Bulletproof Honeycomb Tires

H

HardOCP News

[H] News
Joined
Dec 31, 1969
Messages
0
Most people do not realize how hi-tech tires really are, especially these tires. If these tires look familiar that is because these are the same tires announced by Resilient Technologies earlier this year. My only questions are…how do you mount those things on a rim? What about dirt and mud in the honeycombs throwing off the balance?
 
I would think they could put sidewalls to stop mud getting in and throwing off the balance.
 
More than likely that is the "sales display" to show of the tech the real ones will be fully covered.

Interesting is the fact they say it will be the same price as the regular (presumably other non-flat) versions.
If that is true, it might mean we could start seeing these on civilian vehicles in the near future, starting with trucks, and off road vehicles
 
I beg to differ: Tire balance would be PARTICULARLY important when being shot at. Don't want to throw the suspension out of the wheel well when driving like a bat out of hell.
 
Run the channels at angles so they will throw the mud etc... out with centrifugal force, similar to standard tread (woe be unto anyone driving beside or behind you)

I imagine they use beadlock like offroad race tires?
 
Or would it get thrown out when you get up to speed? I mean, stuff a comb with mud then run up to fifty and it might just shoot out.
 
I'm glad to see that tech like this is a priority. Anything that can minimize one of the single largest threats to our soldiers (IEDs) I'm all for. A little sooner would have been nice, but that can't be helped now.

I wonder if these things will make it onto cars, too. Less heat and noise would be nice, not to mention they would probably wear slower.
 
I remember reading about these a while back, good to see they are finally being implemented. Could be really useful for your everyday car too, doesnt look like it can blowout like a regular tire, and you wouldnt need to worry about pressure (especially in climates that go from 30C to -30C, where the pressure needs to be constantly checked). Wonder how expensive they are though?
 
I doubt you would ever see those on passenger cars... just not comfortable enough I bet.
 
xappie said:
I doubt you would ever see those on passenger cars... just not comfortable enough I bet.
Click to expand...


IIRC, the test bed was an Audi A4. I don't think they'd have used that vehicle if they weren't shooing for an equivalent ride to a pneumatic tire.
 
diSynthetic said:
I'm glad to see that tech like this is a priority. Anything that can minimize one of the single largest threats to our soldiers (IEDs) I'm all for. A little sooner would have been nice, but that can't be helped now.

I wonder if these things will make it onto cars, too. Less heat and noise would be nice, not to mention they would probably wear slower.
Click to expand...

Trust me, these aren't going to do anything against an IED unless they have some force-field to deflect a bomb blast. And from experience, the military isn't too concerned with wheel balance on a HMMWV. I have never driven one that didn't shake like hell at 50 mph. :D
 
They mentioned tweel in the article. Tweel design just wasnt cutting it for them though and they said it'll be out in 2011.
 
While I know these are designed for military use, and what they're replacing are likely pretty substantial tires. I wonder how the weight is.

They'll likely put a sidewall on it; something that can deform. So in the end they'll likely look like normal tires. I wonder how much heavier they'll be than the regular tires...

The Tweel may be more geared towards a consumer or shipping market, which is why they may not be appropriate for the military.
 
i think worrying about balance is the least of your worries if you're being shot at. At least you can drive better than if you had a flat.
 
raoulvaz said:
I remember reading about these a while back, good to see they are finally being implemented. Could be really useful for your everyday car too, doesnt look like it can blowout like a regular tire, and you wouldnt need to worry about pressure (especially in climates that go from 30C to -30C, where the pressure needs to be constantly checked). Wonder how expensive they are though?
Click to expand...

Run-flat tires are already in regular use. These are basically run-flat tires. I"m not even sure they're bulletproof per se, they can simply remain functional after being hit with bullets.

The trouble with this and the Tweel is that the outer tread-rim is rigid. The tire surface needs to be supple enough to flatten to a large contact patch, including around any deformities in the road surface. It might be okay for driving in dirt, but not on a paved road.
 
nunyabiz said:
I would think they could put sidewalls to stop mud getting in and throwing off the balance.
Click to expand...

They are puting sidewalls on these so they look normal to us and serve as a functional barrier. ... this open design is for display and engineering.

xappie said:
I doubt you would ever see those on passenger cars... just not comfortable enough I bet.
Click to expand...

Umm... a few companies have working prototypes out and IIRC it's said that within 4 years you will see cars with these.
 
Ockie said:
They are puting sidewalls on these so they look normal to us and serve as a functional barrier. ... this open design is for display and engineering.



Umm... a few companies have working prototypes out and IIRC it's said that within 4 years you will see cars with these.
Click to expand...

Considering the increased price and ability to keep the internal part, I wonder if retreads would become popular on cars.
 
ssrat said:
More than likely that is the "sales display" to show of the tech the real ones will be fully covered.

Interesting is the fact they say it will be the same price as the regular (presumably other non-flat) versions.
If that is true, it might mean we could start seeing these on civilian vehicles in the near future, starting with trucks, and off road vehicles
Click to expand...

Yes, this would be great for civilian use. Improved fuel efficiency should be an immediate benefit as they'll stay "inflated" to the correct firmness all the time.

xappie said:
I doubt you would ever see those on passenger cars... just not comfortable enough I bet.
Click to expand...

Solid rubber tires like on forklifts would not be comfortable enough. These have shock absorbing properties (like the Tweel), hence the honeycomb shape with empty spaces.

Someone will bring this to the market. They may be a little more expensive at first and marketing to some niche markets possibly 4x4 vehicles, or even 18-wheelers or something. But they will come.
 
The honeycomb at the bottom of the tire supports the weight of the car, so they get deformed slightly. Since the walls of the honeycomb are always flexing (as the wheel turns), I would expect mud and stuff not to be able to get a grip on the wheel, so it would be thrown off with regular driving.
 
I'm gonna get these with spinners. Only problem is there's no valve stem to put an LED cap on it.
 
FTA - bullet and bomb-proof Humvee tire
Click to expand...

Umm... I don't know if the University of Wisconsin has seen the results of IED blasts or not... but not even steel armor stands up to 500 lbs of HME. And I don't recall shot tires being much of a concern out there. Maybe their are trying to reduce costs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top