Abstract:
A pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an inner cavity and an inner surface at least partially defining the inner cavity, a rigid structure for facilitating operation of the tire assembly, and a docking base for securing the rigid structure to the inner surface of the inner cavity. The docking base has been integrally bonded to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire. The docking base has a shape formed by a mold attached to the inner surface of the inner cavity during curing of the pneumatic tire. The mold subsequently is removed thereby resulting in the docking base integrally secured to the inner surface.
Abstract:
A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an air passageway, the air tube being composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. The air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to a regulator device. The regulator device regulates the inlet air flow to the air tube and the outlet air flow to the tire cavity.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tire comprises a sidewall, an annular tire cavity, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the sidewall inside the annular tire cavity, wherein the hydraulic actuator has a flexible reservoir for containing a hydraulic fluid, and an opening allowing hydraulic fluid to enter the reservoir and to exit the reservoir. Further, the hydraulic actuator comprises a lever arm connected to the sidewall and holding the flexible reservoir between the lever arm and the sidewall, wherein the lever arm comprises a fluid channel allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the reservoir through the opening out of the lever arm.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tire comprises a sidewall, an annular tire cavity, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the sidewall inside the annular tire cavity, wherein the hydraulic actuator has a flexible reservoir for containing a hydraulic fluid, and an opening allowing hydraulic fluid to enter the reservoir and to exit the reservoir. Further, the hydraulic actuator comprises a lever arm connected to the sidewall and holding the flexible reservoir between the lever arm and the sidewall, wherein the lever arm comprises a fluid channel allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the reservoir through the opening out of the lever arm.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an inner cavity and an inner surface at least partially defining the inner cavity, a rigid structure for facilitating operation of the tire assembly, and a docking base for securing the rigid structure to the inner surface of the inner cavity. The docking base has been integrally bonded to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire. The docking base has a shape formed by a mold attached to the inner surface of the inner cavity during curing of the pneumatic tire. The mold subsequently is removed thereby resulting in the docking base integrally secured to the inner surface.
Abstract:
An air maintenance tire assembly having an elongate air pumping sidewall air passageway includes an inlet air passage screw assembly inserted through a tire sidewall profiled bore to conduct air from outside the tire into a regulator positioned within a tire cavity. The screw assembly includes a screw body having at an outer end a large-diameter filter housing, a smaller-diameter midsection shank portion, and an inner large-diameter valve housing connecting to the regulator within the tire cavity. A valve mechanism seats within the valve housing and moves between an open position conducting air from the screw body into the regulator assembly and a closed position preventing a backflow of air from the regulator assembly.
Abstract:
An air maintenance tire assembly having an elongate air pumping sidewall air passageway includes an inlet air passage screw assembly inserted through a tire sidewall profiled bore to conduct air from outside the tire into a regulator positioned within a tire cavity. The screw assembly includes a screw body having at an outer end a large-diameter filter housing, a smaller-diameter midsection shank portion, and an inner large-diameter valve housing connecting to the regulator within the tire cavity. A valve mechanism seats within the valve housing and moves between an open position conducting air from the screw body into the regulator assembly and a closed position preventing a backflow of air from the regulator assembly.
Abstract:
A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an air passageway, the air tube being composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. The air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to a regulator device. The regulator device regulates the inlet air flow to the air tube and the outlet air flow to the tire cavity.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an inner cavity and an inner surface at least partially defining the inner cavity, a rigid structure for facilitating operation of the tire assembly, and a docking base for securing the rigid structure to the inner surface of the inner cavity. The docking base has been integrally bonded to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire. The docking base has a shape formed by a mold attached to the inner surface of the inner cavity during curing of the pneumatic tire. The mold subsequently is removed thereby resulting in the docking base integrally secured to the inner surface.