Tire cooling by fluid transfer element

Abstract

The cooling of a pneumatic tire (12) is provided for by a heat transfer element (21) contained within an inflation chamber (13) and drivingly coupled to the rim (14). The heat transfer element (21) extends away from the rim (14) into a volume of liquid coolant (19) also contained within the inflation chamber (13). Rotation of the rim (14) drives the heat transfer element (21) which transfers portions of the coolant (19) into contact with the rim (14) which conducts the heat away from the coolant fluid (19). A cooling coil (26) mounted about the rim (14) conducts the heat from the rim by the transfer of an additional coolant supply through the cooling coils (26). The efficient elimination of heat prolongs the life of the tire (12) and may increase productivity of earthmoving vehicles or the like which ride upon pneumatic tires (12) as operation of the vehicle need not be restricted in order to reduce heat damage to the tires ( 12).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.