A system and method control magnetic adhesion of a wheel to a surface using internal cancellation magnets. An inner annular disc of the wheel comprises a non-magnetic material and has first and second apertures which retain magnets while an outer annular disc comprises a ferromagnetic material and is disposed on a side of the inner annular disc and has a non-magnetic isolator ring which extends in a serpentine manner. In one configuration, the curves of the serpentine isolator ring isolate the first magnets from the second magnets. In another configuration, the outer annular disc rotates relative to the inner annular disc to dispose the curves of the serpentine isolator ring in a second position to allow magnetic interaction between the first and second magnets to generate a second magnetic flux between the second magnets and the ferromagnetic surface to thereby decrease the adhesion of the wheel to the ferromagnetic surface.

A two-part gate wheel is disclosed. The gate wheel includes two hub portions, each of which extends through over 180°, and which has a slot which passes from the periphery through to the centre. In use, each hub portion can be introduced from opposed sides of a gate, and coupled together to form a wheel. In this way the wheel can be retro-fitted onto a gate.

An arrangement of cancellation electromagnets control magnetic adhesion of a wheel to a surface. The wheel has an inner annular disc composed of a non-magnetic material with apertures which retain electromagnets and permanent magnets, and an outer annular disc composed of a ferromagnetic material which is disposed on a side of the inner annular disc, with a non-magnetic isolator ring having curves extending in a serpentine manner. In one embodiment, the curves isolate the electromagnets from the permanent magnets. In another embodiment, the outer annular disc is rotated relative to the inner annular disc to dispose the curves of the serpentine isolator ring in a second position to allow magnetic interaction between the electromagnets and the permanent magnets to generate a second magnetic flux between the permanent magnets and the ferromagnetic surface which decreases adhesion of the wheel to the ferromagnetic surface. A method implements the system.

An arrangement of cancellation electromagnets control magnetic adhesion of a wheel to a surface. The wheel has an inner annular disc composed of a non-magnetic material with apertures which retain electromagnets and permanent magnets, and an outer annular disc composed of a ferromagnetic material which is disposed on a side of the inner annular disc, with a non-magnetic isolator ring having curves extending in a serpentine manner. In one embodiment, the curves isolate the electromagnets from the permanent magnets. In another embodiment, the outer annular disc is rotated relative to the inner annular disc to dispose the curves of the serpentine isolator ring in a second position to allow magnetic interaction between the electromagnets and the permanent magnets to generate a second magnetic flux between the permanent magnets and the ferromagnetic surface which decreases adhesion of the wheel to the ferromagnetic surface. A method implements the system.

A drive augmenter provide supplemental drive power to the wheel of a landing gear with a drive system. The landing gear has a wheel rotatably mounted to an axle, and the drive system selectively provides a driving force to rotate the wheel. The drive augmenter includes a piston slidably disposed with a cylinder, and selective pressurization of the cylinder drives reciprocating translation of the piston within the cylinder. A crank is coupled to the piston by a rod and is also coupled to a crankshaft. The crank is configured to convert translation of the piston into rotation of the crankshaft. The drive augmenter further includes a drive shaft coupled to the wheel and a clutch configured to selectively transfer rotation of the crankshaft to the drive shaft.

A disk wheel for a motor vehicle, in particular a single-track motor vehicle, includes: a wheel hub for mounting the disk wheel on the motor vehicle, which wheel hub is concentric to an axis of rotation of the disk wheel; a wheel rim, which is likewise concentric thereto; and a first and a second wheel disk. The first wheel disk and the second wheel disk each extend from the wheel rim toward the wheel hub, are mutually spaced on the wheel hub in a transverse direction which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the disk wheel, and run toward each other as they approach the wheel hub. The disk wheel also has at least two reinforcement ribs, which extend from the first wheel disk to the second wheel disk and interconnect the first wheel disk and the second wheel disk. The reinforcement ribs are distributed evenly around the axis of rotation of the disk wheel.

A bicycle disc wheel includes two discs respectively formed of two composite material layers with a foam material bonded between the two composite material layers, a wheel frame arranged between the two discs in a concentric manner; and a spoke frame composed of a plurality of I-shaped ribs and sandwiched between the two discs. Each I-shaped rib is composed of a foam material and a composite material cladded on the foam material. Each I-shaped rib has a relatively wider opposite upper and lower sides and a relatively narrower middle section when it is viewed from the cross section, and the relatively wider opposite upper and lower sides of each I-shaped rib are respectively attached to the respective inner side of the two discs.

A studded wheel increases traction of a vehicle along slippery surfaces, such as a pipe. The wheel features a wheel body manufactured from a rigid material and having a tread surface. A plurality of studs are secured to the tread surface of the wheel body. The plurality of studs may be polycrystalline diamond. The plurality of studs may be secured directly to the tread surface of the wheel body, such as by brazing. The vehicle to which the wheel is attached may be an inspection vehicle with a mounted camera system fitted for surveying inaccessible areas including sewer systems and other internal piped locations.

A studded wheel increases traction of a vehicle along slippery surfaces, such as a pipe. The wheel features a wheel body manufactured from a rigid material and having a tread surface. A plurality of studs are secured to the tread surface of the wheel body. The plurality of studs may be polycrystalline diamond. The plurality of studs may be secured directly to the tread surface of the wheel body, such as by brazing. The vehicle to which the wheel is attached may be an inspection vehicle with a mounted camera system fitted for surveying inaccessible areas including sewer systems and other internal piped locations.

A composite wheel assembly and method of fabricating the same is provided. The wheel assembly includes a composite wheel rim, a wheel center, and a plurality of attachment fasteners for attaching the wheel center to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes a plurality of attachment inserts that are configured to selectively engage with respective attachment fasteners. Each attachment insert is encapsulated by a plurality of composite layers of the wheel rim or is otherwise secured to the wheel rim. The attachment inserts extend from and/or are positioned within a drop well region of the wheel rim. The method of fabricating the wheel assembly includes forming first and second preforms and positioning the same onto a mold assembly. The method further includes positioning the attachment inserts between the first and second preforms such that the attachment inserts are secured therebetween.