Peristaltic tube air maintenance tire assembly and method

The invention relates to a peristaltic tube air maintenance tire assembly and a method. An elongate air tube is positioned within a tire sidewall cavity in contacting internal engagement with the tire sidewall to form an assembly. The air tube includes an internal elongate air passageway and wing projections projecting in opposite directions at an axially inward body portion. The wing projections seat within cavity pockets to retain the air tube within the cavity. The air tube body operatively compresses responsive to impinging stress forces from the tire sidewall against the air tube body, whereby the air tube body reconfiguring from an expanded unstressed configuration into a compressed configuration to constrict the air passageway. The air tube body decompresses into the expanded configuration upon reduction of the impinging stress forces against the air tube body.

Vein pump assembly for air maintenance tire

An air maintenance tire and air pump assembly is provided including a tire and an elongate tubular air passageway enclosed within a flexing region of a tire sidewall. A plurality of check valve devices are spaced apart and positioned along the air passageway into multiple air passageway segments. A check valve membrane opens to allow pressurized air to directionally pass through the check valve device from an upstream passageway segment to a downstream passageway segment and closes to prevent air from passing in an opposite direction through the check valve from the downstream segment to the upstream segment.

AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE PUMPING TUBE COVER STRIP

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. 1. An air maintenance tire assembly comprising:a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from lower sidewall ends connected to first and second tire bead regions to higher sidewall ends connected to a tire tread region;an elongate groove located within the first sidewall of the tire; the groove comprising an elongate channel within the first sidewall and an elongate groove access passage extending at an incline from the elongate channel to an access opening located at an outward surface of the first sidewall;a tube positioned within the groove elongate channel; a cover strip attached to the first sidewall and enclosing the access opening of the groove access passage, wherein the cover strip and the access opening are positioned at the outward surface of the first sidewall at a higher radial location on the first sidewall than the groove elongate channel location within the first sidewall.2. The tire assembly of claim 1 , wherein the groove access passage is substantially funnel-shaped in cross-section comprising a wider mouth at the outward surface of the first sidewall and a narrower neck connecting to the groove channel.3. The tire assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cover strip ...

Vein-style air pumping tube and tire system and method of assembly

An air pumping tube and tire system and method of assembling is provided in which a tire groove is formed to extend into a flexing region of a tire sidewall and a complementary air pumping tube inserts into the tire groove. In the green, uncured air pumping tube condition, one or more check valves are assembled into the air pumping tube through access shafts and align with an internal air passageway of the air pumping tube. Plug components of the system enclose the check valves in the air pumping tube and the check valve-containing green air pumping tube is then cured.

Geodesic belted tire

A pneumatic tire having a pair of beads, a tread, a pair of sidewalls, and a carcass including a plurality of plies of tire cord fabric, said tire having one or more belt plies, wherein at least one of said belt plies has cords being defined by the equation ρ[cos α] n =K, when ρ is the radius from the rotational axis of the tire to a point on the carcass, α is the cord angle of said at least one ply at said point, n is a positive real number between 0.1 and 1, and K is a constant.

Geodesic tire and method of manufacture

A method of making a tire (300) comprising the steps of providing a core (52); forming a first layer of ply by winding a strip of one or more rubber coated cords (2) onto the core (52) in a geodesic pattern extending from a first shoulder to a second shoulder opposite said first shoulder and being tangent to the bead (320) at a location between said first shoulder and said second shoulder.

PERISTALTIC TUBE AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

An elongate air tube is positioned within a tire sidewall cavity in contacting internal engagement with the tire sidewall to form an assembly. The air tube includes an internal elongate air passageway and wing projections projecting in opposite directions at an axially inward body portion. The wing projections seat within cavity pockets to retain the air tube within the cavity. The air tube body operatively compresses responsive to impinging stress forces from the tire sidewall against the air tube body, whereby the air tube body reconfiguring from an expanded unstressed configuration into a compressed configuration to constrict the air passageway. The air tube body decompresses into the expanded configuration upon reduction of the impinging stress forces against the air tube body. 1. A tire assembly comprising:a tire having a tire cavity, a first and a second sidewall extending to a tire tread region;an elongate sidewall groove extending into the first tire sidewall from an axially outward first sidewall surface; the sidewall groove having an axially outer groove entry region of a narrower width dimension, and a groove chamber extending axially inward from the groove entry region and having a wider width dimension at an axially inward groove portion than the groove entry region;an elongate air tube positioned within the elongate sidewall groove in at least partial contacting engagement with the groove primary chamber sidewalls, the air tube comprising a unitary air tube body; an internal air passageway substantially centrally positioned within the air tube body; the air tube body having an axially outward air tube body portion of narrower transverse width dimension substantially complementary to the groove entry region width dimension, and an axially inward air tube wing portion of wider width dimension substantially complementary to the groove chamber width dimension at the axially inward portion.2. The tire assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air passageway is ...

REVERSIBLE AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND PUMP ASSEMBLY

An air maintenance tire and pump assembly includes an elongate annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of a tire, the air passageway operatively closing and opening segment by segment as the bending region of the tire passes through a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway. A pair of inline valves are positioned on respective opposite sides of an inlet junction and direct a flow of inlet air in opposite directions into the air passageway; and a pair of outlet valves are positioned at a downstream side of a respective inline valve and direct a flow of the inlet air from the downstream side of a respective inline valve toward the tire cavity. The valves are selectively opened by a direction of air flow within the air passageway which, in turn, is directionally determined by the direction in which the tire rotates. 1. An air maintenance tire and pump assembly comprising:a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region;an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the tire, the air passageway operatively closing and opening segment by segment as the bending region of the tire passes through a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway;an air inlet port assembly coupled to and in air flow communication with the air passageway at an inlet air passageway junction, the air inlet port assembly operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway;a pair of substantially inline valves positioned on respective opposite sides of the inlet air passageway junction in air flow communication with the inlet port assembly; the inline valves operative to selectively open in respective opposite directions and pass a flow of the inlet air from an upstream valve side to a downstream valve side and into the air passageway, anda pair of outlet valves, each outlet valve positioned in ...

BYPASS AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND PUMP ASSEMBLY

An air maintenance tire and pump assembly includes a pair of inline valves are positioned on respective opposite sides of an in-tire air passageway inlet junction and a pair of outlet valves positioned at a downstream side of a respective inline valve. A bypass valve is further provided extending between the downstream valve sides of the inline valves, the bypass valve operative to open and bypass the flow of inlet air through the outlet valves to the tire cavity in the event that a tire cavity pressure is greater than a preset pressure level and close when a tire cavity pressure is less than the preset pressure level. 1. An air maintenance tire and pump assembly comprising:a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region;an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the tire, the air passageway operatively closing and opening segment by segment as the bending region of the tire passes through a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway;an air inlet port assembly coupled to and in air flow communication with the air passageway at an inlet air passageway junction, the air inlet port assembly operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway;a pair of substantially inline valves positioned on respective opposite sides of the inlet air passageway junction in air flow communication with the inlet port assembly; the inline valves operative to selectively open in respective opposite directions and pass a flow of the inlet air from an upstream valve side to a downstream valve side and into the air passageway,a pair of outlet valves, each outlet valve positioned in air flow communication with a downstream side of a respective inline valve, the valves operative to selectively open and conduct a flow of the inlet air from the downstream side of a respective inline valve to the tire cavity; anda ...

Method of assemblying a segmented vein air pump in a tire

A method of assembling an air pump in a tire is provided including: opening an axial air passageway of an elongate flexible air tube at one end; inserting one by one a plurality of one-way check valves into the air passageway from the one end to form an axial array of spaced apart check valves along the air passageway, each check valve having an external nominal width greater than a nominal width of the air tube passageway; establishing a press fit engagement between each check valve and air tube internal sidewalls defining the air passageway to place each check valve at a respective preferred position within the air passageway; retaining the check valves in the respective preferred positions within the air passageway by radial pressure from the air tube internal sidewalls and closing the one end of the flexible air tube.

VEIN PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE

An air maintenance tire and air pump assembly is provided including a tire and an elongate tubular air passageway enclosed within a flexing region of a tire sidewall. A plurality of check valve devices are spaced apart and positioned along the air passageway into multiple air passageway segments. A check valve membrane opens to allow pressurized air to directionally pass through the check valve device from an upstream passageway segment to a downstream passageway segment and closes to prevent air from passing in an opposite direction through the check valve from the downstream segment to the upstream segment. 1. An air maintenance tire and air pump assembly comprising:a tire having a tread region and first and second sidewalls extending from the tread region;an elongate tubular air passageway enclosed within a flexing region of a tire wall, the air passageway having an air inlet portal operable to admit air into the air passageway and an outlet portal spaced apart from the inlet portal operable to withdraw pressurized air from the air passageway, the air passageway operably closing segment by segment in reaction to induced forces from the tire flexing region as the flexing region of the tire wall rotates opposite a rolling tire footprint;the elongate air passageway having at least one check valve device seated within the axial air passageway;the check valve device dividing the elongate passageway into an upstream and a downstream passageway segments; the check valve device having an external dimension and configuration operable to substantially occupy the air passageway, and the check valve device having a valve gate operable in an open position to allow pressurized air to directionally pass through the check valve body from the upstream passageway segment to the downstream passageway segment, and the valve gate operable in a closed position to prohibit air from passing through the check valve body from the downstream passageway segment to the upstream passageway ...

PASSAGE TUBE FOR AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE

The present invention is directed to a tire assembly having: a tire having a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from the tread portion to join with a respective bead; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls; a pump passageway positioned within a bending region of the tire, the pump passageway being operative to open and close as the tire rotates; a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pump passageway; a pocket formed in the tire; a filter assembly mounted in the pocket, said filter assembly being in air flow communication with the valve assembly, wherein the pocket has an area larger than the area of the filter housing wherein the valve assembly has an inlet, wherein the filter assembly has an outlet, wherein a tube connects the filter outlet assembly to the inlet of the valve assembly; wherein the tube is made of a rubber composition having a shore D hardness greater than 40 as measured by ASTM-D2240. 1. A tire assembly comprising:a tire having a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from the tread portion to join with a respective bead; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls;a pump passageway positioned within a bending region of the tire, the pump passageway being operative to open and close as the tire rotates;a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pump passageway;a pocket formed in the tire;a filter assembly mounted in the pocket, said filter assembly being in air flow communication with the valve assembly, wherein the pocket has an area larger than the area of the filter housing.wherein the valve assembly has an inlet, wherein the filter assembly has an outlet, wherein a tube connects the filter outlet assembly to the inlet of the valve assembly;wherein the tube is made of a rubber composition having a shore D hardness greater than 40 as measured by ASTM-D2240.2. The tire assembly of wherein the area of the pocket is 10-30% larger than the area of the ...

GEODESIC TIRE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

A method of making a tire comprising the steps of providing a core; forming a first layer of ply by winding a strip of one or more rubber coated cords onto the core in a geodesic pattern extending from a first shoulder to a second shoulder opposite said first shoulder and being tangent to the bead at a location between said first shoulder and said second shoulder. 128-. (canceled)29. A pneumatic tire comprising: a belt structure and a torus shaped carcass having a first inner radius and an outer radius , wherein the carcass is comprised of a rubberized strip of two or more cords , the strips being wound in an orbital pattern for N revolutions , wherein the starting point of the strip is moved to a different location every Nth revolution and the winding is continued in an orbital pattern for another N revolutions , wherein the geodesic pattern is formed.30. The tire of further comprising a bead.31. The tire of wherein the cords are aramid.32. The tire of wherein the cords are polyester.33. The tire of wherein the ply strip is continuous.34. The tire of wherein the ply strip is discontinuous.35. The tire of wherein the angle β of the ply with respect to itself is substantially 180 degrees.36. The tire of wherein the angle β of the ply is a constant.37. The tire of wherein the angle β of the ply with respect to itself is 180 degrees or less.38. The tire of wherein the cord is tangent to a point located at the radially innermost point of the first side or the second side.39. A method of making a tire comprising the steps ofproviding a torus shaped core having a first side for forming a first sidewall, a second side for forming a second sidewall, and an outer circumferential surface between said first side and said second side for forming a crown portion; said first and second sidewall each having a radially innermost ring for forming the bead area of the tire;determining the three dimensional data points (X,Y,Ψ) of the outer surface of the core;forming a first layer of ...

FILTER ASSEMBLY FOR AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE

A tire assembly is disclosed, wherein the tire has a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from the tread portion to join with a respective bead; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls; and a pump passageway positioned within a bending region of the tire. The pump passageway is operative to open and close as the tire rotates. The tire assembly further includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pump passageway. The tire further includes a pocket formed in the tire, and a filter assembly is mounted in the pocket. The filter assembly is in air flow communication with the valve assembly, wherein the filter assembly is formed of a housing and a cover, wherein the cover has one or more holes for communicating air into the housing, wherein the cover is connected to the housing, the housing having an interior cavity having a filter media housed therein, the housing having a hole in fluid communication with the valve assembly, wherein a flexible collar surrounds the cover. 1. A tire assembly comprising:a tire having a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from the tread portion to join with a respective bead; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls;a pump passageway positioned within a bending region of the tire, the pump passageway being operative to open and close as the tire rotates;a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pump passageway;a pocket formed in the tire;a filter assembly mounted in the pocket, said filter assembly being in air flow communication with the valve assembly, wherein the pocket has an area larger than the area of the filter housing.2. The tire assembly of wherein the area of the pocket is 10-30% larger than the area of the filter housing.3. The tire assembly of wherein the filter assembly has the shape of an ellipse.4. The tire assembly of wherein the ellipse has a major axis and a minor axis claim 2 , wherein the minor axis of the filter ...

AIR MAINTENANCE PUMPING ASSEMBLY AND TIRE

A tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity, first and second sidewalls, a sidewall groove, an air passageway, and a pressure regulator mounted to an inner surface of the pneumatic tire cavity. The pressure regulator controls air pressure within the pneumatic tire cavity. The first and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending when circumferentially within a rolling tire footprint. The sidewall groove defining groove sidewalls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The groove and air passageway deform segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to the bending of the first sidewall bending region circumferentially within the rolling tire footprint. 1. A tire assembly comprising:a tire having a pneumatic cavity;first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region, the first sidewall having at least one bending region operatively bending when circumferentially within a rolling tire footprint;a sidewall groove defined by groove sidewalls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall, the groove deforming segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to the bending of the first sidewall bending region circumferentially within the rolling tire footprint;an air passageway resiliently deforming segment by segment between an expanded condition and an at least partially collapsed condition in response to respective segment by segment deformation of the sidewall groove when circumferentially within the rolling tire footprint; anda pressure regulator mounted to an inner surface of the pneumatic tire cavity, the pressure regulator controlling air pressure with the pneumatic tire cavity.2. The tire assembly as set forth in wherein the ...

AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND RELIEF VALVE ASSEMBLY

An air maintenance tire and pump assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending from first and second tire bead regions, respectively, to a tire tread region, an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the sidewalls, the air passageway operatively closing and opening, segment by segment, as the bending region of the sidewalls passes adjacent a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway, an air inlet port assembly coupled to, and in air flow communication with, the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly being operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly including an inlet control valve and an outlet tee structure positioned 180° opposite the inlet control valve in the air passageway for moving air into the tire cavity, the inlet control valve including two inlet check valves for ensuring air flow only into, and not out of, the inlet control valve, the air passageway, a corresponding plain tee inlet structure, and the tire cavity, and a pressure relief valve for relieving a volume equal to a last segment volume of the air passageway plus a volume of the outlet tee structure. 1. An air maintenance tire and pump assembly comprising:a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending from first and second tire bead regions, respectively, to a tire tread region;an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the sidewalls, the air passageway operatively closing and opening, segment by segment, as the bending region of the sidewalls passes adjacent a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway;an air inlet port assembly coupled to, and in air flow communication with, the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly being operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly including an inlet ...

AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE

An air maintenance tire system is provided. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls, in which each one of the sidewalls extends from a respective bead area to a crown of the tire. The air maintenance tire includes an annular groove formed in a selected one of the tire sidewalls. The groove is formed with an open end at an outer surface of the tire sidewall and a closed end opposite the open end. The open end is formed with an outward radial taper and the groove is formed with at least one increased diameter feature. An air tube of a peristaltic pump assembly is received in the groove. 1. An air maintenance tire , the tire including a pair of sidewalls , wherein each one of the sidewalls extends from a respective bead area to a crown of the tire , the air maintenance tire comprising:an annular groove formed in a selected one of the tire sidewalls, the groove being formed with an open end at an outer surface of the tire sidewall and a closed end opposite the open end, wherein the open end is formed with an outward radial taper; andan air tube of a peristaltic pump assembly being received in the groove.2. The air maintenance tire of claim 1 , wherein the taper includes a diameter at the outer surface of the tire sidewall that is larger than a remaining maximum internal diameter of the groove.3. The air maintenance tire of claim 1 , wherein the groove is formed with at least one increased diameter feature.4. The air maintenance tire of claim 3 , wherein the groove includes a crown side and a bead side claim 3 , and the crown side is formed with the convex feature between the closed end and the taper.5. The air maintenance tire of claim 4 , wherein the feature is based on a circle having about a 2.4 millimeter diameter.6. The air maintenance tire of claim 3 , wherein the groove includes a crown side and a bead side claim 3 , and the bead side is formed with the convex feature between the closed end and the taper.7. The air maintenance tire of claim 6 , wherein the feature ...

SNAP-IN INLET AND CONNECTION METHOD FOR AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE

An air maintenance tire includes an air inlet housing affixed to the inner liner of a tire. An elongate sidewall air pumping passageway is incorporated within a first tire sidewall. An intake conduit and an elongate tubular inlet conduit are provided having a quick connect/disconnect latching attachment to sockets formed by the air inlet housing. 1. An air maintenance tire assembly comprising:a tire having a tire cavity defined by an inner liner, the inner liner bounded by first and second sidewalls extending to a tire tread region;an air inlet housing affixed to the inner liner;the first sidewall having an elongate sidewall air passageway therein operatively located to compress segment by segment from an expanded diameter to a substantially reduced diameter responsive to a bending strain introduced into the first sidewall from a rolling tire footprint;whereby forcing air segment by segment along the sidewall air passageway;an elongate tubular inlet conduit extending between the sidewall air passageway and the inlet housing, the inlet conduit post having an internal air passageway operative to route inlet air from within the inlet housing to the sidewall air passageway;an air intake conduit extending through the first sidewall to the inner liner, the air intake conduit being coupled to the air inlet housing and operative to route air from outside the tire through the first sidewall and into the air inlet housing;wherein the inlet conduit and the air intake conduit each engaging into respective first and second elongate sockets formed by the inlet housing, whereby establishing respective air flow communication into the inlet housing; andwherein the inlet conduit and the intake conduit and the first and second sockets, respectively, have mutually engaging latching detent means.2. The air maintenance tire assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inlet conduit extends as a post protrusion from a connector housing having an internal connector housing air chamber claim 1 , the ...

PERISTALTIC AIR PUMPING TUBE AND TIRE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

An air maintenance tire includes an air inlet housing affixed to the inner liner of a tire. An elongate sidewall air pumping passageway is incorporated within a first tire sidewall. An elongate air tube is contained within the first sidewall and has an elongate elliptical internal air passageway. The air tube is configured having a substantially on-side mushroom-shaped sectional shape extending radially into the first tire sidewall formed by a radially inward tube cap and a radially outward tube stem. Inlet and intake conduits connect into sockets of the inlet housing and a pressure regulating valve system within the inlet housing controls pressurized air flow from the tube internal air passageway into the tire cavity. 1. An air maintenance tire assembly comprising:a tire having a tire cavity defined by an inner liner, the inner liner bounded by first and second sidewalls extending to a tire tread region;an air inlet housing affixed to the inner liner;the first sidewall having an elongate sidewall groove therein containing an elongate air tube having an elongate internal air passageway, the air tube operatively located to compress segment by segment from an expanded diameter to a substantially reduced diameter responsive to a bending strain introduced into the first sidewall from a rolling tire footprint; whereby forcing air segment by segment along the air tube internal air passageway;wherein the air tube has a substantially on-side mushroom-shaped sectional profile extending radially into the first tire sidewall; the air tube having a radially inward cap of relatively larger diametric dimension affixed to a radially outward tube stem of relatively smaller diametric dimension, the inward tube cap residing within an a relatively larger diametric region of the sidewall groove and extending in a lateral outward direction from the tube stem in an orientation substantially parallel with an outward surface of the first sidewall; andthe tube stem having a tapering ...

FILTER ASSEMBLY FOR AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE

A tire assembly is disclosed, wherein the tire has a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from the tread portion to join with a respective bead; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls; and a pump passageway positioned within a bending region of the tire. The pump passageway is operative to open and close as the tire rotates. The tire assembly further includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pump passageway. The tire further includes a filter assembly mounted in the tire. The filter assembly is formed of a housing having an interior cavity for receiving the filter media, the interior cavity having an inlet in fluid communication with the outside air and an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet port of the valve assembly. The housing further includes a second cavity, wherein the second cavity is in fluid communication with the pump inlet and the valve assembly outlet. 1. A tire assembly comprising:a tire having a tread portion and a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from the tread portion to join with a respective bead; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls;a pump passageway positioned within a bending region of the tire, the pump passageway being operative to open and close as the tire rotates, and having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the outlet end is in fluid communication with the tire cavity and a valve assembly is in fluid communication with the inlet end of the pump passageway;a filter conduit mounted in the tire, the filter conduit having a first end in air flow communication with the outside air and a second end connected to the valve assembly inlet port, wherein the filter conduit further includes filter media.2. The tire assembly of wherein the filter conduit has one or more barbs on an outer surface.3. The tire assembly of wherein the filter media is positioned in the first end of the filter conduit.4. The tire assembly of wherein the filter conduit ...

AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND VALVE ASSEMBLY

A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. A tube is positioned within the groove, wherein the tube has a circular cross-sectional shape and an outside diameter D, and the groove does not have a circular cross-sectional shape, wherein said groove has a width W and a length L, wherein D is greater than W. 1. A self-inflating tire assembly comprising:a tire mounted to a wheel, the tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region;a groove positioned within the tire,a tube positioned within the groove, wherein the tube has a circular cross-sectional shape and having an outside diameter D, and the groove does not have a circular cross-sectional shape, wherein said groove has a width W and a length L, wherein D is greater than W.2. The tire assembly of claim 1 , wherein D is less than L.3. The tire assembly of claim 1 , wherein the groove is positioned in the tire sidewall.4. The tire assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tube is annular.5. The tire assembly of claim 1 , wherein the groove is annular and located proximally above the upper boundary of the rim.6. The tire assembly of wherein the tube cross-sectional shape is generally elliptical when mounted in the groove in the tire unloaded state.7. The tire assembly of claim 1 , wherein the groove narrows toward the groove opening.8. The tire assembly of claim 1 , wherein the groove narrows toward the groove terminal end.9. The tire assembly of wherein the groove has a length L that is in the range of 2 to 4 times the width W.10. The tire assembly of wherein ...

VEIN-STYLE AIR PUMPING TUBE AND TIRE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY

An air pumping tube and tire system and method of assembling is provided in which a tire groove is formed to extend into a flexing region of a tire sidewall and a complementary air pumping tube inserts into the tire groove. In the green, uncured air pumping tube condition, one or more check valves are assembled into the air pumping tube through access shafts and align with an internal air passageway of the air pumping tube. Plug components of the system enclose the check valves in the air pumping tube and the check valve-containing green air pumping tube is then cured. 1. An air maintenance tire system comprising:a tire having an elongate tire groove formed to extend into a flexing region of a tire sidewall, the groove having a profiled internal geometry;an elongate air pumping tube having an internal elongate air passageway and an external geometric shape substantially complementing the tire groove internal geometry for operably enabling a close receipt of the air pumping tube into the tire groove;the air pumping tube having at least one access shaft formed therein extending from an outward surface to a check valve seat positioned at a depth within the air pumping tube substantially in line with the air passageway;a check valve device configured to insert into the access shaft and seat within the check valve seat in alignment with the air passageway;a plug component substantially filling the access shaft to a depth of the check valve device whereby occupying the access shaft.2. The air maintenance tire system of claim 1 , wherein the access shaft is formed and the check valve device seated within the air pumping tube while the air pumping tube is in a green claim 1 , uncured condition.3. The air maintenance tire system of claim 2 , wherein the access shaft is operably formed by a removal of a slug component from the air maintenance tube with the air pumping tube in the green claim 2 , uncured condition.4. The air maintenance tire system of claim 3 , wherein the ...

AIR MAINTENANCE PUMPING SYSTEM AND TIRE

A tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region, the first sidewall having at least one bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint, and a chafer component with an air passageway defined by an air tube resiliently deforming segment by segment between an expanded condition and an at least partially collapsed condition in response to respective segment by segment deformation of the sidewall when radially within the rolling tire footprint. The tire assembly pumps a constant volume of air for every revolution of the tire thus providing a linear pumping rate regardless of dead volumes in the tire. 1. A tire assembly comprising:a tire having a pneumatic cavity;first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region, the first sidewall having at least one bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint; and 'the tire assembly pumping a constant volume of air for every revolution of the tire thus providing a linear pumping rate regardless of dead volumes in the tire.', 'a chafer component with an air passageway defined by an air tube resiliently deforming segment by segment between an expanded condition and an at least partially collapsed condition in response to respective segment by segment deformation of the sidewall when radially within the rolling tire footprint,'}2. The tire assembly as set forth in wherein the tire assembly pumps the constant volume during rotation of the tire in either direction.3. The tire assembly as set forth in wherein the air tube has an outer profile corresponding to an inner profile of an annular groove within the chafer.4. The tire assembly as set forth in further including check valves disposed at multiple arcuate positions about the annular groove of the chafer.5. The tire assembly as set ...

VEIN PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE

An air maintenance tire and air pump assembly is provided including a tire and an elongate tubular air passageway enclosed within a flexing region of a tire sidewall. A plurality of check valve devices are spaced apart and positioned along the air passageway into multiple air passageway segments. A check valve membrane opens to allow pressurized air to directionally pass through the check valve device from an upstream passageway segment to a downstream passageway segment and closes to prevent air from passing in an opposite direction through the check valve from the downstream segment to the upstream segment. 1. An air maintenance tire and air pump assembly comprising:a tire having a tread region and first and second sidewalls extending from the tread region;an elongate tubular air passageway enclosed within a flexing region of a tire wall, the air passageway having an air inlet portal operable to admit air into the air passageway and an outlet portal spaced apart from the inlet portal operable to withdraw pressurized air from the air passageway, the air passageway having a uniform external uninterrupted configuration and cross-sectional dimension between the inlet portal and the outlet portal operable to close segment by segment in reaction to induced forces from the tire flexing region as the flexing region of the tire wall rotates opposite a rolling tire footprint;at least one check valve device seated within the elongate passageway at a preferred location and dividing the elongate passageway into an upstream passageway segment and a downstream passageway segment; the check valve device having a cross-sectional dimension and external configuration operable to substantially occupy the air passageway without disrupting the uniform external uninterrupted configuration and the cross-sectional dimension of the air passageway in an uncollapsed condition across the preferred location, and the at least one check valve device having a valve gate operable in an open ...

AIR MAINTENANCE PUMPING ASSEMBLY AND TIRE

A tire assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity and first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending within a rolling tire footprint and a sidewall groove defined by groove sidewalls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The groove deforms segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed constricted state in response to the bending of the first sidewall bending region within the rolling tire footprint. The sidewall groove, at an unloaded and fully pressurized condition, has a groove length of 2.0 mm to 2.2 mm and a groove angle of 30° to 31° relative to a road surface of the tire. 1. A tire assembly comprising:a tire having a tire cavity and first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region, the first sidewall having at least one bending region operatively bending within a rolling tire footprint and a sidewall groove defined by groove sidewalls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall, the groove deforming segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed constricted state response to the bending of the first sidewall bending region within the rolling tire footprint,the sidewall groove, at an unloaded and fully pressurized condition, having a groove width of 1.7 mm to 2.3 mm and a groove angle of 30° to 31° relative to a road surface of the tire.2. The tire assembly as set forth in wherein an air tube is positioned within the sidewall groove in contacting engagement with the groove sidewalls claim 1 , the air tube having an axial air passageway resiliently transfiguring segment by segment between an expanded sectional configuration and an at least a partially collapsed sectional configuration responsive to respective segment by segment engagement by the groove sidewalls against the air tube ...

Air maintenance tire pumping tube cover strip

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.

Geodesic tire and method of manufacture

A method of making a tire comprising the steps of providing a core; forming a first layer of ply by winding a strip of one or more rubber coated cords onto the core in a geodesic pattern extending from a first shoulder to a second shoulder opposite said first shoulder and being tangent to the bead at a location between said first shoulder and said second shoulder.

Self-supporting pneumatic tire

The present invention is directed to a self-supporting tire. More specifically, the tire has a carcass, a tread, and a belt reinforcing structure located radially outward of the carcass and radially inward of the tread. The carcass is comprised of a reinforcing ply structure extending between a pair of bead portions and having a geodesic configuration. The tire further includes a pair of sidewalls, each sidewall located radially outward of one of the pair of bead portions, and a pair of inserts located in each sidewall. A first insert and second insert are located between the innerliner and the ply.

air handling filter assembly for tires

conjunto de filtro para manutenção de ar para pneumáticos. um conjunto de pneumático é descrito, em que: o pneumático tem uma parte banda de rodagem e um par de costados estendendo-se radialmente para dentro da parte banda de rodagem, para união com um respectivo talão; uma carcaça de suporte para a parte banda de rodagem e os costados; e uma passagem de bomba posicionada dentro de uma região de encurvamento do pneumático. a passagem de bomba é operante para abrir e fechar na medida em que o pneumático gira. o conjunto de pneumático inclui ainda um conjunto de válvula em comunicação fluida com a passagem de bomba. o pneumático inclui ainda uma bolsa formada no pneumático, e um conjunto de filtro é montado na bolsa. o conjunto de filtro fica em comunicação por escoamento de ar com o conjunto de válvula, em que o conjunto de filtro é formado de um alojamento e uma cobertura, em que a cobertura tem um ou mais furos para comunicação de ar para o alojamento, em que a cobertura é conectada ao alojamento, o alojamento tendo uma cavidade interna, que tem um meio filtrante alojado nela, o alojamento tendo um furo em comunicação fluida com o conjunto de válvula, em que um colar flexível circunda a cobertura. air handling filter assembly for tires. A tire assembly is described wherein: the tire has a tread portion and a pair of sideways extending radially into the tread portion for union with a respective bead; a support housing for the tread part and the sides; and a pump passage positioned within a bending region of the tire. The pump passage is operative to open and close as the tire rotates. The tire assembly further includes a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pump passage. the tire further includes a pocket formed in the tire, and a filter assembly is mounted in the pocket. the filter assembly is in air flow communication with the valve assembly, wherein the filter assembly is formed of a housing and a cover, wherein the cover has one or more air ...

Vein-style air pumping tube and tire system and method of assembly

Reversible air maintenance tire and pump assembly

An air maintenance tire and pump assembly includes an elongate annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of a tire, the air passageway operatively closing and opening segment by segment as the bending region of the tire passes through a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway. A pair of inline valves are positioned on respective opposite sides of an inlet junction and direct a flow of inlet air in opposite directions into the air passageway; and a pair of outlet valves are positioned at a downstream side of a respective inline valve and direct a flow of the inlet air from the downstream side of a respective inline valve toward the tire cavity. The valves are selectively opened by a direction of air flow within the air passageway which, in turn, is directionally determined by the direction in which the tire rotates.

Air maintenance tire and valve assembly

An air maintenance tire and pump assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending from first and second tire bead regions, respectively, to a tire tread region; an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the sidewalls, the air passageway operatively closing and opening, segment by segment, as the bending region of the sidewalls passes adjacent a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway; an air inlet port assembly coupled to, and in air flow communication with, the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly being operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly including an inlet control valve and an outlet tee structure preferably positioned 180° opposite the inlet control valve in the air passageway for moving air into the tire cavity, the inlet control valve including two inlet check valves for ensuring air flow only into, and not out of, the inlet control valve, the air passageway, a corresponding plain tee inlet structure, and the tire cavity; and a pressure relief valve for relieving a volume equal to a last segment volume of the air passageway plus a volume of the outlet tee structure.

空気維持タイヤおよびリリーフ弁組立体

【課題】経時的なタイヤ圧の減少を補償するために、ドライバーの介入を必要とせずにタイヤ内を正しい空気圧に維持する。【解決手段】空気維持タイヤとポンプとの組立体は、サイドウォールの屈曲領域の内部に閉じ込められた実質的に環状の細長い空気通路と、空気通路に連結され、空気通路と空気流が連通し、タイヤの外側からの流入空気を空気通路に導く空気入口ポート組立体と、を有する。このような組立体はさらに、空気通路の最後のセグメントの容積とＴ型出口構造体の容積との和に等しい容積を排気するための圧力リリーフ弁９３０を有している。【選択図】 図１０

conjunto de válvula de liberação e preservação do ar em pneumático

conjunto de válvula de liberação e preservação do ar em pneumático. um conjunto de bomba e pneu com preservação de ar que inclui um pneu apresentando uma cavidade de pneu, primeira e segunda paredes laterais se estendendo, respectivamente, a partir da primeira e segunda regiões de talão de pneu, junto a uma região de banda de rodagem de pneu, uma passagem de ar anular substancialmente alongada encerrada no interior de uma região de curvatura das paredes laterais, com a passagem de ar funcionalmente se fechando e se abrindo, segmento por segmento, conforme vá ocorrendo a passagem da região de curvatura das paredes laterais na adjacência de uma impressão de desenho de rodagem de pneu para bombeamento do ar ao longo da passagem de ar, um conjunto de orifício de entrada de ar para, e comunicando o fluxo de ar com, a passagem de ar, com o conjunto de orifício de entrada de ar sendo funcional para canalizar o ar de entrada advindo da parte externa do pneu para dentro da passagem de ar, o conjunto de orifício de entrada de ar incluindo uma válvula de controle de entrada e uma estrutura de pino de saída posicionada em 180° oposta a válvula de controle de entrada na passagem de ar para a movimentação do ar na cavidade de pneu, a válvula de controle de entrada incluindo duas válvulas de aferição de entrada para garantir fluxo de ar somente interno, e não externo a, válvula de controle de entrada, a passagem de ar, e a uma estrutura de pino de entrada simples correspondente, e da cavidade de pneu, e uma válvula de liberação de pressão para liberação de um volume igual ao último volume de segmento do volume de passagem de ar mais um volume da estrutura de pino de saída.

conjunto de pneumático autoinflável

conjunto de pneumático autoinflável. trata-se de um conjunto de pneumático autoinflável que inclui uma câmara de ar montada dentro de um sulco do costado do pneumático. a câmara de ar en-contra-se em engate por contato com superfícies de sulco angulares opostas cir-cundando a câmara de ar. um segmento da câmara de ar é aplainado de um diâme-tro expandido para um diâmetro plano pela flexão e compressão do sulco em uma pegada do pneumático em rotação para forçar o ar evacuado do segmento aplaina-do ao longo da passagem de ar da câmara. uma câmara de ar posicionada dentro do sulco, em que a câmara de ar tem uma forma de seção transversal circular e um diâmetro externo d, e o sulco não possui uma forma de seção transversal circular, em que o referido sulco tem uma largura w e um comprimento l, em que d é maior do que w.

sistema de bombeamento de manutenção de ar e pneu

"sistema de bombeamento de manutenção de ar e pneu" a presente invenção se refere a um conjunto de pneu que inclui um pneu que possui uma cavidade pneumática, primeira e segunda paredes laterais que se estendem respectivamente das primeira e segunda regiões de talão de pneu para a região de rodagem de pneu, a primeira parede lateral possuindo pelo menos uma região de inclinação que inclina operativamente quando radialmente dentro de uma impressão do desenho de rodagem de rolamento de pneu, e um componente de an- tifricção com uma passagem de ar definida por um tubo de ar que se deforma de modo resiliente segmento por segmento entre uma condição expandida e pelo me- nos uma condição parcialmente deformada em resposta à respectiva deformação segmento por segmento da parede lateral quando radialmente dentro da impressão do desenho de rodagem de rolamento de pneu. o conjunto de pneu bombeia um volume constante de ar para cada revolução do pneu fornecendo, assim, uma taxa de bombeamento linear apesar dos volumes mortos no pneu.

Conjunto de bomba e de preservação de ar em pneu

CONJUNTO DE VÁLVULA DE LIBERAÇÃO E PRESERVAÇÃO DO AR EM PNEUMÁTICO. Um conjunto de bomba e pneu com preservação de ar que inclui um pneu apresentando uma cavidade de pneu, primeira e segunda paredes laterais se estendendo, respectivamente, a partir da primeira e segunda regiões de talão de pneu, junto a uma região de banda de rodagem de pneu, uma passagem de ar anular substancialmente alongada encerrada no interior de uma região de curvatura das paredes laterais, com a passagem de ar funcionalmente se fechando e se abrindo, segmento por segmento, conforme vá ocorrendo a passagem da região de curvatura das paredes laterais na adjacência de uma impressão de desenho de rodagem de pneu para bombeamento do ar ao longo da passagem de ar, um conjunto de orifício de entrada de ar para, e comunicando o fluxo de ar com, a passagem de ar, com o conjunto de orifício de entrada de ar sendo funcional para canalizar o ar de entrada advindo da parte externa do pneu para dentro da passagem de ar, o conjunto de orifício de entrada de ar incluindo uma válvula de controle de entrada e uma estrutura de pino de saída posicionada em 180° oposta a válvula (...).

Pneu de manutenção de ar

um sistema de pneu de manutenção de ar é fornecido. o pneu inclui um par de paredes laterais, em que cada uma das paredes laterais se estende a partir de uma área de talão respectiva a uma cabeça do pneu. o pneu de manutenção de ar inclui uma ranhura anular formada em uma parte selecionada das paredes laterais do pneu. a ranhura é formada com uma extremidade aberta em uma superfície externa da parede lateral do pneu e uma extremidade fechada oposta à extremidade aberta. a extremidade aberta é formada com um cone radial externo e a ranhura é formada com pelo menos uma característica de diâmetro aumentada. um tubo de ar de uma montagem de bomba peristáltica é recebido na ranhura.

pneumÁtico de aeronave e mÉtodo de fabricaÇço

PNEUMÁTICO DE AERONAVE E MÉTODO DE FABRICAÇçO. Um pneumático compreendendo uma estrutura de correia e uma carcaça em formato de toro tendo um primeiro raio interno e um raio externo, em que a carcaça e compreendida de três ou mais camadas de lona, em que cada camada de lona é formada de uma tira emborrachada de um ou mais cordões, as tiras sendo enroladas em um padrão geodésico tendo o cordão estendido através da carcaça de um primeiro ombro para um segundo ombro em uma trajetória que tem pelo menos um ponto tangente ao primeiro raio interno localizado na área de talão do pneumático.