Ultralightweight runflat tires based upon negative poisson ratio (NPR) auxetic structures
US8544515B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T152/10495
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) or auxetic are used to make lightweight wheels and runflat tires. The NPR tires can be tailored and functionally-designed to optimally meet the runflat requirements for both military and commercial vehicles. NPR-runflat tires may be fabricated using standard materials and simple manufacturing processes, resulting in low-cost and high-volume production. In preferred embodiments the runflat tire designs are fully compatible with Central Tire Inflation Systems (CTIS), while providing a performance equivalent to current military vehicle solutions but at half the weight. An auxetic wheel according to the invention comprises a line defining an axis of rotation; and a plurality of concentric rings of unit cells surrounding the axis, each unit cell being constructed of a plurality of members defining a Negative Poisson's Ratio (NPR) structure. The outermost ring of unit cells is arranged to facilitate rolling terrain contact, such that the stiffness of the structure in the localized region of loading due to terrain contact increases as the wheel rotates. A layer of material may be disposed between the concentric rings of unit cells which in preferred embodime…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.