Patent GB-775307-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to pneumatic tyre wheels
IPC: B60C29/06
Filed: 1954-06-30
Abstract: 775,307. Liquid ballasting pneumatic tyres. BOBARD, E. June 30, 1954 [July 10, 1953; Nov. 7, 1953], No. 19181/54. Classes 144 (1) and 144 (2). To facilitate liquid storage in, and ballasting of, a pneumatic-tyred vehicle wheel having a liquid reservoir rotatable with the wheel, means are provided for communication between the reservoir and the tyre, and separate coaxial means non-rotatable with the wheel are provided for charging and discharging the reservoir with liquid and air respectively during rotation of the wheel and tyre. Fig. 2 shows a wheel comprising spaced discs 2, 4 and a rim 1 defining a wheel body reservoir 5 which is in direct communication via rim apertures 7 with the pneumatic tyre 6 on the rim 1. The disc 2 is fixed to a rotary shaft 3 and the disc 4 has a central gland 8 for entry into the wheel reservoir 5 of a non-rotatable liquid pipe 9. A separate air pipe 10 is led into the reservoir coaxially through the glandreceived portion of pipe 9. Within the reservoir the liquid and air pipes 9, 10 extend respectively downwards and upwards to define the lower and upper limit levels of liquid charging. Discharging of the liquid through pipe 9 is accomplished by admission of pressure air through pipe 10, and charging is effected by pumping liquid through pipe 9, with pipe 10 connected to atmosphere. In an alternative arrangement providing for complete emptying of tyre, communication between the reservoir 5 and tyre chamber is effected by radially opposed tubes passing through the rim 1 and having flexible extensions within the tyre to conform with any tyre deformation and to open circumferentially in the direction of rotation. The flexible extensions operate, during rotation of the wheel, to scoop up liquid when in their lowermost position and to discharge it into the reservoir 5 when in an upper position. Figs. 5 and 6 show a similar arrangement in conjunction with a single disc wheel 2 having a separate reservoir 19 carried externally on the wheel disc. In this case tubes 13 housing ball valves 21 connect the reservoir 19 with the tyre chamber wherein the tubes 13 terminate part-spherical flexible bailing cups 22. Liquid filling is effected, with the wheel stationary, through tubes 9a and 9b into reservoir 19 and thence, via the uppermost tube or tubes 13 in which the ball valves 21 are thus open, into the tyre, the tyre being vented to atmosphere by the uppermost of a series of exhaust cocks 16, 17. In a further arrangement shown in Fig. 8, the reservoir 19 is housed within the wheel and tyre space 5 defined by two spaced wheel discs 2, 4 spanned by a tyre 6, and communicates with this space 5 by a radial tube 13 having a terminal outlet aperture normally closed by a spring-loaded valve 25 which has a headed extension 27 projecting externally of the - tube 13. In operation the valve 25 is opened to allow passage of liquid between the reservoir 19 and space 5 by flattening of the tyre acting on the extension 27. Air is introduced into the space 5 from a tube 10a by a tube 10b passing coaxially through the reservoir 19. To brace the wheel, the discs 2 and 4 may be connected by tie-rods 11.