Abstract: An expandable wheel (100) assembly attached to a vehicle includes a circular rim disc (200) operable to receive a plurality of drive members (300) about its circumference. The drive members (300) are pivotally connected to the rim disc (200) and expand outward from the rim disc (200) via sliding levers (500) when a rotational force is applied to the rim disc (200). As a result, the drive members (300) increase the ground clearance and enhance the ability for the vehicle to negotiate variable terrain while also increasing the top velocity of the vehicle. The expandable wheel (100) assembly contracts to a circumferential closed position when the rotational force is removed.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing water injectivity into a subterranean wellbore may include injecting a first composition comprising nitrate anions having a nitrate concentration into a target zone of the subterranean wellbore; injecting a second composition comprising nitrate anions into the target zone of the subterranean wellbore, where the second composition has a nitrate concentration of from about 20% to about 70% the nitrate concentration of the first composition; optionally injecting a third composition comprising nitrate anions into the target zone of the subterranean wellbore, where the third composition has a nitrate concentration of from about 20% to about 70% the nitrate concentration of the second composition; and injecting water, where the water injection pressure is reduced by about 5% to 25% compared to the water injection pressure in an untreated subterranean wellbore, where the nitrate anions are reduced by bacteria present in the subterranean wellbore.

Abstract: A vehicle traction system that is operably coupled to a vehicle and is deployable to assist in providing improved traction on surfaces such as but not limited to snow or ice. The present invention includes a housing that is annular in diameter and mounted intermediate inner and outer dual wheel flanges. Movably coupled with the housing are a plurality of connection members. The connection members have secured thereto tractions pads. The connection members are configured to extend outward to place the traction pads in position to engage a surface on which the vehicle is superposed. The connection members include an engagement plate distally mounted from the traction pads. The connection members are configured to extend outward to place the traction pads in position to engage a surface on which the vehicle is superposed. The connection members include an engagement plate distally mounted from the traction pads.

Abstract: A system is provided for retractably deploying traction of a wheel. The system includes a set of grippers, each gripper having a cleat and a radially disposed strut. The system further includes a set of first poles, each first pole coupled to one of the struts, the first pole configured to support motion of its corresponding strut between a parked position and an engaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the corresponding cleat is axially disposed and engaged against the tread of the wheel and, in the parked position, the corresponding cleat is disengaged from the tread of the wheel. The system includes a first faceplate configured to rotate with the wheel. The system further includes a cleat deployment mechanism having a second faceplate rotatably coupled to the first faceplate, and a set of second poles, each second pole coupled to one of the struts and to the second faceplate.

Abstract: This invention includes embodiments which disclose a wheel system for use in supporting irrigation equipment such as irrigation circles and pivots, among others. Embodiments of the disclosed wheel system may include a plurality of feet with gaps there-between, configured generally radially around a hub and to minimize the lateral displacement of mud, soil water.

Abstract: A mobility device designed to be installed on a wheel of a vehicle comprises a device body extending longitudinally along a wheel axis and having a mechanism, the mechanism being provided with a scroll plate extending generally radially and having opposing inner and outer plate faces, and a plurality of stakes each extending generally radially away from a hub, the scroll plate having at least one spiral groove formed therein, the spiral groove being associated with, and driving the plurality of stakes reciprocably extending and/or retracting generally radially relative to the device body by a pin associated with each of the plurality of stakes and being engaged by the spiral groove of the scroll plate.

Abstract: A protective device for tire walls has a holder for attaching the protective device on a wheel. The protective device has protective elements connected to the holder. The protective elements are shape-stable parts that under load are elastically deformable. They extend approximately radially away from the holder. The protective elements do not protect the entire tire but only the endangered area of the tire walls.

Abstract: A traction control device for a lawn mower comprising a pair of lawn gripping assemblies. A facility is for mounting each lawn gripping assembly onto a side of each rear wheel of the lawn mower, so as to prevent the lawn mower from sliding down a steep sloped grade, when cutting grass across it on a lawn.

Abstract: An armored tracked vehicle is provided with traction-increasing grousers and a remotely controllable system for extending and retracting the grousers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grousers are extended by a hydraulic system formed of a plurality of radially arrayed pistons and cylinders. Conduits for the hydraulic system are located in protected positions within the vehicle's wheel axles. Preferably, the grousers are retracted in the absence of hydraulic pressure by springs located in each cylinder. Further, the grousers are arranged to align the track with respect to the wheels. This way, the track does not have to have a heavy center alignment guide.

Abstract: An auxiliary traction wheel is provided for use in combination with a tractor wheel so as to provide increased traction for the tractor. The traction wheel includes a pair of spaced apart rims at the perimeter of the wheel defining a channel therebetween. A plurality of traction plates are pivotally mounted within the channel for movement between a retracted position, wherein the traction plates are drawn into the channel, and an extended position wherein the traction plates extend radially outwardly beyond the perimeter edge of the wheel. The traction plates are interconnected by connecting rods so as to pivot in unison. Tension cables control the movement of the traction plates between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A vehicle slip protector including a frame to be fixed to a vehicle wheel for rotation therewith, spokes extending radially outward from the center axis of the frame which is aligned with the axle of the wheel, so as to be radially reciprocally slidably mounted to the frame, elastic shoes attached to the outer ends of the spokes, coils on the spokes urging the shoes radially outward to contact a road surface, and spikes embedded in the shoes for projecting outwardly of the shoes into contact with the road surface in response to a predetermined radial compression of the shoes applied by the coil springs while the elastic shoes are in contact with the road surface.

Abstract: A vehicle tire blowout protector is disclosed which comprises a first sidewall member with a peripheral shoulder having sufficient strength to support the vehicle. The sidewall member is mounted to the vehicle wheel so that it is adjacent to one side of the vehicle tire, and the peripheral shoulder is concentric to, and of a somewhat smaller outer diameter than, the vehicle tire.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-skid mechanism is a wheel attachment and fits on the outside of a vehicle wheel. The mechanism includes a central portion having an inner pair of plates between an outer pair of plates and tread members pivoted to each pair of plates. Turning the inner pair of plates relative to the outer plates displaces active portions of the tread members outwardly to more or less ground engaging positions. The tread members define the periphery of the mechanism and are configured to interfit with one another in their withdrawn inoperative positions. Hydraulic piston assemblies are mounted around the hub of the mechanism and connected to the inner pair of plates.