US 12,280,618 B2
Rotary union with energy harvesting structure
Francisco Arevalo, Joliet, IL (US); and Jeff R. Zawacki, Channahon, IL (US)
Assigned to Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., Schaumburg, IL (US)
Filed by Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., Schaumburg, IL (US)
Filed on Jan. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/579,659.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/141,044, filed on Jan. 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0234396 A1, Jul. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. B60C 23/00 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC B60C 23/00345 (2020.05) [H02K 7/1846 (2013.01); B60C 23/00327 (2020.05)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rotary union for a tire inflation system of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising:
a static portion, said static portion remaining static during operation of said heavy-duty vehicle;
a rotatable portion, the rotatable portion rotating with one or more rotating components of a wheel end of the heavy-duty vehicle during operation, at least one of the static portion and said rotatable portion being mounted to a component associated with said wheel end, at least one of said static portion and the rotatable portion being in fluid communication with an air source located on said heavy-duty vehicle remote from the wheel end, said rotary union being in fluid communication with at least one wheel of said wheel end and allowing pressurized air from said air source to flow to said at least one wheel;
energy harvesting structure integrated with said rotary union, said energy harvesting structure generating electricity during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle for energizing one or more electronic components of said heavy-duty vehicle; and
wherein the energy harvesting structure is disposed within a housing of said rotary union, said housing being discrete from a hub cap, an axle spindle of an axle, and a wheel hub of the heavy-duty vehicle.