Tire pressure maintenance and monitoring system
First Claim
1. A generator, comprising:
- a sealed tube rotatable about an axis;
a fluid disposed within the tube such that the fluid moves within the tube when the tube accelerates about the axis; and
a turbine in communication with the fluid, the turbine being rotated by the moving fluid within the tube.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A generator system powered by a fluid fly-wheel is disclosed that generates electric current to power a tire pressure maintenance and monitoring system. A vehicle wheel including a tire and a rim. A sealed tube containing fluid is fixed around the rim. When the rim accelerates or decelerates, the fluid within the tube moves within the tube a turbine in communication with the fluid is turned by the moving fluid within the tube. The turning turbine drives an electric generator to produce an electric current through induction. In certain configurations, the turning turbine rotates gears to drive a mechanical pump. The electric generator, or mechanical pump may be used to add air pressure to the tire when a sensor indicates low air pressure.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A generator, comprising:
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a sealed tube rotatable about an axis;
a fluid disposed within the tube such that the fluid moves within the tube when the tube accelerates about the axis; and
a turbine in communication with the fluid, the turbine being rotated by the moving fluid within the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A generator, comprising:
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a sealed tube rotatable about an axis;
a fluid disposed within the tube such that the fluid moves within the tube when the tube accelerates about the axis;
a pair of opposing conductive coils in close proximity to the tube;
a magnetic turbine within the tube between the conductive coils, the magnetic turbine having a longitudinal axis; and
wherein the moving fluid within the tube rotates the magnetic turbine about the longitudinal axis to produce an electric current in the conductive coils. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A self-contained tire pressure maintenance system, comprising:
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a vehicle wheel comprising a tire and a rim;
a sealed tube fixed to the rim;
a fluid disposed within the tube such that the fluid moves within the tube when the rim rotationally accelerates;
a turbine in communication with the fluid inside the tube, the turbine being turned by the moving fluid; and
a pneumatic pump fixed to the rim and coupled to the turbine, the pump being configured to maintain constant air pressure within the tire when the turbine rotates. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A self-contained tire pressure maintenance system, comprising:
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a vehicle wheel comprising a tire and a rim;
a sealed tube fixed to the rim;
a fluid disposed within the tube such that the fluid moves within the tube when the rim rotationally accelerates;
a turbine in communication with the fluid inside the tube, the turbine being turned by the moving fluid; and
an electric generator connected to the turbine to produce an electric current through induction. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification