Abstract: An air maintenance tire system and method in accordance with the present invention includes an air pumping mechanism configured to maintain air pressure within a first tire and a second tire in a dual tire arrangement. The system includes a control valve assembly attached to an elongate valve stem projecting from a rim of a first tandem tire, and a one-way valve carrying connecting tube from a sidewall air pumping passageway within a sidewall of the first tire. The control valve assembly further includes first and second outlet tubes connected to the elongate valve stem to selectively pass pressurized air into the tire cavities of both tandem mounted tires on an as-needed basis.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity bounded by first and second sidewalls extending to a tire tread region, air pumping means for generating pressurized air for maintaining air pressure within the tire cavity at a preset pressure level, and a valve housing disposed adjacent an outward end of the valve stem and operative to selectively open and close pressurized air flow from the valve stem internal passageway into the tire cavity. 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.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity bounded by first and second sidewalls extending to a tire tread region, air pumping means for generating pressurized air for maintaining air pressure within the tire cavity at a preset pressure level, and a faceted valve housing disposed adjacent an outward end of the valve stem and operative to selectively open and close pressurized air flow from the valve stem internal passageway into the tire cavity. 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.

Abstract: An air maintenance system includes a rotating inner ring secured to a vehicle wheel, a stationary outer ring maintaining a constant angular position relative to a ground surface, a stationary mass secured to the stationary outer ring, a cylinder secured to the rotating inner ring, and a piston secured to the cylinder for linear motion relative to the cylinder and the rotating inner ring. The piston reciprocates axially back and forth as determined by a cam groove on an outer surface of the stationary outer ring operatively engaging one end of the piston such that the piston and cylinder pump air into a tire cavity of a pneumatic tire mounted to the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A composite material comprises a plurality of springs forming a structure embedded within a polymer. Each spring is interwoven with at least one other spring thereby forming an entirely polymer-coated structure.

Abstract: 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 circumferentially adjacent 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 adjacent 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 adjacent the rolling tire footprint; and an assembly mounted to the first sidewall the tire, the assembly including a pressure regulator with an el

Abstract: A pumping assembly keeps a pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping assembly includes at least one pump attached to the tire rim, a cam fixed to the gravity mass for maintaining the cam in a fixed position relative to the gravity mass, and rollers for engaging the cam and producing the pumping action as the tire rim rotates and the gravity mass retards rotation of the cam.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity bounded by first and second sidewalls extending to a tire tread region, air pumping means for generating pressurized air for maintaining air pressure within the tire cavity at a preset pressure level, the tire having an elongate valve stem projecting outward from the tire cavity and having an internal valve stem air passageway in communication with the tire cavity and operative to direct pressurized air into the cavity, and a valve housing disposed adjacent an outward end of the valve stem and operative to selectively open and close pressurized air flow from the valve stem internal passageway into the tire cavity.

Abstract: 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 circumferentially adjacent 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 adjacent 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 adjacent the rolling tire footprint; and an assembly mounted to the first sidewall the tire, the assembly including a pressure regulator with an el

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity bounded by first and second sidewalls extending to a tire tread region and air pumping means for generating pressurized air for maintaining air pressure within the tire cavity at a preset pressure level. The air pumping means includes an upper mounting plate fixed to a vehicle rim, a lower mounting plate fixed to the rim and diametrically opposed to the upper mounting plate, a dynamic mass pivotally attached to the upper mounting plate at a first end of the dynamic mass, and a pump fixed to the lower mounting plate and pivotally attached to a second end of the dynamic mass.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity bounded by first and second sidewalls extending to a tire tread region and air pumping means for generating pressurized air for maintaining air pressure within the tire cavity at a preset pressure level. The air pumping means includes an upper mounting plate fixed to a vehicle rim, a lower mounting plate fixed to the rim and diametrically opposed to the upper mounting plate, a dynamic mass pivotally attached to the upper mounting plate at a first end of the dynamic mass, and a pump fixed to the lower mounting plate and pivotally attached to a second end of the dynamic mass.

Abstract: A rim mounted control assembly receives therethrough the tire valve stem from an air maintenance tire. A control assembly regulator controls a flow of air to and from a tire-mounted air pumping tube. The control assembly includes a bi-directional air distribution block having multiple parallel air pathways, each air pathway coupled to a respective conduit connected to an air pumping tube mounted within a tire sidewall. 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 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.

Abstract: A wheel mounted control assembly receives therethrough the tire valve stem from an air maintenance tire. A control assembly regulator controls a flow of air to and from a tire-mounted air pumping tube. The control assembly includes a bi-directional air distribution flow control system having multiple parallel air pathways, each air pathway coupled to a respective conduit connected to an air pumping tube mounted within a tire sidewall. 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 pumping mechanism is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping mechanism includes a plurality of pumps forming a linear belt and subsequently being attached circumferentially to the wheel rim, a plurality of pump holders interconnecting the plurality of pumps in a linear configuration, and a control valve for controlling inlet air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A pumping assembly keeps a pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping assembly includes an even number of pumps attached to the tire rim, a gravity mass for producing a pumping action, a cam fixed to the gravity mass for maintaining the cam in a fixed position relative to the gravity mass, and rollers for engaging the cam and producing the pumping action as the tire rim rotates and the gravity mass retards rotation of the cam as the tire rim rotates.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of mounting a device to a tire comprising the following steps: buffing an inside surface of the tire, forming a rubber layer and a rubber extension on a mounting surface of the device, wherein the rubber extension extends past the support frame; applying rubber cement to the mounting surface and then affixing the mounting surface of the device to the inside surface; and then curing the rubber cement.

Abstract: A pressure control assembly for an air maintenance tire includes a control valve assembly. The pressure control assembly mounts in proximal relationship to a tire valve stem and operably controls a flow of pressurized air through the tire valve stem from an ancillary tire-mounted pressurized air source. The ancillary tire-mounted pressurized air source and an external pressurized air source share the valve stem for delivery of pressurized air to the tire cavity. The pressure control assembly mounts to a surface of a rim body supporting the tire at a control location in proximal relationship with the valve stem.