Patent ID: 6244316
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
In a tire inflation system for a vehicle having at least one axle with at least one pneumatic tire mounted on the end of the axle for rotation about the axle end and a source of pressurized air carried by the vehicle for supplying air to the interior of the axle and then to a hub cap to inflate the tire, the improvement comprising:a first rotary union member mounted on the end of the axle and having a first elongate opening therethrough and with a first seal ring carried thereabout;a second rotary union member mounted on the hub cap and having a second elongate opening therethrough in general alignment with the first opening and a second seal ring carried thereabout; anda flexible tube havinga first end extending into said first opening and sealably through said first seal ring; anda second end extending into said second opening and sealably through said second seal ring, whereby said tube may flex at each end adjacent said openings in the first and second members;at least one of the seal rings being dynamic to accommodate rotation of the hubcap in relation to the axle, andeach of said elongate openings closely receiving a substantial length of an end of said tube so that flexing of the tube compensates for misalignment while minimizing risk of distortion of said seal rings which might enable them to leak.