Title: A potentially energy efficient, resilient, thin steel wheel, for use on heavy road vehicles

Authors: Justin Batelaan

Addresses: 23 Hollywood Avenue, Suite 110, Toronto, Ontario M2N 7L8, Canada

Abstract: The radial cross section of a thin spring steel, seamless round band is formed to a smaller radius. The forming changes the round band into an oval band with two natural, radial curved elbows. Any segment of a uniformly formed band moves with ease to any location along the oval geometry. The thin spring steel band, with a rubber tread, is mounted on two axles with four band support rims. The assembly is called 'band wheel'. Band wheel has inherent spring suspension, a large rolling radius, a low rolling resistance and a low, adjustable ground pressure.

Keywords: thin steel wheels; resilient suspension; energy efficiency; heavy vehicles; low rolling resistance; low ground pressure; band wheel; spring band; seamless steel band; thin steel forming; road vehicles; spring suspension; rolling radius.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2012.047915

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2012 Vol.19 No.3, pp.244 - 255

Published online: 20 Dec 2014 *

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