摘要 |
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for gravity-driven pumps and generators, as well as various supporting concepts, mechanisms, and approaches. As a tire rotates around an axle, the pull of gravity varies for a given point on the tire. While gravity is always pulling ‘down’, the force relative to a fixed point on the tire changes. Gravity-driven generators exploit these changes in gravitational force to do work. A gravity-driven generator is different from an automatic pump that operates using centrifugal force due to rotation of a tire. Automatic, gravity-driven generators can be used to generate and store energy to perform such tasks as inflating tires to offset the natural gas leakage of modern tires, and can maintain tire pressure and inflation within a desired or optimal range. Tire rims can be modified to accommodate these pumps. |