Wheel sizing

Abstract: In the four-wheeled vehicle, both the front and rear wheels are turned in response to operation of the steering wheel. The turning angle of the rear wheels is controlled in accordance with a turning angle ratio characteristic curve defined on a θF-θR plane wherein θF and θR respectively represent the turning angles of the front and rear wheels. The turning angle ratio characteristic curve is substantially a broken line having a positive inclination in the region where the value of the front wheel turning angle θF is smaller than a predetermined value and having a smaller inclination in the region where the value of the front wheel turning angle θF is larger than the predetermined value. The turning angle ratio characteristic curve is changed according to the vehicle speed so that the turning angle ratio θR/θF is increased as the vehicle speed increases.

Abstract: Aircraft landing gear comprised of a wheel hub motor/generator disks stack, includes alternating rotor and stator disks mounted with respect to the wheel support and wheel. The invention can provide motive force to the wheel when electrical power is applied, e.g. prior to touch-down, thus decreasing the difference in relative velocities of the tire radial velocity with that of the relative velocity of the runway and reducing the sliding friction wear of the tire. After touchdown the wheel hub motor/generator may be used as a generator thus applying a regenerative braking force and/or a motorized braking action to the wheel. The energy generated upon landing maybe dissipated through a resistor and/or stored for later use in providing a source for motive power to the aircraft wheels for taxiing and ground maneuvers of the aircraft. Methods and apparatuses for nose gear steering and ABS braking using the disclosed invention are described.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system for a vehicle in which the rear wheels of a vehicle are turned in response to the turning of the front wheels of the vehicle upon operation of a steering wheel. The rear wheel steering is derived from the front wheel steering by way of a transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is supported rotatably and for sliding movement in the axial direction by way of a bearing fixed on the vehicle body. A stopper ring is fixed on the transmission shaft a short distance forward from the bearing to limit the backward sliding of the transmission shaft.

Abstract: A system and a method for detecting compromised vehicle wheel and tire operating characteristics includes detection for out of round new tires, under pressure tires, poor front wheel alignment and off center line loads. The instantaneous rotational velocity signal generated for each wheel (22), (24), (26), (28), (34), (36) by an existing antilock braking system (ABS) (54) provides data for the basic comparison of wheel speed is against an instantaneous indication of vehicle speed. Once calibrated, the system provides operational monitoring of the wheel (22), (24), (26), (28), (34), (36) includes initializing the trip odometer, collecting wheel speeds, and sampling vehicle speed. Tire (30) radius and tolerance data as a function of estimated wear and tire temperature. Tire (30) temperature is in turn a function of ambient temperature and trip distance.