Czech company offers self-inflating tyre technology

ERJ staff report (DS)

Prague, Czech Republic -- A Czech company is offering a system which can use rolling energy to inflate a tyre. The system uses a tube in the tyre's body to increase the pressure of atmospheric air to increase pressure within the tyre. The Czech company, Coda Development describes the system as the self-inflating tyre (SIT)

When the chamber is compressed against the road, it pressurises the air in a chamber. As the contact patch rolls around the tyre, it moves low pressure air around the pipe and eventually dispenses high pressure air into the tyre.

The developers say, "The SIT System is based on proven, highly reliable peristaltic pump principles. It integrates a tube chamber into the tyre wall. As the tyre turns against the road this chamber acts as a peristaltic pump, forcing more air into the tyre until it reaches its desired pressure. Then a managing valve automatically stops further inflation. This simple solution ensures that all tyres operate at optimal pressure at all times. Driving less than 1 mile compensates for typical leakage of 1 to 3% per month.

The company does not say how the feature affects rolling resistance. A tyre will be shown on Coda's stand at the 2008 SAE World Congress, which takes place in Detroit's Cobo Center on April 14th -17th, 2008.

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Website of product

Press release from Coda