Abstract: The present invention provides a tire pressure regulation system for use in a pneumatic tire mounted on a vehicle to continuously maintain a predetermined optimum pressure by automatically inflating or deflating the tire as needed. The system employs one or more actuators, an air pump pneumatically coupled to the tire and a motion reversal device coupling the actuator and the piston of the pump. The actuators are controlled by the tire pressure in one direction and the tension of one or more springs in the other direction. The springs are attached to the handle of the piston at one end and the body of the pump at the other end to provide the appropriate tension to maintain the optimum pressure in the tire. When the tire pressure is low the pump piston is pulled out. The piston pumps air into the tire when the pulled out pump piston is pressed against the road while the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A tire assembly for a road vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a tire and first and second expandable chambers positioned within the tire. A series of actuators for selectively pumping air to the first and second chambers is provided, wherein the assembly includes a third chamber arranged between the first and second chambers. Each of the actuators is pneumatically connected to the first, second and third chambers by way of a radial air loop, wherein the radial air loop has a first chamber valve, a second chamber valve, an actuator valve, and a third chamber valve.

Abstract: A groove defined by groove sidewalls is positioned within the bending region of a tire sidewall. An elongate air tube positioned within the sidewall groove is in contacting engagement with the groove sidewalls and resiliently squeezes and collapses segment by segment as the groove constricts segment by segment within the rolling tire footprint. A longitudinally oriented projecting locking rib extends from a tube sidewall and registers within a complementary configured and located detent extending adjacent the groove to deter lateral movement of the tube within the groove after insertion. An annular projecting ridge extends from the groove for engaging the sidewalls of the air tube to deter an axial movement of the tube within the groove after insertion.

Abstract: A groove is positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall and deforms segment by segment within the rolling tire footprint. An air tube positioned within the sidewall groove is in contacting engagement with groove sidewalls and resiliently squeezes and collapses segment by segment as the groove constricts segment by segment within the rolling tire footprint. A series of adjacent projecting ridges extend from a groove sidewall segment into the groove air passageway, the projecting ridges operatively positioned to vary the applied pressure on the air tube increase the air pressure within the air tube passageway as the air tube rolls segment by segment with the tire through tire footprint. The series of projecting ridges are constructed having a variable amplitude and/or spacing frequency in a direction of air flow within the air passageway to increase the pressure applied to the air tube and air pressure of the air flowing through the tube passageway.

Abstract: A tire for a self-inflating tire system includes a tire carcass having an annular air tube-receiving groove formed within a tire carcass wall and a pump assembly within the groove. The pump assembly includes an air tube having an axial air passageway; an inlet device positioned along the air tube, the inlet having a tubular inlet body having an internal air passageway aligned with the air tube and having at least one inlet opening extending through the inlet body for admitting air into the tubular inlet body. The inlet device further includes an air filtering sleeve at least partially surrounding the inlet opening of the inlet device, the sleeve having a tubular sleeve body at least partially surrounding and in co-axial relationship the tubular inlet body.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an annular air tube connected to a tire and defining an annular air passageway, the air tube being composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. The air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to an inlet device for exhaust from the passageway or to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. The inlet device is positioned within the annular passageway 180 degrees opposite the outlet device such that sequential flattening of the air tube by the tire footprint effects pumping of air along the air passageway with the tire rotating in either a forward or reverse direction of rotation.

Abstract: An air pump, mounted on a wheel, which pumps ambient air into the tire chamber to automatically pump up the tire as the wheel rotates. The air pump generally comprises a cylinder and a piston, which relatively reciprocate to effect an intake stroke and a compression stroke. The intake stroke draws ambient air into a variable volume chamber. The pressurized air within the tire acts on the cylinder to effect the compression stroke, which forces the ambient air from the variable volume chamber into the tire chamber to pump up the tire.

Abstract: A automatic air pump for car wheel tires, especially those without tubes, utilizes an air piston with a cylinder fixed on a rim which enables its piston plate to contact and be pushed by the interior tire surface successively by the wheel rotation compressing air into the tire chamber until the pressure grows sufficient and the piston rod no longer touches the interior tire surface. If a static wheel is also desired to be pumped full of air automatically, a compressor and a pressure-gauge piston can be added. When the tire pressure grows insufficient, the compressor can be started by detaching a metallic plate from two metallic projections caused by the interaction of the piston rod and the interior tire and air is sucked into the cylinder and flows into the tire chamber sufficiently. Then a piston plate of a pressure-gauge piston is lifted up making an electric connection to cut the electricity from the compressor and the piston rod recovers its original position.