Central tire inflation system pressure regulator

摘要

An electronic pressure regulator is provided to regulate the pressure in one or more pneumatic tires that are selectively in fluid communication with a pressurized air source. The electronic pressure regulator may include a proportional MEMS valve that may be used to vary pressure behind a diaphragm in a method that provides a relatively fast response time and may experience relatively little wear over a relatively large number of cycles.

主权项

1. A central tire inflation system for use on a vehicle trailer, comprising:
a pressurized gas source mounted on the vehicle trailer; a plurality of tires pressurized with gas mounted on the vehicle trailer; a pressure regulator pneumatically coupled with the pressurized gas source and each of the plurality of pneumatic tires, the pressure regulator comprising:
a regulation chamber having an inlet coupled with the pressurized gas source and an outlet coupled with one or more of the plurality of tires;a proportional mico electro-mechanical (MEM) valve coupled to the pressurized air source such that a control chamber is in fluid communication with the pressurized air source, wherein the proportional MEM valve comprises a pinch valve; anda controller coupled with the pressure regulator and configured to control the proportional MEM valve to control the fluid communication between the control chamber and the pressurized air source,wherein the inlet is sealed off from the regulation chamber by a normally closed valve between the inlet and the regulation chamber, and the proportional MEM valve controls the fluid communication between the control chamber and the pressurized air source to create a controlled pressure in the control chamber, andwherein an increased output pressure increases pressure in the regulation chamber to allow the normally closed valve to close at a first predetermined outlet pressure.