Abstract: A control valve suitable for use with a tire and pump assembly is described that controls the flow of air from the pump into the tire. The control valve includes an optional bi-directional feature. 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: In one representative embodiment, a tire comprises an inner shell having a hollow interior space, an outer shell disposed radially outward from the inner shell, and at least one pump assembly disposed adjacent to the inner shell and having a compressible tube portion, wherein the tube portion of the pump assembly is configured to expand radially outwardly beyond the outer shell and to compress radially inwardly, and wherein the pump assembly is configured to direct a fluid from the tube portion of the pump assembly to the interior space of the inner shell.

Abstract: A vehicle tire includes a selectively actuated stud deployment system for increased traction. The studs are contained in cells in the surface of the tire and forced to deploy by pneumatic or fluid pressure. When the pressure is released, the studs retract.

Abstract: A device for transport of air in the tire P or close to it consisting of a chamber K in the shape of a hollow compressible channel, placed along at least a part of the tire perimeter, characterized by the fact that a ring OK is placed at the inner side of the chamber K with the distance of its outer side from the tire axis of rotation equal to 1 to 1.1 multiple of the distance of the bottom side of the chamber K from the axis of rotation of the tire P.

Abstract: A compression device for a self-inflating tire is provided that includes a first surface made from a flexible memory material, where the first surface is mechanically connected to a pumping chamber, where the first surface includes a first arm, a second arm and a fulcrum along an X-Y plane, where the fulcrum is disposed between the first arm and the second arm, an arc-shape length along a Y-Z plane that is configured to conform to an inner surface of a tire, a first state, where when in the first state, the first surface conforms to an unloaded, pressurized inner surface of the tire, and a second state, where when in the second state, the first surface collapses radially outward about the fulcrum by the first arm and the second arm, where air is drawn in from the atmosphere and pushed through the pumping chamber into the tire.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. The sidewall groove extends into an annular, axially extending, sidewall surface such as an axially oriented surface of a tire chafer protrusion located in non-contacting relationship with the rim. The opposite groove surfaces comprise a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising: a diene based rubber; from 0.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes a first and second air tube mounted within a tire wherein each air tube defines an air passageway. Each air tube is 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. Each 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 outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. Each air tube has an inlet end that are joined together by an inlet device. Each air tube has an outlet end that are joined together by an outlet device The inlet device is preferably positioned 180 degrees opposite the outlet device. The inlet device allows air to transfer from one air tube to the other air tube. The outlet device allows air to transfer from one air tube to the tire cavity.

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: An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having an elongate valve stem projecting outward from the tire cavity and a tire sidewall having an elongate sidewall groove formed therein and housing an elongate air tube. A connecting tube extends between the air tube and the valve stem, the connecting tube having an internal connecting air passageway for directing air forced along the air tube air passageway into the internal valve stem passageway as the tire rolls over a ground surface.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a pneumatic rubber tire which contains an outer, annular, circular groove which contains a flexible tube bonded to the walls of the groove.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air passageway in the tire that is operable to be sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air from a valve device through the passageway to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. The valve device has an internal pressure membrane that regulates the inlet flow of the air to the tube pump.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire includes an air inlet housing affixed to the inner liner of a tire. An elongate sidewall air pumping passageway is incorporated within a first tire sidewall. An elongate air tube is contained within the first sidewall and has an elongate elliptical internal air passageway. The air tube is configured having a substantially on-side mushroom-shaped sectional shape extending radially into the first tire sidewall formed by a radially inward tube cap and a radially outward tube stem. Inlet and intake conduits connect into sockets of the inlet housing and a pressure regulating valve system within the inlet housing controls pressurized air flow from the tube internal air passageway into the tire cavity.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire includes an air inlet housing affixed to the inner liner of a tire. An elongate sidewall air pumping passageway is incorporated within a first tire sidewall. An intake conduit and an elongate tubular inlet conduit are provided having a quick connect/disconnect latching attachment to sockets formed by the air inlet housing.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air passageway in the tire that is operable to be sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air from an inlet device through the passageway to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. A valve device for a tire is also disclosed. The valve device includes an insert mounted in the tire, a valve body mounted within the valve insert; wherein the valve body has a first, second and third chamber, wherein a first and second check valve is positioned in the first and second chamber. A pressure membrane is received within the valve body, and positioned to open and close the third chamber. The pressure membrane is in fluid communication with the tire cavity and the third chamber of the valve body. A spring is received within the third chamber and is positioned to exert force upon the pressure membrane to bias the pressure membrane position relative to the channel in the open position.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air passageway in the tire that is operable to be sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air from an inlet device through the passageway to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. A valve device for a tire is also disclosed. The valve device includes an insert mounted in the tire, a valve body mounted within the valve insert; wherein the valve body has a first, second and third chamber, wherein a first and second check valve is positioned in the first and second chamber. A pressure membrane is received within the valve body, and positioned to open and close the third chamber. The pressure membrane is in fluid communication with the tire cavity and the third chamber of the valve body. A spring is received within the third chamber and is positioned to exert force upon the pressure membrane to bias the pressure membrane position relative to the channel in the open position.

Abstract: A tire has an elongate profiled sidewall groove extending into a first tire sidewall from an outward first sidewall surface. An elongate air tube is positioned within the elongate sidewall groove in contact with the groove sidewalls, the air tube having an external surface configuration corresponding with and seating within the internal sidewall configuration defining the sidewall groove. The air tube when subject to outward originating impinging force collapses from an expanded unstressed configuration into a collapsed configuration to allow the tube to insert through the groove entry opening and expand outwardly once within the sidewall groove to its unstressed configuration. The configuration of the groove sidewalls capture the air tube within the groove in its expanded unstressed configuration to prevent separation of the tube from the tire during use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire with an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the tire and extending substantially in a circumferential direction, wherein upon rolling of the tire air is pressed through the air passageway and a valve assembly in air flow communication with the tire cavity, the annular air passageway and the exterior of the tire and having an air inlet for allowing air to enter the valve assembly from the exterior of the tire as well as an air outlet for allowing air to enter the tire cavity.

Abstract: An elongate air tube is positioned within a tire sidewall cavity in contacting internal engagement with the tire sidewall to form an assembly. The air tube includes an internal elongate air passageway and wing projections projecting in opposite directions at an axially inward body portion. The wing projections seat within cavity pockets to retain the air tube within the cavity. The air tube body operatively compresses responsive to impinging stress forces from the tire sidewall against the air tube body, whereby the air tube body reconfiguring from an expanded unstressed configuration into a compressed configuration to constrict the air passageway. The air tube body decompresses into the expanded configuration upon reduction of the impinging stress forces against the air tube body.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to air maintenance tires and, more specifically, to a pump mechanism for supplying air into such tires.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire and pump assembly includes an elongate annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of a tire, the air passageway operatively closing and opening segment by segment as the bending region of the tire passes through a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway. A pair of inline valves are positioned on respective opposite sides of an inlet junction and direct a flow of inlet air in opposite directions into the air passageway; and a pair of outlet valves are positioned at a downstream side of a respective inline valve and direct a flow of the inlet air from the downstream side of a respective inline valve toward the tire cavity. The valves are selectively opened by a direction of air flow within the air passageway which, in turn, is directionally determined by the direction in which the tire rotates.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an 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.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire assembly includes a tire, a filter element disposed between a pneumatic cavity and atmosphere. The filter element has threads for securing to the pneumatic tire. First and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has a bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint. A sidewall groove defines groove walls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The sidewall groove deforms in response to bending of the bending region of the first sidewall while radially within the rolling tire footprint. An air passageway is defined by the sidewall groove and deforms when radially within the rolling tire footprint.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an 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. The invention further includes an inlet device for regulating the inlet flow of the air tube pump.

Abstract: A method of forming an air passageway in a an air maintenance tire carcass includes: embedding an elongate strip within a pre-cured flexible tire component of a pre-cured tire carcass, the elongate strip extending in a longitudinal direction between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component; curing the pre-cured tire carcass including the flexible tire component; extracting the elongate strip longitudinally end-to-end from occupancy within the flexible tire component; and defining an air passageway in the flexible component by the space previously occupied by the withdrawn elongate strip. A free end portion of the strip is accessible at either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity, and the elongate strip may be extracted from either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity by a tensile withdrawal force applied to the elongate strip free end.

Abstract: A tire assembly includes a tire, sidewalls, and a sidewall groove. The tire has a pneumatic cavity. The sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint of the tire. The sidewall groove is defined by groove sidewalls positioned within the bending region of the tire sidewall. The sidewall groove deforms segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to the bending of the sidewall bending region when radially within the rolling tire footprint. An air passageway is defined by the sidewall groove and a cover strip. The air passageway resiliently deforms 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 radially within the rolling tire footprint.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an 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. The invention further includes an outlet device for regulating the tire cavity pressure and flow into the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of constructing a tire, comprising: constructing a coated filament, the coated filament constructed by coating a filament with a coating material, the coating material comprising at least one substance dispersible in an uncured rubber compound; encasing the coated filament into containment within an uncured flexible tire component, the coated filament extending between an air inlet and an air outlet cavity in the pre-cured flexible tire component; building on a tire building drum a green tire carcass from uncured tire components including the uncured flexible tire component and encased coated filament; curing the green tire carcass into a cured finished tire including the flexible tire component containing the coated filament; removing the filament from the cured flexible tire component to leave within the flexible tire component a substantially unobstructed air passageway.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire system includes a compression actuator assembly mounted to a tire carcass for compressing air for delivery to a tire cavity. The compression actuator assembly includes a hollow containment body formed from a resilient deformable material composition and containing a quantity of a non-compressible medium. The containment body is affixed to a relatively high flex-deformation region of the tire carcass and reciprocally transforms between a deformed state and a non-deformed state responsive to deformation and recovery of the tire high flex-deformation region in a rolling tire. Accordingly, the containment body in the deformed state displaces a pressurized displaced quantity of the non-compressible medium which generates a compression force for application to a volume of air delivered to the tire cavity.

Abstract: An air-maintenance tire system includes a compression actuator mounted to the tire carcass configured for operative actuation by tire deformation during a tire revolution, a pump assembly affixed to the tire carcass and including a compressor body affixed to the compression actuator and having an internal air chamber, the air chamber having an inlet opening for admitting air into the internal air chamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from the internal air chamber to the tire cavity. The air compressor body further includes a deformable membrane valve member and an outlet valve member located within and at opposite respective ends of the internal air chamber, the membrane valve member deforming and the outlet valve member moving within the internal air chamber responsive to actuation by the compression actuator between respective open and closed positions, whereby cyclically opening and closing the inlet and the outlet openings during an air compression cycle.

Abstract: An air-maintenance tire system includes a compression actuator mounted to the tire carcass configured for operative actuation by tire deformation during a tire revolution, a pump assembly affixed to the tire carcass and including a compressor body affixed to the compression actuator and having an internal air chamber, the air chamber having an inlet opening for admitting air into the internal air chamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from the internal air chamber to the tire cavity. The air compressor body further includes a piston valve member and an outlet valve member located within and at opposite respective ends of the internal air chamber, the piston valve member and the outlet valve member moving within the internal air chamber responsive to actuation by the compression actuator between respective open and closed positions, whereby cyclically opening and closing the inlet and the outlet openings during an air compression cycle.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an 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 a regulator device. The regulator device regulates the inlet air flow to the air tube and the outlet air flow to the tire cavity.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes one or more air tube(s) connected to a tire and having a plurality of adjoining diaphragm chambers separated by a one-way valve. An air passageway extends through the air tube and the diaphragm chambers. The one-way valve allows a directional passage of air through the valve from an inlet valve side an outlet valve side. The footprint in a rotating tire sequentially collapses the diaphragm chambers to directionally pump air through the one-way valve between the diaphragm chambers and along the air passageway from an air tube inlet device to an air tube outlet device.

Abstract: A helical cord having an elliptical shape and the like is manufactured so that a length-to-width ratio or a dimension of a shaped form of the cord to be shaped in a longitudinal direction can be changed. A cord (C) is sequentially passed through through holes (21H, 22H) of stationary and movable shaping bodies (21, 22) opposing each other of a shaping device (20). At that time, the movable shaping body (22) is moved along the stationary shaping body (21) by a moving device so that the through holes (21H, 22H) become eccentric with respect to each other, and the cord (C) passing between the eccentric through holes (21H, 22H) is bent and deformed so as to be shaped.

Abstract: A method of constructing a self-inflating tire assembly includes molding in an air tube-receiving groove within a green tire carcass wall, the groove having an access opening, primary internal groove chamber and a secondary expansion groove chamber adjacent to and communicating with the internal groove chamber. A groove partial passageway is molded with the groove at a prescribed groove outlet location and extends from the groove partially through the tire carcass wall toward the tire cavity. A tire carcass wall barrier of reduced section between the partial passageway and the tire cavity is removed in a post-cure operation to create a through-bore from the groove to the tire cavity. A pump assembly inserts into the tube-receiving groove in a post-cure procedure with an outlet passage tube from a pump assembly outlet device extended through the through-bore to the tire cavity.

Abstract: A tire assembly includes a tire carcass body and an air tube body extending between an outward facing tire body surface and an inward tire body surface. The air tube body has an enclosed hollow enclosed outlet end at a first end and an enclosed hollow inlet end at an opposite second end. An air passageway extends through the air tube body from the inlet end to the outlet end. The outlet end is positioned to face exposed from the outward tire body surface and the inlet end is positioned to face exposed from the inward tire body surface. The air tube body is integrally formed of resilient flexible material composition and includes a hollow outer casing and one or more hollow air cables positioned within the casing for regulating the rate of air flow from the inlet end to the outlet end.

Abstract: A device for automatically maintaining tire pressure is adapted to pump air into a tire up to two times per wheel revolution. Embodiments of the device include a flexible compression strip adapted for attachment to an inner peripheral surface of a tire. Opposing compression faces on the compression strip apply pressure to a compression tube attached to the compression strip. Air in an air reservoir inside the compression tube is expelled from a collapsible segment of the compression tube pressed on by the compression faces and into accumulator segments extending beyond the edges of the compression strip. A ratio of the combined volumes of the collapsible and accumulator segments to the volume of the collapsible segment determines a set point pressure. Air is expelled into a tire having an inflation pressure less than the set point pressure but is not expelled into a tire having pressure greater than the set point pressure.

Abstract: An air passageway body resides within a tire body and extends between an outward facing tire body surface and the tire cavity, the air passageway body having an enclosed air passageway extending between a hollow body outlet end facing the tire cavity and a hollow inlet end facing outward from the outward facing tire body surface. A tapping device is affixed over one or both of the ends of the air passageway body, the tapping device having an external vent opening and a protrusion member penetrating through a sidewall of the air passageway body to operatively establish an air flow path extending between the air passageway of the air passageway body through the protrusion member and the tapping device vent opening. The air passageway body is installed pre-cure within a green tire carcass build of the tire body and the tapping device(s) are attached post-cure to the air passageway body.

Abstract: A wheel-supporting roller-bearing unit with air compressor that is compact and capable of keeping resistance against the rotation of the hub 4c low while at the same time maintaining good balance, and when necessary, is capable of obtaining compressed air having sufficient pressure regardless of the traveling speed of the vehicle. A plurality of cylinder holes 53 are located at a plurality of locations that are evenly spaced around the circumferential direction on the inside of a cylinder block 50 that is connected and fastened to the inside end section in the axial direction of the hub 4c. Pistons 54 fit inside these cylinder holes 53 and are moved back and forth by a piston-drive mechanism 62 as the cylinder block 50 rotates. The air compressor 2c is a reciprocating-piston compressor, so it is possible to obtain the required air pressure regardless of rpm.

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: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. The sidewall groove extends into an annular, axially extending, sidewall surface such as an axially oriented surface of a tire chafer protrusion located in non-contacting relationship with the rim.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. The sidewall groove extends into an annular, axially extending, sidewall surface such as an axially oriented surface of a tire chafer protrusion located in non-contacting relationship with the rim.

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 vehicle tire that automatically replenishes air pressure is described. The vehicle tire includes a tire portion that surrounds a wheel and is filled with air, and an air pressure replenishing member that is arranged at the inside of the tire portion and coupled with a portion of the outer surface of the wheel to replenish the air pressure when the air pressure in the tire portion is low. The vehicle tire may automatically replenish the air pressure when the air pressure in the tire portion is too low by the air pressure replenishing member, and thus fuel efficiency and driving performance of the vehicle may be maintained at a constant level.

Abstract: A chamber (1) that works as a peristaltic pump for the pressure correction in the tire (4), which is a part of the tire (4) or of an ancillary structure (6) placed between the rim (7) and the tire bead (4) and is connected with the tire (4) internal space at one end and with the external environment at the other end. The chamber (1) is in the shape of a curved hollow channel, where at least one enclosing wall is at least partially formed by at least a pair of surfaces (10) coplanar with the longitudinal direction of the chamber (1). When the tire is mounted on the rim, the pair of surfaces (10) are pressed together thus hermetically closing the chamber (1). When the chamber (1) is closed during rotation of the wheel, the surfaces (10) can slightly slide on one another taking internal wall tensions onto themselves thus decreasing the possibility of wall damage through ripping. A method of producing the chamber (1) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hose-type structure is arranged essentially between the tire and the rim, which structure is connected at the end side with the environment and, by way of a valve, with the interior of the tire. The hose-type structure fills the tire during its rotating movement, and is locally squeezed from the environment side toward the tire interior, in which case the hose-type structure is provided in the area between the tire and the rim flange. A duct is provided in the rim flange or in the tire in the area of its bead chamfer, and at least partially receives the hose-type structure in the form of a hose. The geometry of the duct and of the hose-type structure is selected such that this air-conveying squeezing essentially takes place only as long as the internal tire pressure is below a desired value.

Abstract: An air supply device is provided on a rotating body having an air filling portion into which air is filled. The air supply device has a device body provided with a cylinder, and a piston mounted movably in the cylinder, the device body being joined at the middle of a valve so that a through-hole is communicated to a flow passage of the valve. A direction, in which the piston is moved, corresponds substantially to a radial direction of a tire unit (wheel), and the piston can be moved by a centrifugal force, which is generated by rotation of the tire unit. A latch for latching the piston is formed below the piston in the cylinder, in which a coil spring is mounted. Also, the device body is provided with an adjusting screw, check valves, and an air filter.

Abstract: A device for generating energy in a rolling wheel includes one part that can move with respect to a wheel rim. The one part is engaged with elastic portion that keeps it in contact with a predetermined bead portion of a tire. The one part undergoes reciprocating outward and return motion against action of the elastic portion, as a result of forces induced in the one part by contact pressure that varies cyclically during each tire revolution and is exerted on the one part by the predetermined bead portion. Also disclosed is a method for generating energy in a rolling wheel that includes subjecting one part of the wheel to elastic force that keeps the one part in contact with the predetermined bead portion, and subjecting the one part to the cyclically-varying contact pressure.

Abstract: A device for maintaining inflation pressure within a tire interior of a tire mounted on a rotating wheel with a rim. The device includes a compressor with piston penetrateably mountable on the wheel rim or in communication with a valve stem that incorporates air delivery to the compressor as mounted within the tire. The piston is in communication with a compressible piston driver having a distal end in contact with the inner floor of the mounted tire where the outer side of the tire contacts the ground once every revolution of the wheel. Repeated deformation of the rotating tire where it contacts the ground outside the distal end of the driver is transferred to the air compressor through a piston compression stroke. When such ground contact is not occurring, centrifugal force causes radial movement to accomplish the intake stroke of the piston. In this repetitious manner a small amount of air is forced into the tire during each rotation thereof when needed to maintain desired inflation pressure.

Abstract: A device for automatically maintaining desired air pressure within a vehicle tire utilizes deformation of the rotating tire where it contacts the road surface to operate an air compressor. The air compressor is formed in the wheel and connected to the tire, the compressor responsive to deformation of the tire causing compressed air to pass into the tire. The compressor is preferably of a reciprocating piston type having a cylinder adapted to receive a sliding piston, the piston preferably slidably received within a plunger in contact with the inside of the tire. A spring is preferably disposed between the plunger and the piston to limit the motion of the piston to a fixed displacement less than the deformation of the tire, such that the tire inflation system is operable for a wide range of deformations of the tire.