Tire-Mounted Energy Generator and Monitor

• US 20060243043A1
• Filed: 05/08/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Automotive Technologies International Incorporated
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,549,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/041 Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel

Abstract

Information management and monitoring system and method for monitoring components on an apparatus during its operation includes a monitoring system including sensors for monitoring the components operation thereof, and a processing module arranged on the apparatus and to receive and process data about the monitored components from the sensors. The module derives information from the data about the monitored components to determine whether any component is operating in a non-optimal manner and/or to forecast failure of any component prior to such failure. The system also includes at least one remote entity interested in the operation or failure of any component. A wireless communication system is arranged on the apparatus and coupled to the module for enabling wireless communications of derived information from the module to each entity during operation of the apparatus, including information about the presence and identity of any non-optimally operating component or component forecast to fail.

Claims

1. In a tire having a tread and sidewalls, a monitoring arrangement comprising:

at least one tire condition sensor arranged on the tire to measure a condition of the tire; and

energy generating means arranged on the tread of the tire for generating electricity upon rotation of the tire, said energy generating means being connected in a circuit with said at least one tire condition sensor whereby said energy generating means power said circuit and thus provides energy for said at least one tire condition sensor to measure the condition of the tire.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said at least one tire condition sensor and said energy generating means are part of a tire monitor assembly.

3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein said tire monitor assembly is affixed to an interior surface of the tire opposite the tread or inserted into the tire opposite the tread.

4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said at least one tire condition comprises at least one accelerometer arranged to measure at least one of tangential and radial acceleration of the tire.

5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said at least one tire condition comprises at least one tire pressure sensor arranged to measure pressure in the interior of the tire.

6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said at least one tire condition comprises at least one tire temperature sensor arranged to measure temperature of the interior of the tire.

7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said energy generating means comprises a piezoelectric device.

8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said energy generating means comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric polymer.

9. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said energy generating means is arranged to flex whereby flexure causes energy generation.

10. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising energy storage devices arranged in said circuit for storing energy generated by said energy generating means.

11. In a tire having a tread and sidewalls, a monitoring arrangement comprising:

at least one accelerometer arranged on the tire to measure at least one of tangential and radial acceleration of the tire; and

an energy generating means for generating electricity upon rotation of the tire, said energy generating means being connected in a circuit with said at least one accelerometer whereby said energy generating means power said circuit and thus provides energy for said at least one accelerometer to measure the at least one of the tangential and radial acceleration of the tire.

12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein said at least one tire condition sensor and said energy generating means are part of a tire monitor assembly.

13. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said tire monitor assembly is affixed to an interior surface of the tire opposite the tread or inserted into the tire opposite the tread.

14. The arrangement of claim 12, wherein said tire monitor assembly includes at least one tire pressure or temperature sensor in said circuit and arranged to measure pressure or temperature in the interior of the tire.

15. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein said energy generating means comprises a piezoelectric device or a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric polymer.

16. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein said energy generating means is arranged to flex whereby flexure causes energy generation.

17. The arrangement of claim 11, further comprising energy storage devices arranged in said circuit for storing energy generating by said energy generating means.

18. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein said energy generating means is arranged on the tread of the tire.

19. A method for monitoring a tire, comprising:

arranging at least one tire condition sensor on the tire;

measuring a condition of the tire via the at least one tire condition sensor; and

generating electricity upon rotation of the tire via an energy generating mechanism arranged on the tread of the tire; and

connecting the at least one tire condition sensor and the energy generating mechanism in a circuit such that the energy generating mechanism powers the circuit upon rotation of the tire and thus provides energy for the at least one tire condition sensor to measure the condition of the tire.

20. A method for monitoring a tire, comprising:

arranging at least one accelerometer on the tire;

measuring at least one of tangential and radial acceleration of the tire via the at least one accelerometer;

generating electricity upon rotation of the tire via an energy generating mechanism; and

connecting the at least one accelerometer and the energy generating mechanism in a circuit such that the energy generating mechanism powers the circuit upon rotation of the tire and thus provides energy for the at least one accelerometer to measure the at least one of the tangential and radial acceleration of the tire.