Patent US3699367A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3699367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Mechanism for obtaining energy from tire flexure
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-08-13
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1991-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Located within a flexible vehicle tire is a device which has one portion corotatable with the wheel and a second portion which is reciprocated in a radial sense by the normal flexure of the tire, as the tire moves into ground engagement, is first depressed and then expands to its original condition after moving out of ground engagement. The relative radial movement which occurs between these two portions is utilized to operate an electromagnetic generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen E Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60C; B60C23/00; B60C23/06; B60C23/08; H; H02; H02K; H02K7/00; H02K7/18; H02K7/1807; H02K7/1853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A device for deriving energy from tire flexure comprising a rotatable member operably fixed to a portion of the wheel and in fixed radial position thereon, a coacting plunger movable relatively to said member in a radial direction responsively to tire flexure which occurs as the tire comes into ground contact during each revolution of the tire, resilient means for extending said plunger in an opposite radial direction, driving means disposed within said plunger and adapted for limited transverse movement therein, and a generator having a wheel operatively engageable by said driving means during reciprocable movement of said plunger to effect driving of said generator.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A device for deriving energy from tire flexure comprising a rotatable member operably fixed to a portion of the wheel and in fixed radial position thereon, a coacting plunger movable relatively to said member in a radial direction responsively to tire flexure which occurs as the tire comes into ground contact during each revolution of the tire, resilient means for extending said plunger in an opposite radial direction, driving means disposed within said plunger and adapted for limited transverse movement therein, and a generator having a wheel operatively engageable by said driving means during reciprocable movement of said plunger to effect driving of said generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said generator is disposed at right angle to the radial movement of said plunger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rotatable member is rigidly fixed to the wheel frame by mechanical attachment therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for generating electrical energy from tire flexure comprising: force transmitting means disposed within the interior of the tire and arranged to move circumferentially therewith, means displaceable radially responsively to the flexure of the tire during rotation thereof, and coacting with said force transmitting means, a combination of coil-and-magnet also disposed within said tire and located transversely to the radial movement of said radially displaceable means, and means forming a disconnectable driving connection between said radially reciprocal means and said combination coil-and-magnet being thereby effective to convert tire flexure into electrical energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for generating electrical energy from tire flexure comprising: force transmitting means disposed within the interior of the tire and arranged to move circumferentially therewith, means displaceable radially responsively to the flexure of the tire during rotation thereof, and coacting with said force transmitting means, a combination of coil-and-magnet also disposed within said tire and located transversely to the radial movement of said radially displaceable means, and means forming a disconnectable driving connection between said radially reciprocal means and said combination coil-and-magnet being thereby effective to convert tire flexure into electrical energy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |