nonpneumatic

Nonpneumatic refers to technologies or components that operate without relying on compressed air. In common usage, the term is often applied to tires and to systems that do not use pneumatics for actuation or damping.

Nonpneumatic tires are airless tires that use solid materials or lattice structures to carry load and provide shock absorption. Construction can involve a rigid hub encircled by a network of flexible spokes, foam-filled sections, or polymer composites. The design aims to avoid punctures and dependence on air pressure, offering maintenance-free operation and stable performance across temperature variations. However, nonpneumatic tires can be heavier and stiffer, may exhibit different traction characteristics, and can incur higher manufacturing costs. Heat buildup and wear patterns can differ from conventional tires, influencing ride quality and handling, and adoption varies by application.

Beyond tires, nonpneumatic technology covers actuators and damping systems that do not rely on compressed gas. Electric motors, hydraulic actuators, or solid-state approaches may substitute for pneumatics in robotics, aerospace, or industrial equipment. These applications emphasize reliability, safety, and deterministic response, sometimes at the expense of greater weight or complexity.

A notable example within tires is Michelin’s Tweel, an airless tire that combines a central hub with a deformable spoke cage to provide load support and vibration damping without air. Nonpneumatic tires have been explored for motorcycles, industrial equipment, and agricultural use but have not universally replaced pneumatic tires due to various trade-offs.