Airless Wheel Concept
The Energy Return Wheel concept was designed by Brian Russell, his goal was simple – reduce fuel consumption and increase car safety. Easier said than done, but Russell has come up with this ingenious airless wheel solution made from a mixture of carbon fibre and Kevlar. Using such materials allows the Energy Return Wheel to be lighter than most normal wheels while at the same time maintaining structural integrity.
The concept is essentially a mixture of wheel and tire, using an exterior frame that’s fixed to a rim. This removes the need for the inflation of a tire, hence comes the airlessness. Though the design has many benefits, it is clear that without the use of air the wheel will have difficulties at high speeds or on roads that aren’t smooth enough. This is because it is the addition of air that allows the conventional tire to conform to the road so well.
