A device for adjustment of pressure in tires includes a chamber with shape memory and a valve. The valve is a three-way valve with inputs interconnected with the external environment and the tire internal space, where one input is fitted with a valve, the next input is connected to one end of the chamber with shape memory, and the last input is interconnected with the closure element. The device for adjustment of pressure in tires includes the chamber with shape memory interconnected with the external environment through an input and with the tire chamber through an output and fitted with at least one valve. The length of the chamber in the direction of tire rotation equals 0.001 to 0.5 of the tire perimeter, where the volume of the chamber before deformation to volume of the chamber during deformation ratio is the same or higher then the desired tire pressure to pressure of the external environment ratio.

A self-inflating pumping mechanism for tires or tubes is provided. Two arc-shaped lever arms connected through a hinge enclose a lumen/collapsible cavity below the hinge. The design provides great mechanical leverage, which is generated by the lever arms and exerted directly onto the lumen. This translates into higher pumping pressures, lower activation loads, better ride quality and lower energy consumption. The design has a lumen that is mechanically isolated from the inner tube or air pressure in the main cavity of the inner tube, avoiding the need to reinforce the lumen against the pressure of the tire. The lever arms and hinge carry the load directly above the lumen and transfer the load directly to the tire

A self-inflating tire assembly includes an adjustable valve having: a housing having first end and a second end, and a central bore which extends from the first end to the second end; a piston slidably mounted within the central bore at the first end of the housing, a cap mounted in the second end of the housing forming a chamber with the housing, wherein a spring is mounted within the chamber and having a first end for engagement with the piston and a second end for engagement with a bottom wall of the chamber, said cap further comprising a fluid chamber projecting from the bottom wall of the chamber, wherein the piston is movable to seal the fluid chamber, wherein the housing is made from a material having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the material of the fluid chamber.

A pressure controlled valve assembly has a housing with a pressure controlled valve moveable between an open and closed position with respect to a valve seat for controlling communication between a pneumatic supply and a pneumatic pressure control source. The housing also has first and second passageways with a pair of check valves in each passageway. Each passageway is connectable to a reversible pump such that when the pump operates in one direction one pair of check valves allow flow while the other pair of check valves prevents backflow.

A self-inflating tire assembly includes an adjustable valve having: a housing having first end and a second end, and a central bore which extends from the first end to the second end; a piston slidably mounted within the central bore at the first end of the housing, a cap mounted in the second end of the housing forming a chamber with the housing, wherein a spring is mounted within the chamber and having a first end for engagement with the piston and a second end for engagement with a bottom wall of the chamber, said cap further comprising a fluid chamber projecting from the bottom wall of the chamber, wherein the piston is movable to seal the fluid chamber, wherein the housing is made from a material having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the material of the fluid chamber.

A device for adjustment of pressure in tires includes a chamber with shape memory and a valve. The valve is a three-way valve with inputs interconnected with the external environment and the tire internal space. One input is fitted with a valve, the next input is connected to one end of the chamber with shape memory, and the last input is interconnected with the closure element. The device includes the chamber with shape memory interconnected with the external environment through an input and with the tire chamber through an output and fitted with at least one valve. The length of the chamber in the direction of tire rotation equals 0.001 to 0.5 times the tire perimeter, where the volume of the chamber before deformation to volume of the chamber during deformation ratio is the same or higher than the desired tire pressure to pressure of the external environment ratio.

An air maintenance tire assembly is provided in which an elongate groove is located within a first sidewall of a tire. The groove forms an elongate channel within the first sidewall and an elongate groove access passage extends from the elongate channel to an access opening located at an outward surface of the first sidewall. An air pumping tube inserts through the groove access passage and is positioned within the groove channel. A cover strip attaches to the first sidewall to enclose the access opening of the groove access passage. The cover strip is positioned along the first sidewall at a higher distance from the bead region of the first sidewall than the groove channel to avoid contact with a wheel rim flange when the tire is mounted to a wheel rim.

All tire systems, including tire systems that include self-inflating devices, need to have the ability to regularly and reliably monitor and report vehicle and tire conditions for safety reasons. For a self-inflating tire, this can be accomplished by monitoring the operation of the self-inflation system, and assessing if it is consistent with a tire in good condition.

Apparatus and method for manufacturing an air maintenance tire includes an air pumping tube assembly station constructing an air pumping tube sub-assembly, a tire preparation station for forming passageways in the tire to accept an outlet device of the air pumping tube sub-assembly, an air pumping tube sub-assembly installation station and a pressure regulator installation station. The air pumping tube sub-assembly inserts into an elongate tire groove opening, facilitated by groove-spreading apparatus.

A method in accordance with the present invention retreads an air maintenance tire. The method comprises the steps of: grinding remaining tread material from a tire casing for a worn air-maintenance tire; temporarily securing a contoured piece around a structure secured to the inner surface of the tire casing; placing a tread on the tire casing; inflating a bladder within an internal cavity of the tire casing and around the contoured piece whereby the bladder does not contact the structure; securing the tread to the tire casing; deflating the bladder; separating the tire casing and tread secured to the tire casing from the bladder; and removing the contoured piece from the tire casing.