Goodyear Innovation: Self-inflating Tires
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Say goodbye to loud compressors, leaky hoses, and inaccurate tire gauges. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers, has developed a system which will allow tires to self-inflate automatically. Goodyear’s so-called Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) is completely self-contained, without any need for external pumps or electronics, reports the tire maker in a recent news release.
Using a tire pump and gauge could soon be a thing of the past. (Credit: autoblog.com)
Keeping tires properly inflated doesn’t just eliminate the practice of checking a tire’s air pressure and finding a tire pump and gauge that works. It also can mean real savings at the fuel pump.
Whether you drive a passenger vehicle or a commercial truck, underinflated tires result in between a 2.5 percent and 3.3 percent decrease in fuel mileage, according to government and industry research. At today’s prices, that translates to about 12 cents per gallon at the pump.
Properly inflated tires also result in lower emissions, longer tire life, enhanced safety, and improved vehicle performance.
Goodyear’s Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) will enable tires to remain inflated at the optimum pressure without the need for any external pumps or electronics. All components of the AMT system, including the miniaturized pump, will be fully contained within the tire.
“While the technology is complex, the idea behind the AMT system is relatively simple and powered by the tire itself as it rolls down the road,” said Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear senior vice president and chief technical officer.
“A tire that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for many years. Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging,” said Kihn. “This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they ever lived without.”
Goodyear did not provide an estimate as to when this technology would be available at tire retailers, but said the timetable would be accelerated due to recent government research grants in United States and European Union.
The United States Department of Energy’s Office of Vehicle Technology announced it has awarded a $1.5 million grant for research, development, and demonstration of the AMT system for commercial truck tires. The grant will be administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory and work will be conducted at Goodyear’s Innovation Center in Akron, Ohio.
Keeping tires properly inflated doesn't just eliminate the practice of checking a tire's air pressure and finding a tire pump and gauge that works. (Credit: thefuntimesguide.com)
In July, Goodyear successfully applied for a grant from the Luxemburg government for research and development of an AMT system for consumer tires. That work will be conducted at Goodyear’s Innovation Center in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg.
“While similar in concept, there are significant differences in AMT systems for consumer and commercial tires,” said Kihn. “The tangible support from both the U.S. and Luxembourg governments underscores the value of these projects and the many positive benefits they can provide drivers around the world.”
In addition, The DOE’s Office of Vehicle Technology also announced that it will award a $1.5 million grant for a joint project between PPG Industries and Goodyear to improve the rolling resistance and fuel efficiency of tires. The project’s objective is to increase average fuel efficiency of passenger vehicle fleets through use of new tread and inner liner technologies.
“Advanced technologies that are invisible to the human eye—like those we are working on with PPG—will help to dramatically improve fuel efficiency of tires while maintaining other important qualities such as traction and tread-life,” said Kihn.
Details
Goodyear
One of the world’s largest tire companies, Goodyear employs approximately 73,000 people and manufactures its products in 54 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.
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Now ,except for the cost per tire, will be a great boone to those who never touch their tires. Thank you, Goodyear.
A great BIG thank-you to Goodyear. But,please try to keep the developement and manufacturing IN the US. We need the jobs here at home.
I don’t like the idea of a tire I have no control of inflation or even checking inflation myself. What if the little gismo in the tire decides all at once that it needs more air when it really doesn’t or less? I don’t trust fancy gadgets to work right 100% of the time that take over something I’m used to doing for myself. It all goes back to if you want something done right, do it yourself.
as long as its an option ,,,
Now the next step in big rig safety is a variable force field around the front bumper to prevent both stopping 6 inches of the bumper of the car in front and smaller vehicles from cutting in too close just to be ahead at the exit. Along with not having to check the tires at stops will also have to be new programs for weight loss as walking the rig is the longest some drivers walk during a run.
Wow!! Imagine the cost of a tire!! Wow!! Now, can you imagine having to replace a flat on the road?? I like the idea of the tire with no air…Then you don’t have to worry about inflation or flats!!
No matter what the cost, it would certainly be less than the cost of damage caused by a blowout. I am always forgetting to check pressure before hitting the road. And, i fully agree with Howard Barron. No more Chinese crap
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