Patent ID: 7032443
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
1. A tire pressure monitor and information communicator for use in the operation of an automotive vehicle to relay information to the vehicle operator about the internal tire air pressure inflation level of each tire mounted on individual wheels on each axle of the vehicle, comprising: at least one rotating magnetic actuator in communication with the internal tire air pressure of a tire on the vehicle, said magnetic actuator being mounted through the wheel to provide access for the magnetic actuator to the internal tire air pressure, said mounting being made through the wheel in a location selected from the group consisting of the wheel rim, the wheel valve, the wheel side, the wheel valve stem, and the tire itself; an air pressure transducer within the at least one rotating magnetic actuator mounted through the wheel in a parallel relationship with the axle so that the transducer is speed-insensitive and reliable at any speed, said air pressure transducer for generating a signal proportional to the internal tire air pressure by transforming an input signal of said internal tire air pressure of from about 1.0 psi to about 100 psi to a detectable output signal for communicating tire pressure information to the vehicle operator; at least one stationary field sensor permanently mounted in a face-to-face relationship with the rotating magnetic actuator, said sensor being permanently mounted on a stationary portion of the vehicle, facing the rotating magnetic actuator as it rotates around at a physical distance gap between the rotating magnetic actuator and the field sensor of from about 0.01 mm to about 50 mm, whereby the field sensor detects the signal generated by the rotating magnetic actuator each time it rotates past the field sensor as the wheel makes a revolution; and a signal emitter for communicating information, said signal emitter being in communication with the stationary field sensor to communicate the signal information to the vehicle operator for relaying tire air pressure information whenever the tire pressure goes outside of a predetermined safe level for operating the vehicle.