Abstract:
The retractable studded tire includes studs in the tread wall movable between extended road-engaging and retracted non-roadengaging positions, and a self-contained power unit for selectively causing extension or traction of the studs. The power unit includes a high pressure air chamber and a low pressure air chamber for controlling stud position and the low pressure air chamber additionally maintains the tire in inflated condition. The studs are movable in stud holes formed in the tread wall and a diaphragm is provided for pneumatically sealing the area around the studs and stud holes from the low pressure air chamber to prevent leakage of air from the low pressure chamber.
Abstract:
An expanding tire rim comprises an inner hub in hydraulic communication with a plurality of arms having curved outer rim sections. When activated by a user the hydraulic system permits the diameter of the outer rim to expand. Each arm has a plurality of tire retaining spikes.
Abstract:
A multiple chamber pneumatic tire having an upper section and a lower section. A diaphragm separates the upper section from the lower section. The lower section has at least two chambers. The chambers each have a chamber valve, a nail guard layer, a plurality of fibers having an end connected to an inner wall surface of a chamber, and an interconnected barrier connected to at least two portions of a chamber wall surface. The upper section of the tire has at least one linkage located within at least one tube with a primary end connected to a chamber valve of a chamber and a secondary end connected to a tire rim or to a main valve. A tire pressure monitoring system can be in communication with a chamber valve. The tire can have a ring with at least one retractable stud.
Abstract:
A bolt assembly provides a reciprocating bolt. The bolt assembly includes a bolt assembly body, a cap affixed to the bolt assembly body, and a base affixed to the bolt assembly body opposite the cap, wherein the bolt assembly body includes a bolt carrier having a cap end disposed proximally to the cap and a bolt receiving end disposed distally from the cap. The bolt assembly also includes a biasing mechanism biasing the bolt carrier in a retracted position relative to the bolt assembly, and an extension actuator including a diaphragm having a center portion disposed between the cap and the bolt assembly body, the center portion of the diaphragm being deflectable to enable the biasing of the bolt carrier in the retracted position, the center portion of the diaphragm being oppositely deflectable to apply an actuation force to the cap end of the bolt carrier so as to move the bolt carrier from the retracted position to an extended position relative to the bolt assembly.
Abstract:
A landing gear tire traction control system and methods are presented. An outer tire of an aircraft wheel is depressurized to a depressurized state in response to a non-optimal aircraft landing condition. An inner rotor of the aircraft wheel contacts the outer tire in response to the depressurized state, and a plurality of traction studs are deployed to protrude from the outer tire in response to the inner rotor contacting the outer tire.
Abstract:
Please replace the Abstract of the present application with the following: A selectably engaged rotary union includes a stator body, and a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator body, the stator body surrounding a portion of the rotor and configured to transfer a fluidic medium between the stator body and the rotor. The selectably engaged rotary union further includes a plurality of sealing elements affixed to the stator body and disposed between the stator body and the rotor, a gap being present between the plurality of sealing elements and the rotor, where the plurality of sealing elements are configured to selectably close the gap so as to produce a temporary seal between the stator body and the rotor enabling a transfer of the fluidic medium.