A tire assembly with integrated power generation features includes one or
more piezoelectric devices configured to generate electric charge therein
upon being subjected to mechanical strains associated with flexure of
tire or wheel components. The piezoelectric device may be incorporated in
a variety of tire structures and in many different locations. In
pneumatic tire structures, the piezoelectric device and related
electronics may be embedded in crown or sidewall locations among such
selected components as the exterior tread portion, first and second steel
belts of a belt package, carcass, cap ply portion, inner liner, zone
base, etc. The piezoelectric device with optional rubber casing may also
be attached to such locations as the inner liner and tire exterior.
Piezoelectric devices may also be integrated with a tire and safety
support combination that is configured to operate in an extended mobility
mode when the tire structure loses air pressure. Piezoelectric devices
may alternatively be integrated with a non-pneumatic structurally
supported tire such as one including a reinforced annular band, a
plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward
from the annular band, a mounting band at the inner end of the web spokes
and a tread portion disposed on the annular band.