Abstract: A method for verifying the compatibility of the components of a wheel, having the following steps of: identifying each of the components of the assembly by means of an electronic label; after mounting the assembly, verifying at least two of these labels by checking the mutual compatibility of the components corresponding to the identification elements received by a management unit; detecting any situation in which at least one of the components is incompatible with one or more of the other components, and generating a suitable signal in the event of incompatibility. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method, this device comprising an identification element combined with each of the components of the assembly that it is desired to verify, a data transmission means, the management unit being capable of identifying any condition of incompatibility of at least one of the components of an assembly and of generating a signal in the event of a condition of incompatibility.

Abstract: An inner tire used in a dual-chambered tire is provided by an inner tire in which an exterior sidewall of tire provides for two annular rows of overlapping raised facets that extend above the exterior surface of the tire. Each facet defines a right angle with respect to the adjacent sidewall of the tire and provides for an elevated surface having a substantially uniform height with respect to the underlying tire exterior surface. The facets further define a plurality of gaps and passageways that have a constant height and through which pressurized air may flow during the inflation of the outer tire. The air gaps and air passageways defined by the facets have a sufficient depth that the resulting passageways do not collapse when the pressurized inner tire is in engagement with the pressurized outer tire.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for assessing the range of a motor vehicle run-flat system comprising at least for each wheel a tire casing, a deflation alarm and means supporting the running tread of the tire casing when the casing is deflated, which method, from the instant the deflation alarm has detected a predetermined deflating threshold, includes the steps of: periodically measuring the distance covered and a parameter C(t) characteristic of the running conditions; determining on the basis of C(t) and the measured distance over &Dgr;t a quantity characteristic of potential elementary damage of the system during the elapsed time &Dgr;t; calculating an estimate of the global damage by combining the calculated elementary damage levels since the start of flat running; and transmitting to the vehicle driver a quantity related to that estimate of the flat running system global damage.

Abstract: A tire sensor assembly that is embedded in an elastomeric tire at a particular radial depth inwardly from a contact patch of the tire includes a flexible generally pyramid-shaped body and a pair of first strain sensors disposed on first opposed faces of the pyramid-shaped body, the first strain sensors detecting a force in a first direction. In addition, the assembly includes a pair of second strain sensors disposed on second opposed faces of the pyramid-shaped body, the second strain sensors detecting a force in a second direction. Moreover, each face of the first and second opposed faces is non-planar. Preferably, the first and second opposed faces of the pyramid-shaped body are curved and generally symmetrical about an axis extending longitudinally through the apex of the body so as to allow adjustment of the sensitivity of the sensor assembly generally independent of the radial depth.