Patent ID: 7302837
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
1. A tire inflation system for an agricultural implement or implements supported by inflatable tires and attached to a vehicle for movement, the system comprising: at least a first sensor supported by the agricultural implement to sense at least a first implement load characteristic and to generate at least a first load signal; a processor receiving the first load signal and generating tire inflation control signals as a function of at least the first load signal; a tire inflation controller receiving the inflation control signal and regulating the implement tire pressure as a function of the inflation control signals wherein the control signals tend to decrease the tire pressure as the magnitude of the load signal increases; and a soil characteristic determiner that generates soil characteristic signals as the implement is moved through a field, the soil characteristic signals indicating at least one soil condition proximate the implement, the processor generating tire inflation control signals as a function of at least the first load signal and the soil characteristic signals; wherein the soil characteristic determiner includes at least one of a soil moisture sensor, a soil bulk density sensor, a compaction layer sensor, a soil conductivity sensor, a soil profile sensor and an inclinometer.