Hutchinson Wheels

Central Tire Inflation

Vehicles both on- and off-road utilize CTI systems. The CTIS can improve the off road mobility. By reducing the tire pressure, the contact area between the tire and ground increases and the “floatation” of the tire increases as well. This is commonly used in soft conditions such as mud.

A CTI system enables the control and changing of the pressure in the tires as needed through an on-board controller. The tires are permanently connected through a tire/wheel valve to the central pressure control unit.

On the wheel side, this normally requires air to be routed from a port on the hub to the CTI wheel valve and from the valve to the tire chamber.

Hutchinson has simplified this part of the system by eliminating most of the ‘plumbing’ to and from the wheel valve by integrating the valve into the aluminum wheel. The air channels are machined inside the rim, and the valve is attached to the face of the wheel. This drastically reduces the number of components and possible leak points. At the same time it simplifies assembly, serviceability and maintenance.

Hutchinson Integrated CTIS

Components:

Current - 13
Hutchinson - 3
Weight:
Current - 4lbs
Hutchinson -2lbs

Benefits of Integrated System

Lower overall costs
Simplified installation and serviceability
Less components(2 parts replace13)
Improved reliability and MTBF
Reduces logistic cost due to fewer components
No protective covered required
Improved tire life