Patent ID: 6250327
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: B60C,G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
A wheel valve assembly (10) for a vehicular tire air pressure system (110), the assembly (10) comprising:a first housing (13) including an inlet port (11) and an outlet port (20);a valve device (22) in said first housing (13) including a valving member (34) movable between open and closed positions for respectively allowing and preventing air communication between said inlet (11) and outlet (20) ports, a first resilient member (32) for biasing said valving member (34) to said closed position, a valving surface (26a) responsive to positive air pressure in said inlet port (11) for moving said valving member (34) to said open position, and a flow regulating assembly (40) comprising:a second housing (44) having a first opening and a second opening and a piston bore (15) formed therebetween, said second housing (44) including a seat (46);a piston-like member (42) slideably disposed within said piston bore (15) and having a primary flow passage (52) and at least one secondary flow passage (54) formed therein for enabling the flow of air between said openings of said second housing (44), said piston-like member (42) having a first portion (42a) and a second portion (42b), said first portion (42a) configured for mating with said seat (46);a second resilient member (48) for biasing said piston-like member (42) away from said seat (46); andwherein said first portion (42a) mates with said seat (46) when at least a predetermined air pressure differential exists between the pressure at said second portion (42b) of said piston-like member (42) and the pressure at said first portion (42a) of said piston-like member (42), said mating causing said at least one secondary flow passage (54) to be at least substantially closed such that air can substantially flow only through said primary flow passage (52).