Self-powered planetary orbital wheel assemblies

Abstract

Powered wheel assemblies and methods of manufacturing and operating such assemblies are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wheel assembly configured to couple to a rim having a first axis of rotation, the wheel assembly comprising:
 a drive assembly including a drive mechanism and a motor located within the drive mechanism, the motor configured to provide power to the drive mechanism with the drive mechanism coupled to the rim,   wherein the drive assembly includes an axle having a fixed rotational position and providing a second axis of rotation about which the drive mechanism and the motor rotate.   
     
     
         2 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a surface configured to engage the rim. 
     
     
         3 . The wheel assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the surface includes a mechanical interface selected from a group consisting of gears and teeth. 
     
     
         4 . The wheel assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the surface includes a substantially smooth surface configured to engage the rim using friction. 
     
     
         5 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is rotatably coupled to the rim. 
     
     
         6 . The wheel assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are different axes of rotation. 
     
     
         7 . The wheel assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         8 . The wheel assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the drive assembly includes a transmission configured to couple the drive mechanism to the motor. 
     
     
         9 . The wheel assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a roller. 
     
     
         10 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hub plate including at least one arm including a distal end, the at least one hub plate configured to couple to the drive assembly,
 wherein the drive assembly is located at the distal end of the at least one arm.   
     
     
         11 . The wheel assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one guide mechanism coupled to the at least one hub plate,
 wherein the at least one arm includes a plurality of arms including a first arm having the distal end at which the drive assembly is located,   wherein the plurality of arms includes a second arm having a distal end, and   wherein the at least one guide mechanism is located at the distal end of the second arm.   
     
     
         12 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic apparatus including at least one sensor and a communication system, the electronic apparatus configured to communicate performance data concerning an operation of the wheel assembly to a device remote from both the wheel assembly and the rim. 
     
     
         13 . A wheel assembly configured to couple to a rim having a first axis of rotation, the wheel assembly comprising:
 a drive mechanism including a first rotating drive element and a second rotating drive element coupled to the first rotating element, the second rotating drive element having a second axis of rotation and configured to couple to the rim; and   a motor located within the first rotating drive element, the motor configured to provide power to rotate each of the first rotating drive element and the second rotating drive element with the second rotating drive element coupled to the rim,   wherein the motor and the first rotating drive element rotate about a third axis of rotation provided by an axle having a fixed rotational position, the third axis of rotation different than the second axis of rotation.   
     
     
         14 . The wheel assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the rim rotates at a first rotational speed with the second rotating drive element rotatably coupled to the rim,
 wherein the motor rotates at a second rotational speed with the second rotating drive element rotatably coupled to the rim, and   wherein the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed are different rotational speeds.   
     
     
         15 . The wheel assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a transmission configured to couple the second rotating drive element to the motor. 
     
     
         16 . The wheel assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the transmission includes a belt transmission. 
     
     
         17 . The wheel assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first axis and the third axis are a common axis of rotation. 
     
     
         18 . The wheel assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first axis and the second axis are different axes of rotation.