Abstract: A pressure-tight container pressure control assembly is configured to adjust internal pressure in a pressure-tight container. The pressure-tight container pressure control assembly has a housing having an attachment end. wherein the attachment end is configured to penetrate a wall of the pressure-tight container. A seal is arranged around the housing and configured to form an airtight seal between the housing and the wall. A pressure controller is arranged in the housing and configured to provide a controlled transfer of a material between the housing and the pressure-tight container through the wall thereby adjusting an internal pressure of the material within the pressure-tight container.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an annular inner ring, an annular outer ring, and a support structure extending from the annular inner ring to the annular outer ring. The support structure includes a multilayer structure. The multilayer structure includes a skim layer, a plurality of cords embedded in the skim layer, and an outer protective layer covering at least a portion of a surface of the skim layer. The outer protective layer has greater resistance to ozone exposure than the skim layer. Methods of making a non-pneumatic tire include forming a multilayer structure by applying an outer protective layer to at least a portion of a surface of a skim layer having a plurality of cords embedded in the skim layer.

Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage. The track assembly includes a belted track, drive sprocket and sets of longitudinally and laterally offset ramp/road and idler/road wheels mounted to parallel sets of vertically offset coplanar axles that support interior track surfaces. Axles mounted adjacent forwardmost and aftmost ramp/road wheels support “anti-jam” wheels that are longitudinally and vertically offset from the other axles at the framework to prevent a kinking of the track at the forwardmost and aftmost ends.

Abstract: An idler wheel includes a hub, an outer rim, and a pair of side plates that form an interior cavity extending radially between the outer rim (110) and the hub, and axially between the pair of side plates. The first side plate defines a maximum side plate axial thickness disposed radially next to the hub in a cross-sectional plane containing a radial direction, and an axis of rotation, as well as a minimum side plate thickness disposed radially next to the outer rim. A ratio of the maximum thickness to the minimum thickness ranges from 1.325 to 1.900.

Abstract: A deformable wheel includes: a plurality of lobes; wheel spokes connected to the plurality of lobes, respectively; and hinges pivotably connecting the wheel spokes to the lobes, wherein the wheel spokes are capable of two degree-of-freedom motion, and the plurality of lobes either form a circular shape due to the two degree-of-freedom motion of the wheel spokes, or separate from each other to form a deformed shape.

Abstract: An idler for an undercarriage system in a track-type machine includes an idler body having an outer rim surface extending circumferentially around an idler axis of rotation and forming a centrally located guide flange. The outer rim surface further forms a first ring channel and a second ring channel upon a first axial side and a second axial side of the centrally located guide flange, respectively. A first sacrificial wear ring is seated in the first ring channel and a second sacrificial wear ring is seated in the second ring channel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for coupling mechanism of a wheel. The coupling mechanism of a wheel includes a screw with a threaded portion, a block with an internal threaded portion, and a coupler mechanically coupled to the screw. The coupler has a radially inner surface configured to couple with a drive shaft and a radially outer surface configured to couple with a spindle, where the screw is configured to engage the coupler with the drive shaft when actuated in a first direction and disengage the coupler from the drive shaft when actuated in a second direction, opposite the first.

Abstract: An arrangement of cancellation electromagnets control magnetic adhesion of a wheel to a surface. The wheel has an inner annular disc composed of a non-magnetic material with apertures which retain electromagnets and permanent magnets, and an outer annular disc composed of a ferromagnetic material which is disposed on a side of the inner annular disc, with a non-magnetic isolator ring having curves extending in a serpentine manner. In one embodiment, the curves isolate the electromagnets from the permanent magnets. In another embodiment, the outer annular disc is rotated relative to the inner annular disc to dispose the curves of the serpentine isolator ring in a second position to allow magnetic interaction between the electromagnets and the permanent magnets to generate a second magnetic flux between the permanent magnets and the ferromagnetic surface which decreases adhesion of the wheel to the ferromagnetic surface. A method implements the system.

Abstract: A track for a track system includes an endless elastomeric carcass having a wheel-facing side defining a wheel path for engaging wheels of the track system, and a ground-facing side opposite the wheel-facing side. A plurality of lugs project from the wheel-facing side. Each lug has a base and a side wall extending from the base. The base is distanced from the ground-facing side by a first distance. The wheel path has a first track side portion extending adjacent the base of at least some lugs of the plurality of lugs. The base defines an undercut extending between the side wall and the first track side portion of the wheel path. The undercut defines a recess extending inwardly towards a lateral center of the track, and has a bottom. The first distance extends between the bottom of the undercut and the ground-facing side of the track.

Abstract: In an example, a seal for a wheel assembly includes a first disk half and a second disk half. The seal includes a cylindrical body having a hollow interior, a first seal end configured to mate with a first inner disk surface of the first disk half, and a second seal end configured to mate with a second inner disk surface of the second disk half, and one or more drain holes. The cylindrical body has a cylindrical wall with the one or more drain holes configured to substantially deflect incoming matter from impinging upon the hollow interior and to allow condensate to evacuate from the hollow interior through the one or more drain holes. The cylindrical body includes an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A burst-resistant tire embedded with open tubular members include an outer ring, an inner ring and the open tubular members. The outer ring is composed of a first outer ring and a second outer ring, which are symmetrical with respect to a central radial plane of the burst-resistant tire. The open tubular members include multiple first open tubular members and multiple second open tubular members. The first open tubular members are provided between the first outer ring and the inner ring, and the second open tubular members are provided between the second outer ring and the inner ring. The second open tubular members and the first open tubular members are connected at the central radial plane of the burst-resistant tire.

Abstract: A connecting system for a tensile element including a longitudinal tensile element and a connector. The connector has an external connector surface and an internal cavity with an internal surface with a pre-formed lateral connector surface extending generally laterally inwardly. The internal cavity sleevably overlaps at the tensile element in an overlap region. The connector is crimped to create a crimped joinder between the connector and tensile element where a portion of the external connector surface is pressed to plastically deform the connecting element and displace the internal surface laterally inwardly to deboss the external surface in the overlap region. The connector includes a laterally outwardly projecting overlie surface to provide an external overlie engagement for connection with a bracing element and to support tensile load.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a universal rotating hub that can facilitate movement of an automobile or other vehicle that has been rendered immobile by a condition that prevents rotation of one or more of the vehicle's wheels. The universal rotating hub can comprise a wheel flange comprising an axle bore adapted to receive an axle and a plurality of apertures adapted to receive a plurality of different lug bolt patterns of a plurality of respective wheel hubs. The universal rotating hub can further comprise a rotating flange adapted to be coupled to a wheel. The rotating flange can comprise a plurality of lug holes adapted to receive a plurality of lug bolts of the wheel. The universal rotating hub can further comprise a bearing coupled at a first end to the wheel flange and at a second end to the rotating flange. The bearing can be adapted to enable a rotation of the rotating flange.

Abstract: Provided herein is a motor-wheel for an omni-directional motion vehicle. The motor-wheel generally includes a ring-shaped structure with a central axis, presenting an outer radial surface and an inner radial surface, whereby the outer radial surface includes a plurality of rollers that are rotatable about an inclined axis relative to the central axis, and the inner radial surface is adapted to be connected to a hub-motor such that the hub-motor is a load bearing element of the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. An outer ring may be adjacent an inboard side of the outer rim and defining a closeable gap with adjacent interior portions of an inboard side of the inner rim to define a mechanical stop to limit relative movement between the inner rim and outer rim. The gas springs may be arranged on an outboard side of the outer ring.

Abstract: A tire chain assembly may include a peripheral chain assembly, a chain positioning assembly, and a retention ring. The peripheral chain assembly may extend around tire treads of a tire having an outer sidewall that extends in a radial direction to be operably coupled to a wheel rim. The chain positioning assembly may extend from the peripheral chain assembly over the outer sidewall toward an outer peripheral edge of the wheel rim. The retention ring may attach the chain positioning assembly to the outer peripheral edge of the wheel rim.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending between the lower ring and the upper ring. The non-pneumatic tire also includes a flexible cover having an annulus shape that covers at least a portion of a first side of the support structure, wherein a lower portion of the flexible cover includes a circumferential projection that projects axially outward relative to a region above the circumferential projection.

Abstract: A wheel for use with an endless track system includes at least three substantially identical segments. Each of the segments has a support portion, a circumferential flange, and a rim portion. The rim portion is affixed to an outer face of the circumferential flange. The segments are attached to each other to form the wheel. Methods of forming a wheel are also described.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending between the lower ring and the upper ring. The non-pneumatic tire also includes an upper sidewall having an annulus shape that covers a portion of a first side of the support structure. The upper sidewall has an inner diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel for the purpose of slow speed temporary movement of the vehicle whereby the inner portion of the wheel disc includes a curved surface disposed in rotating contact with the beveled surface of the cylinder element of the attachment hub. The wheel disc and the attached tire extend outwardly from the attachment hub. The attachment hub includes the cylinder with a securing ring affixed to the inwardly extending portion of the cylinder and disposed in abutting relation with the inner surface of the wheel disc wherein the outer surface of the cylinder is disposed between the securing ring and a flange.