Abstract: Disclosed are examples related to PCB impedance tuning for wideband operation and acceptance of antenna variation. In one example, a tire monitoring device includes a sensor, RFID circuitry and processing circuitry mounted on a PCB. The RFID circuitry can harvest energy and transmit monitored tire data in response to a received interrogation signal. The RFID circuitry can be tuned to receive interrogation signals in a frequency band from at least 868 MHz to at least 915 MHz to cover both NA and EU applications. Impedance matching of the RFID circuitry can enable operation independent of variations in coil antenna length. In another example, comprises the tire monitoring device and a RFID reader or interrogator.

Abstract: A puncture resistant pneumatic tire may include a puncture resistant layer and a barrier layer. The puncture resistant layer may have a percent elongation of up to 300% and a tack value with the carcass of about 5 N to about 50 N at normal inflation pressure.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method of providing an air barrier layer to a tire comprising at least the following steps: providing a tire comprising a tire cavity and an inner surface facing the tire cavity, providing a tubular film with at least one open end, and molding at least a portion of the tubular film to form an air barrier layer adapted to the inner surface of the tire. In another aspect, a cured tire is provided which comprises a tire cavity and an inner surface facing the tire cavity, and a tubular film of molten polymer is extruded. Said film is inserted into the tire cavity of the cured tire and expanded in the tire cavity to form an air barrier layer adapted to an inner surface of the tire.

Abstract: An assembly has a wheel and a nonpneumatic tire. The nonpneumatic tire includes a plurality of helical springs. Each helical spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each helical spring being is interlaced with at least one other helical spring thereby forming a laced toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the nonpneumatic tire. The toroidal structure supports an entire load placed on the nonpneumatic tire. The plurality of helical springs are constructed of a predetermined material that maintains strength and ductility down to 17 K.

Abstract: A system is provided for estimating a tread depth of a tire supporting a vehicle. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending to a tread. The system includes a sensor unit, which includes a time of flight sensor. The sensor includes an emitter that emits a first pulse to an outer surface of the tread and a lens that captures the reflected first pulse. A processor measures a time from emission to capture of the first pulse, and calculates a tread surface distance from the time. The emitter emits a second pulse to a base of a tread groove and the lens captures the reflected second pulse. The processor measures a time from emission to capture of the second pulse, and calculates a reference distance from the time. The processor determines a depth of the tread from a difference between the tread surface distance and the reference distance.

Abstract: A system is provided for estimating a tread depth of a tire supporting a vehicle. The tire includes a pair of sidewalls extending to a tread. The system includes a sensor unit, which includes a time of flight sensor. The sensor includes an emitter that emits a first pulse to an outer surface of the tread and a lens that captures the reflected first pulse. A processor measures a time from emission to capture of the first pulse, and calculates a tread surface distance from the time. The emitter emits a second pulse to a base of a tread groove and the lens captures the reflected second pulse. The processor measures a time from emission to capture of the second pulse, and calculates a reference distance from the time. The processor determines a depth of the tread from a difference between the tread surface distance and the reference distance.

Abstract: A control valve suitable for use with a tire and pump assembly is described that controls the flow of air from the pump into the tire. The control valve includes an optional bi-directional feature. The pathways alternatively operate to deliver ambient non-pressurized air to the air pumping tube in response to directional tire rotation against a ground surface.

Abstract: A control system for an air maintenance tire system is provided. The control system includes a sensor unit that in turn includes a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure in the tire cavity and an antenna for transmitting pressure data. A processor receives the pressure data and includes a memory for storing a predetermined low-pressure threshold. Actuation means that are in communication with the processor and actuate and de-actuate operation of the air maintenance tire system. A first signal is transmitted from the processor to the actuation means to actuate operation of the air maintenance tire system when the measured pressure in the tire cavity is below the threshold. A second signal is transmitted from the processor to the actuation means to de-actuate operation of the air maintenance tire system when the measured pressure in the tire cavity is at or above the threshold.

Abstract: A tread wear indicator is affixed to a respective tire tread element. The indicator is constructed as a plurality of electroactive sensor elements operatively configured and located to sequentially sacrificially abrade and change in electrical signal responsive to a progressive tread wear of the respective tread element. The electroactive elements are connected by printed circuitry that communicates an electrical signal to a passive RFID sensor tag that can be powered and read by a RFID reader.

Abstract: A connecting member and method of forming the connecting member in an air maintenance tire is provided. The method includes providing a tire having a sidewall formed with an annular groove. The groove receives an annular air tube having a first end with a first fitting and a second end with a second fitting. A recess is formed in the tire sidewall along the annular groove at a location where the first end of the annular air tube is adjacent the second end of the annular air tube. A mold formed with a cavity is provided and the fittings are removably secured in the cavity. The mold is positioned on a surface of the tire sidewall and an elastomer or a polymer is introduced into the mold cavity. The mold is heated to form the connecting member on the tire sidewall.

Abstract: An integrated tire sensor and reader system includes at least one sensor unit mounted a tire or a wheel. A reader is disposed remotely from the sensor unit. The sensor unit includes at least one sensor for measuring a parameter of the tire or wheel and an antenna for communicating with the reader. The sensor unit is configured to receive a radio frequency power signal from the reader and to transmit data to the reader. The reader includes an antenna for transmitting the radio frequency power signal to the sensor unit to actuate the one sensor unit. Upon actuation of the sensor unit, the sensor measures the parameter of the tire or wheel, and data from the sensor is transmitted from the sensor unit to the reader.

Abstract: A mounting member for an air maintenance tire is provided. The tire includes a sidewall that is formed with a groove for receiving an air tube and a recess for receiving at least one pneumatic connector that is in fluid communication with the air tube. The mounting member includes a plurality of layers, in which the layers are in stacked alignment with one another. The plurality of layers includes at least an axially outward layer and an axially inward layer. The mounting member is received in the recess and secured to the tire sidewall, thereby securing the position of the at least one pneumatic connector. A method of forming a mounting member for an air maintenance tire is also provided.

Abstract: A pumping mechanism in accordance with the present invention is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping mechanism includes a frame having a first chamber and a pump chamber, a strike plate positioned in the first chamber and being connected to a plunger plate, said plunger plate having a nose for engagement with a diaphragm mounted in the pump chamber; said pump chamber being in fluid communication with a pump inlet and a pump outlet; wherein actuation of the strike plate in the first chamber causes engagement of the nose with the diaphragm. Preferably the strike plate is actuated by a permanent magnet mounted on a stationary part, or the strike plate is actuated by an electrically driven magnet.

Abstract: An inlet control valve suitable for use with a tire and pump assembly is described that controls the flow of air from the pump into the tire. The inlet control valve includes an optional bi-directional feature. The pathways alternatively operate to deliver ambient non-pressurized air to the air pumping tube in response to directional tire rotation against a ground surface.

Abstract: An article that experiences repeated deformation includes an electronic component as an inclusion. The article includes at least one structural element, in which the structural element includes a material. At least one electronic component is incorporated into the material as an inclusion. The electronic component includes an integrated circuit and may also include at least one sensor and an antenna. The size of the electronic inclusion is no greater than the largest inclusion typically occurring within the material. The article may be an article formed of rubber, such as a tire.

Abstract: A system is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The first system includes a plurality of pumps attached circumferentially to the wheel rim, each pump having pump parameters, and a control valve for controlling inlet air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire. The control valve has valve parameters. The system predicts system performance under various configurations and conditions through use of the pump parameters and the valve parameters.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A wheel for an air maintenance tire system is provided. The air maintenance tire system includes at least one pump and a regulator. The wheel includes a body that is formed with an axially-extending wall, a pair of flanges, and a pair of bead mounting areas. Each bead mounting area is disposed axially inwardly proximate a respective one of the flanges. The axially-extending wall is formed with an AMT mounting channel. The AMT mounting channel extends circumferentially about the wheel approximately mid-way between the flanges and is defined by a first adjacent wall, a second adjacent wall, and a base. Mounting surfaces are formed in or adjacent the AMT mounting channel, so that the at least one pump is mounted in the AMT mounting channel radially inwardly of the bead mounting areas.