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US 10,427,461 B1Granted
Radially stiffened shape memory alloy tire
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsSanto A. Padula, II, James Benzing, Colln M. Creager
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tire having a plurality of shape memory alloy (SMA) radial stiffening elements including a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each SMA radial element is secured to the rim of a wheel to form arching elements extending about an entire circumference of the tire.
Claims20
A tire comprising:
- a plurality of radial elements each having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are connected by the arching middle portion;
- a mounting block securing the first end portion and the second end portion of the plurality of radial elements to form an arch;
- and
- a selected number of radial elements comprising a shape memory alloy (SMA) having an austenite crystal structure in an ambient condition, and during the application of an externally applied force upon the SMA, the austenite crystal structure of the SMA reorients to a martensitic crystal structure to increase the amount of load carrying potential and accommodate increased deformation without permanent damage.
1 more element
A wheel and tire assembly comprising a plurality of radial elements, each radial element comprising:
- a plurality of radial elements having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are secured to different positions on the wheel to form an arch;
- and
- a selected number of radial elements comprising a shape memory alloy (SMA) having an austenite crystal structure in an ambient condition, and during the application of an externally applied force upon the SMA, the austenite crystal structure of the SMA reorients to a martensitic crystal structure to increase the amount of load carrying potential and accommodate increased deformation without permanent damage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.