Self-inflating tire with inlet control valve

A self-inflating tire (12) comprising a tire cavity (40), first and second sidewalls (15) extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region, and an air passageway (43) having an inlet end (42) and an outlet end (44) is disclosed. The air passageway (43) is composed of or established by a flexible material and is operative to open and close when the tire (12) rotates in contact with a contact area under its standard load and normal pressure. The tire (12) further comprises a regulator device or inlet control valve assembly (300). The regulator device or inlet control valve assembly (300) includes a housing (310) or regulator body. The housing (310) or regulator body has an interior chamber (320). A pressure membrane (550) is mounted in the interior chamber (320) and positioned to open and close an outlet port (330) provided in the interior chamber (320). The pressure membrane (550) is in fluid communication with the tire cavity pressure. The outlet port (330) of the regulator device or inlet control valve assembly (300) is in fluid communication with the inlet end (42) of the air passageway (43). The interior chamber (320) is in fluid communication with an outside air supply. The outlet end (44) of the air passageway (43) is in fluid communication with the tire cavity (40).