A support structure for a non-pneumatic tire and a tire incorporating such support structure. A support membrane extends continuously between a radially-inner end and a radially-outer end. Joints may be positioned at each end. An annular band may be connected with the radially-outer end. A wheel, hub, or other structure may be connected with the radially-inner end.

A support structure for a non-pneumatic tire and a tire incorporating such support structure. A support membrane extends continuously between a radially-inner end and a radially-outer end. Joints may be positioned at each end. An annular band may be connected with the radially-outer end. A wheel, hub, or other structure may be connected with the radially-inner end.

A tire and wheel assembly includes a non-pneumatic tire and a wheel. The non-pneumatic tire has a tread, a plurality of spokes, and an inner liner with a first side, a second side, and at least one taper extending between the first side and the second side. The wheel has an inboard side, an outboard side, and an outer surface with at least one complementary taper extending between the inboard side and the outboard side such that the non-pneumatic tire is serviceably mounted on the wheel. A locking ring can be included and the locking ring can be configured to abut against the inboard side or the outboard side of the wheel. Also, a wheel flange extending inwardly from the inner liner can be included and the wheel flange is configured to abut against the outboard side or the inboard side of the wheel.

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.

A driving wheel includes: a hub body disposed in a central region of the driving wheel; a plurality of spoke members inserted into the hub body and movable in a radial direction R of the driving wheel relative to the hub body; and link members each having one side coupled to one of the spoke members and the other side coupled to another spoke member disposed adjacent to the spoke member to which the one side of the link member is coupled. In particular, when the spoke members move in the radial direction R, the link members are rotatable about regions coupled to the spoke members.

A driving wheel includes: a hub body disposed in a central region of the driving wheel; a plurality of spoke members inserted into the hub body and movable in a radial direction R of the driving wheel relative to the hub body; and link members each having one side coupled to one of the spoke members and the other side coupled to another spoke member disposed adjacent to the spoke member to which the one side of the link member is coupled. In particular, when the spoke members move in the radial direction R, the link members are rotatable about regions coupled to the spoke members.

A system may include a fastener having a trench formed in a side of a head of the fastener. The system may further include a magneto-elastic component spanning the trench and attached to the head of the fastener on both sides of the trench. The system may also include a coil wrapped around the magneto-elastic component between both sides of the trench. The system may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit, where the coil may be electrically connected to the RFID circuit resulting in a resonance response frequency that is a function of a strain level applied to the magneto-elastic component.

A method of manufacturing a lightweight wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, includes providing a rim and hub, and a plurality of lightweight, flexible and resilient spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.

A method of manufacturing a lightweight wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, includes providing a rim and hub, and a plurality of lightweight, flexible and resilient spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.

A molded article with an axis of rotation about a central axis having an outer interface element, an inner interface element, and a plurality of web spokes positioned therebetween. The common surfaces of the inner and outer interface elements and a pair of adjacent web spokes form a void space. The radially inner surface of an interface element common to one of the voids has a maximum radius of curvature in the longitudinal direction at any given point less than the distance between that point and the axis of rotation.