Chamber with shape memory for tire pressure adjustment

Abstract

A chamber is provided that works as a peristaltic pump for the pressure correction in the tire, which is a part of the tire or of an ancillary structure placed between the rim and the tire bead and is connected with the tire internal space at one end and with the external environment at the other end. The chamber is in the shape of a curved hollow channel, where at least one enclosing wall is at least partially formed by at least a pair of surfaces coplanar with the longitudinal direction of the chamber. When the tire is mounted on the rim, the pair of surfaces are pressed together thus hermetically closing the chamber. When the chamber is closed during rotation of the wheel, the surfaces can slightly slide on one another taking internal wall tensions onto themselves thus decreasing the possibility of wall damage through ripping.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An arrangement for a tire, the arrangement comprising the tire and having an interior wall defining a reservoir, comprising:
 a component adapted to at least partially define a chamber, the component having shape memory for pressure correction in the tire, the component being a part of the tire or an ancillary structure adapted to be adjacent to a tire wall, and   a connection arrangement adapted to be connected with the reservoir at a first end of the chamber and with a fluid source at a second end of the chamber,   the component being curved over at least part of a length thereof and having a wall at least partially defining the chamber, the wall comprising or extending to a pair of non-circular surfaces that meet at a longitudinal edge of the chamber and have at least portions that are substantially parallel, the chamber having three or more corners that form acute angles.   
     
     
         2 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is at least partially ring-shaped, or at least partially helical-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the chamber is adapted to be disposed in one or more of a bead of a side wall of the tire, tread of a tire, an inner tube structure, or the ancillary structure. 
     
     
         4 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is terminated by a connection member at least at one end. 
     
     
         5 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the component is interconnected with at least one of a tire, a rim, and a support. 
     
     
         6 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the portions of the pair of surfaces are parallel. 
     
     
         7 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 6 , wherein the portions of the pair of surfaces contact each other. 
     
     
         8 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the portions of the pair of surfaces extend to an outside of the component. 
     
     
         9 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein other portions of the pair of surfaces define an angle between 0-180°. 
     
     
         10 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of surfaces comprises a concave surface. 
     
     
         11 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of surfaces approach each other. 
     
     
         12 . The wheel e arrangement for a tire according to  claim 11 , wherein the pair of surfaces meet at a terminal point. 
     
     
         13 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of surfaces define a V-shape. 
     
     
         14 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of surfaces define a U-shape. 
     
     
         15 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of surfaces extend outside of the chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 15 , wherein the portions of the pair of surfaces are disposed outside of the chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 16 , wherein the portions of the pair of surfaces contact each other. 
     
     
         18 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 17 , wherein the portions of the pair of surfaces are bonded to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein a deformable portion of the component is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use. 
     
     
         20 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 19 , wherein the component includes a portion that is more rigid than the deformable portion and is not deformed in the peristaltic fashion when the tire is in use. 
     
     
         21 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 19 , wherein the component has a wall at least partially defining the chamber and comprising or extending to a pair of surfaces having at least portions that are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         22 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 19 , wherein an end of the chamber is connected to at least one of a tire inner space, a reservoir, an outside environment, and a filter. 
     
     
         23 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is shorter than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         24 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is longer than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         25 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 24 , wherein the pair of surfaces is parallel to the direction of chamber deformation. 
     
     
         26 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein surfaces of the wall at the corners define angles of 2°-15°. 
     
     
         27 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein surfaces of the wall at the corners are straight. 
     
     
         28 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 1 , wherein surfaces of the wall extend beyond the corners. 
     
     
         29 . A wheel arrangement for a tire, the wheel arrangement comprising the tire and having an interior wall defining a reservoir, comprising:
 a component adapted to at least partially define a chamber, the component having shape memory for pressure correction in the tire, the component being a part of the tire or an ancillary structure adapted to be adjacent to a tire wall, and   a connection arrangement adapted to be connected with the reservoir at a first end of the chamber and with a fluid source at a second end of the chamber,   the component being curved over at least part of a length thereof and having a wall at least partially defining the chamber and comprising or extending to a pair of surfaces having at least portions that are substantially parallel,   wherein at least part of the chamber is disposed in the ancillary structure and the ancillary structure is adapted to be disposed between a side wall of the tire and at least one of a rim and a support connected to the rim.   
     
     
         30 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 29 , wherein the ancillary structure with at least part of the chamber is adapted to be connected to the rim or a side wall of the tire. 
     
     
         31 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 29 , wherein the ancillary structure is adjacent to the side wall of the tire on one side of the ancillary structure and is adjacent a rim on another side of the ancillary structure. 
     
     
         32 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 29 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is shorter than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         33 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 29 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is longer than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         34 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 29 , wherein the component has a wall at least partially defining the chamber and comprising or extending to a pair of surfaces having at least portions that are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         35 . A process for providing a chamber for pressure correction in a wheel arrangement comprising a tire and an interior surface defining a reservoir, a chamber being at least partially defined by a structure having shape memory, the structure being a part of the tire or an ancillary structure and adjacent to a tire wall, and the chamber being connected with the reservoir at a first end of the chamber and with a fluid source at a second end of the chamber, wherein the chamber is curved over at least part of a length thereof, comprising
 placing a matrix with a width of 0.1 mm to 200 mm and thickness of 0.01 to 100 mm between layers forming a side wall of the tire or the ancillary structure,   and   extracting at least part of the matrix to form a slot in the tire or the ancillary structure, the slot at least partially defining the chamber.   
     
     
         36 . The process according to  claim 35 , wherein a thickness of the matrix varies over at least part of a width of the matrix. 
     
     
         37 . The process according to  claim 35 , comprising, after at least part of the matrix is extracted, inserting a member into the slot. 
     
     
         38 . The process according to  claim 37 , wherein the member defines a channel extending between the chamber and the fluid source. 
     
     
         39 . The process according to  claim 37 , wherein the member defines a channel extending between the chamber and the reservoir. 
     
     
         40 . The process according to  claim 35 , wherein the matrix comprises at least two parts, a first part corresponding to a length of the chamber and a supplementary part, the first part of the matrix being extracted after vulcanization and the supplementary part remaining in the tire or in the ancillary structure. 
     
     
         41 . The process according to  claim 35 , wherein at least a part of the chamber is pressed, extruded, ground out, milled out, machined, cut out, melted off, or burned out. 
     
     
         42 . The process according to  claim 35 , wherein a hose containing the chamber is inserted into the slot and/or it is fitted with a solid section with the hose cross-section with a smaller area than the area of the cross-section of the unloaded chamber. 
     
     
         43 . The process according to  claim 35 , wherein forces applied on at least a part of the chamber wall are generally of perpendicular direction. 
     
     
         44 . The process according to  claim 35 , comprising, after placing the matrix between the layers forming the side wall of the tire or the ancillary structure and before extracting at least part of the matrix, vulcanizing the side wall of the tire or the ancillary structure. 
     
     
         45 . The process according to  claim 35 , wherein the matrix is extracted longitudinally from between the layers forming the side wall of the tire or the ancillary structure. 
     
     
         46 . The process according to  claim 35 , wherein the matrix is extracted non-longitudinally from between the layers forming the side wall of the tire or the ancillary structure. 
     
     
         47 . A wheel arrangement comprising a tire and having an interior wall defining a reservoir and a component at least partially defining a chamber, the component having shape memory for pressure correction in the tire, the component comprising an ancillary structure adjacent to a tire wall and disposed in a profile in the tire wall for the ancillary structure, the chamber comprising a connection component connected with the reservoir at a first end of the chamber and with a fluid source at a second end of the chamber, wherein the chamber is curved over at least part of a length thereof and comprises a pair of non-circular surfaces that form an angle α=0 to 120° with each other. 
     
     
         48 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 47 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is shorter than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         49 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 47 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is longer than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         50 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 47 , wherein the component has a wall at least partially defining the chamber and comprising or extending to a pair of surfaces having at least portions that are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         51 . A wheel arrangement for a tire, the wheel arrangement comprising the tire and having an interior wall defining a reservoir, comprising:
 a component adapted to at least partially define a chamber, the component having shape memory for pressure correction in the tire, the component being a part of the tire or an ancillary structure adapted to be adjacent to a tire wall, and   a connection arrangement adapted to be connected with the reservoir at a first end of the chamber and with a fluid source at a second end of the chamber,   the component being curved over at least part of a length thereof and having a wall at least partially defining the chamber and comprising or extending to a pair of surfaces having at least portions that are substantially parallel,   wherein the angle α>0° and the chamber is at a connecting edge of the pair of surfaces.   
     
     
         52 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 51 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is shorter than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         53 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 51 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is longer than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         54 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 51 , wherein the component has a wall at least partially defining the chamber and comprising or extending to a pair of surfaces having at least portions that are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         55 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 51 , wherein surfaces of the wall at the corners define angles of 2°-15°. 
     
     
         56 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 51 , wherein surfaces of the wall at the corners are straight. 
     
     
         57 . The arrangement for a tire according to  claim 51 , wherein surfaces of the wall extend beyond the corners. 
     
     
         58 . A wheel arrangement for a tire, the wheel arrangement comprising the tire and having an interior wall defining a reservoir, comprising:
 a component adapted to at least partially define a chamber, the component having shape memory for pressure correction in the tire, the component being a part of the tire or an ancillary structure adapted to be adjacent to a tire wall, and   a connection arrangement adapted to be connected with the reservoir at a first end of the chamber and with a fluid source at a second end of the chamber,   the component being curved over at least part of a length thereof and having a wall at least partially defining the chamber and comprising or extending to a pair of surfaces having at least portions that are substantially parallel,   wherein the ancillary structure has a first edge end having a first thickness and a second edge having a second thickness that is larger than the first thickness.   
     
     
         59 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 58 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is shorter than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         60 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 58 , wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is longer than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire. 
     
     
         61 . The wheel arrangement for a tire according to  claim 58 , wherein the component has a wall at least partially defining the chamber and comprising or extending to a pair of surfaces having at least portions that are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         62 . An arrangement for an inflatable article, the arrangement including the inflatable article and an interior wall defining a reservoir, comprising:
 a component adapted to at least partially define an elongated chamber, the component being a part of the inflatable article or a pan of an ancillary structure adapted to be adjacent to an inflatable article wall, and   an elongated member disposed in the chamber.   
       wherein the elongated member is disposed inside a deformable portion of the component that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the inflatable article is use, wherein the inflatable article is a tire, and the inflatable article is designed to support a load such that a portion of the inflatable article is deformed when loaded, and the deformable portion is longer than a circumference of the inflatable article at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the inflatable article. 
     
     
         63 . An arrangement for a tire, the arrangement comprising the tire and having an interior wall defining a reservoir, comprising:
 a component adapted to at least partially define a chamber, the component having shape memory for pressure correction in the tire, the component being a part of the tire or an ancillary structure adapted to be adjacent to a tire wall,   an elongated member disposed in the chamber, and   a connection arrangement adapted to be connected with the reservoir at a first end of the chamber and with a fluid source at a second end of the chamber,   the component being curved over at least part of a length thereof and having a wall at least partially defining the chamber and comprising or extending to a pair of non-circular surfaces having at least portions that are substantially parallel, wherein the tire is designed to support a load such that a portion of the tire is deformed when loaded, the component comprises a deformable portion that is adapted to be deformed in a direction of chamber deformation in a peristaltic fashion when the tire is use, and the deformable portion is longer than a circumference of the tire at the location of the deformable portion minus the deformed portion of the tire.