Abstract:
A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure within a tire mounted on a wheel of a vehicle which includes a flexible compression chamber and a magnetic element not on the wheel. As the compressor passes the magnet each wheel revolution, a small amount of atmospheric air is pumped into the tire, if needed. The magnet and the compressor need no other contact with the vehicle or the wheel and require no energy source on the wheel.
Abstract:
A tire adjustment system and utilization means therefor includes a vehicle having at lone or more electronic vehicle control systems such as an anti-lock brake system; steering wheel control system, electronic stability system; suspension control system; global positioning system. An electronic valve system is mounted to operatively adjust on a tire-by-tire basis the inflation pressure within each tire cavity responsive to an electronic input signal from at least one of the vehicle control systems. The inflation adjustment of each tire alters the tire tread footprint configuration to optimally correlate with one or more identified current road condition(s) traversed by the vehicle.
Abstract:
A wheel having a controlled and compensated pressure includes a rim associated with a tank adapted to be filled with a fluid to a first pressure; a tyre mounted on the rim and having an inner volume inflated to an operating pressure, the operating pressure being lower than the first pressure; at least one valve adapted to regulate a communication between the tank and the inner volume of the tyre, the valve having at least one elastic element operatively associated with a closure member designed to open and close a port of the valve to bring the tank into communication with the tyre when the pressure of the tyre is lower than the operating pressure, the elastic element having an elastic constant showing a variation of 10% to 40% within a temperature range of about −50° C. to about 50° C.
Abstract:
Sealing and inflating system incorporated with a vehicular wheel including a tire rim and a tire mounted to the tire rim including a source of sealing and inflating compound arranged in connection with the tire or tire rim, a detecting mechanism for detecting a rupture in the tire, and a release mechanism coupled to the source and the detecting mechanism for releasing a quantity of the sealing and inflating compound from the source when the detecting mechanism detects a rupture in the tire. The source, detecting mechanism and release mechanism can all be arranged in the pressurized interior space defined by the tire and the tire rim. In this case, the source can be attached to the tire rim. One such construction of the source has two substantially semi-circular parts arranged around the tire rim and connected together, with a release mechanism being arranged in engagement with each part.
Abstract:
A system for allowing vehicles equipped with pneumatic tires to continue operating after a tire failure which would normally cause deflation of the tire employs one or more airbags stored in deflated configuration either about the exterior surface of the rim supporting the pneumatic tire or externally of the tire. The system further includes a container for compressed gases. A sensor connected to the inflated tire to detect sudden deflation releases the compressed gases so as to inflate the airbag to either support the tire or provide an exterior running surface adjacent to the deflated tire.
Abstract:
A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure within a tire mounted on a wheel of a vehicle which includes a flexible compression chamber and a magnetic element not on the wheel. As the compressor passes the magnet each wheel revolution, a small amount of atmospheric air is pumped into the tire, if needed. The magnet and the compressor need no other contact with the vehicle or the wheel and require no energy source on the wheel.
Abstract:
To provide a tire tube having excellent sealing performance and long lasting durability. The tire tube contains a primary and secondary cavity, each having multiple ports. In the event of a tire rupture or puncture within the primary cavity, the secondary cavity can be inflated manually through a secondary tire valve, or via a rapid pressurization utilizing an actuation value and a pressurized cavity within the rim structure. An adhesive impregnated rubber or synthetic layer bonded to a tubular layer will form the boundary between the wall separating the primary and secondary cavities, and provide a filler to seal the leak in the primary cavity tube outer wall, and into the tire itself.
Abstract:
A tire-pressure control apparatus includes time calculation means for calculating an up time over which the tire pressure of each wheel increases from a lower limit set value to an upper limit set value and a down time over which the tire pressure of the wheel decreases from the upper limit set value to the lower limit set value, on the basis of the detection value of a corresponding pressure sensor; average-rotational-speed calculation means for calculating an average rotational speed of the wheel during the up time on the basis of the detection value of a corresponding wheel speed sensor; first-pump-supplied-air-quantity calculation means (403) for calculating a first pump-supplied air quantity Qvw* of a corresponding air pressure generation unit in a single generation and non-generation cycle on the basis of the up time and the average rotational speed; second-pump-supplied-air-quantity calculation means (404) for calculating a second pump-supplied air quantity Qp* of the air pressure generation unit in a single generation and non-generation cycle on the basis of the up time and the down time; and determination means (405) for comparing the first pump-supplied air quantity Qvw* and the second pump-supplied air quantity Qp*.
Abstract:
An air pressure inside a tire is positively adjusted to an optimum state. In a wheel assembly, a tire is attached to a wheel. A pressurizing means is provided in the wheel assembly for pressurizing air inside the tire. A depressurizing means is also provided in the wheel assembly for depressurizing the air inside the tire. A pressurization limiting means is provided in the wheel assembly for limiting an operation of the pressurizing means in accordance with a pressure of the air inside the tire.
Abstract:
A wheel-supporting roller-bearing unit with air compressor that is compact and capable of keeping resistance against the rotation of the hub 4c low while at the same time maintaining good balance, and when necessary, is capable of obtaining compressed air having sufficient pressure regardless of the traveling speed of the vehicle. A plurality of cylinder holes 53 are located at a plurality of locations that are evenly spaced around the circumferential direction on the inside of a cylinder block 50 that is connected and fastened to the inside end section in the axial direction of the hub 4c. Pistons 54 fit inside these cylinder holes 53 and are moved back and forth by a piston-drive mechanism 62 as the cylinder block 50 rotates. The air compressor 2c is a reciprocating-piston compressor, so it is possible to obtain the required air pressure regardless of rpm. Also, by placing a plurality of cylinder holes 53 and pistons 54 at uniform intervals around in the circumferential direction, it is possible to suppress the resistance against the rotation of the hub 4c.