyre to be fitted in a nitrogen only environment, or for the 14 psi of atmospheric air inside a deflated tyre to be removed before it is inflated. This requires specialist facilities which can be costly.
Further, as soon as the tyre needs to be re-inflated after some use, ordinary air will most likely be used, which will nullify the above described advantages.
The present invention is intended to provide an alternative approach.
Therefore, according to the present invention, a tyre inflating device comprises suction means adapted to draw fluid from inside a tyre fitted to a wheel, and nitrogen supply means adapted to inflate the tyre with nitrogen.
In a preferred embodiment suction means is a vacuum pump, which is adapted to draw fluid from inside the tyre until the pressure is substantially 600mmhg.
In one embodiment the nitrogen supply means is a pump provided with a supply of nitrogen, for example from a canister. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the nitrogen is supplied from air scrubber means adapted to provide nitrogen from a supply of air.
The device can be provided with an electrical supply, for example a battery or from mains electricity. In one embodiment the device can be adapted to be portable, and be provided with an outer casing. In an alternative construction the device can be incorporated into an existing tyre inflation machine, for example as commonly provided at fuel refilling stations.
Preferably the device is provided with an automated operating system provided with an input means. Via the input means the user may specify the parameters of operation, for example the desired final tyre pressure, or the vacuum pressure. In one construction the input means can be a key pad and an LCD screen.
The user may input the desired final tyre pressure, and the device can remove any fluid from the tyre, and re-inflate it with nitrogen as part of an automated sequence.
The invention also includes a method of inflating a tyre fitted to a wheel using a tyre inflating device comprising suction means adapted to remove fluid from inside a tyre fitted to a wheel, and nitrogen supply means adapted to inflate the tyre with nitrogen, including the steps: 1. Deflating the tyre to Opsi 2. Vacuuming out remaining air and water vapour 3. Re-inflating the tyre with oxygen free nitrogen.
The invention can be performed in various ways but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a device according to the present invention.
As shown in Figure 1 a tyre inflating device 1 comprises suction means in the form of vacuum pump 2, and nitrogen supply means in the form of nitrogen pump 3.
The device 1 features a number of further interconnected components to facilitate its operation. A control system 4 is connected to a first relay 5, a second relay 6 and a third relay 7. (The relays are connected to appropriate valves which are not shown). The device 1 is provided with a tyre pressure sensor 8 and a vacuum sensor 9, which are connected to the control system 4. An air scrubber 10 which produces nitrogen from air is also provided. (The scrubber is of a known construction, so its working parts will not be further described here.) The device 1 is powered by battery 11, which is controlled by power switch 12.
A keypad and LCD 13 allow the user to send commands to the system.
A hose 14 connects the device 1 to a tyre 15, which is fitted to a wheel 16.
Internal hosing 17 connects the sensors 8,9, the relays 5,6,7 and the pumps 2,3.
The device 1 is adapted to tolerate pressures around 170 psi (11.72 Bar) compressed air in the tyre, and 250 psi (17.23 Bar) compressed nitrogen.
In use the device 1 is fitted to tyre 15 via hose 14. The power switch 12 is operated, and power is supplied to the various components of the device 1 from the battery 11. The user then inputs the desired final nitrogen pressure via the key pad 13, and the device proceeds with an automated program as follows: The pressure sensor 8 determines the pressure inside the tyre 15. If a positive pressure is detected, the first relay 5 is operated, and the air in the tyre is vented via outlet 18.
Once the tyre pressure reaches a pre-determined value, for example 1 psi, the first relay 5 closes, and the second relay 6 is operated to link the vacuum pump 2 to the tyre 15. The vacuum pump 2 is then activated by the control system 4, and the remaining air in the tyre 15 is removed, via outlet 19.
As the negative pressure increases inside the tyre 15, any water is turned to gas, which is then also sucked out. As the vacuum pressure increases inside the tyre 15, the rubber carcass flexes and collapses against the wheel 16.
When the vacuum sensor 9 determines that the vacuum pressure in the tyre has reached a pre-determined level, for example 600mmhg, the second relay 6 is closed and the tyre 15 is isolated.
The third relay 7 is then operated, and the nitrogen pump 3 is activated by the control system 4. The pump 3 is supplied with nitrogen from the air scrubber 10, which is supplied with atmospheric air via port 20.
Once the nitrogen pressure in the tyre 15 has reached the predetermined level as inputted by the user, the pump 3 is deactivated, and the third relay 7 is closed.
Thus, a device is provided which allows existing tyres to be readily inflated, or re-inflated with nitrogen, and therefore to benefit from improved lifetime and fuel economy, as described above.
Claims (14)
1. A tyre inflating device comprising suction means adapted to draw fluid from inside a tyre fitted to a wheel, and nitrogen supply means adapted to inflate the tyre with nitrogen.
2. A tyre inflating device according to Claim 1 in which the suction means is a vacuum pump, adapted to lower the tyre pressure to below the atmospheric pressure.
3. A tyre inflating device according to Claim 2 in which the vacuum pump is adapted to draw fluid from inside the tyre until the pressure is substantially 600mmhg.
4. A tyre inflating device according to Claim 3 in which the nitrogen supply means is a pump provided with a supply of nitrogen.
5. A tyre inflating device according to Claim 4 in which the nitrogen is supplied by an air scrubber.
6. A tyre inflating device according to any of the preceding Claims in which the device is provided with an automated operating system.
7. A tyre inflating device according to Claim 6 in which the automated operating system comprises a processor, a tyre pressure sensor and a vacuum sensor.
8. A tyre inflating device according to Claim 7 in which the automated operating system is adapted to vent a tyre of air to a pre-determinable level, as indicated by the tyre pressure sensor.
9. A tyre inflating device according to Claim 7 or 8 in which the automated operating system is adapted to vacuum a tyre of air to a predeterminable level, as indicated by the vacuum sensor.
10. A tyre inflating device according to Claim 7, 8 or 9 in which the automated operating system is adapted to inflate a tyre with nitrogen to a pre-determinable level, as indicated by the tyre pressure sensor.
11. A tyre inflating device according to any of the above Claims which is adapted to tolerate pressures around 170 psi (11.72 Bar) compressed air in the tyre, and 250 psi (17.23 Bar) compressed nitrogen in the tyre.
12. A tyre inflating device according to any of the preceding Claims in which the device is provided with a battery and is adapted to be portable.
13. A tyre inflating device substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
14. A method of inflating a tyre fitted to a wheel using a tyre inflating device according to any of the above Claims, including the steps: 1. Deflating the tyre 2. Vacuuming out remaining air and water vapour 3. Re-inflating the tyre with oxygen free nitrogen.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0302892A GB2398043A (en) | 2003-02-08 | 2003-02-08 | Tyre inflating device using nitrogen |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0302892A GB2398043A (en) | 2003-02-08 | 2003-02-08 | Tyre inflating device using nitrogen |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0302892D0 GB0302892D0 (en) | 2003-03-12 |
| GB2398043A true GB2398043A (en) | 2004-08-11 |
Family
ID=9952664
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0302892A Withdrawn GB2398043A (en) | 2003-02-08 | 2003-02-08 | Tyre inflating device using nitrogen |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2398043A (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2423751A (en) * | 2005-03-03 | 2006-09-06 | Robert Francis Lane Davies | Pneumatic tyre protection system |
| EP1745835A1 (en) * | 2005-07-18 | 2007-01-24 | Ingersoll-Rand Company | Fluid distribution system and method of operating the same |
| US7770608B2 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2010-08-10 | Kreska Technologies | Portable, remote, fast-fill inflator and nitrogen converter unit |
| EP2558369A1 (en) * | 2010-04-12 | 2013-02-20 | Janice Lachman | Nitrogen tire filling apparatus and method |
| CN109334627A (en) * | 2018-09-10 | 2019-02-15 | 江苏大学 | A kind of novel tire inflation method and system |
| NL2025077B1 (en) * | 2020-03-06 | 2021-10-14 | Pouw Banden Utrecht B V | System for increasing pressure of a gas originating from an inflated tyre, a method for deflating an inflated tyre using said system and a method for inflating a yet further tyre using said system |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3498341A (en) * | 1967-09-05 | 1970-03-03 | Lawrence R Spereberg | Method and apparatus for inflating pneumatic tires with inert gas |
| US5992476A (en) * | 1996-02-07 | 1999-11-30 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | Tire inflation apparatus |
| EP0994002A2 (en) * | 1998-10-14 | 2000-04-19 | Bridgestone Corporation | Process and apparatus for filling N2 gas into tire |
| JP2001026260A (en) * | 1999-05-10 | 2001-01-30 | Banzai Ltd | Nitrogen filling device for tire |
| JP2001163191A (en) * | 1999-12-06 | 2001-06-19 | Osamu Fujino | Conversion device for nitrogen gas in tire |
| WO2001076922A1 (en) * | 2000-04-05 | 2001-10-18 | Dwt Handelsgesellschaft Für Druckluft-Werkzeug-Technik Mit Beschränkter Haftung | Device and method for the replacement of tyre inflatants with a nitrogen-rich gas |
-
2003
- 2003-02-08 GB GB0302892A patent/GB2398043A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3498341A (en) * | 1967-09-05 | 1970-03-03 | Lawrence R Spereberg | Method and apparatus for inflating pneumatic tires with inert gas |
| US5992476A (en) * | 1996-02-07 | 1999-11-30 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | Tire inflation apparatus |
| EP0994002A2 (en) * | 1998-10-14 | 2000-04-19 | Bridgestone Corporation | Process and apparatus for filling N2 gas into tire |
| JP2001026260A (en) * | 1999-05-10 | 2001-01-30 | Banzai Ltd | Nitrogen filling device for tire |
| JP2001163191A (en) * | 1999-12-06 | 2001-06-19 | Osamu Fujino | Conversion device for nitrogen gas in tire |
| WO2001076922A1 (en) * | 2000-04-05 | 2001-10-18 | Dwt Handelsgesellschaft Für Druckluft-Werkzeug-Technik Mit Beschränkter Haftung | Device and method for the replacement of tyre inflatants with a nitrogen-rich gas |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2423751A (en) * | 2005-03-03 | 2006-09-06 | Robert Francis Lane Davies | Pneumatic tyre protection system |
| US7770608B2 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2010-08-10 | Kreska Technologies | Portable, remote, fast-fill inflator and nitrogen converter unit |
| US8196616B2 (en) | 2005-06-06 | 2012-06-12 | Kreska Technologies | Portable, remote, fast-fill inflator and nitrogen converter unit |
| EP1745835A1 (en) * | 2005-07-18 | 2007-01-24 | Ingersoll-Rand Company | Fluid distribution system and method of operating the same |
| EP2558369A1 (en) * | 2010-04-12 | 2013-02-20 | Janice Lachman | Nitrogen tire filling apparatus and method |
| EP2558369A4 (en) * | 2010-04-12 | 2015-03-18 | Janice Lachman | Nitrogen tire filling apparatus and method |
| CN109334627A (en) * | 2018-09-10 | 2019-02-15 | 江苏大学 | A kind of novel tire inflation method and system |
| NL2025077B1 (en) * | 2020-03-06 | 2021-10-14 | Pouw Banden Utrecht B V | System for increasing pressure of a gas originating from an inflated tyre, a method for deflating an inflated tyre using said system and a method for inflating a yet further tyre using said system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0302892D0 (en) | 2003-03-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |