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A vehicle wheel includes a tire that is sealed to a rim. The tire is inflated with air to a desired pressure level via a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve stem with an elongated body having a central bore extending longitudinally through the body. A pressure sensor is mounted withi

A vehicle wheel includes a tire that is sealed to a rim. The tire is inflated with air to a desired pressure level via a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve stem with an elongated body having a central bore extending longitudinally through the body. A pressure sensor is mounted within the bore to measure the air pressure within the tire. A ball and plunger valve member is engagable and disengagable with a valve seat formed within the bore. A central tire inflation system uses the pressure sensor to monitor the tire pressure for each wheel on the vehicle. When the pressure sensor measures an air pressure in the tire that is below a desired level the central tire inflation system inflates the tire with air until the desired pressure is achieved.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A valve stem for a vehicle tire comprising:an elongated body having a central bore extending therethrough to define a first opening at one end of said body and a second opening at an opposite end of said body; a valve seat formed within said bore; a valve member movably supported within said bore

1. A valve stem for a vehicle tire comprising:an elongated body having a central bore extending therethrough to define a first opening at one end of said body and a second opening at an opposite end of said body; a valve seat formed within said bore; a valve member movably supported within said bore and engagable with said valve seat to prevent fluid from flowing from said first opening to said second opening; and a pressure sensor partially received in said bore for measuring fluid pressure at said first opening wherein said pressure sensor generates a pressure signal representing the fluid pressure, said signal being communicated to a central tire inflation system controller, and wherein said controller causes a central tire inflation system to supply air and cause said valve member to disengage from said valve seat when the fluid pressure falls below a desired level to allow fluid flow through said bore from said second opening to said first opening.