Patent classifications
B60C23/12
Selectable tire pressure system in-wheel
An in-wheel tire pressure system for use with a rim of a wheel of a vehicle that includes a fluid storage area formed in the rim for holding a quantity of compressible fluid suitable for inflating a tire mounted on the rim, and a micro-compressor mounted on the rim for pressurizing the fluid storage area with the compressible fluid. A wireless electrical charging subsystem may also be included for powering the micro-compressor. The wireless electrical charging system may incorporate a first component associated with the rim and rotatable with the rim, and a second component fixedly mounted to a portion of the vehicle closely adjacent the first component. The system may also include a control for enabling user control over the micro-compressor.
Selectable tire pressure system in-wheel
An in-wheel tire pressure system for use with a rim of a wheel of a vehicle that includes a fluid storage area formed in the rim for holding a quantity of compressible fluid suitable for inflating a tire mounted on the rim, and a micro-compressor mounted on the rim for pressurizing the fluid storage area with the compressible fluid. A wireless electrical charging subsystem may also be included for powering the micro-compressor. The wireless electrical charging system may incorporate a first component associated with the rim and rotatable with the rim, and a second component fixedly mounted to a portion of the vehicle closely adjacent the first component. The system may also include a control for enabling user control over the micro-compressor.
INFLATION SYSTEM
The inflation system includes a pump and a dehumidifier fluidly connected between the pump and a reservoir, such as a tire.
Air induction system for a wheel based self inflation tire system
An air induction system for filtering a compressible fluid to an electromechanical component mounted on a wheel of a vehicle. The system may make use of a first plurality of float valves arranged in series in a non-linear first flowpath path, with at least one of the float valves forming an inlet for intaking the compressible fluid into the first flowpath, and one being in communication with an inlet of the electromechanical component. Each of the float valves may have a buoyant float valve element therein which is responsive to change position when submerged in water, to close off its respective float valve depending on an angular orientation of the wheel, and thus an angular orientation of the float valve.
Air induction system for a wheel based self inflation tire system
An air induction system for filtering a compressible fluid to an electromechanical component mounted on a wheel of a vehicle. The system may make use of a first plurality of float valves arranged in series in a non-linear first flowpath path, with at least one of the float valves forming an inlet for intaking the compressible fluid into the first flowpath, and one being in communication with an inlet of the electromechanical component. Each of the float valves may have a buoyant float valve element therein which is responsive to change position when submerged in water, to close off its respective float valve depending on an angular orientation of the wheel, and thus an angular orientation of the float valve.
System for tire inflation
A system for tire inflation including a drive mechanism defining a rotational axis, including an eccentric mass that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis along a radial vector; a pump arranged radially distal the rotational axis of the drive mechanism, including a chamber defining a chamber lumen, and a reciprocating element arranged at least partially within the chamber lumen and translatable along a pump axis; a drive coupler coupled between the drive mechanism at a first position and the reciprocating element at a second position fixed to the reciprocating element; a torque regulation mechanism; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the torque regulation mechanism; wherein the system is operable between at least a first mode and a second mode by the torque regulation mechanism in cooperation with the controller.
System for tire inflation
A system for tire inflation including a drive mechanism defining a rotational axis, including an eccentric mass that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis along a radial vector; a pump arranged radially distal the rotational axis of the drive mechanism, including a chamber defining a chamber lumen, and a reciprocating element arranged at least partially within the chamber lumen and translatable along a pump axis; a drive coupler coupled between the drive mechanism at a first position and the reciprocating element at a second position fixed to the reciprocating element; a torque regulation mechanism; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the torque regulation mechanism; wherein the system is operable between at least a first mode and a second mode by the torque regulation mechanism in cooperation with the controller.
SYSTEM FOR TIRE INFLATION
A system for tire inflation including a drive mechanism defining a rotational axis, including an eccentric mass that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis along a radial vector; a pump arranged radially distal the rotational axis of the drive mechanism, including a chamber defining a chamber lumen, and a reciprocating element arranged at least partially within the chamber lumen and translatable along a pump axis; a drive coupler coupled between the drive mechanism at a first position and the reciprocating element at a second position fixed to the reciprocating element; a torque regulation mechanism; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the torque regulation mechanism; wherein the system is operable between at least a first mode and a second mode by the torque regulation mechanism in cooperation with the controller.
SYSTEM FOR TIRE INFLATION
A system for tire inflation including a drive mechanism defining a rotational axis, including an eccentric mass that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis along a radial vector; a pump arranged radially distal the rotational axis of the drive mechanism, including a chamber defining a chamber lumen, and a reciprocating element arranged at least partially within the chamber lumen and translatable along a pump axis; a drive coupler coupled between the drive mechanism at a first position and the reciprocating element at a second position fixed to the reciprocating element; a torque regulation mechanism; and a controller, communicatively coupled to the torque regulation mechanism; wherein the system is operable between at least a first mode and a second mode by the torque regulation mechanism in cooperation with the controller.
Mounting member for an air maintenance tire
A mounting member for an air maintenance tire is provided. The tire includes a sidewall that is formed with a groove for receiving an air tube and a recess for receiving at least one pneumatic connector that is in fluid communication with the air tube. The mounting member includes a plurality of layers, in which the layers are in stacked alignment with one another. The plurality of layers includes at least an axially outward layer and an axially inward layer. The mounting member is received in the recess and secured to the tire sidewall, thereby securing the position of the at least one pneumatic connector. A method of forming a mounting member for an air maintenance tire is also provided.