SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODIFIED TIRE RIMS FOR USE WITH GRAVITY-DRIVEN AUTOMATIC TIRE PUMPS AND GENERATORS

• US 20170015158A1
• Filed: 07/14/2016
• Published: 01/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intelliaire LLC
• Original Assignee: Intelliaire LLC
• Inventors: McClellan, Scott
• Application Number:
  US15/210,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20170015158A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 21/12 Appurtenances, e.g. lining bands
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0408 transmitting the signals by non-mechanical means from the wheel or tyre to a vehicle body mounted receiver
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/06 Signalling devices actuated by deformation of the tyre , e.g. tyre mounted deformation sensors or indirect determination of tyre deformation based on wheel speed, wheel-centre to ground distance or inclination of wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/126 the pumps being mounted on the wheel rims
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/131 activated by force of gravity
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/02 Connection to rims
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 15/14 Casings; Enclosures; Supports
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/06 Means for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1846 structurally associated with wheels or associated parts dynamos arranged in the wheel hub of cycles B62J6/12
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts

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.

Claims

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.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting area in the tire rim into which the fixedly attached electricity generator can be inserted so the fixedly attached electricity generator is flush with an outer surface of the tire rim.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixedly attached electricity generator further comprises a tube containing a semi-viscous fluid with magnetic/ferrite particles distributed within the semi-viscous fluid.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery that stores generated electricity.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more items which can be powered by the fixedly attached electricity generator, wherein the one or more items comprise:

an electrical pneumatic pump, an electronic component for a sensor, a wireless transceiver, and a pump control mechanisms.

6. A method of generating electricity, the method comprising:

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.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the element comprises a semi-viscous fluid.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein generating the electricity is achieved through movement of the semi-viscous fluid in a tube surrounded by a wire mesh sleeve.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

storing the electricity in a battery.

9. The method of claim 9, wherein the semi-viscous fluid contains magnetic/ferrite particles.

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.