Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/641412
40 commercial carrier journal | february 2016 technology Watching the wheels Despite low fuel prices, automatic inflation gaining traction BY AARON HUFF T ire pressure monitoring sys- tems come standard in pas- senger vehicles, but the after- market is the only option for heavy- duty vehicles because of the unique environmental and operating condi- tions of different fleet applications. Early TPMS versions proved to cause more problems than they solved. The valve sensors couldn't stand up to the rigors of long-distance trucking and needed to be serviced more often than the tires themselves. However, automatic tire inflation systems have enjoyed a long streak of success. In heavy-duty applications, the systems use pressurized air from the brake lines to keep tires at a con- stant pressure. To date, ATIS use has been confined to trailers because the best way to route the air hoses to the wheel valves is through the center of the axles and wheel hubs. Use of ATIS for drive axles is an enormous engineering challenge due to differentials and gear axles in the way, as well as the extreme tem- peratures. Nevertheless, the Holy Grail of tire pressure management – an integrated ATIS for all placements – is within reach. Ryder System, which provides truck leasing and rentals, has been using Meritor PSI's ATIS on its rental trailer fleet for about seven years. The com- pany currently is evaluating inflation products for use on tractors. Scott Perry, Ryder's vice president of supply management and global fuel products, said the company is interest- ed in Aperia's Halo system, as well as a new product that Meritor is develop- ing for tractor wheels. That market traction has been slowed as of late by record low fuel prices. The main reason fleets buy TPMS and ATIS is the fuel savings from maintaining proper tire pres- sures. Extending tire life and reducing breakdowns also deliver payback. "Some product will gain traction," Perry said. What's available ATIS products for drive axles currently or soon to be on the market include: • The Halo Tire Inflator from Aperia Technologies, a bolt-on device with a small internal pump driven by the in focus: TIRE PRESSURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Esco's tire pressure monitoring system is designed to read and record abnormal air loss over a period of time due to a puncture or leak in the tire and rim and also to detect heat buildup in tires. Ryder System is evaluating inflation products for use on tractors and is interested in Ape- ria's Halo system, as well as a new product that Meritor is developing.