Abstract:
Closed cellular elements (1) intended for use on the inside of an assembly (E) formed of a wheel with a rim (J) provided with an inflation valve (V), on which is mounted a tire (P), the said cellular elements (1) having walls formed from thin, flexible sheets (11, 12) impermeable to gas. The cellular elements contain a given amount of a chemical composition which is solid or liquid at ambient temperature, but which changes to the gaseous state by phase change or by the shift of a chemical equilibrium between 40° C. and 80° C.
Abstract:
An airbag system secured to the tire rim inside a tire. The airbag is normally in a collapsed state close to the rim. The airbag is inflated with pressurized gas in the event of a tire failure. The inflated bag generally conforms to the inner walls of the tire to support the weight of the vehicle and enable the vehicle to be safely stopped. The bag has wear surfaces composed of durable material such as nylon or Kevlar fibers.
Abstract:
A rubber-fiber composite material of the present invention comprises a non-woven fabric and a rubber which coats the non-woven fabric. At least a part of the non-woven fabric is made of an organic fiber having a single fiber diameter of 10 to 35 nullm, a fiber length of 30 to 100 mm and a tensile modulus of 50 GPa or higher. By the use of the non-woven fabric at least a part of which is made of the organic fiber having the above properties, a sufficient impregnation of rubber into the inside of the non-woven fabric is ensured to enable the production of the rubber-fiber composite material having a high stiffness. Using the rubber-fiber composite material of the present invention as the reinforcing material for rubber articles, the resultant rubber articles have enhanced stiffness, improved durability and reduced weight.
Abstract:
Inside a tight sealed chamber defined between a rim and a tire of a pneumatic tire wheel for vehicles, there is provided a predetermined amount of a two-phase system in a substantially balanced state at the tire temperature and inflation pressure. The two-phase system comprises a liquid in a balanced state with its own vapor contained within a sealed, elastically deformable toric bladder which is mounted to the rim. By changing the amount of heat in the two-phase system so as to change its balance condition, a variation is obtained in the inflation pressure of the tire.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tire having a "run-flat" capability, is disclosed. The tire is in the form of a substantially toroidally shaped carcass having a pair of bead-reinforced sidewall regions and a crown region annularly bridging the sidewall regions. Internally of the carcass, there is provided an expandable nail-deflector for deflecting a nail that punctures, for example, the crown region. The nail deflector has a releasably constrained normal condition when the crown region is puncture-free that is annularly spaced from the interior of the crown region, and is circumferentially self-expandable into engagement with the interior of the crown region upon puncture of the latter by a nail to deflect such nail harmlessly away from its path of entry.
Abstract:
A flat tire airbag system has an inner tube having an inner portion adapted to be mounted upon the wheel of the pneumatic tire, and an outer portion adapted to support the tire when inflated. A tire pressure monitoring system is operably mounted to monitor pressure within the pneumatic tire, and an airbag inflation mechanism is provided for automatically inflating the inner tube responsive to the tire pressure monitoring system detecting a loss of pressure within the pneumatic tire.
Abstract:
A pneumatic wheel assembly includes a tire, mounted to a wheel rim, including an inflation valve, one default air chamber and one or more spare inner chambers, which spare inner chambers are inflatable if necessary, such as in case of puncture of the tire, where the inflation valve includes a gas inlet and a multi-way valve having selectable switching states to fluidly connect the inlet to either one of the default chamber or one of the inflatable inner chambers thereby allowing for individual inflation of any of the chambers, and a perforated rigid chamber extending circumferentially around the rim between the tire beads and fluidly connectable to a gas outlet.