Michael J Ellison

US Patent:

44705069, Sep 11, 1984

Filed:

Sep 28, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/425743

Inventors:

Fred L. Goodell - Grosse Ile MI
Michael J. Ellison - Canton MI

Assignee:

AM General Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B65D 6900
B65D 8568

US Classification:

206223

Abstract:

A kit for retrofitting a vehicle to include an automatic tire inflation system is disclosed. The kit includes a control box for mounting within the cabin of the vehicle. The control box includes a selector device that is manually actuable by the operator to select the desired pressure for the tires. A valve is used to inflate or deflate the tires as a function of the pressure differential between the actual and the desired tire pressures. In the preferred embodiment, the actual tire pressure is monitored by way of a static pressure tank connected to the tires through a fixed orifice. The kit permits a manufacturer to mass produce a certain vehicle and then selectively choose which ones of the vehicles are to be provided with an automatic tire inflation system.

US Patent:

44187378, Dec 6, 1983

Filed:

Jul 31, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/288834

Inventors:

Fred L. Goodell - Grosse Ilse MI
Michael J. Ellison - Canton MI

Assignee:

AM General Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60C 2900

US Classification:

152416

Abstract:

An automatic tire inflation system for a vehicle (10) includes a plurality of wheel assemblies (14). Each wheel assembly includes a rotatable portion (30) connected to its associated tire (16) and a non-rotatable portion (24) connected to the vehicle chassis (28). A sealed air passageway is provided between an inlet (62) in the non-rotatable portion and an outlet (64) in the rotatable portion of the wheel assembly which is connected to the tire. The sealed air passageway is provided in part by way of a longitudinally extending bore (66) in the spindle (24) which communicates with a chamber (60) defined by a sleeve (42) and a pair of air seals (52, 54) between the sleeve and spindle. A manually actuable selector device (102) in the vehicle is provided to permit the user to select one of a plurality of preset air pressure settings for the tires. An air regulating system quickly responds to the selected setting to automatically regulate the air pressure within the tires at the preset pressure associated with the selected setting of the selector device.

US Patent:

52360288, Aug 17, 1993

Filed:

Aug 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/750436

Inventors:

Fred L. Goodell - Grosse Ile MI
Michael J. Ellison - Canton MI

Assignee:

AM General Corporation - South Bend IN

International Classification:

301
384
384

US Classification:

152417

Abstract:

A vehicle wheel end assembly (10) is adaptable for use with an on-board central tire inflation system. The assembly provides a passage for the routing of air between the on-board system and the vehicle tire. The assembly comprises a stationary spindle (12) and a rotational hub (14) mounted thereon. The hub is supported for rotation by first and second axially spaced bearing sets (16, 18), each having an inner race (20, 26) and an outer race (22, 28) associated with the spindle and hub, respectively. The inner race of the inboard bearing set (18) is formed with an axial air passage (46) which communicates with an internal chamber (36) in the hub to form a portion of the air passage between the tire and on-board system. In another feature, rotary seals (60, 62) are seated in opposed faces of the bearing sets and include sealing lips (72) which have a sealed contact with the upper surface of the inner bearing races. An inboard spindle collar (100) may also be employed to facilitate the continuation of the air passage (98) in the bearing race (90) to the on-board system.

US Patent:

44404514, Apr 3, 1984

Filed:

Sep 28, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/425756

Inventors:

Fred L. Goodell - Grosse Ilse MI
Michael J. Ellison - Canton MI

Assignee:

AM General Corp. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60B 2700

US Classification:

301105R

Abstract:

A plurality of spaced ramps are formed in the inner surface of a vehicle hub interiorly of the bearings to facilitate removal thereof. Preferably, the hub is designed for use in an automatic tire inflation system and the ramps extend radially outwardly from a portion in the hub for receiving sealing rings cooperating to form an air passageway through the wheel assembly.

US Patent:

47337079, Mar 29, 1988

Filed:

Mar 18, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/712420

Inventors:

Fred L. Goodell - Grosse Ile MI
Michael J. Ellison - Canton MI

Assignee:

AM General Corporation - Livonia MI

International Classification:

B60C 2900
B65D 6900
F16J 1516

US Classification:

152417

Abstract:

A vehicle wheel end assembly (10) is adaptable for use with an on-board central tire inflation system. The assembly provides a passage for the routing of air between a central source and the vehicle tire (25). The assembly comprises a stationary spindle (12) and a rotational hub (14) mounted thereon. A collar (34) is mounted on the inboard end of the spindle in interfacing relation with an inboard extension (50) of the hub. An air chamber, defined by the radial spacing of the collar (34) and hub extension (50), communicates air passages in the collar and hub (36, 44). The chamber is fitted with a pair of rotary seals (72, 74) to seal the air passage between the stationary collar (34) and rotating hub (14). The rotary seals (72, 74) each include an integral sealing lip (80) which responds to pressurization of the chamber by biasing into sealed relation with the outer surface of the collar (34).

US Patent:

47097388, Dec 1, 1987

Filed:

Feb 14, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/829198

Inventors:

Fred L. Goodell - Grosse Ile MI
Michael J. Ellison - Canton MI

Assignee:

AM General Corporation - Livonia MI

International Classification:

B60C 1700

US Classification:

152400

Abstract:

A bead lock for locking the bead portion of a pneumatic tire against the outer periphery of a vehicle wheel is adapted to seat in the vehicle wheel. In a first embodiment, the bead lock includes first and second annular members. The first annular member includes an endless band of aeromatic polyamide fibers. The second annular member has radially inner and outer portions and interconnecting resilient side portions. The first annular member is received and retained within a circumferentially extending slot formed in one of the outer portions to urge the side portions against the bead portions of the tire. The second embodiment includes a pair of locking rings, a pair of resilent sealing rings and a clamping mechanism for selectively clamping the locking and sealing rings and the bead portions together against the outer periphery of the wheel. In a third embodiment, the bead lock includes a pair of endless bands of aeromatic polyamide fibers embedded within an inflatable annular member having radially inner and outer portions and interconnecting side portions. The inner and outer portions comprise a matrix in which the bands are embedded.

US Patent:

44310439, Feb 14, 1984

Filed:

Oct 16, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/311855

Inventors:

Fred L. Goodell - Grosse Ilse MI
Michael J. Ellison - Canton MI

Assignee:

AM General Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60C 2310
B60C 2900

US Classification:

152417

Abstract:

An automatic tire inflation/deflation system for a vehicle (10) is disclosed. Air passageways for the pressurize air are provided internally through the wheel assemblies without cutting into load bearing members. A rotating seal is provided by way of a pair of sealing rings (52,54) located inboard of the hub bearings (32,33) to protect the seals from adverse environmental conditions. A kit for retrofitting vehicles to include an automatic tire inflation/deflation system is also disclosed. Ramp surfaces (90, 91, 92) formed in the hub (30') are provided to facilitate removal of the bearing assemblies (32, 33).

US Patent:

47306564, Mar 15, 1988

Filed:

Jul 8, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/752576

Inventors:

Fred L. Goodell - Grosse Ile MI
Michael J. Ellison - Canton MI

Assignee:

AM General Corporation - South Bend IN

International Classification:

B60C 2300

US Classification:

152417

Abstract:

A vehicle wheel end assembly (10) is adaptable for use with an on-board central tire inflation system. The assembly provides a passage for the routing of air between the on-board system and the vehicle tire. The assembly comprises a stationary spindle (12) and a rotational hub (14) mounted thereon. The hub is supported for rotation by first and second axially spaced bearing sets (16, 18), each having an inner race (20, 26) and an outer race (22, 28) associated with the spindle and hub, respectively. The inner race of the inboard bearing set (18) is formed with an axial air pressure (46) which communicates with an internal chamber (36) in the hub to form a portion of the air passage between the tire and on-board system. In another feature, rotary seals (60, 62) are seated in opposed faces of the bearing sets and include sealing lips (72) which have a sealed contact with the upper surface of the inner bearing races. An inboard spindle collar (100) may also be employed to facilitate the continuation of the air passage (98) in the bearing race (90) to the on-board system.