I propose an integration of MAG-LEV technology into regular tire's for cars, that would slip over a slim rim, born by a magnetic field, from a static (non-rotating) hub/'wheel', suspended to the car.
The tire would be fairly regular, even very low profile, since the magnetic field would be 'micro'-movement cushioning.
There would be an outer rim, rotating with the tire, and the inner rim, supported to the car's structure.
Between them, a magnetic field, holding the rims slightly apart, and introducing the drive and brake forces, to propel and arrest the vehicle/car.-- sirau, Jun 01 2011 Magnetic bearings http://en.wikipedia...ki/Magnetic_bearingBig, heavy & expensive. [Twizz, Jun 01 2011] MaglevLA_20Wheel Redundant. Even the first comment is nearly the same. [spidermother, Jun 01 2011] So the idea is to use a magnetic bearing (WKTE - see link) for automotive road wheels.
The friction from road wheel bearings is so small that a magnetic bearing is not justifiable in terms of energy consumption, weight, complexity or cost.
(-)-- Twizz, Jun 01 2011 Yes, the function of the bearings would be included, but also the engine and the brakes - as the MAG-LEV trains, only in smaller rotation elements - both propulsion, AND braking comes through the magnetic field (segments around the circumference, switching opposing polarity, for attraction and distance.).
Interesting link.-- sirau, Jun 01 2011 [spidermother] : Not the same construction. The link's center is a bearing, and something else is at the rim.-- sirau, Jun 01 2011 It's not that clearly worded, but the linked idea's author, in an annotation, mentions conventional bearings as an _alternative_ to magnetic levitation. The idea itself is the same as yours, except for the T-shaped construction to prevent sideways movement.-- spidermother, Jun 01 2011 You've partially described regenerative braking: an electric motor is a maglev... minus the 'lev' bit.
As far as the levitation bit is concerned, good luck finding a magnet that will do this: you've got (charitably) half a tonne on an area of a couple centimeters, which almost sounds doable until you hit a pothole.-- FlyingToaster, Jun 01 2011 the support area is the entire circumferential area of the outer rim - inner rim interface, ie in vertical perspective : width x diameter of mag-lev 'shell', approximately the same as width x diameter of the wheel/tire.-- sirau, Jun 01 2011 random, halfbakery