US 12,466,217 B2
Reinforcement of polymers with shape memory alloy elements
Brian Yennie, Upland, CA (US); Earl Cole, Studio City, CA (US); and Jim Benzing, North Canton, OH (US)
Assigned to THE SMART TIRE COMPANY, Akron, OH (US)
Filed by The SMART Tire Company Inc., Akron, OH (US)
Filed on Sep. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/946,402.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/244,928, filed on Sep. 16, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0081635 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. B60C 9/00 (2006.01); B33Y 70/00 (2020.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01)
CPC B60C 9/0007 (2013.01) [B60C 9/0057 (2013.01); B33Y 70/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); B60C 2009/0014 (2013.01); B60C 2009/0021 (2013.01); B60C 2009/0071 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tire assembly comprising:
a body defined by a shape memory alloy structure, the shape memory alloy structure comprising a shape memory alloy element; and
a polymer layer configured to encase the body, wherein the polymer is a first polymer bonded to a second polymer, the first polymer and the second polymer being different materials from each other.