Anthony Ingram

US Patent:

6585019, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Mar 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/522623

Inventors:

Anthony L. Ingram - San Antonio TX 78247

International Classification:

B60C 2310

US Classification:

152417

Abstract:

A rotary union assembly for use in an automatic tire inflation system for maintaining the desired pressure in the tires on a tractor trailer or other vehicle having pressurized axles. The assembly communicates the valve stems on a pair of adjacent tires with the axle interior through the use of a flexible tube extending between a stationary first fitting threadably engaged in the axle spindle and a rotary housing secured against the outside end surface of the hub cap so as to be positioned exteriorly of the wheel lubrication compartment and rotatable with the hub cap. The first fitting defines an open channel extending axially therethrough and includes an o-ring seal extending about the channel and forming an airtight seal within the fitting about the tube. A stationary shaft member having an air passageway extending axially therethrough carries the downstream end of the flexible tube and projects into the rotatable housing to communicate the axle interior with the housing through the flexible tube and provide a rotatable mounting for the housing on the shaft. The shaft defines a stationary bearing surface on its downstream end.

US Patent:

6968882, Nov 29, 2005

Filed:

May 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/851441

Inventors:

Anthony L. Ingram - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Airgo IP, LLC - Edmond OK

International Classification:

B60C023/00

US Classification:

152417

Abstract:

A rotary union assembly for use in an automatic tire inflation system for maintaining the desired pressure in the tires on a tractor trailer or other vehicle having pressurized axles. The assembly communicates the valve stems on a pair of adjacent tires with the axle interior through the use of a flexible tube extending between a stationary first fitting threadably engaged in the axle spindle and a rotary housing secured against the outside end surface of the hub cap so as to be positioned exteriorly of the wheel lubrication compartment and rotatable with the hub cap. The first fitting defines an open channel extending axially therethrough and includes an o-ring seal extending about the channel and forming an airtight seal within the fitting about the tube. A stationary shaft member having an air passageway extending axially therethrough carries the downstream end of the flexible tube and projects into the rotatable housing to communicate the axle interior with the housing through the flexible tube and provide a rotatable mounting for the housing on the shaft. The shaft defines a stationary bearing surface on its downstream end.

US Patent:

7302980, Dec 4, 2007

Filed:

Sep 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/220425

Inventors:

Anthony L. Ingram - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Airgo IP, LLC - Guthrie OK

International Classification:

B60C 23/10

US Classification:

152417

Abstract:

Preferably, a rotary union assanblv includes at least a stationary tubular member defining an upstream end portion extending axially into an interior of an axle of a vehicle containing a source of pressurized air, and a downstream end portion upon which a housing is rotatably mounted. The housing of the preferred rotary union assembly is attachable to the exterior of a hub cap of the vehicle for rotation with the hub cap, and the housing preferably defines at least one air passagway extending therethrough that the tubular member communicates the source of the pressurized air with the passageway in the housing, and promotes passage of the pressurized air from the source of the pressurized air to a tire of the vehicle. Further, a rotary element is disposed within the housing of the preferred embodiment and provides a rotary element in abutting disposition with a stationary element.

US Patent:

7418989, Sep 2, 2008

Filed:

Jun 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/761310

Inventors:

Anthony L. Ingram - Guthrie OK, US

Assignee:

Airgo IP, LLC - Guthrie OK

International Classification:

B60C 23/10

US Classification:

152417, 152415

Abstract:

Preferably, a tire inflation system includes a hub cap secured to a wheel attached to an axle of a vehicle, the axle providing a source of pressurized air. The tire inflation system preferably includes a rotary union assembly with a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, the rotating portion attachable to the exterior of the hub cap for rotation with the hub cap. The non-rotating portion preferably includes a non-rotating shaft defining an air passage therethrough in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air for transferring pressurized air from the source to the tire. An end of the non-rotating shaft preferably provides a first bearing surface and a housing is rotatably mounted thereon for rotation with the hub cap. The rotating portion preferably includes a rotary member rotating with the housing, the rotary member defining a second bearing surface disposed in abutment with the first bearing surface.

US Patent:

7896045, Mar 1, 2011

Filed:

Nov 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/559270

Inventors:

John B. Solie - Stillwater OK, US
Marvin L. Stone - Stillwater OK, US
Anthony Ingram - Guthrie OK, US

Assignee:

The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University - Stillwater OK

International Classification:

B60C 23/10

US Classification:

152417, 152416

Abstract:

An apparatus for delivering air through a powered axle assembly and an improved powered axle assembly which incorporates the apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a base attachable to a non-rotating structure within the axle assembly and a rotor mountable in the axle assembly for rotating with the drive axle and for forming an air chamber between the rotor and the base. The base includes at least one air inlet for delivering air to the air chamber and the rotor includes at least one air outlet for air flow out of the chamber.

US Patent:

7963159, Jun 21, 2011

Filed:

Mar 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/228078

Inventors:

Anthony L. Ingram - Guthrie OK, US
Calvin Burgess - Guthrie OK, US
Michael H. Penwell - Oklahoma City OK, US
Patrick E. Roberts - Owasso OK, US

Assignee:

Airgo IP, LLC - Guthrie OK

International Classification:

B60C 23/02

US Classification:

731463, 73146

Abstract:

Preferably, an embodiment of a tire inflation system includes at least an axle housing a pressurized fluid, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, a rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap from the exterior of the hubcap, and a lubrication trap axially aligned with the axle, supporting the rotary union and secured to the hubcap from the exterior of the hubcap for rotation with the hubcap. In another embodiment, a tire inflation system includes at least an axle housing a pressurized fluid, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, a rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap from the exterior of the hubcap, and a bushing axially aligned with the axle and disposed between the rotary union and the hubcap.

US Patent:

7975739, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

May 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/130765

Inventors:

Anthony L. Ingram - Guthrie OK, US

Assignee:

Airgo IP, LLC - Guthrie OK

International Classification:

B60C 23/10

US Classification:

152417

Abstract:

Preferably, a tire inflation system includes a hub cap secured to a wheel attached to an axle of a vehicle, which provides a source of pressurized air. The tire inflation system preferably includes a rotary union assembly with a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, the rotating portion attachable to the exterior of the hub cap for rotation with the hub cap. The non-rotating portion preferably includes a stationary shaft in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air, the stationary shaft defining an air passage therethrough which participates in conducting pressurized air to the tire. An end of the stationary shaft preferably provides a first bearing surface and a housing is rotatably mounted thereon for rotation with the hub cap. The rotating portion preferably includes a rotary member rotating with the housing, the rotary member defining a second bearing surface disposed in abutment with the first bearing surface.

US Patent:

8028732, Oct 4, 2011

Filed:

Jun 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/146287

Inventors:

Anthony L. Ingram - Guthrie OK, US
Calvin Burgess - Guthrie OK, US
Michael H. Penwell - Oklahoma City OK, US
Patrick E. Roberts - Owasso OK, US

Assignee:

Airgo IP, LLC - Guthrie OK

International Classification:

B60B 23/10

US Classification:

152417, 152415

Abstract:

Preferably, an embodiment of a tire inflation system includes at least an axle housing a pressurized fluid, a hubcap supported by the axle and having an interior and an exterior, and a rotary union axially aligned with the axle and mounted to the hubcap from the exterior of the hubcap. The rotary union preferably includes at least a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, the rotating portion rotates with hub cap, and the non-rotating portion including at least a fluid conduit defining an air passage there through. The air conduit is preferably in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air, and is preferably configured for conducting pressurized air from said source of pressurized air to a tire mounted to the wheel of the vehicle, and for developing a dynamic seal between the fluid conduit and the rotating portion.