Michelin's Auto Inflate tops off tires on the road
It’s called “Auto Inflate” and it basically does what its name implies.
Michelin will produce a wheel-mounted, automatic, tire pressure management device — which can be retrofitted to any fleet truck tire in just a few minutes — to keep air pressure optimal while a vehicle is on the road.
The self-powered device, which weighs about five pounds, is mounted to the wheel hub (using standard tools and without any axle drilling) and with each wheel rotation, the device monitors and adjusts for low air pressure. The Michelin Auto Inflate works with both duals and wide-base single tires and on both drive and trailer tires.
How does Michelin’s Auto Inflate work?
The technology was developed by Aperia Technologies a few years ago and was sold as the Halo Tire Inflator. Michelin has partnered with Aperia to release a branded version of the device.
When Aperia released the technology in 2014 the company’s founders told website The Blaze that when the device is bolted to the wheel hub and the truck is in motion “a pump inside the device captures energy from a pendulum that swings when the wheel rotates at any speed. That rotation produces a pumping action, which is connected to the tire by two air lines; whenever an internal sensor detects low air pressure, the system sends air to the tire.”
The companies claim the device is “virtually maintenance-free” and can be factory-set to a specified target tire pressure. They are also easily transferable to another vehicle.
What are the benefits of Michelin Auto Inflate?
Leaky valve stems, extreme temperature changes and human error can all lead to underinflated tires and that results in costly downtime. Michelin estimates fleets can save $2,400 per tractor-trailer annually by reducing tire-related downtime events, extending tire life, improving fuel economy and increasing safety.
“Michelin Auto Inflate is simple, reliable and good for business,” said Adam Murphy, vice president of marketing for Michelin Americas Truck Tires.
“Due to a number of complicated factors that cause tire pressures to change day-to-day and hour-to-hour, maintaining optimal tire pressure is nearly impossible to achieve manually.
“Auto Inflate, using Aperia's Halo device, provides an immediate payback for one of fleets’ biggest assets by eliminating complexity and automatically managing air pressure in the tires that keep their trucks rolling.”
Why have Michelin and Aperia done this deal?
Aperia chief executive Josh Carter said the companies chose to collaborate on Auto Inflate because they were both committed to bringing innovative products and service solutions to fleets, with the goal of maximizing uptime.
“Auto Inflate… provides fleets the first simple, reliable, full-vehicle solution to the complex problem of optimal tire pressure management.”
How do I get my hands on Michelin’s Auto Inflate?
To sign up for Michelin Auto Inflate or for more information, call toll free (844) 319-4247, email [email protected] or visit the Auto Inflate website.
