Abstract:
A tire inflation optimization apparatus configured to determine an optimum inflation pressure for a tire installed on an aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a memory and a controller. The memory stores information relating tire gas properties to aircraft schedule parameters and a reference pressure for the tire. The controller is configured to receive future schedule information indicative of a future flight schedule for the aircraft and to determine an optimum inflation pressure for the tire based on the received future schedule information, the stored information relating tire gas properties to aircraft schedule parameters, and the stored reference pressure.
Abstract:
A fore-aft self-balancing personal transportation device having a single wheel structure with multiple air chambers and air pressure equalization between the air chambers. Embodiments include dual tires on a single rim structure, or a single tire structure with multiple lobes, etc. Air passage between the air chambers may be internal through the rim or external via an air hose or related structure. The air chambers may be tubed or tubeless. Several different embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
An air maintenance system includes a rotating inner ring secured to a vehicle wheel, a stationary outer ring maintaining a constant angular position, an eccentric mass secured to the stationary outer ring, an occlusion roller located proximate to the eccentric mass, and a flexible tube defining a pump cavity. The air maintenance system pumps a fluid from the ambient environment into a pneumatic tire by applying an occluding force against the flexible tube, periodically occluding portions of the pump cavity.
Abstract:
A comprehensive tire pressure maintenance system for use with motor vehicles, that includes a TPMS with an externally mounted battery, a tubular battery configured for deployment on a valve stem configured to accommodate said deployment of said tubular battery, a self-inflating pressure-optimizing tire arrangement, and a self-inflating run-flat tire arrangement and a wireless tire pressure gauge.
Abstract:
A tire inflation system and a method of control. Tire inflation pressure may be adjusted based on a target tire pressure that may vary with vehicle load.
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 inflation system including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation, and a force translator coupling the rotational axis to the pump cavity. The drive mechanism includes a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis, and an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis. The pump cavity is rotatably coupled to the cam, wherein the pump cavity includes an actuating element and a chamber. The force translator couples the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, wherein the force translator includes an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity.
Abstract:
A tire inflation system including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation, and a force translator coupling the rotational axis to the pump cavity. The drive mechanism includes a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis, and an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis. The pump cavity is rotatably coupled to the cam, wherein the pump cavity includes an actuating element and a chamber. The force translator couples the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, wherein the force translator includes an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity.
Abstract:
An autonomous valve assembly for the regulation, depressurization and elevation of the pressure in pneumatic equipment that presents a valve body 22 and an air regulator body 4 with a compressed air intake 54 connected to a source of compressed air, whereby the body 4 presents two pressure regulators 45, 46 that regulate the pressure at a desired level and communicate it to an air diverter plunger 6 with reciprocating movement to cyclically divert the compressed air to a pressurization plunger assembly 9A, 5, 9B that has a reciprocating movement within a pressure casing 20A, 20B, wherein said air pressure regulators 45, 46 are adjusted to regulate the passage of air to a first pressure and a second pressure.
Abstract:
A tire inflation system including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation, and a force translator coupling the rotational axis to the pump cavity. The drive mechanism includes a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis, and an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis. The pump cavity is rotatably coupled to the cam, wherein the pump cavity includes an actuating element and a chamber. The force translator couples the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, wherein the force translator includes an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity.