Abstract: A wheel rim for a vehicle including a first rim portion including a first wheel flange, a second rim portion threadedly connected to the first rim portion, and a second wheel flange held on the first rim portion.

Abstract: A system includes a wheel, a tire, a plurality of pressurized load cells and a sleeve member. The wheel includes a first flange portion, a second flange portion and a barrel portion positioned between the first and second flange portions. The tire is mounted to the wheel. The wheel and the tire cooperate to define a tire cavity. The tire includes a first beaded portion and a second beaded portion. The plurality of pressurized load cells are positioned within the tire cavity. The sleeve member is positioned within the tire cavity and surrounds and constrains the plurality of pressurized load cells.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes an adapter member and a safety member. The adapter member includes a fill valve, an internal passageway and a boss member positioned within a multi-piece wheel. The safety member is removably connected to the adapter member, and covers nuts which removably connect a first piece of the multi-piece wheel to a second piece of the multi-piece wheel.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a wheel, a tire, a plurality of pressurized load cells and a sleeve member. The wheel includes a first flange portion, a second flange portion and a barrel portion positioned between the first and second flange portions. The tire is mounted to the wheel. The wheel and the tire cooperate to define a tire cavity. The tire includes a first beaded portion and a second beaded portion. The plurality of pressurized load cells are positioned within the tire cavity. The sleeve member is positioned within the tire cavity and surrounds and constrains the plurality of pressurized load cells.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a wheel, a hub adapter and a valve assembly. The wheel defines a first air passage having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first air passage is at an outward side of the wheel. The hub adapter is connected to the wheel and defines a tire side air passage. A first end of the tire side air passage is coaxially aligned with the first end of the first air passage. The valve assembly is connected to the hub adapter. The valve assembly includes a valve and defines a hub side air passage and a tire side air passage. A first end of the tire side air passage of the valve assembly is coaxially aligned with a second end of the tire side air passage of the hub adapter.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a wheel, a tire, a plurality of pressurized load cells and a sleeve member. The wheel includes a first flange portion, a second flange portion and a barrel portion positioned between the first and second flange portions. The tire is mounted to the wheel. The wheel and the tire cooperate to define a tire cavity. The tire includes a first beaded portion and a second beaded portion. The plurality of pressurized load cells are positioned within the tire cavity. The sleeve member is positioned within the tire cavity and surrounds and constrains the plurality of pressurized load cells.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a wheel, a hub adapter and a valve assembly. The wheel defines a first air passage having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first air passage is at an outward side of the wheel. The hub adapter is connected to the wheel and defines a tire side air passage. A first end of the tire side air passage is coaxially aligned with the first end of the first air passage. The valve assembly is connected to the hub adapter. The valve assembly includes a valve and defines a hub side air passage and a tire side air passage. A first end of the tire side air passage of the valve assembly is coaxially aligned with a second end of the tire side air passage of the hub adapter.

Abstract: A central tire inflation system. The system includes a central tire inflation valve and a hub bore manifold. The hub bore manifold is connected to and surrounds the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold defines first and second air passageways which are in communication with the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold is configured for removable connection to a hub of a vehicle and is also configured to fit within a central opening of a wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A central tire inflation system. The system includes a central tire inflation valve and a hub bore manifold. The hub bore manifold is connected to and surrounds the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold defines first and second air passageways which are in communication with the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold is configured for removable connection to a hub of a vehicle and is also configured to fit within a central opening of a wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for installing a central tire inflation (CTI) valve containing member into the hub bore opening of a wheel so as to be in communication with an air passageway hub port in the vehicle hub. Preferably, the CTI valve containing member includes a CTI valve sealed to a hub bore manifold with the hub bore manifold being mounted to the wheel disc and/or the vehicle hub. The hub bore manifold seals against the vehicle hub and the wheel hub bore surface (and/or the front face of the wheel disc). An air passageway in the manifold runs from the vehicle hub port to the CTI valve, and other air passageway(s) connect the CTI valve to the tire interior, such that air can travels from the vehicle hub to and from the tire cavity by way of the manifold and CTI valve.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for installing a central tire inflation (CTI) valve containing member into the hub bore opening of a wheel so as to be in communication with an air passageway hub port in the vehicle hub. Preferably, the CTI valve containing member includes a CTI valve sealed to a hub bore manifold with the hub bore manifold being mounted to the wheel disc and/or the vehicle hub. The hub bore manifold seals against the vehicle hub and the wheel hub bore surface (and/or the front face of the wheel disc). An air passageway in the manifold runs from the vehicle hub port to the CTI valve, and other air passageway(s) connect the CTI valve to the tire interior, such that air can travels from the vehicle hub to and from the tire cavity by way of the manifold and CTI valve.

Abstract: The production rate, useful life and operating efficiency of electric submergible pumping systems (ESP) is improved by operating the system so that the motor (220, 320) is cooled by two passes of production. Production fluids remove waste heat from the motor (220, 320) by passing the fluid in contact with the exterior of the motor (220, 320). The improved cooling permits the motor to be operated at a lower temperature improving life and efficiency, and/or to be operated at higher power at a similar temperature. Additionally, oversized and excess equipment is not required, further improving performance and economics for the user. In another aspect, the invention is a method of pumping fluids using a motor having vortex generators (366) on its exterior surfaces or on the interior surfaces of a surrounding shroud.

Abstract: The production rate, useful life and operating efficiency of electric submergible pumping systems (ESP) is improved by operating the system so that the motor is cooled by two passes of production. The two passes of production fluid are achieved by employing a shroud with the inlet at the opposite end of the production fluid intake or by installing the motor below the perforations that allow production fluids to enter a well. The motor is designed with an internal conduit through which the production fluids are pumped. Production fluids remove waste heat from the motor by passing in fluid contact with the exterior of the motor and again by passing through the internal conduit of the motor. The improved cooling permits the motor to be operated at a lower temperature improving life and efficiency, and/or to be operated at higher power at a similar temperature. Additionally, oversized and excess equipment is not required, further improving performance and economics for the user.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for temporarily disabling the operation of a noise-producing electrical device or internal combustion engine upon detection of a predetermined awareness condition, such as an incoming telephone call, doorbell ring, security system alarm or other awareness condition. For disabling operation of an electrical device, the apparatus includes a command module and one or more switchable power receptacles that respond to a control signal from the command module, de-energizing the electrical device, when at least one of the predetermined awareness conditions is detected. Control signals are communicated to the switchable power receptacles via either a radio frequency signal, or by a modulated signal that is conveyed over an alternating current electrical power circuit to which the command module and switched power receptacle(s) are connected.

Abstract: Provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention, in one preferred embodiment, is a pumping system (90). The system includes a housing (108) rotatably supporting a tube (112), with a plurality of magnets (116) located around the tube. The magnets create magnetic forces that cause the tube to rotate. The system further includes a pump (94) connected to the tube. When the tube rotates, the pump receives rotational mechanical energy, which operates the pump. Additionally, the tube and pump are connected in fluid communication such that fluid flows through the pump and the tube, when the system operates to pump a fluid. Preferably, the outlet end (98) of the pump connects to the tube in the system so that fluid first flows through the pump, and then through the tube.

Abstract: Provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention, in one preferred embodiment, is a mechanism (10). The mechanism functions in general for providing motive force, and is specially adapted for pumping applications. In particular, the mechanism includes an impeller/pumping section integral with a drive system (16). The mechanism includes a housing (14), and a tube (18) rotatably mounted within the housing. Specifically, the tube mounts in the housing for rotation of the tube relative to the housing, substantially about the tube's longitudinal axis. A power or drive system (16) connected to the tube, and/or forming part of the tube, causes the tube to rotate relative to the housing. The drive system preferably includes a plurality of magnets (42) mounted within the housing, located around the tube, for creating magnetic forces for causing the tube to rotate. One or more impellers (20) mount to the tube. The impellers are adapted to cause fluid flow through the tube when the tube rotates.