Abstract:
A wheel assembly has a rim with an outer radial surface. A tire coupled to the rim defines a first interior region between the outer radial surface and the tire. A bladder coupled to the rim defines a second interior region between the outer radial surface and the bladder. A third interior region is defined between the bladder and the tire. The wheel assembly includes a valve fluidly coupled to the second interior region and the third interior region. The valve is movable between a first position and a second position. The second interior region and the third interior region are fluidly isolated from one another when the valve is in the first position. The second interior region and the third interior region may be fluidly coupled to one another when the valve is in the second position.
Abstract:
A tire-wheel assembly comprises a wheel coupled to a rotating shaft; an elastic tube disposed on an outer side of the wheel with respect to a radial direction, the interior of the tube being filled with air; a rigid protective ring disposed on an outer side of the tube with respect to the radial direction separated from the wheel; and a tread ring disposed on an outer side of the protective ring with respect to the radial direction, an inner circumferential surface of the tread ring contacting an outer circumferential surface of the protective ring.
Abstract:
Vehicle systems and components are set forth, which aim to reduce rolling friction caused in part by the contact between the vehicle's tires and the ground surface over which the vehicle is traversing. These systems and/or components thereof may increase the overall fuel efficiency of a vehicle. In the examples provided, the systems and/or components change the tread contact patch of one or more tires during movement of the vehicle.
Abstract:
The present application relates to a tire (6) comprising: a tread portion (8) and side walls (10), said tread portion (8) and side walls (10) defining a main air chamber (12); at least two auxiliary chambers (14, 16, 18) formed in the tread portion (8); and an air transfer device (28) for transferring air between the main air chamber (12) and each of the auxiliary air chambers (14, 16, 18).
Abstract:
A tire-wheel assembly comprises a wheel coupled to a rotating shaft; an elastic tube disposed on an outer side of the wheel with respect to a radial direction, the interior of the tube being filled with air; a rigid protective ring disposed on an outer side of the tube with respect to the radial direction separated from the wheel; and a tread ring disposed on an outer side of the protective ring with respect to the radial direction, an inner circumferential surface of the tread ring contacting an outer circumferential surface of the protective ring.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for enhancing the damping of pneumatic tires employed on vehicles employing sensors disposed within the tire volume to detect road induced vibratory forces. A gas pump under control of the sensor through a servo-system either forces gas into the interior tire volume to enhance pressure increases induced by road forces or exhausts air from that chamber when the vibratory forces are reducing the pressure in the chamber. The air from the pump passes through capillary passages to create frictional losses which tend to damp vibratory forces on the tire.
Abstract:
The energy efficient wheel product substantially reduces energy loss due to tire flex and energy loss from a conventional automotive drive train. The wheel product includes an axis, a hub, two sidewalls, a low pressure inner chamber with shock absorbing hub protector, an outer ring with at least one high pressure pneumatic chamber with tread, and at least one restraint band radially restraining the outer ring to the hub. The hub can include an electric hub motor which rotates the hub, propelling the vehicle. The restraint band, sidewalls and pressurized chambers enable the wheel to simulate an energy efficient high pressure pneumatic wheel, experiencing little deformation when under smooth road conditions. When road conditions are rough, the band, sidewalls and outer chamber can temporarily buckle in response to the increased road forces, simulating a low pressure conventional tire having ample space for deformation. The low pressure chamber and hub protector provide built in suspension and shock absorption capability. The outer ring chamber can be filled with high pressure closed cell foam to prevent flats.
Abstract:
The present device is an integrated automotive wheel for electric vehicles which substantially reduces energy loss due to tire flex and energy loss from a conventional drive train. The wheel includes an axle, a hub, two composite sidewalls, a low pressure inner chamber with shock absorbing hub protector, and at least one outer high pressure pneumatic chamber with tread. The hub can contain an electric hub motor which rotates the wheel, propelling the vehicle. The sidewalls include at least one pressurized chamber which position the outer tread ring and enable the wheel to simulate an energy efficient high pressure pneumatic wheel, experiencing little deformation when under smooth road conditions. When road conditions are rough, the sidewalls can temporarily buckle in response to the increased road forces, simulating a low pressure conventional tire having ample space for deformation, with suspension and shock absorption capability built in. The sidewalls and outer ring chamber can be filled with high pressure closed cell foam to prevent flats.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tires (20FL, 20FR, 20RL, 20RR) each having a plurality of air chambers disposed therein along a tread width direction. An internal pressure control device (100) includes a sensor unit (120) configured to inform a controller (110) that the four-wheel automobile (10) is going as being displaced in the leftward or rightward direction; and the controller (110) configure to change the internal pressures of the plurality of air chambers on the basis of the instruction outputted from the sensor unit (120).
Abstract:
A Re-Inflatable tire and inner tube system comprising of a primary flexible inflatable chamber and at least one secondary flexible inflatable chamber housed within the primary flexible inflatable chamber wherein all chambers share a single common inflation valve and wherein pressure is administered and controlled through the common valve to inflate one chamber at a time, independent and separate from all other chambers, while simultaneously releasing pressure from the chambers not being inflated.