Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments related to theft event detection and classification of theft of tires and/or wheels on a vehicle, such as a semi-tractor, semi-trailer. A theft event detection and classification system can include at least one computing device including a vehicle computing device comprising an accelerometer. The system can also include tire sensors, corresponding to tires on the vehicle, and in data communication with the vehicle computing device. The system can execute a theft monitoring application to detect vibration signals by the accelerometer and generate an event data record comprising the vibration signal information, tire sensor records comprising retrieved sensor information, and a vehicle environment record. The theft event detection and classification system can execute a theft detection application to analyze the event data record to classify the event and a notification of the possible theft event.

Abstract: Aspects of tire sensor auto-location are described. Timestamped tire acceleration values are received for a set of tire sensor devices. Each tire sensor device provides a tire-specific subset of the timestamped tire acceleration values. Vehicle configuration parameters are identified to define a number of rear axles and a number of tires or wheels on each side of each axle. The vehicle configuration parameters and the timestamped tire acceleration values are processed to identify and assign an axle position and a vehicle side position for each tire sensor device of the set of tire sensor devices.

Abstract: Information from sensors on first and second tires positioned adjacent to each other on a dual wheel hub is obtained and stored in a memory. Also, information about the operation of a vehicle is stored in the memory, where the first and second tires are located on the vehicle. A determination is made as to whether a tire radius difference exists between a first radius of the first tire and a second radius of the second tire based on the temperature values and other parameters. An indication is encoded for display that shows that a tire radius mismatch exists between the first and second tires.

Abstract: Aspects of tire sensor auto-location are described. Tire temperature values are received for a set of tire sensor devices. Each tire sensor device provides a tire-specific subset of the tire temperature values. A vehicle configuration indicates that the vehicle has a dual tire setup. The tire temperature values are processed to identify and assign a “dual tire” position indicating an inner position or an outer position for each tire sensor device.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments related to detecting tire theft activity. In one non-limiting example, a vehicle trailer system can include a computing device and a tire sensor. The computing device can be configured to be attached to a semi-trailer and the computing device can include an accelerometer. The tire sensor can be attached to a wheel of the trailer and in data communication with the computing device. The computing device can be configured to at least detect a change in height for a portion of the trailer based at least in part on a measurement from the accelerometer. A pressure loss event can be detected based at least in part on a plurality of pressure measurements meeting a rate loss threshold. A vibration measurement can be identified from the accelerometer. An indication of a theft event can be transmitted to a remote computing device.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of permanent active sensors in a tire achieved by partially embedding a sensor component in a green tire and adding a removable power source after the tire is cured. The printed circuit board can be encapsulated in the rubber of the tire with a power source housing connected to the electronics through the rubber. In another aspect, the printed circuit board can be directly connected to the power source housing. The sensor interlocks with the rubber of the tire. Various structural features of the sensor, such as a flange or channels for the rubber, can be used to secure the sensor in the rubber of the tire.

Abstract: A modular tire pressure leak detection system includes a tire that supports a vehicle and a sensor unit mounted on the tire. The sensor unit detects real-time tire parameters inside the tire and transmits the parameters to a processor. A plurality of modules are in electronic communication with the processor. The plurality of modules include a pre-processing module that receives the parameters and applies a set of operations to generate pressure time series data, a leak detection module that receives the pressure time series data and determines a leak rate of the tire, and a post-processing module that receives the leak rate of the tire and analyzes the leak rate of the tire with determinations from a plurality of conditions. A leak alert is issued by the post-processing module based upon the analysis of the leak rate of the tire and the determinations from the plurality of conditions.

Abstract: A method for estimating a condition of a tire is provided. The tire supports a vehicle and is mounted on a wheel. The wheel is rotatably mounted on an axle. A sensor is mounted on at least one of the tire, the wheel, the axle, and a component of the brake system. Vibrational data is measured with the sensor. The data from the sensor is transmitted to a processor, and the data is processed. The processed data is normalized and at least one of the normalized data and pre-processed data is input into a machine learning model. A condition estimation for the tire is generated, which includes at least one of a tread depth of the tire, a pressure of the tire, and a dual tire mismatch.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A frame for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a pail of spaced-apart, parallel, elongated, and longitudinally-extending main members. At least a pair of transverse cross members extend between and are attached to the main members, and each one of at least a pair of hangers is attached to and depends from a respective one of the main members and/or the cross members. A component is disposed between each one of the hangers and its respective main member, or alternatively is incorporated into the hangers, for absorbing the energy that is created by an extreme event during vehicle operation, to reduce the possibility of damage to the main members and/or the cross members caused by movement of at least one of the hangers during the extreme event.

Abstract: A cam shaft support and enclosure assembly includes a tube formed with a flat on its inboard end. An outboard end of the tube is supported on a spider which in turn is mounted on an axle of a heavy duty vehicle. A bushing is mounted in each of the tube ends, and a shaft is rotatably mounted in and passes completely through the bushings and sealed and lubricated tube. An S-cam is integrally formed on an exposed outboard end of the shaft and the exposed inboard end of the shaft is formed with splines for meshingly engaging a slack adjuster of the vehicle brake system. A support plate formed with a generally D-shaped keyhole is mounted on the suspension beam, and is slip-fittingly engaged by the correspondingly shaped and sized inboard end of the tube. The weld-free keyhole connection of the tube and plate enables the plate to react rotation of the tube without the possibility of fatigue or failure of a weld.