Honeycomb tire of the future

[VH_Supra26]

http://img.worldcarfans.com/2008/11/large/resilient-technologies-honeycomb-wheel.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2008/11/large/resilient-technologies-honeycomb-wheel_1.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2008/11/large/resilient-technologies-honeycomb-wheel_2.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2008/11/large/resilient-technologies-honeycomb-wheel_3.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2008/11/large/resilient-technologies-honeycomb-wheel_5.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2008/11/large/resilient-technologies-honeycomb-wheel_6.jpg
In combat numerous Humvee military vehicles equipped with standard issue "run flat" tires have been tragically immobilized by IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices). So, the military wants an alternative tire that can support the additional weight of add-on armor, survive an IED attack, and still speed away at up to 50 mph.

Resilient Technologies and Wisconsin-Madison's Polymer Engineering Center have developed a "non-pneumatic tire" (without air) that meet these requirements.

We've seen this type of wheel before with the Michelin Tweel. In fact, the Tweel was one of several airless tires studied, but developers concluded that mother nature's honeycomb design was more suitable as it provided the most realistic ride feel of pneumatic tires, according to the developers.

"The goal was to reduce the variation in the stiffness of the tire, to make it transmit loads uniformly and become more homogenous," said mechanical engineering professor Tim Osswald. "And the best design, as nature gives it to us, is really the honeycomb."

Furthermore, other benefits of the design geometry are reduced noise and heat levels while in motion.

The honeycomb tires starts deliveries in 2011 with prices expected to be comparable if not less than current tires.

Copyright 2006-2008 Black Falcon Media Group.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9081120.015/honeycomb-tire-of-the-future

[Jeebus]

Not the most fashionable tire but sounds like it could really come in handy for those in combat.

[syntheticGT]

no stretch no care.

:hsugh:

[Happy]

Michelin had a version of this in 2005 called the Tweel

http://www.gizmag.com/go/3603/

very cool to see this getting some practical application

[rene]

sittin clean on thirty-fo's!

[alf]

Michelin had a version of this in 2005 called the Tweel

http://www.gizmag.com/go/3603/

very cool to see this getting some practical application

yes we know, did u read the article?

[Happy]

yes we know, did u read the article?

nope

[dantheman]

nope
if you did, you would see that this tire is also the tweel.

[Corrosive]

Pretty cool that there are new developments like this... Wonder how long until it makes its way for practical civilian use.

[85notch]

I wonder how much louder those are at speed?

[LabtopThief_jr.]

i remember i saw a show about that wheel a year ago. Very interesting.

[mista_chewey]

I wonder how much louder those are at speed?

more importantly how many Gs can they hold

[Limeade]

nope

:rofl:

[HomieG35]

I'm sure they'd put a sidewall on them for the market. This is just to show how "cool" and new they look. Mud and everything else would gather in the holes causing a balancing issue... not to mention the vandalism. So again, I'm sure a sidewall will be put on it.

[tha_W]

unless they improve the aesthetics, it'll never be marketable.

[seinkonnen]

unless they improve the aesthetics, it'll never be marketable.

They already have a market... The military. And I'm sure the government will give them a $5 billion dollar contract and guarantee their success.

As for public contracts, you might could see them show up on 18 wheelers.

[tha_W]

They already have a market... The military. And I'm sure the government will give them a $5 billion dollar contract and guarantee their success.

As for public contracts, you might could see them show up on 18 wheelers.

i meant for "practical civilian use". as far as industrial usage, i agree military vehicles, 18 wheelers, construction vehicles etc. will get them some contracts.