Provided are tractor wheels for a downhole tractor. An example tractor wheel comprises a series of continuous springs disposed on the circumference of the tractor wheel, wherein the individual continuous springs in the series of continuous springs are separated by a gap, and a void disposed on the interior of the tractor wheel and that is continuous about the circumference of the tractor wheel.

An airless tire comprises: a tread ring having a tread, a hub located radially inside the tread ring, and cross radial members connecting the tread ring with the hub. The cross radial members include first radial members and second radial members crossing the first radial members. The length measured along the radial member is not more than 180% of the radial distance between the hub and the tread ring.

An airless tire comprises: a tread ring having a tread, a hub located radially inside the tread ring, and cross radial members connecting the tread ring with the hub. The cross radial members include first radial members and second radial members crossing the first radial members. The length measured along the radial member is not more than 180% of the radial distance between the hub and the tread ring.

A non-pneumatic tire includes a support structure for supporting a load from a vehicle. The support structure includes an inner annular portion, an outer annular portion concentrically provided on an outer side of the inner annular portion, and a plurality of connecting portions which connect the inner annular portion and the outer annular portion to each other and are provided in a tire circumferential direction independently of one another, the plurality of connecting portions are configured such that elongated plate-like first connecting portions and elongated plate-like second connecting portions are arrayed along the tire circumferential direction, an angle α and an angle β, the angles being formed by an inner circumferential surface of the outer annular portion and both side surfaces of each of the connecting portions, both surfaces facing the tire circumferential direction, are 75° or more and 120° or less.

The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.

The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.

The present invention is directed to a moldable reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane and a non-pneumatic wheel made therefrom, a process for preparing the same and an non-pneumatic wheel obtained therefrom which exhibits a high modulus, low creep, and high fatigue life.

The present invention is directed to a moldable reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane and a non-pneumatic wheel made therefrom, a process for preparing the same and an non-pneumatic wheel obtained therefrom which exhibits a high modulus, low creep, and high fatigue life.

A vehicle tire assembly having a plurality of flexible spoke portions that extend from an outer annular ring to and inner annular ring. Adjacent pairs of the flexible spoke portions define a plurality of gaps therebetween. A plurality of electro-active members, are disposed radially inward from the outer annular ring and radially outward of the inner ring. The plurality of electro-active members are configured such that in the absence of an electric current flowing therethrough, the plurality of electro-active members flex in response to flexing of the plurality of flexible spoke portions. In the presence of an electric current flowing through the plurality of electro-active members, the plurality of electro-active members become more rigid and less flexible adding corresponding stiffness to the plurality of flexible spoke portions.

A non-pneumatic tire for a vehicle or other machine. The non-pneumatic tire may comprise an annular beam. The annular beam may comprise a plurality of layers of different elastomeric materials. The annular beam may be free of a substantially inextensible reinforcing layer running in a circumferential direction of the non-pneumatic tire. The annular beam may comprise a plurality of openings distributed in the circumferential direction of the non-pneumatic tire. Such an annular beam may be part of other annular devices.