NL2025077B1

NL2025077B1 - 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

Info

Publication number: NL2025077B1
Application number: NL2025077A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Pouw Michael
Original assignee: Pouw Banden Utrecht B V
Priority date: 2020-03-06
Filing date: 2020-03-06
Publication date: 2021-10-14

Abstract

A system comprising: - a connection unit arranged for connecting said system to a valve of said inflated tyre; - a first booster device arranged for increasing pressure of said gas originating from said inflated tyre to a first pressure, wherein said first booster device (9) is coupled for fluid flow of said gas originating from said inflated tyre with said connection unit; - a second booster device arranged for increasing pressure of said gas originating from said inflated tyre from said first pressure to a second pressure, wherein said second booster device is coupled for fluid flow of said gas originating from said inflated tyre with said first booster device. A method for deflating an inflated tyre using the system. A method for inflating a yet further tyre using the system.

Description

Title: 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 Description According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for increasing pressure of a gas originating from an inflated tyre.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for deflating an inflated tyre using the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for inflating a yet further tyre using the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

With known methods for forced deflating of an inflated tyre, the valve is removed from the tyre. Due to the pressure difference with the atmospheric pressure, the gas is released out of the inflated tyre and merges into the surrounded atmosphere. Especially in case of relative large tyres, for example truck or shovel tyres, the release of the gas from the tyre is accompanied by a great noise which can last a relative long time as it takes a while before all of the gas is released from the tyre.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and method for deflating an inflated tyre which overcomes these drawbacks.

In a first aspect, there is provided a system for increasing pressure of a gas originating from an inflated tyre, said system comprising: - a connection unit arranged for connecting said system to a valve of said inflated tyre; - a first booster device arranged for increasing pressure of said gas originating from said inflated tyre to a first pressure, wherein said first booster device is coupled for fluid flow of said gas originating from said inflated tyre with said connection unit; - a second booster device arranged for increasing pressure of said gas originating from said inflated tyre from said first pressure to a second pressure, wherein said second booster device is coupled for fluid flow of said gas originating from said inflated tyre with said first booster device. The system is suitable for any type of tyre that is arranged for comprising gas under pressure, like for example a car, truck or aircraft tyre. The tyre can also be an off-road tyre, typically used on heavy duty vehicles, like haul or mining trucks, crane trucks, bulldozers or tractors. The inflated tyre is inflated with gas up to a pressure of several barg, for example approximately 7 barg. The tyre comprises a certain volume of pressurized gas. Especially in large truck tyres the volume of gas compressed in the tyre can be relatively large.

An additional advantage of the system is that the energy stored in the compressed gas may at least partly be recovered. This is beneficial since the inflation of a tyre, in particular a truck or shovel tyre may require a relative large amount of energy for realising the required amount of compressed gas at the required pressure.

A yet further advantage of the system according to the present disclosure is that the gas may be re-used. This is of particular interest when a special gas such as nitrogen or filtered clean air is used for inflating the tyre. With known methods, this special gas is lost into the atmosphere when released from the tyre and needs to be recomposed and recompressed in order to make it suitable for inflating other tyres. This requires special equipment like for example an electrical powered air compressor and/or special filtering equipment. Typically, pressure of a gas is indicated by the zero-referenced absolute pressure for which the unit “bar” is used. In the remaining of the present disclosure, barg is used when indicating pressures of gas as Gauge pressure. The Gauge pressure is zero-referenced against ambient air pressure, so it is equal to the absolute pressure minus the atmospheric pressure.

The connection unit can be connected directly to the valve of the tyre, for example when the tyre comprises a standard valve like a Schrader valve or American valve. The connection unit can furthermore be connected to the valve using a valve adapter, which makes the system suitable for use with any type of valve.

The first and second booster devices are known devices and may also be referred to as booster pumps, gas boosters, or gas booster pumps. Typically, the booster device can increase the pressure of a gas with a factor in the range of 1.5 to

2.5. Dependent of the pressure of the gas originating from an inflated tyre, which decreases over time when the gas is released from the tyre, and dependent of a required pressure at the output of the system, one or more booster devices are fluidly coupled. Typically, the system comprising a first and a second booster device is beneficial for increasing the pressure of the gas originating from an inflated tyre up to a pressure suitable for inflating a standard car tyre.

The first booster device increases the pressure of the gas originated from the inflated tyre to a first pressure when the pressure of the gas at the input of the first booster device is below this first pressure. In an example this first pressure is between 2 and 5 barg, more preferably between 3 and 4 barg, most preferably around 3,5 barg.

In an embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, increasing the pressure of the gas, by the first booster device, originating from the inflated tyre stops when the pressure of the gas at the input of the first booster device drops below a minimal value, for example below 1 barg or near the atmospheric pressure.

The second booster device increases the pressure of the gas originated from the output of the first booster device to a second pressure when the pressure of the gas at the input of the second booster device is below this second pressure. In an example this second pressure is between 6 and 10 barg, more preferably between 7 and 9 barg, most preferably around 8 barg.

In an embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, increasing the pressure of the gas to the second pressure, by the second booster device, stops when the pressure of the gas at the inlet of the second booster device drops below the first pressure.

The main advantage of the system according to the present disclosure is that releasing the pressurized gas out of the inflated tyre is controlled by the system. Releasing the gas from the tyre is not accompanied by undesired loud noise. Because the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre is increased to the required value, the gas can be re-used directly for inflating another tyre or can be stored in charging gas cylinders for future use. This is also advantageous when special gas, like for example nitrogen or carefully filtered clean air is used as gas for inflating the tyre.

In an advantageous embodiment, said system is a mobile system. For example, the system is a mobile trolley comprising wheels so it can be moved relative easily.

In an embodiment, said first booster device is arranged to be powered by said gas originating from said inflated tyre for increasing pressure of said gas originating from said inflated tyre to said first pressure and/or wherein said second booster device is arranged to be powered by said gas originating from said inflated tyre for increasing pressure of said gas originating from said inflated tyre from said first pressure to said second pressure. This is advantageous, as there is no need for an additional external power supply, so the system can be used stand-alone without the need of electrical cabling or hydraulic or additional pneumatic piping systems. Furthermore, this is extremely beneficial for the mobility of the system.

In a further embodiment, said system comprises a separation device for separating particles and/or liquid from said gas originating from said inflated tyre.

The separation device is for example a pneumatic filter, for removing particles and/or other contaminants from the pressurized air, for example as small as 5 micrometers or even smaller. This is advantageous if the air originated from the inflated tyre is contaminated. By providing the separation device, the gas originating from the tyre may be cleaned thereby protecting the system from damage that would be caused by these contaminants. In yet another embodiment, said system comprises at least one one- 5 way valve, wherein said one-way valve is coupled to said separation device and/or said first booster device for allowing fluid flow of said gas originating from said inflated tyre to flow only in the direction from the inflated tyre to said separation device and/or said first booster device. Providing the one-way valve is beneficial for preventing gas flow, via the connection unit, out of the system.

In an embodiment, said first booster device is arranged for receiving said gas originating from said inflated tyre via said separation device. This has the advantage, that particles and other contaminants are filtered from the gas originated from the tyre in an early stage of the system.

In another embodiment, the system according to the present disclosure comprises a first buffer device arranged for buffering said gas originating from said tyre at said first pressure and wherein said second booster device is arranged for receiving said gas originating from said inflated tyre via said first buffer device. The first buffer device comprises for example one or more gas cylinders or other gas reservoirs. Preferably, the first buffer device has a capacity of comprising up to a total volume of around 50 liter of gas at first pressure. This is advantageous, as the second booster device is not dependent of the rate pressurized gas is expelled by the first booster device, which makes the system more efficient. Preferably, the first buffer device comprises a gas pressure measuring device for measuring pressure of the gas inside the first buffer device.

Preferably, the first buffer device comprises a valve for stopping the fluid flow in and/or out of the first buffer device, which makes it possible to couple the first buffer device out of the system without releasing the pressurized gas inside the first buffer device.

Preferably, an one-way valve is coupled between the first booster device and the first buffer device allowing fluid flow only in the direction inwards the first buffer device.

In yet another embodiment, said system comprises a second buffer device arranged for buffering said gas originating from said tyre at said second pressure. This is advantageous, as the second booster device is not dependent of the demand of pressurized gas at the output of the system, which makes the system very efficient. The second buffer device comprises for example one or more gas cylinders or other gas reservoirs.

Preferably, the second buffer device has a capacity of comprising up to a total volume of around 1250 liter of gas at the second pressure. In an example this can be achieved by two gas reservoirs of for example 500 and 750 liter.

Preferably, the second buffer device comprises a gas pressure measuring device for measuring pressure of the gas inside the second buffer device.

Preferably, the second buffer device comprises a valve for stopping the fluid flow in and/or out of the second buffer device, which makes it possible to couple the second buffer device out of the system without releasing the pressurized gas inside the second buffer device.

Preferably, an one-way valve is coupled between the second booster device and the second buffer device allowing fluid flow only in the direction inwards the second buffer device.

In a further embodiment, said system comprises a third booster device arranged for increasing pressure of said gas originating from said inflated tyre from said second pressure to a third pressure, wherein said third booster device is coupled for fluid flow of said gas originating from said inflated tyre with said second booster device.

Preferably, said third booster device is arranged to be powered by said gas originating from said inflated tyre for increasing pressure of said gas originating from said inflated tyre from said second pressure to said third pressure. Powering the third booster device by the gas originating from the inflated tyre is beneficial since there is no need for an additional external power supply. This allows to use the system stand-alone without the need of electrical cabling and/or hydraulic or additional pneumatic piping systems, while the pressure of the gas originated from the inflated tyre is increased to an even higher pressure. This is extremely beneficial for the mobility of the system.

The third booster device increases the pressure of the gas ariginating from the output of the second booster device to a third pressure when the pressure of the gas at the input of the third booster device is below this third pressure. In an example this third pressure is between 10 and 14 barg, more preferably between 11 and 13 barg, most preferably around 12 barg. When the pressure of the gas at the inlet of the third booster device drops below a minimal value, preferably below the second pressure, increasing the pressure of the gas, by the third booster device, is stopped. Typically, the system comprising three booster devices is beneficial for increasing the pressure of the gas originating from an inflated tyre up to a required pressure suitable for inflating a standard truck or shovel tyre.

In a further embodiment, said system is provided with an inflation device arranged for providing pressurized gas to a further tyre for inflating said further tyre, wherein said second booster device is coupled for fluid flow to said inflation device for providing said gas at said second pressure to said inflation device.

In an embodiment, said system is provided with an inflation device arranged for providing pressurized gas to a further tyre for inflating said further tyre, wherein said third booster device is coupled for fluid flow to said inflation device for providing said gas at said third pressure to said inflation device.

In an example, the inflation device is connected directly to the valve of the further tyre, for example when the further tyre comprises a standard valve like a Schrader valve or American valve. In another example, the inflation device is connected to the valve using a valve adapter, which makes the system suitable for use with any type of valve.

This further embodiment is advantageous, as a further tyre is inflated at a required pressure directly with the gas originating from an inflated tyre, obtaining all the benefits of the system as declared before.

In a further embodiment, said system comprises a compressor arranged for providing a gas at a fourth pressure to said inflation device for inflating said further tyre.

This is advantageous, when the pressure of the gas at the second pressure and/or the third pressure is insufficient for completely inflating the further tyre, while preserving all off gas originating from the inflated tyre.

Preferably, said fourth pressure is equal or higher than said second pressure and/or said third pressure.

In yet another embodiment, said inflation device is arranged for blocking receipt of said gas originating from said inflated tyre at a pressure below a predetermined pressure for inflating said further tyre.

This prevents that the further tyre is inflated at a lower pressure than the required pressure.

Preferably, the predetermined pressure is equal to the pressure that is required to fully inflate the further tyre.

In another embodiment, said inflation device is arranged for receiving said gas at said fourth pressure while blocking said receipt of said gas originating from said inflated tyre at said pressure below a predetermined pressure for inflating said further tyre.

This is advantageous for using the gas at the fourth pressure for inflating the further tyre when the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre is too low.

This ensures a continues flow of pressurized gas, which makes the system suitable for inflating further tyres subsequently.

As an example, blocking receipt of the gas originated from the inflated tyre can be achieved with a closable valve.

Furthermore, the system comprises at least ane of a closing valve, one-way valve and/or bypasses.

The at least one of a closing valve, one-way valve and/or bypasses may for example be connected in the fluid flow before and/or after the separation device and/or one or more of the booster devices and/or one or more of the buffer devices and/or other device in the system. This is advantageous, as the fluid flow to and from the corresponding device can be controlled, for example for maintenance purposes, while preserving the gas in the remaining of the system. Controlling the fluid flow can comprise blocking the fluid flow and/or forcing the fluid flow only in one fluidal direction and/or bypassing the fluid flow. In a second aspect, there is provided a method for deflating an inflated tyre using a system as described above, said method comprising the steps of: - providing said inflated tyre and connecting said connection unit to said valve of said inflated tyre; - increasing pressure, by said first booster device, of said gas originating from said inflated tyre to said first pressure; - further increasing pressure, by said second booster device, of said gas originating from said inflated tyre from said first pressure to said second pressure. Embodiments of the method according to the second aspect correspond to embodiments of the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The advantages of the method according to the second aspect correspond to advantages of the system according to first aspect of the present disclosure presented previously. In a further embodiment, said first pressure is in the range of 1.5 to

2.5 times larger than said pressure of said gas originating from said tyre and wherein said second pressure is in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 times larger than said first pressure. This is advantageous, as with this method pressures are increased up to a value suitable for inflating most common tyres, especially car tyres. In yet a further embodiment, said second pressure is in the range of 8 to 10 barg, which is suitable for inflating most common tyres, especially car tyres. Preferably, said method comprises the step of:

- yet further increasing pressure, by said third booster device, of said gas originating from said inflated tyre from said second pressure to said third pressure.

In this regard, it is beneficial if during said step of yet further increasing said third pressure is in the range of 10 to 14 barg, more preferably between 11 and 13 barg, most preferably around 12 barg.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method for inflating a yet further tyre using a system as described above, said method comprising the steps of: - providing, by said second booster device, said pressurized gas; and - inflating, by said pressurized gas said yet further tyre.

In an embodiment, said method according to the third aspect comprises the steps of: - providing, by said second booster device, said gas originating from said inflated tyre at said second pressure; - inflating, by said gas originating from said inflated tyre at said second pressure said yet further tyre.

Embodiments of the method according to the third aspect correspond to embodiments of the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

The advantages of the method according to the third aspect correspond to advantages of the system according to first aspect of the present disclosure presented previously.

The method according to the third aspect allows for realising a relative efficient inflating of a further tyre with the system according to the present disclosure.

The invention according to the present disclosure will next be explained by means of the accompanying figures.

In the figures:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 shows a schematic overview of an alternative embodiment of the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic overview of a yet further embodiment of the system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of a method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of a method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 shows an overview of a system 1 for increasing pressure of a gas originating from an inflated tyre 3. System 1 may be connected to valve 7 of the inflated tyre 3 through connection unit 5. First booster device 9 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the connection unit 5. The first booster device 9 increases the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 to a first pressure.

Second booster device 11 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the first booster 9. The second booster device 11 increases the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 from the first pressure to a second pressure.

Second buffer device 13 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the second booster device 11. The second buffer device 13 buffers the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 at the second pressure.

For inflating a further tyre at the second pressure the further tyre can be coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the second buffer device 13. Figure 2 shows an overview of system 101 for increasing pressure of gas originating from inflated tyre 3. System 101 differs mainly from system 1 in that system 101 comprises a separation device 15 and a fist buffer device 17. Elements of system 101 that are similar to elements of system 1 are provided with identical reference numbers.

System 101 may be connected to the valve 7 of the inflated tyre 3 through connection unit 5. Separation device 15 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the connection unit 5. The separation device 15 separates particles and/or liquid from the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3. First booster device 9 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the separation device 15. The first booster device 9 increases the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 to a first pressure.

First buffer device 17 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the first booster device 9. The first buffer device 17 buffers the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 at the first pressure.

Second booster device 11 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3, via the first buffer device 17, with the first booster device 9. The second booster device 11 increases the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 from the first pressure to the second pressure.

For inflating the further tyre at the second pressure the further tyre can be coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the buffer device 13. Figure 3 shows an overview of a system 201 for increasing pressure of gas originating from inflated tyre 3. System 201 differs mainly from system 101 in that system 201 comprises a third booster device 19, an inflation device 21 and a compressor 25. Elements of system 201 that are similar to elements of system 101 are provided with identical reference numbers.

System 201 is connectable to the valve 7 of the inflated tyre 3 through connection unit 5. Separation device 15 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the connection unit 5. The separation device 15 separates particles and/or liquid from the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3. First booster device 9 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 with the separation device 15. The first booster device 9 increases the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 to a first pressure.

Third booster device 19 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3, via the second buffer device 13, with the second booster device 11. The third booster device 19 increases the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 from the second pressure to a third pressure. Inflation device 21 is coupled for fluid flow of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 as well as with compressor 25. The compressor 25 is arranged for providing a gas at a fourth pressure. The inflation device 21 provides pressurized gas to the further tyre 23 for inflating the further tyre 23. The inflation device 21 either provides pressurized gas for inflating the further tyre 23 at the third pressure originated from the third booster device 19 or, when provision of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 at third pressure is insufficient, provides pressurized gas for inflating the further tyre 23 at the fourth pressure originated from the compressor 25.

Figure 4 shows an overview of a method 301 for deflating an inflated tyre 3 using system 1, 101, 201. In step 303, the inflated tyre 3 is provided and the connection unit 5 is connected to the valve 7 of the inflated tyre 3. In step 305, the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 is increased to the first pressure by the first booster device 9. In step 307, the pressure of the gas originating from the inflated tyre 3 is further increased from the first pressure to the second pressure by the second booster device 11. Figure 5 shows an overview of a method 401 for inflating a yet further tyre 23 using system 1, 101, 201. In step 403, the pressurized gas is provided by the second booster device 11. In step 405, the yet further tyre 23 is inflated by the gas that is pressurize by the second booster device 11.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A system (1, 101, 201) for increasing the pressure of a gas coming from an inflated tire (3), the system comprising: - a connecting unit (5) arranged for connecting the system (1) to a valve (7) of the inflated tire (3); - a first booster device (9) arranged for increasing the pressure of the gas coming from the inflated tire (3) to a first pressure, the first booster device {9) being coupled to the connecting unit (5) for fluid flow of the gas coming from of the inflated tire (3); - a second booster device (11) adapted to increase the pressure of the gas coming from the inflated tire (3) from the first pressure to a second pressure, the second booster device (11) being coupled to the first booster device (9) for fluid flow of the gas from the inflated tire (3).

System (1, 101, 201) according to claim 1, wherein the first booster device (9) is arranged to be driven by the gas from the inflated tire (3) for increasing the pressure of the gas from the inflated tire. tire (3) to the first pressure and/or wherein the second booster device (11) is arranged to be driven by the gas from the inflated tire (3) for increasing the pressure of the gas from the inflated tire (3 ) from the first printing to the second printing.

System (101, 201) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system (1) comprises a separation device (15) for separating particles and/or liquid from the gas coming from the inflated tire (3).

System (101, 201) according to claim 3, wherein the first booster device (9) is adapted to receive the gas from the inflated tire (3) via the separation device {15).

A system (101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (101, 201) comprises a first buffer device (17) arranged for buffering the gas from the inflated tire (3) at the first pressure and wherein the second booster device (11) is adapted to receive the gas from the inflated tire (3) via the first buffer device (17).

System (1, 101, 201) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1, 101, 201) comprises a second buffer device (13) adapted to buffer the gas from the inflated tire at the second pressure. (3).

System (201) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (201) comprises a third booster device (19) adapted to increase the pressure of the gas from the inflated tire (3 from the second pressure to a third pressure). ), wherein the third booster device (19) is coupled to the second booster device (11) for fluid flow of the gas from the inflated tire (3), the third booster device (19) being adapted to flow through the gas from the inflated tire (3) to be driven to increase the pressure of the gas from the inflated tire (3) from the second pressure to the third pressure.

A system (201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (201) comprises an inflation device (21) adapted to supply pressurized gas to a further tire (23) for inflating the further tire ( 23), wherein the second booster device (11) is coupled for fluid flow to the inflation device (21) for supplying the gas to the inflation device (21) at the second pressure or wherein the third booster device (19) is coupled for fluid flow to the inflation device (21) for supplying the gas to the inflation device (21) at the third pressure.

A system (201) according to claim 8, wherein the system (201) comprises a compressor (25) arranged to provide a gas at a fourth pressure to the inflation device (21) for inflating the further tire (23).

A system (201) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the inflation device (21) is arranged to block receipt of the gas from the inflated tire (3) at a pressure below a predetermined pressure for inflating the further tire (23).

System (201) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the inflation device (21) is arranged to receive the gas at the fourth pressure while blocking reception of the gas from the inflated tire (3) at the pressure below a predetermined pressure for inflating the further tire (23).

A method (301) for deaerating an inflated tire (3) using a system (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (301) comprises the steps of: - providing ( 303) of the inflated tire (3) and connecting the connecting unit (5) to the valve (7) of the inflated tire (3); - increasing pressure (305) to the first pressure, by the first booster device (9), of the gas from the inflated tire (3); - further increasing pressure (307) from the first pressure to the second pressure, by the second booster device (11), of the gas from the inflated tire (3).

The method (301) of claim 12, wherein the first pressure is in the range 1.5 to 2.5 times the pressure of the gas from the tire and the second pressure is in the range 1.5 to 2.5 times larger than the first printing.

The method (301) of claim 12 or 13, wherein the second pressure is in the range of 8 to 10 barg.

A method (401) for inflating a still further tire using a system (1, 101, 201) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the method (401) comprises the steps of: - providing (403), by the second booster device (11), the pressurized gas; and - inflating (405), by the pressurized gas, a still further tire.