Self-inflating Tires Self-inflating Systems

[bonniecool 0]

Self-inflating Systems
Tire-inflation systems have three general goals:

    * Detect when the air pressure in a particular tire has dropped - This means they have to constantly (or intermittently) monitor the air pressure in each tire.
    * Notify the driver of the problem
    * Inflate that tire back to the proper level - This means there has to be an air supply as well as a check valve that opens only when needed.

Parts of Any Self-inflating System
While the available tire inflation systems vary in design, they share some common elements.

    * They all use some type of valve to isolate individual tires to prevent airflow from all tires when one is being checked or inflated.

    * They have a method for sensing the tire pressures. This is addressed in most cases with central sensors that relay information to an electronic control unit and then to the driver.

    * They have an air source, which is usually an existing onboard source such as braking or pneumatic systems. When using an existing system, however, they have to ensure that they don't jeopardize its original function. For this reason, there are safety checks to ensure that there is enough air pressure for the source's primary use before pulling air for tire inflation.

    * There has to be a way to get the air from the air source to the tires, which is usually through the axle. Systems either use a sealed-hub axle with a hose from the hub to the tire valve or else they run tubes through the axle with the axle acting as a conduit.

    * There has to be a pressure relief vent to vent air from the tire without risking damage to the hub or rear-axle seals.

I thought this was only in the movie demolition man.

How old would this technology be?

Notice from BuffaloHELP:

As rvalkass pointed out your post is copy of this site http://auto.howstuffworks.com/self-inflating-tire2.htm Checking your other posts. This is your last friendly warning note. You MUST, at all times, use QUOTE tags when copying from another source. Xisto does not tolerate plagiarizers and hosting credit cheaters.

Edited October 11, 2005 by BuffaloHELP (see edit history)

[Sorpilandhelp 0]

Wow that a preatty good invention

[Arigato 0]

Yes, this does sound like a very good invention that could save alot of lives. It looks like the car has to be specially built with this system in it. Strange how I haven't heard about this before. Do these type of tires exist or are they plans for the future?

[DogEater008 0]

Wow, that would be awesome to have. Never have to worry about tires popping when you're having a long road trip.

[rvalkass 5]

Sounds like great technology, must make driving an awful lot safer. Surely it can't work if you've got a huge gash in your tyre? It wouldn't hold air.

 

Pity you just copied it:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/self-inflating-tire2.htm

[hotdog55 0]

self inflating tires are already out like in the car hummer they can deflate and inflate the tires in side and while driving!