SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODIFIED TIRE RIMS FOR USE WITH GRAVITY-DRIVEN AUTOMATIC TIRE PUMPS AND GENERATORS
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a tire rim with an outer surface onto which an inflatable tire can be mounted;
a first hole configured within the tire rim for an inflation stem; and
at least one second hole configured within the tire rim for a fixedly attached electricity generator configured to generate electricity via rotational motion of the tire rim about an axis that causes gravity to move a generation element of the fixedly attached electricity generator in a first direction at a first rotational position to yield a first generator stroke, and with rotation of the tire rim, causes gravity to move the generation element in a second direction at a second rotational position to yield a second generator stroke, wherein the first generator stroke and the second generator stroke cause electricity to be generated.
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for gravity-driven pumps and generators, as well as various supporting concepts, mechanisms, and approaches. As a tire rotates around an axle, the pull of gravity varies for a given point on the tire. While gravity is always pulling ‘down’, the force relative to a fixed point on the tire changes. Gravity-driven generators exploit these changes in gravitational force to do work. A gravity-driven generator is different from an automatic pump that operates using centrifugal force due to rotation of a tire. Automatic, gravity-driven generators can be used to generate and store energy to perform such tasks as inflating tires to offset the natural gas leakage of modern tires, and can maintain tire pressure and inflation within a desired or optimal range. Tire rims can be modified to accommodate these pumps.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a tire rim with an outer surface onto which an inflatable tire can be mounted; a first hole configured within the tire rim for an inflation stem; and at least one second hole configured within the tire rim for a fixedly attached electricity generator configured to generate electricity via rotational motion of the tire rim about an axis that causes gravity to move a generation element of the fixedly attached electricity generator in a first direction at a first rotational position to yield a first generator stroke, and with rotation of the tire rim, causes gravity to move the generation element in a second direction at a second rotational position to yield a second generator stroke, wherein the first generator stroke and the second generator stroke cause electricity to be generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of generating electricity, the method comprising:
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as a tire rim with an outer surface onto which an inflatable tire can be mounted rotates around an axis, causing an element to move due to a change in angular acceleration to yield a movement of the element; generating electricity via the movement of the element; and communicating the electricity to one of a sensor, an air pump, and a wireless communication device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 10)
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9. The method of claim 9, wherein the semi-viscous fluid contains magnetic/ferrite particles.
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11. The method of claim 11, further comprising powering one of the sensor, the air pump, and the wireless communication device using the electricity stored in the battery.
Specification