Every driver knows (or should) that under inflated tires are bad as they lead to decreased fuel mileage, increase tread wear and adversely affect handling.
That’s why the US government has mandated the use of tire pressure warning systems on new cars. However, they are often frustrating as all too often you get false readings.
Goodyear has come up with an even better idea – tires that maintain their own inflation without requiring any air be pumped in from an external source.
Goodyear says its Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) will enable tires to remain inflated at the optimum pressure without the need for any external pumps or electronics. All components of the AMT system, including the miniaturized pump, will be fully contained within the tire.
“While the technology is complex, the idea behind the AMT system is relatively simple and powered by the tire itself as it rolls down the road,” said Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear senior vice president and chief technical officer.
“A tire that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for many years. Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging,” said Kihn. “This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they ever lived without.”
Goodyear is not sure when this technology would be available but recent government research grants in United States and European Union are helping the company speed up research.
The Department of Energy’s Office of Vehicle Technology has awarded a $1.5 million grant for research, development and demonstration of the AMT system for commercial truck tires. The work will be conducted at Goodyear’s Innovation Center in Akron, Ohio.
In July, Goodyear successfully applied for a grant from the Luxembourg government for R&D of an AMT system for consumer tires. That work will be conducted at Goodyear’s Innovation Center in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg.
It’s good to see our taxes being put to some good.
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