Abstract: A telemetry unit (100) is provided for mounting to the inside of a pneumatic tire, which includes sensors for measuring the pressure and temperature within the tire and an RF transmitter for transmitting measured data to an on-board display remote location. The unit (100) includes a piezoelectric element (114) supported in a housing (112) with an actuator (136) arranged for contact with the element (114), to deflect the element (114) in response to external forces acting on the actuator (136) during rotation of the tire. For every rotation of the tire, cyclic pulses of electrical charge are generated by the deflection of the element (114). The unit (100) includes control means which controls the consumption of stored charge when measuring and transmitting data and is arranged to vary the rate of transmission of data from the unit (100) in dependence on the rotary speed of the tire.

Abstract: A telemetry unit (100) is provided for mounting inside a pneumatic tyre. The unit (100) includes a piezoelectric power generator for supplying power to the unit (100). A piezoelectric element (114) is supported in a housing (112) with an actuator 136 arranged for contact with the element (114), to deflect the element (114) in response to external forces acting on the actuator (136) during rotation of the tire. For every rotation of the tire, cyclic pulses of electrical charge are generated by the deflection of the element (114). The charge is stored and utilized under a power consumption protocol to operate pressure and temperature sensors and to transmit data from the unit (100). The telemetry circuitry is mounted for movement with the actuator (136) and therefore contributes to the actuating mass acting on the element (114).

Abstract: Low power consumption protocol A telemetry unit (100) is provided for mounting inside a pneumatic tire, which includes a piezoelectric element (114) supported in a housing (112), with an actuator (136) arranged for contact with the element (114), to deflect the element (114) in response to external forces acting on the actuator (136) during rotation of the tire. For every rotation of the tire, cyclic pulses of electrical charge are generated by the deflection of the element (114). The charge is stored and utilised under a power consumption protocol including the steps of: initiating power to a data measurement circuit for measuring data from the environment local to the unit (100); disabling power to the data measurement circuit; initiating power to a data transmission circuit; transmitting data from the measurement circuit; and disabling power to the transmission circuit.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is provided to cool the flux shields of dynamoelectric machines. In one embodiment of this invention, cooling fins are attached to a flux shield at localized areas of heating of the flux shield referred to as hot spots to reduce the temperatures there to acceptable levels. These fins may be provided with a tapered portion which minimizes the fluid losses associated with the flow of cooling gas over the fins. In another embodiment of the present invention, an annular rim, bored to provide cooling gas passages therethrough, is fixed to the flux shield along an inner portion thereof, to effect the transfer of heat from the flux shield to a flow of the cooling gas through the passages. Finally, in a third embodiment of the present invention, an electrically non-conducting annular baffle is disposed around the flux shield adjacent an inner surface thereof to direct a flow of cooling gas across the inner surface of the flux shield thereby cooling the same.