John David Adamson

US Patent:

6725713, Apr 27, 2004

Filed:

Jan 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/345040

Inventors:

John David Adamson - Simpsonville SC
George Phillips OBrien - Piedmont SC

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.

International Classification:

G01M 1702

US Classification:

731465, 73146

Abstract:

A system for generating electric power from a rotating tires mechanical energy concerns a power generation device with a piezoelectric structure and an energy storage device. The piezoelectric structure preferably comprises a plurality of piezoelectric fibers embedded in a generally unidirectional fashion within an epoxy matrix. The piezoelectric structure may be mounted on a support substrate that helps distribute mechanical strain to which the piezoelectric fibers are subjected in a substantially uniform fashion. The piezoelectric structure is preferably mounted within a tire structure such that electric charge is generated therein as the wheel assembly moves along a ground surface. Electrode layers within the piezoelectric structure are coupled to a power conditioning module that rectifies the resultant electric current from the piezoelectric structure and stores it in an energy storage device, preferably an electrolytic capacitor. A rechargeable battery may also be provided for storing additional charge generated within the piezoelectric structure. A regulated voltage source is provided from the energy stored in the power generation device and can be used to power various electronics systems integrated within a tire or wheel assembly.

US Patent:

6807853, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

May 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/143535

Inventors:

John D. Adamson - Simpsonville SC
George P. OBrien - Piedmont SC

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.

International Classification:

G01M 1702

US Classification:

73146

Abstract:

A system and corresponding method for generating electric power from a rotating tires mechanical energy concerns a power generation device with a piezoelectric structure and a power conditioning module. The piezoelectric structure preferably comprises a plurality of piezoelectric fibers embedded in a generally unidirectional fashion within an epoxy matrix. Such piezoelectric structure additionally comprises interdigital electrode layers on opposing sides of the fiber/epoxy matrix configuration. The piezoelectric structure is preferably mounted within a tire structure such that electric charge is generated therein as the wheel assembly moves along a ground surface. Electrode layers within the piezoelectric structure are coupled to a power conditioning module that rectifies the resultant electric current from the piezoelectric structure and stores it in an energy storage device, preferably an electrolytic capacitor. A rechargeable battery may also be provided for storing additional charge generated within the piezoelectric structure. A regulated voltage source is provided from the energy stored in the power generation device and can be used to power various electronics systems integrated within a tire or wheel assembly.

US Patent:

6847126, Jan 25, 2005

Filed:

Feb 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/374936

Inventors:

John David Adamson - Simpsonville SC, US
George Phillips O'Brien - Piedmont SC, US

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A. - Route Louis-Braille

International Classification:

G01M 1702

US Classification:

290 1R, 1521521

Abstract:

A power harvesting solution concerns a generally non-conductive tire structure that is formed with at least one defined conductivity path through which static electricity accumulated in the tire structure during tire rotation can dissipate to ground. Such conductivity path is formed from a portion of conductive material that may be partially surrounded by additional insulative material to restrict the flow of electric charge to ground. An energy storage device, such as a capacitor or rechargeable battery, is coupled with the conductivity path and configured to store selected amounts of the electric charge dissipating through the conductivity path. Various diode elements may be provided in combination with the energy storage device to prevent reverse discharging of and to provide voltage protection for the energy storage device. Sufficient accumulations of such harvested energy can then power tire electronic systems, including various condition-responsive devices (i. e. , sensors, etc.

US Patent:

6963273, Nov 8, 2005

Filed:

Oct 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/681962

Inventors:

George Phillips O'Brien - Piedmont SC, US
John David Adamson - Simpsonville SC, US

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A. - Granges-Pacot

International Classification:

B60C023/00

US Classification:

340443, 340449, 340588

Abstract:

A thermal monitoring system for use with a tire is provided. The system includes one or more thermal sensors that are carried by a vehicle. One of the thermal sensors may produce a first sensor output signal that is representative of the temperature of a first location on the tire. Additionally, a second sensor output signal may be produced that is representative of the temperature of a second location on the tire. A signal processing device is included that receives the first and second sensor output signals. The signal processing device produces a processing device output signal that is representative of a potential damage condition of the tire. This signal is produced in response to a particular temperature difference between the first and second locations as indicated by the first and second sensor output signals. An indication device receives the processing device signal and indicates to a user of the vehicle that the tire is experiencing a potential damage condition.

US Patent:

7009576, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Mar 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/807908

Inventors:

John David Adamson - Simpsonville SC, US
Charles Edward Kelly - Little River SC, US
Cameron Earl Smith - Greenville SC, US
Cal Moreland - Greer SC, US

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.

International Classification:

H01Q 1/40

US Classification:

343873, 3405725, 1561101, 156123, 1521521

Abstract:

A radio frequency antenna for embedding within a conductive, dielectric material (such as tire rubber) is provided along with a method of embedding a radio frequency antenna in such a material. For very high frequency transmission, improved communication ranges are provided along with improvements in both antenna processing and tuning.

US Patent:

7047800, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Jun 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/865305

Inventors:

Jack Thiesen - Easley SC, US
John David Adamson - Simpsonville SC, US

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.

International Classification:

G01M 17/02

US Classification:

73146, 290 1

Abstract:

An enhanced piezoelectric wire structure includes an elongated portion of piezoelectric material, a metallic core, and an outer conductive sheath. The metallic core is substantially surrounded by the elongated portion of piezoelectric material and configured to function as a first electrode for the piezoelectric structure. The conductive outer sheath preferably covers selected areas of the elongated portion of piezoelectric material and functions as a second electrode for the structure. The piezoelectric material may correspond to barium titanate ceramic fibers, such that a lead-free structure is effected, however other piezoelectric materials may also be utilized. The disclosed structure can be poled with a reduced poling voltage and lower temperature level, and also requires a reduced voltage potential level required for mechanical actuation. A collection of such piezoelectric structures can be provided together in a modular patch assembly that may be formed in a variety of customized configurations for integration with various environments, and can function as a mechanical actuator device, a condition-responsive device (e. g. , a sensor) and/or as a power generation device.

US Patent:

7096727, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

May 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/850860

Inventors:

John David Adamson - Simpsonville SC, US
George Phillips O'Brien - Piedmont SC, US

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.

International Classification:

G01M 17/02

US Classification:

73146, 307 44

Abstract:

A tire assembly with integrated power generation features includes one or more piezoelectric devices and power conditioning modules. Piezoelectric devices may include a plurality of piezoelectric fibers embedded in a generally unidirectional fashion within an epoxy matrix, a piezoceramic wafer provided on a substrate and substantially surrounded by a protective casing, or a piezoceramic unimorph structure adhered with a thermoplastic polyimide to respective top and bottom conductive layers. Each piezoelectric device may include multiple piezoelectric elements connected in series and/or parallel arrangements, configured with respective poling directions in opposing or in-phase arrangements and/or configured in d33 or d31 displacement modes. Piezoelectric devices are preferably mounted within a tire or wheel assembly such that electric charge is generated therein as the wheel assembly moves along a ground surface and is subsequently stored in one or more energy storage devices. Stored energy may then be used to power electronics such as a tire monitoring system that wirelessly transmits such information as tire pressure, temperature and identification variables to a remote receiver location.

US Patent:

7661300, Feb 16, 2010

Filed:

Mar 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/792834

Inventors:

Jay C. Sinnett - Greenville SC, US
John David Adamson - Simpsonville SC, US
George P. O'Brien - Piedmont SC, US
David Bertrand - Besançon, FR
Pierrick Travert - Beaumont, FR

Assignee:

Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A. - Granges-Paccot
Societe de Technologie Michelin - Clermont-Ferrand

International Classification:

B60C 23/02

US Classification:

731465

Abstract:

Disclosed is a methodology for deriving data related to various selected tire () conditions. One or more sensors are analyzed in a manner similar to that of analyzing an electro-cardiogram taken from a human patient in order to determine selected operational characteristics of the monitored tires (). Analysis of the signal waveforms may involve analysis of a single waveform and/or comparison of paired waveforms originating for sensors associated with a single tire or paired tires ().