VALVE STEM-BASED AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND METHOD

An air maintenance tire (12) is disclosed comprising a tire cavity (28) bounded by first and second sidewalls (18) extending to a tire tread region (26); air pumping means for generating pressurized air for maintaining air pressure within the tire cavity (28) at a preset pressure level; an elongate valve stem (80) projecting outward from the tire cavity (28) and having an internal valve stem air passageway in communication with the tire cavity (28) and operative to direct pressurized air into the tire cavity (28); and a valve housing (101) disposed adjacent an outward end of the valve stem (80) wherein the valve housing (101) is operative to selectively open and close pressurized air flow from the valve stem internal passageway into the tire cavity (28).