Michael L Ellison

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:

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:

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).