A tire monitoring system may include first and second sensor elements, a circuit board, and a housing. The circuit board includes control circuitry coupled with at least one of the first and second sensor elements, wherein the control circuitry is configured to generate tire tread information based on an electrical response of at least one of the first and second sensor elements. The housing includes a housing material that surrounds the circuit board in a direction parallel with respect to a surface of the circuit board. Related methods are also discussed.

A shoe for analyzing a component is provided. The shoe includes a housing, a NDT probe disposed on a side of the housing, and a shoe interface. The shoe interface is disposed at the side of the housing and contacts the component during the analyzing of the component. The shoe interface separates the NDT probe from the component during the analyzing of the component and moves along the component during the analyzing of the component. The shoe also includes first and second wear indicators. The first wear indicator indicates that the shoe interface is usable during the analyzing of the component. The second wear indicator indicates that the shoe interface should be replaced. Both of the wear indicators are configured similar to the shoe interface and move along the component while the shoe analyzes the component.

A shoe for analyzing a component is provided. The shoe includes a housing, a NDT probe disposed on a side of the housing, and a shoe interface. The shoe interface is disposed at the side of the housing and contacts the component during the analyzing of the component. The shoe interface separates the NDT probe from the component during the analyzing of the component and moves along the component during the analyzing of the component. The shoe also includes first and second wear indicators. The first wear indicator indicates that the shoe interface is usable during the analyzing of the component. The second wear indicator indicates that the shoe interface should be replaced. Both of the wear indicators are configured similar to the shoe interface and move along the component while the shoe analyzes the component.

A system for determining tread wear of a tire includes a first wireless communication chip located at an inner surface of the tire and a second wireless communication chip located at an outer surface of the tire. The second chip resides in a slot extending through a housing located in a groove in a tread of the tire. The second chip moves in the slot toward the bottom of the groove in response to the tread wear. Methodology entails transmitting a first signal from a first chip, receiving the first signal at the second chip, transmitting a second signal from the second chip in response to receipt of the first signal, receiving the second signal at the first chip, computing a time delay between transmission of the first signal and receipt of the second signal, and determining tread wear of the tire in response to the time delay.

A system for determining tread wear of a tire includes a first wireless communication chip located at an inner surface of the tire and a second wireless communication chip located at an outer surface of the tire. The second chip resides in a slot extending through a housing located in a groove in a tread of the tire. The second chip moves in the slot toward the bottom of the groove in response to the tread wear. Methodology entails transmitting a first signal from a first chip, receiving the first signal at the second chip, transmitting a second signal from the second chip in response to receipt of the first signal, receiving the second signal at the first chip, computing a time delay between transmission of the first signal and receipt of the second signal, and determining tread wear of the tire in response to the time delay.

A system for determining a tire contact area parameter includes a sensor module on the tire. The sensor module has a sensor that receives a sensor signal which is dependent on a mechanical tire load at a predetermined measuring point on the tire. A first evaluation device evaluates the sensor signal and provides data based on the sensor signal. The data contain a data element which indicates a time point in the sensor signal. The time point characterizes a passage of the measuring point through the tire contact area. A second evaluation device calculates the tire contact area parameter by evaluating the data provided by the first evaluation device. The first evaluation device analyses the sensor signal based on a predetermined evaluation criterion with respect to the signal quality of the sensor signal to provide signal quality information of the sensor signal.

A pneumatic tire that rotates about a center axis includes a tread rubber that comprises a contact patch; a groove provided in the tread rubber, the groove having an inner surface that includes a bottom surface and side surfaces that connect the bottom surface to the contact patch; and a coating film disposed covering at least a portion of the inner surface, the coating film reducing exposure of ultraviolet light to the inner surface.

An irregular wear detection system for a tire supporting a vehicle includes a sensor unit mounted on the tire. The sensor unit includes a footprint centerline length measurement sensor to measure a centerline length of a footprint of the tire. A processor is in electronic communication with the sensor unit and receives a plurality of measured centerline lengths over time. An analysis module is stored on the processor and receives the measured centerline lengths as inputs. The analysis module detects irregular wear of the tire from the measured footprint centerline lengths. An irregular wear determination is generated by the analysis module when the measured footprint centerline lengths remain the same or increase.

A method for estimating an effective radius of a tire of a vehicle, the method may include (i) obtaining sensed information that reflects (a) a distance passed by the vehicle during one or more driving sessions, (b) a rotational speed of at least a wheel that comprises the tire during the one or more driving sessions, (c) values of tire radius affecting parameters during the one or more driving sessions, wherein the tire radius affecting parameters comprise a vehicle speed and at least some other tire radius affecting parameters; (ii) selecting at least one portion of the one or more driving sessions; and (iii) determining the effective radius of the tire of the vehicle based on (a) sensed information gained during the at least one portion, the sensed information comprises values of the tire radius affecting parameters during the at least one portion, and (b) one or more relationships between the effective radius of the tire and tire radius affecting parameters.

A tire (100) rolls on a surface (105). A method (600) for providing maximum traction coefficient between the tire (100) and the surface (105) include steps for detecting a momentary slip of the tire (100) on the surface (105); detecting a momentary traction coefficient; forming a tuple (410, 510) from the slip and the current traction coefficient; choosing a characteristic curve (205, 305) from a number of predetermined characteristic curves (205, 305) on the basis of the tuple (410, 510), whereby each characteristic curve (205, 305) describes a traction behavior of the tire (100) or a corresponding characteristic pitch; determining the maximum traction coefficient on the basis of the selected characteristic curves (205, 305); and thus providing the maximum traction coefficient.