Abstract:
An energy extraction system for a rotational surface including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface and an energy extraction mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a cam rotatable about the rotational axis and an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass cooperatively formed by a first and a second section, the eccentric mass operable between a connected mode wherein the first and second sections are adjacent and a disconnected mode wherein the first and second sections are separated. The energy extraction mechanism is connected to the cam and is statically coupled to the rotating surface, wherein the energy extraction mechanism configured to extract energy from relative rotation between the energy extraction mechanism and the cam.
Abstract:
An energy extraction system for a rotational surface including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis and configured to rotatably couple to the rotational surface and an energy extraction mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a cam rotatable about the rotational axis and an eccentric mass coupled to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis, the eccentric mass cooperatively formed by a first and a second section, the eccentric mass operable between a connected mode wherein the first and second sections are adjacent and a disconnected mode wherein the first and second sections are separated. The energy extraction mechanism is connected to the cam and is statically coupled to the rotating surface, wherein the energy extraction mechanism configured to extract energy from relative rotation between the energy extraction mechanism and the cam.
Abstract:
A tire pressure adjustment method and system is provided. The method includes receiving from a plurality of sensors in a vehicle, tread depth data associated with tread depths at multiple points on a tire tread comprised by a tire on the vehicle. The tread depth data is analyzed. A tire pressure value for an internal portion of the tire is determined based on results of the analysis. The tire pressure value is associated with modifying a group of tread depths during operation of the vehicle. In response, a command signal is generated. The command signal is configured to command a tire pressure modification device to adjust a current tire pressure value of the internal portion of the tire to the determined tire pressure value. The command signal is transmitted to the tire pressure modification device resulting in the current tire pressure value being adjusted to determined tire pressure value.
Abstract:
A wheel-state obtaining apparatus for a vehicle, including wheel-side devices (10–16) each having an air pressure sensor (32) for detecting an air pressure of a wheel tire of the vehicle, and a body-side device (18) having receiver antennas (20–26) and arranged to receive wheel-side information from the wheel-side devices through the receiver antennas and extract air-pressure information representative of the detected air pressure, that is, detected-air-pressure information, and wherein the body-side device includes an estimating portion (54) which is operable, in the event of a failure of any of the receiver antennas to receive the wheel-side information, to estimate the tire air pressure on the basis of detected speeds of the wheel, and obtain estimated-air-pressure information representative of the estimated air pressure. Thus, the wheel-state obtaining apparatus is capable of obtaining information on the air pressure even in the event of a failure of the receiver antennas (20–26) to receive the wheel-side information.
Abstract:
A device for automatic tire inflation and tire pressure display has a tire pressure measurement unit, a tire temperature sensor (a thermometer) and a gradienter for measuring the tire balance. The tire pressure measurement unit has a tire pressure measurement unit, a voltage regulating circuit of power source, a microprocessor control unit, a wireless transceiving module and an inflation/deflation control component. The tire pressure measurement unit measures the tire pressure value of a tested tire. The tire pressure value is then wirelessly displayed on a display unit in a vehicle so that the user can know the present status of a tire. The user can also maneuver a function key to select an operation according to the displayed data and send this message to the tire room to execute inflation or deflation of the tire.
Abstract:
An audibly reporting and contemporaneous pressure-relief, automatic tire assembly is disclosed for use in interaction with preexisting valve core stems on a tire of other vessel or with conventional tire rim inflation holes. The assembly of the invention has a channeled valve body having a moving inside pin, and communication from within its channel to a sound board emission port having check-reed position groove at its other end. A pressure-sensitive arc-like mechanism is provided, fabricated to provide an inwardly closing force equivalent to a preselected pressure limit desired for a respective tire or air/fluid-pressured container. This mechanism is mounted in relation to the valve body and supported by a hollow and ported collar so that it seats and exerts closing force against an exposed portion of the check-reed which sits and can move within its position groove. When air or fluid pressure is provided to the valve body, in installed position, the back pressure from this exerts a corresponding force on the check-reed. When this back-pressure force, representing pressure in the tire/container exceeds the force exerted by the pressure-sensitive mechanism leaning on the check-reed, the check-reed moves within its groove allowing excess pressure above the limit to escape, and contemporaneously reporting an audible whistling sound generated by the sound board conditions created by escaping air in adjoining spaces of the check-reed, check-reed groove, and ported support collar in relation to the valve body.
Abstract:
A piston type TPM actuator valve has enough clearance between the piston and the wall of the cylindrical passage that it slides to prevent sticking, but still avoids excessive bypass leakage through the same clearance. A plug located in the passage between the piston and the check valve has a vent to atmosphere that prevents leaking air from compressing behind the advancing piston. The plug also carries a seal that is compressed when the piston bottoms out to prevent further venting.
Abstract:
A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to actuate a compressor to maintain a spare tire of a vehicle in an uninflated state and, upon receiving data indicating a low pressure of an operating tire of the vehicle, actuate the compressor to inflate the spare tire.
Abstract:
In order to adjust the tire internal pressure on landing to an appropriate internal pressure, the internal pressure and temperature of the tires when housed inside the aircraft in flight, the temperature and atmospheric pressure around the aircraft, and the altitudes and air temperatures at the takeoff and landing sites of the aircraft are obtained, and a target internal pressure at takeoff is calculated from information relating to the altitude and air temperature at the takeoff airport, after which an in-flight tire internal pressure whereby the tire internal pressure becomes a target internal pressure on landing is calculated from the temperature and atmospheric pressure around the tires of the aircraft, the air temperature and atmospheric pressure at the landing airport, and information relating to a load anticipated to act on the tires on landing, and subsequently the in-flight tire internal pressure is adjusted so that the obtained internal pressure of the tires housed inside the aircraft becomes the calculated in-flight tire internal pressure.
Abstract:
A method of setting the rides height of the air springs and air pressures of the tires, including receiving a user selected setting or preprogrammed ride height settings; sensing a ride height of, and air pressure within, each of the air springs; determining the weight of the vehicle based on the sensed ride height and air pressure within each of the air springs; providing specified ride heights for the left and right front and rear air springs; determining specified air pressures for the left and right front and rear tire inflators, based upon the determined weight of the vehicle and selected setting; inflating the left and right front and rear air springs to the specified ride heights; and inflating the left and right front and rear tires to the specified air pressures.