Patent ID: 7331221

Claim:
A computer-driven portable apparatus for establishing tire pressure, comprising: a conduit including a tire-side coupling and compressor-side coupling, the compressor-side coupling comprising a universal quick disconnect fitting compatible with ⅜ inch pneumatic hose; an electrically activated inflation valve connected to the conduit to selectively start and stop fluid flow between the couplings; an electrically activated exhaust valve connected to the conduit to selectively exhaust fluid from the conduit; a pressure sensor positioned in the conduit sufficiently proximate the tire-side coupling such that pressure measured by the sensor is substantially similar to pressure of a tire alone when coupled to the tire-side coupling; a controller programmed to regulate inflation of a tire coupled to the tire-side coupling, comprising operations of: starting tire inflation by operating the inflation valve to permit air flow between the couplings; during substantially continuous inflation, substantially continuously reading pressure measured by the sensor; when measured pressure exceeds a target pressure by a prescribed margin ceasing inflation by operating the inflation valve to stop air flow between the couplings; while air flow between the coupling is stopped, reading pressure measured by the sensor while operating the exhaust valve as needed to reduce measured pressure to the target pressure.