Model X

Make
Tesla
Segment
SUV

Tesla is no stranger to delays. Earlier in the year, the company announced its highly anticipated Cybertruck would be delayed yet again, with production now slated for 2023. It's a similar story with the 250 mph+ Roadster and the Tesla Semi, which was scheduled to go on sale as far back as 2019. But an uncovered patent with the USPTO suggests the Semi may be inching closer to production.

Elon Musk's carmaker has been granted a patent for an automatic tire inflation system, which will allow drivers to adjust tire pressure on the go in the all-electric Class 8 truck. In 2018, Tesla was working on a similar system known as "Automatic Tire Inflation System with Thru-Hub Air Feed".

The technology is nothing new; specialist off-roaders have been utilizing it for ages. At the time, we weren't sure if the system would be applied to the Semi or, perhaps, a serious dune-bashing version of the Model X.

In the description, Tesla notes previous Automatic Tire Inflation Systems (ATIS) have several shortcomings. "With some prior art techniques, air was fed through hollow drive axles to a fitting located on the end thereof. The fitting was then coupled to the air inlets of the tires. To couple the air into the hollow drive axles, a rotatingly attached fitting coupled air from an air storage to the inside of the hollow axles.

It goes on to say, "this fitting was subject to leakage of contaminants. These contaminants interfered with the operation of the ATIS and eventually caused the ATIS to fail."

Tesla describes how it has navigated these issues and come up with an altogether more intelligent system. This, says the carmaker, will reduce contamination and extend the lifespan of key components, including the ATIS. What's more, it extends maintenance intervals and lengthens hub and tire lives, as explained by the description below.

Tesla's version includes valves with air supply inlet and air outlets. A controller regulates these valves. The system also includes a channel in a spindle. In great detail, the filing explains the ATIS system includes at least "one drive axle having inner bearings and outer bearings, a channel formed in a spindle, first hosing coupling a valve of the valves controlled by the controller to the channel formed in the spindle."

It continues, noting the channel is formed in a hub, with a "rotary air seal residing between the inner bearings and the outer bearings and coupling the channel formed in the spindle to the channel formed in the hub, and second hosing coupling the channel formed in the hub to at least one wheel."

We must point out that not every patent filled by a manufacturer makes its way into production but does, at least, give us insight into which direction the manufacturer is heading. Previously, Tesla has filed numerous other patents, including one detailing plans for lazer windshield wipers. Interestingly, the patent for the unusual wipers has been approved.

The ATIS patent is far more sensible and will certainly come in handy for truck drivers, who constantly have to check their tire pressure to ensure safety while traveling. The electric car manufacturer plans on offering the Semi with either 300 or 500 miles of range, with an expected price of around $150,000. Numerous companies have already placed orders, with Pepsi requesting 15 examples of the innovative truck when it goes into production.