Abstract:
The cooling of a pneumatic tire (12) is provided for by a heat transfer element (21) contained within an inflation chamber (13) and drivingly coupled to the rim (14). The heat transfer element (21) extends away from the rim (14) into a volume of liquid coolant (19) also contained within the inflation chamber (13). Rotation of the rim (14) drives the heat transfer element (21) which transfers portions of the coolant (19) into contact with the rim (14) which conducts the heat away from the coolant fluid (19). A cooling coil (26) mounted about the rim (14) conducts the heat from the rim by the transfer of an additional coolant supply through the cooling coils (26). The efficient elimination of heat prolongs the life of the tire (12) and may increase productivity of earthmoving vehicles or the like which ride upon pneumatic tires (12) as operation of the vehicle need not be restricted in order to reduce heat damage to the tires ( 12).
Abstract:
A tire cooling system (10) for a vehicle having a wheel (12) with a tire (14) mounted on a rim (16). A heat transfer device (22) is positioned in a central cavity (18) defined by said rim (16) and tire (14). A first fluid (20) is contained in said central cavity (18) while a second fluid (25) is circulated through said heat transfer device (22), said second fluid (25) being in fluid isolation from said first fluid (20). Said second fluid (25) is circulated through a rotating wheel seal (28) to a heat exchanger (38) and back to said heat transfer device (22).Use of an intermediate heat exchanger, such as said heat transfer device (22), permits use of oil as said second fluid (25) permitting leakage from said rotating wheel seals (28) to be contained by and made up from said final drive sump (42). Oil has, of course, a deleterious affect on rubber. Through use of oil in an isolated cooling loop, relatively simple liquid cooling with an external heat exchanger (38) is achieved.
Abstract:
Apparatus is provided for use with a tractor or like vehicle. The apparatus is adapted to liquid ballast and inflate a tube within a wheel of the vehicle. The apparatus comprises inflation means which include a pump adapted to pressurize air or liquid to the inflation pressure of the tube. A reservoir is provided which is adapted to be filled with ballast. The apparatus includes a nozzle adapted to fit within the tube. The nozzle is adapted to be positioned to purge up to 100% of the fluid within the tube at ambient pressures. The apparatus also includes piping means connecting the pump to the nozzle, and the pump to the reservoir.
Abstract:
A vehicle tire is inflated with water and is associated with one or more hollow vessels of rigid construction each containing a compartment for a gas such as air, the compartment having at least one flexible wall. The vessels have ports which admit water when the tire is compressed as in bouncing or riding over an object in the road. Some of the ports may be valved to prevent escape of water so expansion of the air, after it has been compressed by deformation of the flexible wall when the water enters the vessel, is retarded and the normal bounce of the tire is damped.