Patent ID: 7992610
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: B60C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A device for selectively connecting a tire to a pneumatic unit of an aircraft, the tire forming part of a wheel mounted to rotate on a hollow axle of the aircraft, the device comprising: a stator and a rotor mounted to rotate relative to the stator about an axis that coincides, in operation, with the axis of rotation of the wheel, and including means for enabling the wheel to drive it in rotation; a seal that extends between the rotor and the stator to close a first chamber extending between the rotor and the stator and into which a first pneumatic port opens out, the port being carried by the stator for connecting the device to the pneumatic unit, the seal being a lip seal extending between the rotor and a cylindrical bearing surface forming an outer wall of an axial protrusion of the stator engaged inside the rotor; the rotor defining a second chamber into which a second pneumatic port opens for connecting the device to the tire; the rotor carrying a valve extending through a wall of the rotor separating the first and second chambers, thereby enabling the two chambers to be put selectively into pneumatic communication by opening the valve; and the stator carrying an actuator that acts selectively on the valve in order to switch between a stable closed state and an open state; wherein the stator is bell-shaped, being designed to be received as a push-fit in the axle and having an end wall that carries the first pneumatic port for connection to the pneumatic unit by a pipe running inside the axle, the rotor extending substantially inside the stator.