Patent ID: 7353720
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
1. A tire assembly, comprising: a tire having an inner liner; a first pad and a second pad attached to said inner liner of said tire and separated from one another by a predetermined distance; a bridge member having at least two ends, wherein at least one of said ends is attached to said first pad and the other end is attached to said second pad, said bridge member comprising a continuous element spanning between said first pad and said second pad, said bridge member separated from contact with said tire and mechanically isolated from the tire except through attachment to said first and second pads; and an electromechanical transducer element attached to said bridge member and configured for converting mechanical energy from said tire into electrical energy, wherein said bridge member is configured with said first and second pads so as to control the mechanical energy imparted to said electromechanical transducer element as a result of the deformation of said inner liner during operation of said tire.