Marcus W Lewis

US Patent:

20040261512, Dec 30, 2004

Filed:

May 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/847213

Inventors:

Paul Daly - Troy MI, US
Allan Losey - Ortonville MI, US
Marcus Lewis - Southfield MI, US

International Classification:

G01M017/02

US Classification:

073/146000

Abstract:

A vehicle wheel is formed of a plastic rim that receives a tire. The tire is preferably welded at each of its two beads to portions of the rim. The plastic rim is preferably formed of both a disc and an internal part. A sensor for sensing pressures within the tire is incorporated into the disc piece. It is imagined that the entire vehicle wheel could be secured together for the life of the wheel. That is, the tire cannot be replaced. Since a plastic rim is utilized, the sensor could utilize LF (or other wireless means) to communicate a signal indicative of pressure, acceleration (which is translated into wheel speed), temperature and other information that may be deemed as important for safety and convenience from the tire to a receiver on the vehicle. Since the rim will not be separated from the tire, the sensor can also store incoming information providing a complete record of the entire life of the vehicle wheel. The sensor, or the vehicle receiver, is able to store information with regard to pressure, speed of operation, hours of operation, and other information which may be deemed as important for safety and convenience for the specific wheel, or wheels which are, or have been, mounted to the vehicle.