Method and apparatus for measuring air pressure in pneumatic tires

• US 4,067,235 A
• Filed: 11/27/1974
• Issued: 01/10/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc. (Bank of America Corp.)
• Original Assignee: CNF, Inc. (XPO, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stucki, Frank Fred, Markland, Richard Donald, Bryant, Paul Max
• Primary Examiner(s): Woodiel, Donald O.
• Application Number:
  US05/527,641
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 73/146.5, 73/146.4, 73/398 R, 340/58
• US Class Current: 73/146.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/007 having multiple wheels arranged side by side
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/008 having wheels on more than two axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/041 Means for supplying power to the signal- transmitting means on the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0413 Wireless charging of active radio frequency circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0428 using passive wheel mounted resonance circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0444 Antenna structures, control or arrangements thereof, e.g. for directional antennas, diversity antenna, antenna multiplexing or antennas integrated in fenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2241 used in or for vehicle tyres

Abstract

System for remotely measuring the air pressure in pneumatic tires. The system includes a stationary power transmitter that generates an electromagnetic field in the roadway with a flat coil antenna. Located in the pneumatic tire is a pressure sensor comprising a pressure transducer and a signal transmitter both powered by the energy obtained from the electromagnetic field in the roadway. The pressure sensor does not use a battery and has no external physical connections outside of the tire. The pressure sensor transmits a low frequency FM signal to a stationary tire pressure signal processor. The signal processor generates quantitative signals representing the pressure in the tire, visually displays these signals, and passes the signals to a computer. By means of various antenna configurations the system can distinguish between tires mounted both in side by side and in tandem relationship. Moreover, by coding the FM signal the system can uniquely identify the vehicle as well as every tire thereon. In an additional embodiment the pressure sensor is powered by a current induced from a magnetic field. The sensor in the tire is rotated through a stationary magnetic field generated by permanent magnets attached to the vehicle.

Claims

1. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising:

a. means for generating a current inducing field;

b. a tire pressure sensor coupled to the field, said pressure sensor having means for converting the field into D.C. current to operate the sensor, means in communication with the interior of the pneumatic tire for measuring the pressure in the pneumatic tire, and independent means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicating the pressure measured in the tire, and;

c. a tire pressure signal processor means that receives the electromagnetic pressure signal from the transmitting means and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means in the tire pressure sensor for transmitting an electromagnetic signal is a FM transmitter operating with a carrier frequency in the frequency band of 2 kilohertz to 1 megahertz and the electromagnetic pressure signal is in the form of frequency modulation of the frequency of said carrier signal so that the carrier frequency is modulated by an amount proportional to the instantaneous value of a modulating signal which represents the pressure measured in the tire.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said field converting means provides the total power requirements of the pressure sensor, is energized exclusively by the field generating means and includes a full-wave rectifier for providing the D.C. current to operate the pressure sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said field generating means is a power transmitter radiating continuous R.F. energy.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said field generating means is a magnetic field generating means that produces two flux loops through which the pressure sensor can pass.

6. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising:

a. a regulated DC power supply providing a constant voltage output;

b. a RF oscillator connected to the regulated power supply;

c. a RF amplifier connected to the RF oscillator;

d. a flat coil transmitting antenna radiating a field of electromagnetic radiation, said coil antenna being connected to the RF amplifier;

e. an impedence matching filter connected between the RF amplifier and the flat coil antenna;

a tire pressure sensor coupled to the field of electromagnetic radiation radiated from the transmitting antenna, said pressure sensor having means for converting the electromagnetic radiation into power to operate the sensor, means in communication with the interior of the pneumatic tire for measuring the pressure in the penumatic tire, and means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicating the pressure measured in the tire, and;

g. a tire pressure signal processor that receives the electromagnetic pressure signal from the pressure sensor and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said flat coil transmitting antenna is locatable in the plane of a roadway so that the pneumatic tire can roll over the antenna while the tire pressure sensor is coupled to the electromagnetic field.

8. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising:

a. a power transmitter for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation;

b. means proximate to the tire for receiving the electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the power transmitter and for providing electrical energy therefrom;

c. a pressure transducer means in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein and generating a modulating signal which represents the pressure measured by the transducer;

d. a FM transmitter, operating at a predetermined carrier frequency radiating a signal modulated such that the instantaneous frequency of said signal differs from the carrier frequency by an amount proportional to the instantaneous value of a modulating signal, said transmitter being powered by the electrical energy providing means; and

e. a tire pressure signal processor that receives the frequency modulated signal from the FM transmitter and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the electrical energy providing means further includes rectifying means for providing D.C. current from the radiation field, means for storing energy obtained from the D.C. current and for powering the FM transmitter with stored energy when the electromagnetic radiation receiving means is outside of the radiation field.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the FM transmitter radiates a coded signal identifying the pressure transducer and distinguishing it from other such transducers and the tire pressure signal processor displays both the pressure measured in the tire and the identification of the pressuretransducer.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the FM transmitter is a low frequency transmitter operating in the frequency band of 2 kilohertz to 1 megahertz.

12. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising;

a. a power transmitter for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation;

b. a tire pressure sensor coupled to the field of electromagnetic radiation generated by the power transmitter, said pressure sensor having means for converting the electromagnetic radiaton into power to operate the sensor, means in communication with the interior of the pneumatic tire for measuring the pressure in the tire, and means for transmitting a frequency modulated signal indicating the measured pressure in the tire;

c. a FM receiver for receiving the signal transmitted from the tire pressure sensor;

d. a frequency synthesizer connected to the FM receiver for demodulating the frequency modulated pressure signal; and

e. means connected to the output of the FM receiver for displaying the pressure measured in the tire.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said display means includes a frequency to voltage converter connected thereto and a digital volt meter also connected thereto having a visual digital output.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said display means includes a lamp driver and a go/no-go visual display connected thereto, said go/no-go display indicating whether the measured tire pressure is above or below, a minimum, predetermined value.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 further including a frequency to binary code converter connected to the output of the FM receiver and means connected to said converter for storing in binary code the pressure measured in the tire.

16. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising;

a. a power transmitter for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation;

b. a flat coil transmitting antenna radiating a field of electromagnetic radiation, said coil antenna being connected to the power transmitter and being locatable in the plane of a roadway so that the pneumatic tire can roll over the antenna while passing through the electromagnetic field;

c. means proximate to the tire for receiving the electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the power transmitter and for providing electrical energy therefrom;

d. a magnetostrictive element in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein, said magnetostrictive element measures the absolute pressure in the tire without referring to a reference pressure;

e. a FM transmitter proximate to the tire radiating a frequency modulated signal representing the pressure measured by the magnetostrictive element, said transmitter being powered by the electrical energy providing means;

f. a FM receiver for receiving the frequency modulated signal transmitted from the FM transmitter;

g. a frequency synthesizer connected to the FM receiver for demodulating the frequency modulated pressure signal; and

h. means connected to the output of the FM receiver for displaying the pressure measured in the tire.

17. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressures in a plurality of pneumatic tires mounted in tandem and for distinguishing between the measurements, comprising;

a. a power transmitter for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation;

b. a segmented transmitting antenna having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart, in-line elements radiating a field of electromagnetic radiation, said segmented transmitting antenna being connected to the power transmitter;

c. a tire pressure sensor proximate to each tire and coupled to the field of electromagnetic radiation generated by the power transmitter, each pressure sensor having means for coverting the electromagnetic radiation into power to operate the sensor, means in communication with the interior of the pneumatic tire for measuring the pressure in the pneumatic tire, and means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicating the measured pressure in the tire;

d. a segmented antenna having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart in-line elements receiving the electromagnetic signals from the tire pressure sensors; and

e. a tire pressure signal processor connected to the segmented receiving antenna, said processor receives the electromagnetic pressure signals from the pressure sensors and displays the pressures measured in the tires.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein both segmented antennas include at least two equally sized elements having the following dimensions:

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">B max ≦

2C min - L max

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">B min ≧

C max + L max

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">B + A ≧

2C max

where, A is the length of each antenna segment;

B is the distance from the leading edge of one antenna segment to the next leading edge of the succeeding antenna segment;

C is the circumference of a tire; and

L is the spacing between the centers of two tires mounted in tandem.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the signal processor further includes a time-based discrimination logic circuit for determining the sequence in which the tire pressure sensor radiate.

20. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressures in a plurality of pneumatic tires mounted side by side and for distinguishing between the measurements, comprising;

a. a power transmitter for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation;

b. a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced apart and horizontally disposed elongate transmitting antennas, one transmitting antenna for each tire mounted side by side;

c. a tire pressure sensor proximate to each tire and coupled to the field of electromagnetic radiation generated by the power transmitter, each pressure sensor having means for converting the electromagnetic radiation into power to operate the sensor, means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicated the measured pressure in the tire;

d. a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced apart and horizontally disposed elongated receiving antennas, one receiving antenna for each tire mounted side by side; and

e. a tire pressure signal processor connected to the receiving antenna, said processor receives the electromagnetic pressure signal for each pressure measured in each tire.

21. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a metal belted pneumatic tire, comprising:

a. a power transmitter for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation;

b. a flat coil transmitting antenna formed by turns of wire each having an increased lateral spacing therebetween as the distance from the center of the antenna increases, said antenna radiating a field of electromagnetic radiation and connected to the power transmitter;

c. a tire pressure sensor coupled to the field of electromagnetic radiation generated by the power transmitter, said pressure sensor having means for converting the electromagnetic radiation into power to operate the sensor, means in communciation with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure in the tire and means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicating the measured pressure in the tire; and

d. a tire pressure signal processor that receives the electromagnetic pressure signal from the pressure sensor and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

22. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a metal belted pneumatic belted tire, comprising;

a. a power transmitter for generating a field of electromagnetic radiation;

b. a tire pressure sensor coupled to the field of electromagnetic radiation generated by the power transmitter, said pressure sensor having a receiving antenna positioned for sensitivity to magnetic vector component of the electromagnetic radiation, means connected to the antenna for converting the received radiation into power to operate the senor, means in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure in the tire and means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicating the pressure measured in the tire; and

c. a tire pressure signal processor that receives the electromagnetic pressure signal from the pressure sensor and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

23. Apparatus for measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire and for transmitting the pressure measurement to a location remote from the tire comprising:

a. a quantitative pressure transducer in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the quantitative magnitude of the pressure therein;

b. means connected to the pressure transducer for transmitting to a location remote from the tire an electromagnetic signal indicating the quantitative magnitude of the pressure measured in the tire;

c. means for powering the transmitting means from energy obtained from a field of electromagnetic radiation directed at the tire.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the pressure transducer is a magnetostrictive element that measures the absolute pressure in the tire without referring to a reference pressure.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the magnetostrictive element is a ferrite toroid.

26. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the transmitting means is a FM transmitter and the electromagnetic pressure signal is frequency modulated.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the magnetostrictive element is current controlled and the FM transmitter connected thereto includes a FM oscillator circuit.

28. Apparatus for measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire and for transmitting the pressure measurement to a location remote from the tire, comprising;

a. a receiving antenna for picking up energy from a field of electromagnetic radiation directed at the tire;

b. a FM oscillator connected to the receiving antenna and powered by the energy therefrom;

c. a pressure transducer in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein and for generating a modulating signal which represents the measured pressure;

d. a FM transmitter having a predetermined carrier frequency operatively connected to and driven by said FM oscillator and also connected to the pressure transducer for transmitting to a location remote from the tire a modulated electromagnetic signal having an instantaneous frequency which differs from said carrier frequency by an amount proportional to the instantaneous value of said signal which represents the pressure measured in the tire; and

e. a transmitting antenna connected to said FM transmitter.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 further including a regulator connected to the receiving antenna for stabilizing the voltage obtained from the receiving antenna and applied to the FM oscillator.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 further including means for storing energy obtained from the receiving antenna and for powering the FM oscillator with the stored energy when the receiving antenna is outside of the field of electromagnetic radiation, said energy storing means being connected to the receiving antenna.

31. The apparatus of claim 28 further including an elastomeric housing means retaining the receiving antenna, the frequency modulated oscillator, the pressure transducer, the frequency modulated transmitter, and the transmitting antenna within the tire and bonded to the inner wall thereof.

32. The apparatus of claim 28 further including a spherical housing means enclosing the receiving antenna, the frequency modulated oscillator, the pressure transducer, the frequency modulated transmitter and transmitting antenna, said housing means being introduceable inside of the tire as a free rolling element.

33. The apparatus of claim 28 further including a housing means retaining the receiving antenna, the frequency modulated oscillator, the pressure tranducer, the frequency modulated transmitter, and the transmitting antenna within the tire and embedded within the tire casing.

34. The apparatus of claim 28 further including a housing means having both an elongate shaft enclosing the pressure transducer and communicating with the interior of the tire and a base exterior of the tire attached to the shaft retaining the receiving antenna, the frequency modulated oscillator, the frequency modulated transmitter, and the transmitting antenna.

35. Method for remotely indicating the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising the steps of:

a. generating an electromagnetic field;

b. disposing the tire in the field;

c. coupling to said field to generate power within the field,

d. employing said power to radiate an electromagnetic signal indicative of the quantitive magnitude of the pressure within the tire;

e. receiving said electromagnetic signal; and

f. converting said receiving signal into a quantitative indication of the pressure within the tire.

36. Method for remotely indicating the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising the steps of:

a. generating a field of electromagnetic radiation;

b. disposing the pneumatic tire in the field;

c. coupling a tire pressure sensor to said field;

d. converting the electromagnetic radiation into power to operate the pressure sensor;

e. measuring quantitatively the magnitude of the pressure in the tire with the tire pressure sensor;

f. transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicating the quantitative magnitude of the pressure measured in the tires;

g. receiving the electromagnetic pressure signal with a tire pressure signal processor; and

h. displaying the quantitative magnitude of the pressure measured in the tire.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of converting the electromagnetic radiation into power exclusively supplies all of the energy requirements of the tire pressure sensor.

38. The method of claim 36 further including the steps of coding the electromagnetic signal from the tire pressure sensor so that the pressure sensor is identifiable and displaying the identification of the pressure sensor with the corresponding pressure measured in the tire.

39. The method of claim 36 further including the steps of storing the energy obtained from the electromagnetic field and powering the tire pressure sensor with the stored energy when the pressure sensor is outside of the electromagnetic field.

40. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising:

a. a magnet for generating a magnetic field;

b. a tire pressure sensor coupled to the magnetic field, said pressure sensor having a conductor therein for inducing a current from the field to operate the sensor, means in communication with the interior of the pneumatic tire for measuring the pressure in the pneumatic tire, and means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicating the pressure measured in the tire;

c. means for moving the conductor with respect to the magnetic field; and

d. a tire pressure signal processor means that receives the electromagnetic pressure signal from the pressure sensor and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet.

42. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said magnet is an electro-magnet.

43. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said magnet is a self-focusing permanent magnet.

44. The apparatus of claim 40 further including means for focusing the magnetic field generated by the magnet onto the tire.

45. The apparatus of claim 40 further including a second magnet mounted opposite to the first named magnet and joined thereto by a magnetically permeable material.

46. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising;

a. a magnet for generating a magnetic field proximate to the tire;

b. a movable conductor for inducing a current from the field;

c. means for moving said conductor with respect to the field;

d. rectifying means for commutating into D.C. current the current induced in the conductor;

e. a pressure transducer in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein;

f. a FM transmitter proximate to the tire radiating a frequency modulated signal representing the pressure measured by the transducer, said transmitter being powered by the D.C. current means; and

g. a tire pressure signal processor that receives the frequency modulated signal from the FM transmitter and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the magnetostrictive element is current controlled and the FM transmitter connected thereto includes a frequency modulated oscillator circuit that radiates a signal frequency modulated such that the instantaneous frequency of said signal differs from a carrier frequency by an amount proportional to the instantaneous value of a modulating signal which represents the pressure measured in the tire.

48. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising:

a. a magnet for generating a magnetic field;

b. a tire pressure sensor coupled to the magnetic field, said pressure sensor having a conductor therein for inducing a current from the field to operate the sensor, means in communication with the interior of the pneumatic tire for measuring the pressure in the pneumatic tire, and means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicating the pressure measured in the tire,

c. means for moving the conductor with respect to the magnetic field;

d. a FM receiver for receiving the signal transmitted from the tire pressure sensor;

e. a frequency synthesizer connected to the FM receiver for demodulating the frequency modulated pressure signal; and

f. means connected to the output of the FM receiver for displaying the pressure measured in the tire.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 further including switch means attached to the FM receiver for sampling tire pressure signals from a plurality of tire pressure sensors.

50. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said display means includes a frequency to voltage converter connected thereto and a digital volt meter also connected thereto having a visual digital output.

51. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the display means includes alarm means for indicating an inadequate tire pressure.

52. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire comprising:

a. magnet for generating a magnetic field;

b. means for focusing the magnetic field generated by the magnet onto the tire;

c. a movable conductor for inducing a current from the magnetic field;

d. means for moving said conductor with respect to the magnetic field;

e. means for providing electrical energy from the current induced in the conductor;

f. a pressure transducer in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein;

g. a FM transmitter proximate to the tire radiating a frequency modulated signal representing the pressure measured by the transducer, said transmitter being powered by the electrical energy providing means;

h. a FM receiver for receiving the signal transmitted from the FM transmitter;

i. switch means attached to the FM receiver for sampling tire pressure signals from a plurality of tire pressure sensors;

j. a frequency synthesizer connected to the FM receiver for demodulating the frequency modulated pressure signal; and

k. means connected to the output of the FM receiver for displaying the pressure measured in the tire.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the pressure transducer is a magnetostrictive element in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein, said magnetostrictive element measures the absolute pressure in the tire without referring to a reference pressure.

54. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressures in a plurality of pneumatic tires mounted on a vehicle and for indicating an out of tolerance tire pressure to the operator of the vehicle, comprising:

a. a plurality of magnets for generating magnetic fields directed into the tires of the vehicle;

b. a plurality of tire pressure sensors coupled to said magnetic fields, each of said pressure sensors being located proximate to a tire and having a conductor therein for inducing a current from the field to operate the sensor, each of said sensors further including a pressure transducer therein in communication with the interior of each tire for measuring the pressure therein and a FM transmitter radiating a frequency modulated signal representing the pressure measured by the transducer, said transmitter being powered by the current induced by the conductor;

c. means for moving the plurality of conductors with respect to the magnetic fields;

d. a FM receiver for receiving the signals transmitted from the tire pressure sensors;

e. switch means attached to the FM receiver for sampling the tire pressure signals from said plurality of tire pressure sensors;

f. a frequency synthesizer connected to the FM receiver for demodulating the frequency modulated pressure signals; and

g. means connected to the output of the FM receiver for displaying to the operator the pressures measured in the tires and for indicating an inadequate tire pressure.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said switch means periodically and sequentially samples the tire pressure signals received from the plurality of tire pressure sensors.

56. Apparatus for measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire and for transmitting the pressure measurement to a location remote from the tire, comprising;

a. a quantitative pressure transducer in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the magnitude of the pressure therein;

b. means connected to the pressure transducer for transmitting to a location remote from the tire an electromagnetic signal indicating the quantitative magnitude of the pressure measured in the tire; and

c. means for powering the transmitting means from electrical energy obtained by induction from a magnetic field directed at the tire.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the pressure transducer is a magnetostrictive element that measures the absolute pressure in the tire without referring to a reference pressure.

58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the magnetostrictive element is a ferrite toroid.

59. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the transmitting means is a FM transmitter and the electromagnetic pressure signal is frequency modulated.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the magnetostrictive element is current controlled and the FM transmitter connected thereto includes a FM oscillator circuit.

61. Apparatus for measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire and for transmitting the pressure measurement to a location remote from the tire, comprising;

a. a conductor for inducing current from a magnetic field directed at the tire;

b. a FM oscillator connected to the conductor and powered by the current therefrom;

c. a pressure transducer in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein;

d. a FM transmitter operatively connected to and driven by said FM oscillator and also connected to the pressure transducer for transmitting to a location remote from the tire an electromagetic signal frequency modulated such that the instantaneous frequency of said signal differs from a carrier frequency by an amount proportional to the instantaneous value of a modulating signal which represents the pressure measured in the tire; and

e. a transmitting antenna connected to said FM transmitter.

62. Method for remotely indicating the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a magnetic field;

b. moving the tire through the field so that magnetic flux lines are broken by a tire pressure sensor;

c. inducing a current from the magnetic field by induction;

d. measuring quantitatively the magnitude of the pressure in the tire;

e. employing said current to radiate an electromagnetic signal indicative of the magnitude of the pressure measured in the tire;

f. receiving the electromagnetic pressure signal with a tire pressure signal processor; and

g. displaying the magnitude of the pressure measured in the tire.

63. The method of claim 62 further including the step of focusing the magnetic field directly onto the tire.

64. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of inducing a current from the field exclusively supplies all of the energy requirements of the tire pressure sensor.

65. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising:

a. means for generating a current inducing field;

b. a tire pressure sensor coupled to the field, said pressure sensor having means for converting the field into power to operate the sensor, means in communication with the interior of the pneumatic tire for measuring the absolute pressure in the pneumatic tire without referring to a reference pressure, and means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal indicating the pressure measured in the tire, and;

c. a tire pressure signal processor means that receives the electromagnetic pressure signal from the pressure sensor and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

66. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising;

a. a power transmitter for generating a field of electomagnetic radiation;

b. means proximate to the tire for receiving the electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the power transmitter and for providing electrical energy thereform;

c. a pressure transducer in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein, said pressure transducer being a magnetostrictive element that measures the absolute pressure in the tire without referring to a reference pressure;

d. a FM transmitter proximate to the tire radiating a frequency modulated signal representing the pressure measured by the transducer, said transmitter being powered by the electrical energy providing means; and

e. a tire pressure signal processor that receives the frequency modulated signal from the FM transmitter and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

67. The apparatus of claim 66 wherein the magnetostrictive element is current controlled and the FM transmitter is connected thereto includes a frequency modulated oscillator circuit.

68. Apparatus for remotely measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire, comprising;

a. a magnet for generating a magnetic field proximate to the tire;

b. a movable conductor for inducing a current from the field;

c. means for moving said conductor with respect to the field;

d. means for providing electrical energy from the current induced in the conductor;

e. a pressure transducer in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein, said transducer being a magnetostrictive element that measures the absolute pressure in the tire without referring to a reference pressure;

f. a FM transmitter proximate to the tire radiating a frequency modulated signal representing the pressure measured by the transducer, said transmitter being powered by the electrical energy providing means; and

g. a tire pressure signal processor that receives the frequency modulated signal from the FM transmitter and displays the pressure measured in the tire.

69. Apparatus for measuring the pressure in a pneumatic tire and for transmitting the pressure measurement to a location remote from the tire, comprising;

a. a conductor for inducing current from a magnetic field directed at the tire;

b. a FM oscillator connected to the conductor and powered by the current therefrom;

c. a regulator connected to the conductor for stabilizing the induced current obtained from the conductor and applied to the FM oscillator;

d. a pressure transucer in communication with the interior of the tire for measuring the pressure therein;

e. a FM transmitter operatively connected to and driven by said FM oscillator and also connected to the pressure transucer for transmitting to a location remote from the tire an electromagnetic signal indicating the pressure measured in the tire; and

f. a transmitting antenna connected to said FM transmitter.