Annular coupler for a central tyre inflation system

An annular coupler 2 of a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) for facilitating delivery of air to a driven wheel of a vehicle is described. The annular coupler is for coupling between a knuckle 14 and an axle 18 of the vehicle, and comprises an inlet aperture 4 for receiving air from a source of air, said aperture being in fluid communication with an annular channel 6 defined at least in part by a first radially inner wall portion (17, figure 2B) of the annular coupler for delivering the received air to the driven wheel via the axle. Second and third radially inner wall portions (8, 10) arranged adjacent to and on respective sides of the first radially inner wall portion may define at least two sealing surfaces for receiving annular seals 16A, 16B. The CTIS may include at least two annular seals that seal against the at least two sealing surfaces of the annular coupler, in use, for defining the annular channel. A method of delivering air using a CTIS comprising such a coupler is also disclosed ...

Vehicle wheel assembly

The present disclosure relates to a control valve assembly 7. The control valve assembly 7 comprises; an inlet for receiving compressed air from a supply line 13; an outlet for supplying compressed air to a transfer line 19; and a control valve 25 for selectively placing the inlet in fluid communication with the outlet. The control valve assembly 7 is configured to be removably disposed in a wheel hub 9. In addition, the control valve 25 comprises a filter for filtering air moving between the supply line 13 and the transfer line 19. The filter may be a top hat shaped extending upstream, wherein dirt, debris or contaminants will collect at the downstream annulus of the top-hat leaving the upstream disc free from dirt.

Filter device

Vented gaiter

Valve block for a central tyre inflation system

A valve block 3 for a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) for a vehicle tyre T, the valve block comprising: a gallery 33; a first compressed air port 17 and a second compressed air port 13; at least one inlet valve VINC1, VINC2, the or each inlet valve being operable to open or close communication between the gallery and the first compressed air port; a control valve VINSS operable to open or close communication between the gallery and the second compressed air port, wherein the control valve has an orifice that is smaller than an orifice of the or each inlet valve; at least one exhaust valve E1, E2 operable to open or close communication between the gallery and an exhaust outlet 23; and at least one outlet valve VFL-RR operable to open or close communication between the gallery and a tyre supply line TSL for supplying compressed air to the vehicle tyre. By grouping the various valves into the valve block it is intended to provide a compact arrangement where the flow of compressed air ...

Central tyre inflation system and method

A vehicle central tyre inflation system (CTIS) comprises: reservoir 16 for supplying air to tyres 12a-d; pressure sensor 20 for monitoring reservoir air pressure Pr; compressor 22 for supplying compressed air along a first path 24 to the reservoir; timer 26 for monitoring the run-time of the compressor; dryer 36 on the first path for drying air from the compressor; purging system 30 for routing air through the dryer along a second path 34 to purge liquid from the dryer; and a controller controlling the air flow in the CTIS. The controller is configured: to activate the compressor to supply air along the first path to the reservoir in response to a compressor request, after which the reservoir air is at a post-operation pressure; when the compressor operation is complete, to determine if the compressor activation period Tc is greater than / equal to a target period Tt; and if Tc is less than Tt, to keep the compressor activated until Pr increases to a base target pressure greater than the ...

Gaiter

Central tyre inflation system

A central tyre inflation system (CTIS) (1, figure 1) of a vehicle (VH) for supplying compressed air to a tyre (T) of the vehicle to compensate for air loss from the tyre, the CTIS comprising: means for determining a rate of air loss from the tyre: a sensor arranged to measure a temperature of a compressor (9) of the CTIS; and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to: compare the rate of air loss with a rate of air loss threshold, determine based on the compressor temperature and the comparison of the rate of air loss with the rate of air loss threshold, whether the CTIS can support compensation for the air loss: and control the CTIS to supply compressed air to the tyre to compensate for the air loss if the CTIS can support compensation for the air loss. The air loss from the tyre may not be compensated for if it is determined that the compressor temperature will exceed a threshold temperature if it is run for a defined period.