Abstract: A rotatable damper (100) comprises a mass (110) fully rotatable around an axis of rotation configured for self-damping a mechanical disturbance. The rotatable mass comprises a fully rotatable structure comprising an outer frame (2100) and an inner frame (2400) bound to rotate with the fully rotatable structure and further movable one relative to the other in at least one axis and a first chamber (3200), disposed between the outer frame and the inner frame, containing a fluid and comprising a first opening in direct communication with a first constriction (3300). The first chamber is readily compressible between a first portion of the outer frame and a second portion of the inner frame when forcibly approached by said mechanical disturbance. The first chamber, when compressed, is configured to expel at least partially the fluid through the first constriction, thereby facilitating damping of the mechanical disturbance.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for use with a vehicle is provided. The wheel assembly includes a first inner wheel portion, a second inner wheel portion positioned adjacent to the first inner wheel portion, a first wheel bladder coupled to the first inner wheel portion, and a second wheel bladder coupled to the second inner wheel portion.

Abstract: A tire with a cellular layer is provided. The tire includes a tire structure formed of at least one crown extended by two sidewalls and two beads. A base of each of the two beads is configured to be mounted onto a rim seat. The tire also includes a carcass-type reinforcing structure anchored into the two beads, and a layer that includes a cellular material, also referred to as a cellular layer. The cellular layer is positioned on an inner wall of the tire structure, such that the cellular layer is bonded to the tire structure over at most over 20% of a surface of the cellular layer and is not bonded to the tire structure elsewhere on the surface.

Abstract: A tire comprising an envelope made at least partly of rubber, defining an internal annular volume and having a crown (1), which defines a tread, two sidewalls (2) joined to the crown (1), and a supporting structure (4). The supporting structure (4) is pressurized and divides the annular volume of the tire into a plurality of compartments (400) or cells, and the sidewalls (2) are connected to or integral with the supporting structure (4).

Abstract: There is provided a tyre assembly (14) having a tyre (24), a moveable structure (50) and an expandable chamber (31) positioned within the tyre, the expandable chamber being arranged to displace the movable structure in vise between the retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the movable element contacts an inner surface of the tyre when in its deployed position so as to alter an outer profile of the tyre.

Abstract: A tire configured to be mounted on a mounting rim, comprising two beads, a crown comprising a tread, two sidewalls, a carcass reinforcing armature, and a membrane situated radially on the inside of the carcass reinforcing structure, this membrane comprising: (a) a membrane reinforcing armature anchored in each bead to the annular reinforcing structure, said membrane comprises a layer of reinforcement elements directed substantially radially and (b) an airtight layer of rubber mix; wherein the membrane is arranged in such a way that part of the membrane together with part of the carcass reinforcing armature delimits a chamber extending transversely and circumferentially; wherein, in any radial section, the curved length Lm of the trace of the surface of the chamber delimited by the membrane is greater than the curved length Lc of the trace of the surface chamber delimited by the carcass reinforcing armature (Lm>Lc).

Abstract: An automotive wheel used to substantially reduce energy loss due to tire flex and energy loss from a conventional drive train. The wheel includes a wheel hub, two sidewalls, an inner low pressure pneumatic chamber with hub protector, and an outer tread ring with inner tread wall and semi-rigid outer tread, containing an elastic band. The hub can contain an electric hub motor. The pneumatic chamber and a porous restraint band position the outer tread ring and enable the wheel to simulate an energy efficient high pressure pneumatic when, experiencing little deformation when under smooth road conditions. When road conditions are rough, the sidewalls and the outer tread ring temporarily flex in response to the increased road forces, simulating a low pressure conventional tire having ample space for deformation.

Abstract: A system for dissipating sound shock waves within a vehicle tire includes a wheel upon which a tire is mounted to create an internal air chamber defined by the wheel and the tire. A flow-resistant barrier is coupled to the wheel or the tire and defines an air cavity within the internal air chamber. A porous spacer can support the barrier with respect to the tire and also can provide a flexible energy damper. The barrier comprises a material that provides an acoustical resistance to sound shock waves passing therethrough. The air cavity defined by the barrier has a volume such that air within the cavity offers relatively small impedance to the passage of shock waves through the barrier and into the air cavity. The barrier also can produce frictional heat when displaced by a shock wave, thereby converting energy of the shock wave to heat to reduce noise associated therewith.

Abstract: The energy efficient wheel product substantially reduces energy loss due to tire flex and energy loss from a conventional automotive drive train. The wheel product includes an axis, a hub, two sidewalls, a low pressure inner chamber with shock absorbing hub protector, an outer ring with at least one high pressure pneumatic chamber with tread, and at least one restraint band radially restraining the outer ring to the hub. The hub can include an electric hub motor which rotates the hub, propelling the vehicle. The restraint band, sidewalls and pressurized chambers enable the wheel to simulate an energy efficient high pressure pneumatic wheel, experiencing little deformation when under smooth road conditions. When road conditions are rough, the band, sidewalls and outer chamber can temporarily buckle in response to the increased road forces, simulating a low pressure conventional tire having ample space for deformation.

Abstract: An inflatable tube having multiple chambers that are independently inflatable and deflatable so that loss of air pressure in one chamber does not result in loss of air pressure in another chamber, the tube being particularly suitable for use with a wheel and tire assembly of an agricultural implement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite ball-bouncing tire, comprising a subtire and an inner tube inside it, wherein the subtire includes a space between a ring-shaped base and its side walls, and the space includes a plurality of rails and fastening grooves that are arranged at intervals on its inner walls. A slope part that converges against the rolling-forward direction is established atop on both sides of the plurality of the rails, and at the bottom of the fastening grooves, there is a plurality of fixing grooves. One or more resilient balls are established in each rail and the inner tube includes a plurality of fixing parts on top of outer walls of a base component. When the subtire and inner tube rolls, the resilient balls will be pushed into the rails along the slope part and be pressed to bounce, thus producing supplementary force to drive the tire to move forward.

Abstract: An airbag device for a vehicle tire capable of stabilizing the vehicle timely when the tire is exploding or being punctured suddenly to avoid potential accidents and to ensure driving comfort. The airbag device comprises a resilient outer ring installed between the tire and the wheel hub, and an inner ring serving to support the resilient outer ring. The resilient outer ring and the inner ring are compressed between the tire and the wheel hub under normal tire air pressure, and a space serving to increase driving comfortability and keep the outer ring from contacting the inner surface of the tire tread is designed between the resilient outer ring and the inner surface of the tire tread. When the tire is exploding or the air pressure of the tire is lost, the resilient outer ring is capable of bouncing instantly to support the weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: Flexible enclosure comprising a working strip 2 and sidewalls 3, defining an envelope, and a sealing membrane 11 at least partially lining the envelope. The sealing membrane 11 is comprised of an elastic material 14 and a perforation-resistant reinforcement 15, the sealing membrane 11 being free with regard to the working strip 2 and attached to an opposite edge remote to the working strip 2.

Abstract: A tire with reduced rolling noise includes a tire structure formed of at least one crown extended by two sidewalls and two beads. A base of each of the two beads is configured to be mounted onto a rim seat. The tire also includes a carcass-type reinforcing structure anchored into the two beads and an additional layer bonded to an inner wall of the tire structure. The additional layer is bonded to the tire structure at its edges and the rest of the additional layer is not bonded. The additional layer includes an inflation valve.

Abstract: It is to solve a problem of an elongation of a partition in a safety tire wherein hollow particles called as a foamable composition are filled in a hollow ring-shaped partition and to propose a safety tire with a partition structure sufficiently developing a function of hollow particles. In a safety tire comprising a tire-approved rim assembly formed by assembling a tire onto an approved rim, a chamber defined inside the assembly through a hollow ring-shaped partition and extending along the rim in a circumferential direction, and thermally expandable hollow particles filled in the chamber, each of which particles consisting of a continuous phase of a resin and a closed cell(s), a hollow ring-shaped sub-partition is disposed on at least radially outside of an outer peripheral portion of the partition and a tire internal pressure is applied to an inside of the sub-partition.

Abstract: A pneumatic tires (20FL, 20FR, 20RL, 20RR) each having a plurality of air chambers disposed therein along a tread width direction. An internal pressure control device (100) includes a sensor unit (120) configured to inform a controller (110) that the four-wheel automobile (10) is going as being displaced in the leftward or rightward direction; and the controller (110) configure to change the internal pressures of the plurality of air chambers on the basis of the instruction outputted from the sensor unit (120).

Abstract: The present device is an integrated automotive wheel for electric vehicles which substantially reduces energy loss due to tire flex and energy loss from a conventional drive train. The wheel includes an axle, a hub, two composite sidewalls, a low pressure inner chamber with shock absorbing hub protector, and at least one outer high pressure pneumatic chamber with tread. The hub can contain an electric hub motor which rotates the wheel, propelling the vehicle. The sidewalls include at least one pressurized chamber which position the outer tread ring and enable the wheel to simulate an energy efficient high pressure pneumatic wheel, experiencing little deformation when under smooth road conditions. When road conditions are rough, the sidewalls can temporarily buckle in response to the increased road forces, simulating a low pressure conventional tire having ample space for deformation, with suspension and shock absorption capability built in.

Abstract: A system for dissipating sound shock waves within a vehicle tire includes a wheel upon which a tire is mounted to create an internal air chamber defined by the wheel and the tire. A flow-resistant barrier is coupled to the wheel or the tire and defines an air cavity within the internal air chamber. A porous spacer can support the barrier with respect to the tire and also can provide a flexible energy damper. The barrier comprises a material that provides an acoustical resistance to sound shock waves passing therethrough. The air cavity defined by the barrier has a volume such that air within the cavity offers relatively small impedance to the passage of shock waves through the barrier and into the air cavity. The barrier also can produce frictional heat when displaced by a shock wave, thereby converting energy of the shock wave to heat to reduce noise associated therewith.

Abstract: A wheel having a controlled pressure includes a rim associated with a tank adapted to be filled with a fluid to a first pressure; a tire mounted on the rim and having an inner volume inflated to an operating pressure at a reference temperature, the operating pressure being lower than the first pressure; and at least one valve assembly adapted to establish a communication between the tank, the inner volume of the tire and the external environment. The valve assembly includes a command valve, an exhaust valve and a compensation valve operatively associated with each other. The command valve controls communication between the tank and the inner volume of the tire. The exhaust valve is connected to the external environment, to the inner volume, to the command valve and to the compensation valve. The compensation valve is connected to the exhaust valve and the command valve.

Abstract: To provide a pneumatic tire capable of improving the durability of connection points between partition wall parts and a tire inside surface. In a pneumatic tire 10, partition wall parts 24 that extend inward in a tire radial direction from a tire inside surface 17 of tire shoulder parts 21 and whose tire radial direction inside ends contact a rim 12 are disposed. A pair of right and left reinforcement layers 38 are disposed in regions ranging from the partition wall parts 24 to tire side parts 20 via connection parts 29 between the partition wall parts 24 and the tire inside surface 17 such that the reinforcement layers 38 continue from the partition wall parts 24 to the tire side parts 20 via the connection parts 29 between the partition wall parts 24 and the tire inside surface 17.

Abstract: The invention is a high-efficiency wheel product for use with various ground vehicles. The product is designed to provide rolling support to the vehicle and to accommodate various surface conditions, for example, smooth pavement, rough pavement, potholes, dirt roads, and other conditions. The wheel product includes a multi-chambered pneumatic tire designed to minimize energy loss between the tire and a rolling surface by substantially reducing tire flex, a main source of energy loss in ground vehicles. Additionally, the product can reduce the need for conventional drive train elements such as shock absorbers.

Abstract: Provided is a tire wheel assembly making it possible to effectively reduce cavity resonance noise without causing either negative influence on deformation of a tire or deterioration in rim assembling workability. A tire wheel assembly of the present invention includes a pneumatic tire, and a wheel provided with a rim fitted with the pneumatic tire, and forms a cavity portion between the pneumatic tire and the rim. The tire wheel assembly comprises at least one tube, which has one end thereof closed while having a length of 55% to 110% of a reference length L0 corresponding to one fourth of a cavity resonance wavelength, is provided so as to open to the cavity portion.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a method comprising providing a tire having a component constructed and arranged to cause at least one portion of the tire to have a first stiffness or resistance to force exerted thereon under a first condition and a second stiffness or resistance to force exerted thereon under a second condition and selectively causing the first or second condition to occur.

Abstract: A tire is disclosed comprising a tread portion, two sidewall portions, two bead portions, an internal surface of the tire that forms a tire cavity, and at least three baffles within the tire cavity. The baffles may be made of compressible or non-compressible materials and may further include connecting members, encapsulating liners, or both. Further, a tire kit is disclosed comprising at least three baffles and at least one connecting member that connects the baffles. In addition, a method is disclosed that includes filling a tire with at least three baffles and then assembling the tire on a tire rim to reduce tire noise or to reduce tire force transmissibility.

Abstract: A tube-type tire to be mounted on the rim of a (e.g., spoke-type) wheel such as that commonly used by a bicycle or a motorcycle, whereby the tube-type tire will operate without a conventional inner tube and as if it were tubeless. The tire includes a main tire section that is seated upon the generally flat shelf of the rim and a pneumatic sealing ring having an inner tube that is seated upon the beadwell of the rim. An air chamber of the inner tube of the sealing ring is inflated to a greater pressure than an air chamber of the main tire section so as to isolate the air chamber of the main tire section from the rim and force the main tire section against the vertical lip of the rim. The sealing ring also has an outer inflatable liner that is located in surrounding engagement with the inner tube to separate the inner tube from the air chamber of the main tire section.

Abstract: An adjustable inner tube for a pneumatic tire includes a valve and a continuous tube. The continuous tube includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment covers a portion of the second segment and the second segment may slide relative to the first segment to alter the circumference of the tube.

Abstract: A safety liner (20) for a vehicle tire (500) includes a tubular body (22) having a one-way valve (24). A service valve (50) is selectively insertable into the one-way valve (24). Tubular body (22) is compressible into a flattened circular shape by a compressive force, and when the compressive force is removed, the tubular body (22) resiliently assumes its original toroidal shape. Safety liner (20) is installed in the cavity (503) of vehicle tire (500) as the vehicle tire (500) is being installed on the tire rim (502). If a blowout or other leak occurs, safety liner (20) will cause the shape of vehicle tire (500) to be retained at a reduced profile.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire, comprising adhesive sealant applied onto the inner surface thereof, wherein an air barrier membrane is disposed on the inner surface of the tire at least at a tread part, a space part is formed between the air barrier membrane and the inner surface of the tire, and the adhesive sealant is stacked on the space part side surface of the air barrier membrane, whereby an increase in weight can be minimized and a workability in handling the tire can be increased.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high-speed, puncture proof tire including a tire casing having a tread portion and a pair of side wall portions and a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes disposed within the tire casing. Each pressurized tube has an elongate body fabricated from film material that is sealed crosswise along the length of the body to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure. The tubes can be oriented radially or circumferentially within the annular space of the tire casing. In another embodiment of the tire, at least one panel of film material resistant to shear forces is disposed within the annular space of the tire casing. The panel is sealed lengthwise thereof to define a plurality of small diameter pressurized tubes. Each pressurized tube is sealed crosswise along the length of the tube to define at least two compartments that contain gas under pressure.

Abstract: A polyurethane-polymer composition suitable for preparing a lightweight tire support includes at least one isocyanate, at least one polyol, and at least one chain extender. A polyurethane-polymer composition can also include an additive such as a catalyst, a filler, a surfactant, a colorant, and a mold-release agent. A lightweight tire support can be prepared from a polyurethane-polymer composition by, for example, reaction injection molding. Such a tire support desirably has temperature stability and load-bearing capability.

Abstract: This invention modifies the conventional pneumatic tire and allows the tire to inflate itself to the desired running pressure by driving the vehicle it is mounted on. It consists of a bladder (or diaphragm) or preferably two or more bladders (or diaphragms), mounted to the inside surface of the tire, with check valves and a air supply tube which is connected to the atmosphere by way of a small hole in the sidewall of the tire. The invention employs an inflation valve (new invention) which allows for over pressure relief and a the ability to set the desired tire inflation pressure. The air inflation valve allows for quick inflations and eliminates the necessity for inflating checking pressure and adjusting and checking several times.

Abstract: A run flat tire that includes a tire casing and an inner support fitted within which tire casing, with the inner support to support the tire casing load upon run flat tire deflation. The tire casing and inner support are for mounting to a rim, the tire casing side wall bead ends to fit against side wall ends of the inner support that are maintained against rim interior stepped sections. The inner support is formed from an elastomeric material, preferably by casting or molding methods, to include an interior arch shaped cavity centered under the inner support outer surface having at least one hundred forty (140) degrees and not more than one hundred eighty (180) degrees of arc, and has a uniform thickness between the inner support inner and outer surfaces that is selected to support a particular anticipated load, after tire deflation, to support, in compression, the tire load for a target distance and speed.

Abstract: A segmented tire for resisting complete deflation after being punctured. The segmented tire includes a tire having an inside wall and an outside wall. An outer peripheral wall extends between and is integrally coupled to an outer edge of the inside wall and the outside wall. Each of the inside and outside walls has a generally circular shape and has a central area having a circular opening therein. An inner peripheral wall extends between and is integrally coupled to an edge of each of the openings such that a generally airtight interior of the tire is defined. Each of a plurality of intermediate walls is positioned within the tire. Each of the intermediate walls extends between and is attached to the inner peripheral wall and the outer peripheral wall such that the intermediate walls radiate outwardly from the inner peripheral wall to the outer peripheral wall.

Abstract: A low-section tire includes an air tube including an internal wall and two air tube sidewalls. The internal wall comprises a greater rigidity than the tube sidewalls so that, when a carcass and the tube are mounted on a rim, and during inflation, the tube sidewalls contact the carcass sidewalls no later than the internal wall contacts a crown portion of the carcass. A process for manufacturing the air tube includes moulding two tube sidewalls separated from each other, moulding a central core, arranging the tube sidewalls and central core in a single vulcanization mould, closing the vulcanization mould to form the tube, feeding pressurized fluid into at least two distinct circumferential portions of the tube, and vulcanizing the tube to join the central core and tube sidewalls. A mould for manufacturing the an air tube includes two axially-external cheeks, two axially-intermediate male dies, and two axially-inner spacers.

Abstract: A polyurethane-polymer composition suitable for preparing a lightweight tire support includes at least one isocyanate, at least one polyol, and at least one chain extender. A polyurethane-polymer composition can also include an additive such as a catalyst, a filler, a surfactant, a colorant, and a mold-release agent. A lightweight tire support can be prepared from a polyurethane-polymer composition by, for example, reaction injection molding. Such a tire support desirably has temperature stability and load-bearing capability.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tire for a conventional rim, having two exterior sidewalls and two interior walls, and an annular tread portion with a center, an interior and an exterior surface. The first and second sidewalls extend radially from the tread portion. Each sidewall has a perimeter edge which is sized and configured to be coupled to a wheel hub. The first and second interior walls extend from substantially near the perimeter edge of the first and second sidewalls, respectively, to a predetermined location on the interior surface of the tread portion. The first and second interior walls being attached to the tread portion to transfer loads applied to the tire by alternatively flexing and compressing in response to the loads applied to the tire.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel including a wheel rim, a pneumatic tire comprising a tread and first and second side walls, wherein each of the first and second side walls comprise a bead having a bead core, an emergency running support body including an emergency running surface and first and second axial outer wall sections, the emergency running support body further comprising the shell-shaped ring body adapted to be disposed within the tire and to support the tire in case of damage, a first ring-shaped supporting element, and a second ring-shaped supporting element, whereby the first axial outer wall section is supported on the wheel rim via the first ring-shaped supporting element and the second axial outer wall section is supported on the wheel rim via the second ring-shaped supporting element, wherein the shell-shaped ring body is one of removably connected and removably attached to one of the first ring-shaped support element and the second ring-shaped support element, and wherein one of the first ring-shaped support

Abstract: A multi-chamber pneumatic tire system for compensating for a loss of air pressure within one chamber to permit continued use of the tire. The multi-chamber pneumatic tire system includes an outer tube housing having a plurality of interior walls to define a plurality of interior chambers, each of the chambers having a gas valve for filling the respective interior chamber with a gas. In an embodiment, the interior walls are flexible to permit gas pressure adjustment throughout the tube to provide a smoother ride when one of the interior chambers loses gas pressure.

Abstract: A shock absorbing tire and wheel assembly, particularly suitable for civil engineering plant comprises interconnected outer (15) and inner (14) chambers. The chambers are interconnected by passages which preferentially allow flow from the outer chamber (15) to the inner chamber (14). The passages preferably include at least one passage (21) which permits flow in either direction between the chambers and at least one passage (22) which permits flow from the outer chamber to the inner chamber, but prevents or restricts reverse flow. The passages (22) may be fitted with flap valves (23).