The innovation presented herein provides among its embodiments, a non-pneumatic structure such as a vehicle tire, consisting of a matrix of shape memory alloy (SMA) elements. The interlocking layering pattern provides geometries which leverage the SMA material properties to accomplish performance characteristics of traditional pneumatic structures across a spectrum of possible desired uses including normal personal use, recreational use, sport use and commercial use. Embodiments include applying structural design and material properties to provide a fixed or a variable set of performance characteristics. Similar to the fruits of other space program initiatives, the innovation leverages material science developed for extra-terrestrial purposes to accomplish advances over conventional items.

The innovation presented herein provides among its embodiments, a non-pneumatic structure such as a vehicle tire, consisting of a matrix of shape memory alloy (SMA) elements. The interlocking layering pattern provides geometries which leverage the SMA material properties to accomplish performance characteristics of traditional pneumatic structures across a spectrum of possible desired uses including normal personal use, recreational use, sport use and commercial use. Embodiments include applying structural design and material properties to provide a fixed or a variable set of performance characteristics. Similar to the fruits of other space program initiatives, the innovation leverages material science developed for extra-terrestrial purposes to accomplish advances over conventional items.

A tire includes a plurality of SMA springs. Each SMA spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA spring is interlaced with at least one other SMA spring thereby forming a laced toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the tire.

A tire includes a plurality of SMA springs. Each SMA spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA spring is interlaced with at least one other SMA spring thereby forming a laced toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the tire.

A row implement has a disk and depth wheel assembly attached to the frame. The assembly includes: (i) a bracket; (ii) a horizontal freely rotating shaft; (iii) a disk attached to the shaft; and (iv) a depth wheel attached to the shaft on either side of the disk, so the shaft, disk, and the depth wheel rotate together.

A tire having a plurality of shape memory alloy (SMA) radial stiffening elements including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA radial element is secured to the rim of a wheel to form arching elements extending about an entire circumference of the tire.

A tire having a plurality of shape memory alloy (SMA) radial stiffening elements including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA radial element is secured to the rim of a wheel to form arching elements extending about an entire circumference of the tire.

Tire-type device having bearing elements (7) within annular space (5) between inner and outer coaxial structures of revolution, the latter contacting the ground in contact patch (A). The bearing elements are independent in pairs and buckle under compression in contact patch (A). The smallest characteristic dimension E of the section S of any bearing element (7) is at most equal to 0.02 times the mean radial height H of the inner annular space (5), the surface density D of the bearing elements (7) per unit area of the radially outer structure of revolution, expressed in 1/m.sup.2, is at least equal to Z/(A*Fr/n), where Z is the nominal radial load, expressed in N, A is the area of contact with the ground, expressed in m.sup.2, and Fr/n is the mean force at break under tension of the n bearing elements made to buckle under compression, expressed in N.

The present invention is related to durable, increased traction irrigation wheel systems and method of increasing traction and durability of an irrigation wheel. A segmented, fully enclosed, circular rotating drum may be provided with may be configured to rotate around a central axis. A system may have integrally placed flat sheets on a periphery of a segmented, fully enclosed, circular rotating drum, at least one traction projection, and perhaps even at least one influential traction enablement component.

The present invention is related to durable, increased traction irrigation wheel systems and method of increasing traction and durability of an irrigation wheel. A segmented, fully enclosed, circular rotating drum may be provided with may be configured to rotate around a central axis. A system may have integrally placed flat sheets on a periphery of a segmented, fully enclosed, circular rotating drum, at least one traction projection, and perhaps even at least one influential traction enablement component.