System Including Pressurized Load Cells

Abstract

A system includes a wheel, a tire, a plurality of pressurized load cells and a sleeve member. The wheel includes a first flange portion, a second flange portion and a barrel portion positioned between the first and second flange portions. The tire is mounted to the wheel. The wheel and the tire cooperate to define a tire cavity. The tire includes a first beaded portion and a second beaded portion. The plurality of pressurized load cells are positioned within the tire cavity. The sleeve member is positioned within the tire cavity and surrounds and constrains the plurality of pressurized load cells.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a wheel comprising:
 a first flange portion; 
 a second flange portion; and 
 a barrel portion positioned between the first and second flange portions; 
   a tire mounted to the wheel such that the wheel and the tire cooperate to define a tire cavity,   a plurality of pressurized load cells positioned within the tire cavity; and   a sleeve member positioned within the tire cavity and configured to surround and constrain the plurality of pressurized load cells,   wherein a combination of the sleeve member and the plurality of pressurized load cells partially fills the tire cavity, and a remainder of the tire cavity is an inflatable air chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pressurized load cells comprise a substantially continuous ring of pressurized load cells positioned around a circumference of the wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve member is permanently attached to the plurality pressurized load cells. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve member comprises a first beaded portion and a second beaded portion. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pressurized load cells comprise: a first substantially continuous ring of pressurized load cells positioned around a circumference of the wheel; and a second substantially continuous ring of pressurized load cells positioned radially outward from the first substantially continuous ring of pressurized load cells. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pressurized load cells are randomly positioned within the sleeve member. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve member comprises a netting. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of valve members positioned within the tire cavity, wherein each valve member is fluidically connected to a corresponding pressurized load cell. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve member positioned within the tire cavity and fluidically connected to the sleeve member. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing band connected to a radially outermost surface of the sleeve member. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wheel is one of a: a single piece wheel; or a multi-piece wheel. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tire comprises a first beaded portion and a second beaded portion. 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 a wheel;   a tire mounted to the wheel such that the wheel and the tire cooperate to define a tire cavity,   a plurality of pressurized load cells positioned within the tire cavity; and   a sleeve member positioned within the tire cavity and configured to surround and constrain the plurality of pressurized load cells,   wherein a combination of the sleeve member and the plurality of pressurized load cells partially fills the tire cavity, and a remainder of the tire cavity is an inflatable air chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pressurized load cells comprise a substantially continuous ring of pressurized load cells positioned around a circumference of the wheel. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve member is permanently attached to the plurality pressurized load cells. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve member comprises a first beaded portion and a second beaded portion. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of valve members positioned within the tire cavity, wherein each valve member is fluidically connected to a corresponding pressurized load cell. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a valve member positioned within the tire cavity and fluidically connected to the sleeve member. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a reinforcing band connected to a radially outermost surface of the sleeve member. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the wheel is one of a: a single piece wheel; or a multi-piece wheel.