Tire inflation system with parallel pump

Abstract

A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply that is connected to a vehicle tire by a pneumatic conduit. A pump that is independent of and pneumatically parallel to the vehicle air supply includes an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives air from atmosphere, the pump compresses the air, and the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit. When the air pressure in the pneumatic conduit drops below a predetermined level, compressed air from the pump is introduced into the pneumatic conduit, thus increasing the air pressure in the conduit to increase the air pressure that is available to the tire. A reservoir tank, which is also independent of the vehicle air supply, may be in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the pneumatic conduit. The invention also includes a parallel pump that captures air to increase the pressure in the vehicle air supply.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pneumatically parallel pump system for a vehicle, comprising:
 an air supply source in fluid communication with a main compressor of said vehicle;   a pump capturing and compressing air;   a pneumatic conduit extending between and being in fluid communication with said air supply source and said pump; and   means for actuating said pump to increase an air pressure in said air supply source without actuation of said main compressor.   
     
     
         2 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 1 , wherein said pump is electrically driven. 
     
     
         3 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 2 , wherein said pump includes an electric compressor. 
     
     
         4 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 2 , wherein said means for actuating said pump includes a pressure switch. 
     
     
         5 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 1 , wherein said pump is mounted on an axle/suspension system of said vehicle, and said means for actuating said pump includes said articulating axle/suspension system. 
     
     
         6 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 5 , wherein said pump is a double-acting pump. 
     
     
         7 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 5 , wherein said pump is integrated into a shock absorber or an air spring component of said axle/suspension system. 
     
     
         8 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 5 , wherein said pump is pre-charged with pneumatic pressure to a predetermined level. 
     
     
         9 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 1 , wherein said means for actuating said pump includes at least one air spring of an axle/suspension system of said vehicle supplying air. 
     
     
         10 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 9 , wherein said pump is a mechanical pump. 
     
     
         11 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 9 , wherein said means for actuating said pump includes said at least one air spring supplying air from air pressure spikes in the air spring, which are harnessed by the pump. 
     
     
         12 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 11 , wherein said pump includes an orifice for equalizing air pressure within the pump. 
     
     
         13 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 11 , wherein said pump is a double-acting pump. 
     
     
         14 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 1 , further comprising a check valve in fluid communication with said pneumatic conduit and said pump. 
     
     
         15 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 1 , wherein said air supply source is a reservoir tank that is separate from a primary pneumatic supply tank of said vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 1 , wherein said air supply source is a primary pneumatic supply tank of said vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one mechanically-operated valve disposed in said pneumatic conduit to control air flow in the pneumatic conduit. 
     
     
         18 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 1 , wherein said pump is mechanically driven. 
     
     
         19 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 1 , wherein said pump is air driven. 
     
     
         20 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 19 , wherein said pump is an air-spring driven pump. 
     
     
         21 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 19 , wherein said pump is a supply-air driven pump. 
     
     
         22 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 21 , wherein said pump includes a radial turbine. 
     
     
         23 . The pneumatically parallel pump system of  claim 21 , wherein said pump is a piston-style pump.