WHEEL-MOUNTED TIRE PUMPING AND ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A wheel for a vehicle, comprising:
- a wheel rim;
a tire mounted on said wheel rim to define an inflatable interior compartment;
a pump for pumping air into said compartment; and
an energy generating system for generating energy upon rotation of the wheel to power said pump and cause said pump to pump air into said compartment,said energy generating system comprising;
a first coil;
a magnetized mass movable upon rotation of the wheel relative to and at least partly in a chamber surrounded by said first coil; and
an energy storage or load device coupled to said first coil,whereby upon rotation of the wheel, said mass moves relative to said first coil imparting a charge to said first coil which is stored in or used by said energy storage or load device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Wheel for a vehicle includes a wheel rim, a tire mounted on the wheel rim to define an inflatable interior compartment, a pump for pumping air into the compartment, and an energy generating system for generating energy upon rotation of the wheel to power the pump and cause the pump to pump air into the compartment. The energy generating system may include a first coil, a magnetized mass movable upon rotation of the wheel relative to and partly in a chamber surrounded by the first coil, and an energy storage or load device coupled to the first coil. Upon rotation of the wheel, the mass moves relative to the first coil imparting a charge to the first coil which is stored in the energy storage or load device and used to power the pump when needed.
75 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A wheel for a vehicle, comprising:
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a wheel rim; a tire mounted on said wheel rim to define an inflatable interior compartment; a pump for pumping air into said compartment; and an energy generating system for generating energy upon rotation of the wheel to power said pump and cause said pump to pump air into said compartment, said energy generating system comprising; a first coil; a magnetized mass movable upon rotation of the wheel relative to and at least partly in a chamber surrounded by said first coil; and an energy storage or load device coupled to said first coil, whereby upon rotation of the wheel, said mass moves relative to said first coil imparting a charge to said first coil which is stored in or used by said energy storage or load device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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10. A wheel for a vehicle, comprising:
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a wheel rim; a tire mounted on said wheel rim to define an inflatable interior compartment; a pump for pumping air into said compartment; and an energy generating system for generating energy upon rotation of the wheel to power said pump and cause said pump to pump air into said compartment, said energy generating system comprising an energy generating pad arranged to generate energy based on bending deflection of a tread of said tire or deflection of said tire relative to said wheel rim. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27)
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15. A wheel for a vehicle, comprising:
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a wheel rim; a tire mounted on said wheel rim to define an inflatable interior compartment; a pump for pumping air into said compartment; and an energy generating system for generating energy upon rotation of the wheel to power said pump and cause said pump to pump air into said compartment, said energy generating system comprising; a coil arranged in a radial orientation of said tire between a tread of said tire and said wheel rim, a magnetized mass movable relative to and at least partly in a chamber surrounded by said coil, and an energy storage or load device coupled to said coil, whereby upon rotation of the wheel, said mass moves relative to said coil imparting a charge to said coil which is stored in or used by said energy storage or load device. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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16. A pumping system for a tire which inflates the tire upon rotation of the tire, comprising:
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a housing adapted to be mounted external to the tire, said housing defining a first fluid-receiving chamber; a mass movable in said housing in response to rotation of said housing and including a piston rod movable in said first chamber; a first spring compressed by said mass upon movement of said mass; a first inlet valve arranged in said housing and leading from ambient atmosphere to said first chamber; a first tube adapted to connect to a nipple on the tire; and a first exhaust valve arranged in said housing for providing a flow connection from said first chamber to said first tube, whereby upon rotation of the tire, said mass moves causing said piston rod to move in said first chamber and alternately draw air into said first chamber through said first inlet valve and force air through said first exhaust valve into said tube to the nipple to inflate the tire. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for inflating a tire of a wheel which is mounted on a wheel rim during rotation, comprising:
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arranging a pump in connection with the wheel rim, the pump requiring energy to operate; connecting an air outlet of the pump to an interior compartment of the tire; and generating energy upon rotation of the wheel to power the pump and cause the pump to pump air into the compartment, the step of generating energy comprising arranging a coil on the wheel and a movable, magnetized mass at least partly in a chamber surrounded by the coil whereby upon rotation of the wheel, the mass moves relative to the coil imparting a charge to the coil.
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29. A wheel for a vehicle, comprising:
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a wheel rim; a tire mounted on said wheel rim to define an inflatable interior compartment; a pump for pumping air into said compartment; an energy generating system for generating energy upon rotation of the wheel to power said pump and cause said pump to pump air into said compartment; a nipple arranged to communicate with said compartment; and a tube connecting said nipple to said pump.
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Specification