A device for maintaining and changing the pressure in a is provided whereby the inner pressure space of the tire is connected through a pump to a pressure accumulator which, at its input and/or output into the inner pressure space of the tire, is fitted with at least one pressure control element. The pump can be a peristaltic pump in the shape of a deformable hose placed on the perimeter of the tire, fitted with an air inlet and an air outlet, while the air inlet and the air outlet are positioned on the perimeter of the tire distant from each other by a preset length, dependent on the deformation of the tire.

An energy harvesting system is attachable to the wheel-end of a wheeled vehicle. The system generates usable mechanical or electrical energy from the relative motion between a rotating component that rotates with the rotation of a vehicle wheel and a component that does not rotate with the rotation of the vehicle wheel. The usable energy may be employed by a monitor, analysis and control system that monitors sensor readings and may analyze the readings to diagnose conditions related to vehicle components, including tires, axles, bearings or components of the monitoring system.

A vehicle control system may include a wheel end unit attachable to the wheel-end of a wheeled vehicle. The system may employ one or more sensors to adjust wheel-end parameters and analyze sensor readings to diagnose conditions related to vehicle components, including tires, axles, bearings or components of the monitoring system. The system may analyze readings to predict conditions related to vehicle components or to components of the monitoring system. Wheel-end systems may be modular, allowing different implementations to include varying degrees of mechanical or electrical monitoring, analysis and control.

A vehicle control system may include a wheel end unit attachable to the wheel-end of a wheeled vehicle. The system may employ a plurality of pumps to supply compressed air to a tire associated with the wheel-end. The pumps may be supplied with energy transferred from torque generated by a pendulum, the energy transmitted through a non-circular gearing system.

A valve assembly for a tire pressure control system used to control tire pressure of a vehicle has a unitary body and one or more valves. The unitary body has attachment points for mounting the unitary body to a vehicle wheel end, one or more valve cavities formed in the unitary body, and a plurality of air passages formed in the unitary body. The plurality of air passages have an air supply passage that is connectable to an air supply and a tire supply chamber for connecting to a tire of the vehicle. The air supply passage and the tire supply chamber are connected to each of the one or more valve cavities. Each valve has a valve element mounted to the valve cavity, an air supply chamber in communication with the air supply passage, and a tire supply chamber in communication with the tire supply passage.

The invention relates to a vehicle with a compressor assembly for supplying pressure medium to a tire cavity of a tire of the vehicle wheel mounted on a wheel hub, wherein the wheel hub is mounted on a wheel carrier so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The compressor assembly is located at or in the wheel hub mount.

A vehicle tire includes a selectively actuated stud deployment system for increased traction. The studs are contained in cells in the surface of the tire and forced to deploy by pneumatic or fluid pressure. When the pressure is released, the studs retract.

In one representative embodiment, a tire comprises an inner shell having a hollow interior space, an outer shell disposed radially outward from the inner shell, and at least one pump assembly disposed adjacent to the inner shell and having a compressible tube portion, wherein the tube portion of the pump assembly is configured to expand radially outwardly beyond the outer shell and to compress radially inwardly, and wherein the pump assembly is configured to direct a fluid from the tube portion of the pump assembly to the interior space of the inner shell.

The invention relates to a compressor assembly for supplying pressure medium to a tire cavity of a vehicle wheel that can be mounted on a wheel hub which can be mounted on a wheel carrier so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The compressor assembly includes a wheel mount-side transmission component or the hub-side transmission component, which includes a cylindrical cam.

Systems and methods for inflating a tire are described herein. The systems and methods use a centrifugal force acting on a piston or the inertia of the piston to compress air to inflate the tire. Compressed air is ported into the tire, maintaining the pressure of the tire.