Superelastic Tire: A viable alternative to the pneumatic tire

[ri-f]

https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LEW-TOPS-99

Eventually, the issue of airing up/down, blowing a bead, punctures, correct psi and all the rest of this endless, circular argument willl be ancient history.

Go Mars rover!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

That's a very cool designed tire.Now if we all had the NASA budget
to pay for that tire.
Frank

 

[ri-f]

NASA and military research tech trickles down to us eventually, sometimes sooner than you'd think. I don't think you'll be seeing this at Discount Tire anytime soon, so carry a spare.

That's a very cool designed tire.Now if we all had the NASA budget
to pay for that tire.
Frank

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

I like the beadlocks but would prefer an anthracite colored wheel for my forays to the mall.

 

[rubberlegs]

Can you change the spring rate when you remove your camper?

 

[dr.tucson]

I can remember when studded tires were introduced for snow and ice in the mid-west. All the traffic lanes on the intercity freeways lost 1/4" - 1/2" of surface in the first couple years. Studded tires were quickly outlawed. There is no free lunch.

 

[JaSAn]

Two important issues that were not mentioned: rolling resistance and wear.

Rolling resistance has always been the bugaboo of airless tires = increased fuel consumption.
Tires have always been a sacrificial component in automobiles: the tires wear out so the roadway doesn't.

Add to that the above mentioned 'spring rate' change: the ability to modify the tire for changing loads and terrain (i.e. changing the tire spring rate or increasing the contact patch for more flotation).

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

Despite my previous feeble attempt at comedy, I’m happy to see (again) the future crossover from space exploration to everyday life. As a kid of the 50s/60s, there were so many advancements made and many wow factors. I think we take so much for granted today.

 

[ri-f]

I like the beadlocks but would prefer an anthracite colored wheel for my forays to the mall.

Well OK, your wish is my command:

 

[ri-f]

Two important issues that were not mentioned: rolling resistance and wear.

Rolling resistance has always been the bugaboo of airless tires = increased fuel consumption.
Tires have always been a sacrificial component in automobiles: the tires wear out so the roadway doesn't.

Add to that the above mentioned 'spring rate' change: the ability to modify the tire for changing loads and terrain (i.e. changing the tire spring rate or increasing the contact patch for more flotation).

Well, we're talking about Mars here. Eventually this tech will trickle down to us mortals on Earth. But the alloys that NASA is experimenting with do allow for the control of tire stiffness and load bearing, which means they could be adjusted for use on different types of terrains. Perhaps that will happen on the fly eventually. But keep in mind that these tires were developed for rovers to be used on missions to the moon and Mars, which have specific terrain and gravity. Here on Earth, at this point in the tire's development, off-road vechicles could benefit from a safe, puncture proof tire that could be driven at higher speeds over sharp rocks, potholes, and severe washboard roads at the ideal wavelength, oscillation frequency. When these tires are eventually produced for our on-road vechicles, no doubt they will be capable of adjustments for non-destructive traction and comfort. Probably not any time real soon thoiugh. And of course, just as they are refined and made available for public consumption, we will be seeing the first generation of vechicles that hover and need no wheels and probably will require no fossil fuels. Rich

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I am still waiting for the "flying car".
Many years later we got the 'Dick Tracy" two-way-wist-radio" (Apple I watch)
At some point we worker bees catch up with tech.
Frank

 

[ri-f]

I am still waiting for the "flying car".
Many years later we got the 'Dick Tracy" two-way-wist-radio" (Apple I watch)
At some point we worker bees catch up with tech.
Frank

Remember the the first jet packs in Thunderball (1965), well here we have the British Navy trials for...you guessed it, the real deal, check this out:

 

[wicked1]

I'm old and am starting to get used to old news being posted as new...
But tires like this have been made for the automotive industry already.. 20-30 years ago I first saw them. They were a rubber mesh..

OH, I just did a google search.. "airless tire". They're still around.

I guess these 'superelastic' ones are an incremental improvement to the type of tires nasa has been using since the moon.

 

[smlobx]

Or how about this concept??

https://www.michelin.com/en/innovation/vision-concept/#airless

https://youtu.be/Tyc4Apyk2Rc

 

[ri-f]

I'm old and am starting to get used to old news being posted as new...
But tires like this have been made for the automotive industry already.. 20-30 years ago I first saw them. They were a rubber mesh..

OH, I just did a google search.. "airless tire". They're still around.

I guess these 'superelastic' ones are an incremental improvement to the type of tires nasa has been using since the moon.

Yes, I suppose you could say it's an "incremental" improvement, but in all fairness, evolution could be thought of as incremental, too I think the advancements in materials sciene from earliest airless rubber tires of decades ago, to the current, exotic, elastic mesh materials, are the difference between the sophistication of launching and orbiting Sputnik, as compared to deploying the Mars Rover this year.