Patent ID: 7096727
Filing Date: 2006-08-29
Classification: B60C,B60K,H01L,H02N

Abstract:
1. A tire assembly with integrated power generation features, said tire assembly comprising: a tire structure characterized by a crown having an exterior tread portion for making contact with a ground surface, bead portions for seating said tire to a wheel rim, and sidewall portions extending between each bead portion and the crown; a piezoelectric device comprising a layer of piezoceramic material characterized by first and second opposing sides and first and second conductive layers provided adjacent to respective said first and second opposing sides of said layer of piezoceramic material and secured thereto with respective adhesive layers configured to generate electric charge therein upon said tire structure being subjected to mechanical strains; an energy storage device coupled to said piezoelectric device for receiving said electric charge from said piezoelectric device and for storing selected amounts of said electric charge therein; and an electronics assembly coupled to said energy storage device such that selected electronic components of said electronics assembly are powered by electric charge stored in said energy storage device.