BMEWS
 

Truck U

 
 

I do not have a full understanding of why truck tires blow out, but I think heat is a big part of it. So why not cool the tires as you drive? And do that without spraying water all over the road as you go by?

Tire pressure monitor systems already exist, as do flat-proof tire air systems. Why not put a temperature gauge inline and hang a tank of dry air or CO2 under the trailer with a radiator, so that when the tires get hot they can have fresh cool air exchanged internally, thus bringing down the temperature of the tire. I think the technology is already here, it’s just a matter of putting it in place and proving that it works. Cold air goes in one valve on one side, hot air comes out one valve on the other side, then gets cooled off by the radiator and goes back into the storage air tank.



Posted by Drew458    United States   on 02/03/2012 at 01:31 PM   
 
  1. The unions destroyed a great system in the UK, it had huge transhipment depots outside London, called British Road Services, they even had special tractor units for Londons small roads they were 3 wheeled ! the rail did the heavy hauling and the trucks did the local stuff, perfect except the thieving unions, all went in the late 1960s
    In the UK taxes on trucks and fuel are huge so I guess tyres get cost cutted, and have the tread re-cut when bald) the road transport unions and lobby have a strangle hold in the UK on governments of both colours (not that Ive seen a coservative government there for 20 years)

    Posted by Chris Edwards    Canada   02/03/2012  at  04:53 PM  

  2. This is a disaster waiting to happen - you see the MI highways after winter has blown through? You see an accident on the highway involving the semis now on the road? Bigger is not always better. And yes - the triple threat combo of rail, truck and air - should be the best to make it happen.

    Of course more local manufacturing and/or production - but then that would mean more Americans working. Can’t have them.

    Hmmm, wonder if this is just a gov scam to kill off all the Americans who drive on the highways?

    Stupid idea. Any way you look at it.

    Posted by wardmama4    United States   02/04/2012  at  09:16 AM  

  3. On the third hand, if the maximum load remained the same, but the move began towards 3 axle trailers, then the load per wheel would drop to 4000lb, a 20% drop. This would lessen the roadway impact of all those trucks significantly, and add considerable braking force to the trailers. That could perhaps reduce the number of accidents, but it may cost a bit of mileage due to the increased friction. Streamlining could compensate for some or all of that.

    I did a post on streamlining for tractor trailers some time ago. IIRC, 3 axle trailers were fairly common in Europe, and they seemed to be ahead of us with the streamlining too. We have a major truck stop just a couple miles down the road from us here. I saw one of those boat-tail trailers for the first time just last week. It was rather scary looking, the way the back end stuck out another 5 or 6 feet. I am seeing a little bit of side curtain panels on the trailers. It’s coming, but it’s slow getting here. More on that here. I have not yet seen anything with a pneumatic or retractable gap fairing between the cab and the front of the trailer, and that’s the #1 source of drag. There has to be a way to set up something automatic that deploys at 30mph and retracts at low speed to allow tight turns in parking lots.

    Posted by Drew458    United States   02/04/2012  at  10:26 AM  

  4. Heat is a big problem with tires - usually due to under-inflation. Another problem is delamination of retreaded tires, again because of excessive heat or poor adhesion.

    If you have a tank of compressed gas that is at ambient temperature, when you release it, you get refrigeration due to expansion - that’s why CO2 extinguishers spew out CO2 ‘ice’. You don’t need a radiator or anything else to get cold air out of a tank of compressed air or CO2.

    The problem is getting good heat transfer to the tires. Simply squirting cold gas at them while the truck is rolling at speed won’t do much. You will need some sort of containment so the cold gas can actually cool the tires.

    I wonder if trucks are required to have the same kind of pressure monitors on the tires that all cars have now. Proper inflation will prevent most blowouts, along with regular inspections.

    There’s a drawback to adding more road wheels - costs to the truckers, many of whom are small businessmen running on very tight margins. One tire for a semi may cost over $500 without the wheel, axle, and brakes.

    Posted by Chuck Kuecker    United States   02/04/2012  at  11:43 AM  

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