Tuesday, October 13, 2020

THE HONEYCOMB - New Bulletproof & Airless Tires - The most vulnerable part of a military vehicle is its tires. When flat, the entire vehicle, its advanced technology, and its occupants are at risk. Airless tires, or non-pneumatic tires (NPT), are tires that are not supported by air pressure. They are used on some small vehicles such as riding lawn mowers and motorized golf carts. They are also used on heavy equipment such as backhoes, which are required to operate on sites such as building demolition, where risk of tire punctures is high. Tires composed of closed-cell polyurethane foam are also made for bicycles and wheelchairs. According to soldiers who have driven vehicles fitted with them, the tires are capable of towing 1,000 gallons of water up a mountain or three pallets of ammo and batteries up a steep incline, while handling like normal rubber tires. Humvees have “run flat” tires that continue to roll despite very low air pressure, but “airless tires” are even better. The technology, “Non-Pneumatic Tire” (NPT), is made of a polymeric web. NPTs keep vehicles moving in any terrain while not being slowed or stopped by punctures, increasing the possibility of escaping from dangerous situations. NPT was originally developed at the University of Wisconsin for the U.S. Army. The company claims its airless tyres provide a smoother ride over bumps than conventional tyres, and they’re quieter. The main advantage of airless tires is that they cannot go flat.

The Honeycomb 

New Bulletproof & Airless Tires

Vikas Shukla


 

The most vulnerable part of a military vehicle is its tires. When flat, the entire vehicle, its advanced technology, and its occupants are at risk.

No Air, No Problem

Airless tires, or non-pneumatic tires (NPT), are tires that are not supported by air pressure.

They are used on some small vehicles such as riding lawn mowers and motorized golf carts.

They are also used on heavy equipment such as backhoes, which are required to operate on sites such as building demolition, where risk of tire punctures is high.

Tires composed of closed-cell polyurethane foam are also made for bicycles and wheelchairs.

According to soldiers who have driven vehicles fitted with them, the tires are capable of towing 1,000 gallons of water up a mountain or three pallets of ammo and batteries up a steep incline, while handling like normal rubber tires.

Humvees have “run flat” tires that continue to roll despite very low air pressure, but “airless tires” are even better.

The technology, “Non-Pneumatic Tire” (NPT), is made of a polymeric web.

NPTs keep vehicles moving in any terrain while not being slowed or stopped by punctures, increasing the possibility of escaping from dangerous situations.

NPT was originally developed at the University of Wisconsin for the U.S. Army.

The company claims its airless tyres provide a smoother ride over bumps than conventional tyres, and they’re quieter.

“There is nowhere for the sound to pool, so there’s no humming or drumming like there is with a standard pneumatic tyre,” Polaris business development representative Joaquin Salas told Fox News in the US.

Advantages

The main advantage of airless tires is that they cannot go flat.

Other advantages are that airless tires will need to be replaced less often resulting in savings.

Heavy equipment outfitted with airless tires will be able to carry more weight and engage in more rugged activities.

Airless bicycle tires can be easy to install. 

Airless lawn mower tires come in several varieties.

Disadvantages

Airless tires generally have higher rolling resistance and provide somewhat less suspension than similarly shaped and sized pneumatic tires.

Other problems for airless heavy equipment tires include dissipating the heat buildup that occurs when they are driven.

Airless tires are often filled with compressed polymers (plastic), rather than air or can be a solid molded product.

Airless tires are attractive to cyclists, as bicycle tires are much more vulnerable to punctures than motor vehicle tires.

The drawbacks to airless tires depend on the use.

Heavy equipment operators who use machinery with solid tires will complain of fatigue whereas lawn mowers that use solid or airless tires have no drawbacks.

Bicycle riders who use airless tires may complain that the tire is harder than a comparable pneumatic tire.

Only anecdotal evidence exists that airless tires may cause broken spokes on a bicycle wheel.

Any airless tire will be heavier than the rubber tire it is meant to replace; however, many rubber pneumatic tires are also heavy.

Rubber tires vary in rolling resistance and an airless tire or solid insert may only marginally increase rolling resistance if at all.

Installation of airless tires depends on the use.

Heavy equipment will need special equipment to mount but an airless bicycle tire can be mounted with little or no effort.

Solid airless lawnmower tires come pre-installed on the wheel allowing quick installation.

https://youtu.be/2wAvxQfusWU

https://engineeringinsider.org/honeycomb-new-airless-tires/

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