TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING

• US 20110295522A1
• Filed: 01/25/2010
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Westley Plastics Limited
• Original Assignee: Westley Plastics Limited
• Inventors: Clark, Michael, Chandler, Trevor
• Application Number:
  US13/146,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20110295522A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/33
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/06 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0425 Means comprising permanent magnets, e.g. Hall-effect or Reed-switches

Abstract

The invention provides a run-flat device comprising a magnet. The run-flat device can be incorporated into a tyre condition monitoring system.

Claims

1. A run-flat device comprising at least one magnet.

2. A run-flat device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet is a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

3. A run-flat device according to claim 1 comprising an annular body made up of two or three segments.

4. A run-flat device according to claim 1, which comprises a single magnet.

5. A run-flat device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet is provided in a bore or a cavity formed in the device.

6. A run-flat device according claim 1, further comprising at least one of a direct sensing means, a data storage means and a communication means.

8. A run-flat device according to claim 6, wherein the direct sensing means is a member selected from the group consisting of:

a pressure sensor;

a temperature sensor; and

a means for measuring distance travelled.

9. A run-flat device according to claim 6, wherein the communication means comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

7. A run-flat device comprising at least one of a direct sensing means, a data storage means and a communication means.

19. A run-flat device according to claim 7, wherein the direct sensing means is a member selected from the group consisting of:

a pressure sensor;

a temperature sensor; and

a means for measuring distance travelled.

20. A run-flat device according to claim 7, wherein the communication means comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

10. A tire condition monitoring system comprising a run-flat device comprising at least one magnet.

11. A tire condition monitoring system comprising:

a wheel having a rim on which a run-flat device is fitted, the run-flat device comprising at least one magnet;

a tire fitted to the wheel outside the run-flat device, the tire comprising bracing elements; and

a sensing means arranged to sense a magnetic field induced around the bracing elements by the at least one magnet.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the sensing means is a fluxgate magnetometer.

13. A system according to claim 11, in which the sensing means is aimed at or around a region of tire in contact with the ground.

14. A system according to claim 11, wherein the sensing means is operably connected to a processing unit.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the processing unit is operably connected to a means for providing a user with up-to-date tire condition information and/or to alert the user to any deterioration in a condition the tire.

16. (canceled)

17. A system for measuring and/or monitoring a pressure within a tire comprising:

a wheel to which the tire is fitted, the tire comprising bracing elements;

a magnet; and

a magnetometer arranged to detect a magnetic field induced by the magnet around the bracing elements.

18. A method of measuring and/or monitoring a pressure within a tire comprising:

using a magnet to induce a magnetic field around bracing elements of the tire; and

detecting the induced magnetic field;

wherein the magnet is comprised within a run-flat device fitted around a rim of a wheel which bears the tire.

21. A tire condition monitoring system comprising a run-flat device comprising at least one of a direct sensing means, a storage means and a communication means.