Abstract:
A power harvesting solution concerns a generally non-conductive tire structure that is formed with at least one defined conductivity path through which static electricity accumulated in the tire structure during tire rotation can dissipate to ground. Such conductivity path is formed from a portion of conductive material that may be partially surrounded by additional insulative material to restrict the flow of electric charge to ground. An energy storage device, such as a capacitor or rechargeable battery, is coupled with the conductivity path and configured to store selected amounts of the electric charge dissipating through the conductivity path. Various diode elements may be provided in combination with the energy storage device to prevent reverse discharging of and to provide voltage protection for the energy storage device. Sufficient accumulations of such harvested energy can then power tire electronic systems, including various condition-responsive devices (i.e., sensors, etc.) a revolution counter, a radio frequency (RF) device, a rechargeable battery or a lighting device.
Abstract:
A tire structure includes a tire; an attachment layer positioned between an inner surface of the tire and a spike supporting layer, and allowing the spike supporting layer to be coupled to the inside of the tire; and a spike supporting layer coupled to the inside of the tire by the attachment layer and supporting the spikes operated in conjunction with deformation of the tire, thereby enabling an existing tire to be used for the power generation system using tire deformation.
Abstract:
Air compressing tires on a vehicle can utilize tire deformation during vehicle motion to compress a gas. The compressed gas can be discharged from the tire to a pressure regulating vessel on the vehicle. The compressed gas can be stored or used for power generation on board the vehicle. In some cases, the power generated can be used to extend battery power and/or range of an electric vehicle.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method of mounting a device to a tire comprising the following steps: buffing an inside surface of the tire, forming a rubber layer and a rubber extension on a mounting surface of the device, wherein the rubber extension extends past the support frame; applying rubber cement to the mounting surface and then affixing the mounting surface of the device to the inside surface; and then curing the rubber cement.
Abstract:
A tire support apparatus includes a support plate for receiving a tire includes an optional inflatable inner tube for insertion into the tire cavity, and an upper plate having a hole for receiving a support member, the upper plate further includes a ring having an inner lip that seats against the bead region of the tire and a radially outer surface that seats against the lower sidewall region of the tire T.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method of constructing a tire, comprising: constructing a coated filament, the coated filament constructed by coating a filament with a coating material, the coating material comprising at least one substance dispersible in an uncured rubber compound; encasing the coated filament into containment within an uncured flexible tire component, the coated filament extending between an air inlet and an air outlet cavity in the pre-cured flexible tire component; building on a tire building drum a green tire carcass from uncured tire components including the uncured flexible tire component and encased coated filament; curing the green tire carcass into a cured finished tire including the flexible tire component containing the coated filament; removing the filament from the cured flexible tire component to leave within the flexible tire component a substantially unobstructed air passageway.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a tire structure includes an adhesive composition attaching step of attaching to an inner surface of a tire an adhesive composition used for forming an attachment layer; a supporting layer attaching step of attaching a spike supporting layer to the adhesive composition, the spike supporting layer supporting the spikes operated in conjunction with deformation of the tire; and a curing step of applying pressure and heat to the adhesive composition for a predetermine time such that physical properties of the adhesive composition are changed through a chemical reaction, thereby enabling an existing tire to be used for a power generation system using tire deformation.
Abstract:
A tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region with the first sidewall having at least one bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint, and a chafer component with an air passageway defined by an air tube resiliently deforming segment by segment between an expanded condition and an at least partially collapsed condition in response to respective segment by segment deformation of the sidewall when radially within the rolling tire footprint. The air tube is inserted into the chafer before assembly with other components of an uncured tire and curing of the uncured tire.
Abstract:
A green pneumatic tire comprising a tire cavity; first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region; and a cable embedded into a rubber material of the green tire for allowing a creation of an air passageway in the tire after curing the green tire in a tire mold is disclosed. The cable comprises a core of a first material and a shell of a second material, wherein the shell surrounds the core. Also, a method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire comprising an air passageway is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a green pneumatic tire comprising a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region, and a cable embedded in a rubber material of the green tire, the cable comprising a core of a first material and a shell of a second material, wherein the shell surrounds the core; curing the green tire together with the cable in a tire mold; and extracting the core of the cable from the cured tire thereby providing an air passageway in the tire.