THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160101657 | PNEUMATIC TIRE HAVING BUILT-IN SEALANT LAYER AND PREPARATION THEREOF - A pneumatic tire is provided which includes an outer circumferential rubber tread and a supporting carcass. A rubber inner liner is disposed inwardly from the supporting carcass. A built-in sealant layer is situated adjacent to an innermost removable barrier layer and disposed inwardly from the rubber inner liner. The built-in sealant layer provides self-sealing properties to the pneumatic tire. The pneumatic tire, with its innermost removable barrier layer, keeps the sealant layer from sticking to a tire-building apparatus during tire assembly and, after curing of the assembled tire, is eventually removed to permit gas from the built-in sealant layer to become part of the tire's inflation air to prevent or reduce instances of inner liner blister formation. | 04-14-2016 |
20160090454 | RUBBER FOR BABY BOTTLE NIPPLES, PACIFIERS, & SYRINGE PLUNGERS - The production of a protein free synthetic polyisoprene which has both low levels of chemical impurities and good physical properties has yet to be realized. It has now been envisioned that the use of neodymium catalyzed polyisoprene will offer the combined advantages of both a clean, as well as, high cis-1,4 polymer. Synthesis of polyisoprene rubber using a neodymium based catalyst system is described. Characterization of the material shows the absence of an ultra high molecular weight fraction and the presence of very high cis-1,4-microstructure. Gum stock and black filled compound studies comparing neodymium polyisoprene with natural rubber, titanium polyisoprene, and lithium polyisoprene have been performed. Results indicate that polyisoprene rubber synthesized using a neodymium catalyst system (Nd—PI) has similar stress-strain and tear properties as synthetic titanium polyisoprene. Analysis of residual volatile, extractable, and oligomer levels indicates Nd—PI is indeed a clean source of high cis synthetic polyisoprene. | 03-31-2016 |
20150376343 | COPOLYMERS OF CONJUGATED TRIENE MONOMERS FOR IMPROVED FILLER INTERACTION - The present invention achieves increased filler interaction by incorporating a small amount (a few units per chain of rubbery polymer) of a conjugated triene monomer, such as alloocimene, randomly throughout the polymer chain of a rubbery polymer or at the chain ends of the rubbery polymer. The incorporation of the conjugated triene monomer leads to the formation of a polymer containing highly reactive conjugated diene units. These conjugated diene units can chemically react with carbon black leading to superior reinforcement. Alternatively, these conjugated diene units can be used for functionalization of the polymer with silica interactive/reactive groups using Diels Alder reactions. This functionalization of the rubbery polymer can conveniently be conducted in a mixer, such as a Banbury mixer, a mill mixer, or the like. | 12-31-2015 |
20150336346 | TIRE CARCASS PLY JOINING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location; wrapping a first gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; wrapping a second gum strip around the second splice edge such that the second gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the second gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the second ply over the second splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the second ply; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply to the first planar side of the second ply. | 11-26-2015 |
20150314658 | AIR MAINTENENCE TIRE ASSEMBLY - A pumping mechanism is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping mechanism includes a plurality of pumps forming a linear belt and subsequently being attached circumferentially to the wheel rim, a plurality of pump holders interconnecting the plurality of pumps in a linear configuration, and a control valve for controlling inlet air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire. | 11-05-2015 |
20150314657 | SYSTEM FOR AN AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE ASSEMBLY - A system is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The first system includes a plurality of pumps attached circumferentially to the wheel rim, each pump having pump parameters, and a control valve for controlling inlet air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire. The control valve has valve parameters. The system predicts system performance under various configurations and conditions through use of the pump parameters and the valve parameters. | 11-05-2015 |
20150306924 | VEIN-STYLE AIR PUMPING TUBE AND TIRE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY - An air pumping tube and tire system and method of assembling is provided in which a tire groove is formed to extend into a flexing region of a tire sidewall and a complementary air pumping tube inserts into the tire groove. In the green, uncured air pumping tube condition, one or more check valves are assembled into the air pumping tube through access shafts and align with an internal air passageway of the air pumping tube. Plug components of the system enclose the check valves in the air pumping tube and the check valve-containing green air pumping tube is then cured. | 10-29-2015 |
20150306914 | PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH SEALANT LAYER - A pneumatic tire includes a reinforcing ply structure extending between a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewalls, each sidewall located radially outward of one of the pair of bead portions, a tread radially outward from the reinforcing ply structure, a belt reinforcing structure located radially outward from the reinforcing ply structure and radially inward from the tread, and an innerliner structure extending along an inner surface of the reinforcing ply from a position adjacent one bead portion to a position adjacent the other bead portion. The innerliner structure includes multiple alternating layers of rubber compound and sealant. | 10-29-2015 |
20150306832 | RELEASE MECHANISM FOR A TIRE BUILDING DRUM - A release mechanism for a rotatable tire building drum includes a continuous hoop of a non-stick and elastic polymer, the hoop further including a plurality of flaps each attached to the hoop at one end and unattached to the hoop at an opposite end. | 10-29-2015 |
20150299437 | PREPARATION OF RUBBER REINFORCED WITH GRAPHENE AND CARBON NANOTUBES AND FUNCTIONALIZED ELASTOMERS AND TIRE WITH COMPONENT - The invention relates to functionalization of diene-based elastomers with end-chain or in-chain functional groups to promote good dispersion of graphene and carbon nanotubes, and enhance strong interaction between elastomers and graphene and carbon nanotubes. This invention also relates to preparation of rubber reinforced with at least one of graphene and carbon nanotubes with functionalized diene-based elastomer and tire with component thereof. | 10-22-2015 |
20150285712 | MODEL-BASED LONGITUDINAL STIFFNESS ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A tire-based system and method for estimating longitudinal stiffness between a tire and a road surface includes a longitudinal stiffness adaptation model for calculating longitudinal stiffness between a tire and a road surface from a plurality of scaling factors including the load level, the measured air cavity pressure of the one tire, and the measured temperature of the one tire compensated by a wear state estimation of the one tire. The wear state is obtained from a vehicle-measured vertical mode shift of the tire. | 10-08-2015 |
20150284021 | TIRE LATERAL FORCE MODEL WITH TEMPERATURE ADAPTATION AND METHOD - A tire-based system and method for adapting the calculation of temperature-sensitive tire characteristics includes one or more tire-mounted temperature sensors mounted to a vehicle tire for measuring a tire temperature at a tire radially outward surface; an algorithmic model adapting one or more temperature-sensitive tire characteristics by the measured tire surface temperature; and vehicle controls using the temperature-sensitive tire characteristics adapted by the tire surface temperature in one or more vehicle control commands. | 10-08-2015 |
20150284006 | ROAD SURFACE FRICTION AND SURFACE TYPE ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A tire-based system and method for estimating road surface friction includes a model-based longitudinal stiffness estimation generator using tire-based parameter inputs and vehicle-based parameter inputs; an actual longitudinal stiffness estimation generator using real-time vehicle-based parameter inputs; and a tire road friction estimation generator for deriving a tire road friction estimation from a comparative analysis between the actual longitudinal stiffness estimation and the model-based longitudinal stiffness estimation. A road surface classifier algorithm is employed to generate a road surface type analysis from the road friction estimation, an ambient air temperature measurement, and an ambient air moisture measurement. | 10-08-2015 |
20150251491 | TIRE WITH TREAD FOR HIGH SEVERITY SERVICE - This invention relates to pneumatic rubber tires for high severity service, particularly a truck tire, having a circumferential tread of a cap/base configuration comprised of an outer tread cap rubber layer and an underlying tread base rubber layer wherein said tread cap rubber layer is comprised of a precipitated silica reinforced rubber comprised primarily of cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber. | 09-10-2015 |
20150239190 | TRANSFER RING OR DRUM APPARATUS WITH ADJUSTABLE CIRCUMFERENCE - An apparatus is used in the manufacture of a pneumatic tire. The apparatus includes a longitudinal axis and a plurality of arcuate segments defining an arc of a cylindrical surface such that the arcuate segments collectively define the cylindrical surface and the arcuate segments are supported for movement radially relative to the longitudinal axis for adjusting the circumference of the cylindrical surface. Each arcuate segment includes at least one of two side sections of each arcuate segment having a row of spaced fingers corresponding in a fitted arrangement with gaps of an adjacent arcuate segment such that, as the circumference is adjusted and the side sections of each segment hingedly move relative to an intermediate section about a corresponding pivot axis, the fingers move into and out of the gaps provided between the fingers of the adjacent arcuate segment. The fingers and gaps both are tapered at a taper angle relative to the circumferential direction of the apparatus. | 08-27-2015 |
20150217607 | TIRE INNERLINER-BASED PARAMETER ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A tire inner liner-based estimation system and method for a vehicle includes a tire pressure sensor mounted to a vehicle tire for detecting a measured tire air cavity pressure; a vehicle speed sensor mounted to provide a measured vehicle speed; a tire identification device mounted to the tire for conveying a tire identification; a tire inner liner deflection sensor mounted to detect and measure a loaded inner liner radius. An estimation of an inner liner-based parameter is iteratively made from the measured tire pressure and the loaded inner liner radius measurement. | 08-06-2015 |
20150203620 | POLYMERS OF ISROPENE FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES - It has been found that certain cells in culture can convert more than about 0.002 percent of the carbon available in the cell culture medium into isoprene. These cells have a heterologous nucleic acid that (i) encodes an isoprene synthase polypeptide and (ii) is operably linked to a promoter. The isoprene produced in such a cultured medium can then be recovered and polymerized into synthetic rubbers and other useful polymeric materials. The synthetic isoprene containing polymers of this invention offer the benefit of being verifiable as to being derived from non-petrochemical based resources. They can also be analytically distinguished from rubbers that come from natural sources. The present invention more specifically discloses a polyisoprene polymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from isoprene monomer, wherein the polyisoprene polymer has δ | 07-23-2015 |
20150174969 | TIRE WITH HEAT TRANSFER RUBBER CONDUIT - This invention relates to a tire which contains a pathway for transferring heat within a tire comprised of a heat transfer rubber conduit composed of at least one operational, physically functional, heat conductive tire component. In one embodiment, for a cured rubber tire, the heat transfer rubber conduit is provided as a pathway for transfer of heat generated within the tire to an external surface of the tire for dissipation of the conducted heat. In another embodiment, for an uncured rubber tire, the heat transfer rubber conduit is provided as a pathway to transfer heat applied to an outer surface of the tire to the interior of the tire. The heat conductive tire component(s) of the heat transfer conduit is/are each comprised of a heat conductive rubber composition containing acetylene carbon black. In one embodiment, the heat transfer rubber conduit is provided as a pathway for conduction of heat to or from a less heat conductive rubber component which adjoins at least one of such heat conductive rubber components. | 06-25-2015 |
20150174964 | TIRE HAVING TREAD WITH TREAD GROOVE-CONTAINING RUBBER BLOCK JOINING THE TIRE CARCASS AND EXTENDING THROUGH A TREAD BASE INTO A TREAD CAP - The invention relates to pneumatic tires having treads of a cap/base configuration where the outer tread cap rubber layer contains lugs with intervening grooves which extend to the running surface of the tread cap and wherein at least one of said grooves is contained in a rubber block within the tread. For this invention, the tread groove-containing rubber block joins the tire carcass and extends radially outward through the tread base rubber layer and into the outer tread cap rubber layer. | 06-25-2015 |
20150174963 | TIRE HAVING TREAD WITH TREAD GROOVE-CONTAINING RUBBER BLOCK WHICH JOINS A TREAD BASE RUBBER LAYER - The invention relates to a pneumatic truck tire, particularly a bus tire, with a tread of a cap/base configuration comprised of a circumferential outer tread cap rubber layer and an underlying tread base rubber layer. The outer tread cap rubber layer is configured with lugs, particularly circumferential ribs with circumferential grooves between the ribs. A tread groove-containing rubber block tire component which joins the tread base rubber layer and extends radially outward into the outer tread cap rubber layer. | 06-25-2015 |
20150174962 | TRUCK TIRE HAVING TREAD WITH TREAD GROOVE ENCASEMENT AS AN EXTENSION OF A TREAD BASE RUBBER LAYER - The invention relates to pneumatic tires having treads of a cap/base configuration where the outer tread cap rubber layer contains lugs with intervening grooves which extend to the running surface of the tread cap and wherein at least one of said grooves is contained in a rubber block within the tread. For this invention, the tread groove-containing rubber block is an extension of the tread base rubber layer which extends radially outward into the outer tread cap rubber layer. | 06-25-2015 |
20150159001 | RUBBER COMPOSITION AND PNEUMATIC TIRE - The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising a diene based elastomer comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, primary amine, and secondary amine; and a binding agent selected from the group consisting of water-dispersible resin, polyelectrolytes, and polypeptides. The invention is further directed to a pneumatic tire including the rubber composition, and a method of increasing the green strength in a rubber composition. | 06-11-2015 |
20150158354 | TIRE APPARATUS - A tire support apparatus useful for installing components into a tire is described. The tire support apparatus includes a support plate for receiving the tire thereon; an optional inflatable inner tube for insertion into the tire cavity, and an upper plate plate having a hole for receiving a support member, the upper plate further including a ring having an inner lip that seats against the bead region of the tire and a radially outer surface seats against the lower sidewall region of the tire T. | 06-11-2015 |
20150158352 | SELF-INFLATING TIRE WITH HYBRID PUMP - A self-inflating tire assembly includes a first and second air tube mounted within a tire wherein each air tube defines an air passageway. Each air tube is composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. Each air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. Each air tube has an inlet end that are joined together by an inlet device. Each air tube has an outlet end that are joined together by an outlet device The inlet device is preferably positioned 180 degrees opposite the outlet device. The inlet device allows air to transfer from one air tube to the other air tube. The outlet device allows air to transfer from one air tube to the tire cavity. | 06-11-2015 |
20150158351 | SELF-INFLATING TIRE AND PRESSURE REGULATOR - A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an air passageway, the air tube being composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. The air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to a regulator device. The regulator device regulates the inlet air flow to the air tube and the outlet air flow to the tire cavity. | 06-11-2015 |
20150158350 | Air Compressor For A Pneumatic Tire And A Tire Comprising A Compressor Mounted Within The Tire's Cavity - An air compressor mountable to a sidewall of an annular tire cavity, wherein the compressor comprises an air inlet for receiving air to be pumped into the tire cavity and an air outlet for releasing air into the tire cavity. Further, the compressor comprises a double membrane assembly having a first membrane and a second membrane arranged in parallel to the first membrane. A pressure compensation chamber is provided between the first membrane and the second membrane, the pressure compensation chamber being in fluid communication with the tire cavity. Further, an air compression chamber is arranged on a side of the second membrane opposite to the pressure compensation chamber, wherein the compression chamber is in fluid communication with the air inlet and the air outlet. Moreover, a tire comprises the aforementioned compressor. | 06-11-2015 |
20150158349 | Compressor For A Self-Inflating Pneumatic Tire - The invention relates to an air compressor mountable in an annular tire cavity of a pneumatic tire. The compressor comprises an air inlet, an air outlet, and a body in which are formed a blind hole having a sidewall and a compression chamber in fluid communication with the air inlet and the air outlet. Further, the tire comprises a compression piston configured for reciprocating in the compression chamber for providing compressed air to the tire cavity through the air outlet, and a hydraulic fluid passage for providing hydraulic fluid into the blind hole, as well as a guiding piston configured for reciprocating in the blind hole in sealed contact with the sidewall and for guiding a reciprocating movement of the body relative to the compression piston. The invention further relates to a tire assembly comprising a tire and the compressor. | 06-11-2015 |
20150158348 | COMPRESSOR FOR A PNEUMATIC TIRE AND A PNEUMATIC TIRE COMPRISING A COMPRESSOR MOUNTED WITHIN THE TIRE CAVITY - An air compressor mountable within an annular cavity of a pneumatic tire comprises an air inlet for receiving air to be pumped into the tire cavity, an air compression chamber in fluid communication with the air inlet, and an air outlet in fluid communication with the air compression chamber. Further, the compressor comprises a pressure compensation chamber in fluid communication with the tire cavity when the air compressor is mounted within the tire cavity, and a double piston having a shaft and two opposing piston ends, the shaft rigidly connecting both piston ends with each other, wherein the first piston end is arranged and movable in the compression chamber and is actuatable by hydraulic pressure between a compression state and an intake state, and wherein the second piston end is arranged and movable in the pressure compensation chamber and subject to the pressure of the tire cavity when the compressor is mounted within the tire cavity. Moreover, the present application is directed to a tire comprising the aforementioned air compressor | 06-11-2015 |
20150158346 | Pneumatic Tire Comprising An Air Pressure Regulator And Pressure Regulator Kit - A self-inflating tire assembly comprises a tire having a tread region, first and second sidewalls, and first and second bead regions, wherein the first and second sidewalls extend respectively from the first and second bead regions to the tread region, wherein the tread region and the first and second sidewalls enclose an annular tire cavity. Further, the assembly comprises an air passageway connected to one of the sidewalls and extending essentially in a circumferential direction of the tire for pumping air from outside of the tire into the tire cavity, wherein the air passageway has an air passageway inlet for receiving air from outside of the tire and an air passageway outlet for releasing air into the tire cavity. Moreover, the assembly comprises an air pressure regulator having an air pressure regulation chamber, a connector end, and a channel fluidly connecting the pressure regulation chamber with the connector end, wherein the air pressure regulator is detachably connected to one of the air passageway inlet and the air passageway outlet via the connector end for allowing fluid communication between channel and the air passageway via the connector end. In addition, the invention relates to a pressure regulator kit for regulating the pressure of a tire, the kit comprising a plurality of air pressure regulators. | 06-11-2015 |
20150158341 | Tire Comprising A Tread With Asymmetric Groove Profiles - A pneumatic tire comprises an annular tread portion including a plurality of circumferentially extending main grooves comprising an innermost groove, an outermost groove, and at least one middle groove arranged between the innermost groove and the outermost groove. The outermost groove comprises an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall, a groove bottom, and a groove opening opposite to the groove bottom, wherein the outermost groove has an asymmetric cross section with respect to any straight line perpendicular to the groove opening, and wherein the outer sidewall of the outermost groove is tilted by more than 20° with respect to a straight line perpendicular to the groove opening. | 06-11-2015 |
20150148477 | FUNCTIONALIZED POLYMER, RUBBER COMPOSITION AND PNEUMATIC TIRE - The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer comprising the reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I | 05-28-2015 |
20150147201 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE ASSEMBLY - A pumping device is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a tire rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The device includes a pumping device attached to the tire rim, a dynamic mass mechanically confined to rotational movement relative to the pumping device and the tire rim, the dynamic mass moving in response to a minimum angular acceleration and a minimum angular velocity of the tire rim and pumping ambient air into the pumping device, an intake port for ambient air to enter the pumping device, and an exhaust port for forcing pressurized air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire for restoring air loss from an inflation volume within the tire cavity, the dynamic mass and the pumping device both being weighted equally on each side of a centerline of the tire rim. | 05-28-2015 |
20150147200 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE ASSEMBLY - A pumping device is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a tire rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping device includes a housing attached to the tire rim, a dynamic mass mechanically confined to rotational movement relative to the housing and the tire rim, the dynamic mass moving in response to a minimum angular velocity of the tire rim and pumping ambient air into the housing, an intake port for ambient air to enter the housing, and an exhaust port for forcing pressurized air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire for restoring air loss from an inflation volume within the tire cavity. | 05-28-2015 |
20150147199 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE ASSEMBLY - A pumping device is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a tire rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping device includes a housing attached to the tire rim, a dynamic mass mechanically confined to linear movement relative to the housing and the tire rim, the dynamic mass moving in response to shock loads transferred from the tire rim to the dynamic mass and pumping ambient air into the housing, an intake port for ambient air to enter the housing, and an exhaust port for forcing pressurized air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire for restoring air loss from an inflation volume within the tire cavity. | 05-28-2015 |
20150147198 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE ASSEMBLY - A pumping device is used with a pneumatic tire mounted on a tire rim to keep the pneumatic tire from becoming underinflated. The pumping device includes a housing attached to the tire rim, a dynamic mass mechanically confined to radial movement relative to the housing and the tire rim, an intake port for ambient to enter the housing, and an exhaust port for forcing air into a tire cavity of the pneumatic tire for restoring air loss from an inflation volume within the tire cavity. | 05-28-2015 |
20150122391 | PNEUMATIC TIRE COMPRISING A HYDRAULIC ENGINE - A pneumatic tire comprises a sidewall, an annular tire cavity, and a hydraulic actuator connected to the sidewall inside the annular tire cavity, wherein the hydraulic actuator has a flexible reservoir for containing a hydraulic fluid, and an opening allowing hydraulic fluid to enter the reservoir and to exit the reservoir. Further, the hydraulic actuator comprises a lever arm connected to the sidewall and holding the flexible reservoir between the lever arm and the sidewall, wherein the lever arm comprises a fluid channel allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from the reservoir through the opening out of the lever arm. | 05-07-2015 |
20150122390 | VALVE STEM-BASED AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND METHOD - A valve stem-based air maintenance tire assembly and method of operation is provided employing a tire mounted air pumping system, The assembly includes a rim-mounted pressure regulator positioned within a tire cavity opposite an inward end of a tire valve stem to selectively open and close pressurized air flow from a valve stem internal passageway into the tire cavity. An elongate valve stem shaft is mounted within the valve stem air passageway and reciprocally moves axially to close off and open the valve stem air passageway to create or close a pressurized air path into the tire cavity as needed. | 05-07-2015 |
20150122389 | VALVE STEM-BASED PRESSURE REGULATOR SYSTEM FOR AN AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND METHOD - An air maintenance tire assembly and method of operation includes a pressurized air supply assembly for supplying pressurized air to a tire cavity through an elongate outward projecting, valve stem passageway. An elongate centrally disposed shaft within the valve stem reciprocally moves axially in the valve stem internal air passageway between a passageway-opening axial position and a passageway-closing axial position. A pressure regulator is provided to move the elongate shaft axially between the passageway-opening and passageway-closing positions responsive to a detected air pressure level within the tire cavity. | 05-07-2015 |
20150122388 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND VALVE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having an elongate valve stem projecting outward from the tire cavity and a tire sidewall having an elongate sidewall groove formed therein and housing an elongate air tube. A connecting tube extends between the air tube and the valve stem, the connecting tube having an internal connecting air passageway for directing air forced along the air tube air passageway into the internal valve stem passageway as the tire rolls over a ground surface. | 05-07-2015 |
20150122387 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND RELIEF VALVE ASSEMBLY - An air maintenance tire and pump assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending from first and second tire bead regions, respectively, to a tire tread region, an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the sidewalls, the air passageway operatively closing and opening, segment by segment, as the bending region of the sidewalls passes adjacent a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway, an air inlet port assembly coupled to, and in air flow communication with, the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly being operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly including an inlet control valve and an outlet tee structure positioned 180° opposite the inlet control valve in the air passageway for moving air into the tire cavity, the inlet control valve including two inlet check valves for ensuring air flow only into, and not out of, the inlet control valve, the air passageway, a corresponding plain tee inlet structure, and the tire cavity, and a pressure relief valve for relieving a volume equal to a last segment volume of the air passageway plus a volume of the outlet tee structure. | 05-07-2015 |
20150119495 | PREPARATION OF RUBBER COMPOSITION CONTAINING GRAPHITE PLATELETS AND TIRE WITH COMPONENT - Preparation of a rubber composition containing a dispersion of aligned exfoliated graphite platelets. Such rubber composition is prepared by a method comprised of a sequential combination of concentrated solvent or dry masterbatching of elastomer and exfoliated graphite platelets, followed by blending the masterbatch (after removing the solvent from the solvent based masterbatch) with additional elastomer(s) and then followed by processing the resulting rubber composition to align the dispersed exfoliated graphite platelets in a substantially parallel relation to each other. Such processing may comprise as least one of extrusion and calendaring the rubber composition. The invention further relates to a tire containing a component comprised of such rubber composition containing a dispersion of aligned exfoliated graphite platelets prepared by the aforesaid method. | 04-30-2015 |
20150114571 | UNI-STAGE TIRE BUILDING DRUM - A tire building drum is described which includes a rotatable drum having a center section and a right and left section, wherein the right and left section are each located adjacent the center section, wherein the right and left sections each have a radially expandable bead lock mechanism mounted on a sliding cylinder, wherein the bead lock mechanisms are axially movable independent of each other, wherein the ends of the center section are each connected to a plurality of radially expandable lifter housings, wherein each lifter housing is connected to a linkage system, wherein each sliding cylinder has a front face positioned for engagement with the linkage system, wherein actuation of the sliding cylinder causes the lifter system to radially expand and the radial expansion of the center section. | 04-30-2015 |
20150107735 | PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH MULTI-TREAD CAP - A tread for a pneumatic tire in accordance with the present invention includes a tread base layer, a first tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer, a second tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer and both radially outside and axially adjacent the first tread cap layer, a third intermediate layer radially between the tread base layer and the first and second tread cap layers. The first tread cap layer has a protrusion extending radially inward and into the third intermediate layer more than a main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer thereby allowing the first tread cap layer to provide the overall tread with enhanced performance characteristics after the main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer have worn away. | 04-23-2015 |
20150107733 | VEGETABLE OIL BASED RUBBER CEMENT AND TIRE WITH FABRICATED TREAD - The invention relates to a vegetable oil based rubber cement and tire with fabricated tread. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a tire with a rubber tread with a splice containing a vegetable oil based rubber cement. In one embodiment the tread rubber contains precipitated silica reinforcement. In one embodiment, the vegetable oil is comprised of soybean oil. In one embodiment the vegetable oil is provided in a vegetable oil extended elastomer. In one embodiment, the vegetable oil is provided as an additive to the rubber based adhesive. | 04-23-2015 |
20150096654 | RUBBERY BLEND CONTAINING TRANS ISOPRENE-BUTADIENE COPOLYMER - The subject invention is directed towards tire components which are comprised of rubber compositions which are comprised of (1) about 2 phr to about 45 phr of a trans-1,4-isoprene-butadiene copolymer which has about 4 weight percent to about 16 weight percent butadiene repeat units and from about 84 weight percent to about 96 weight percent isoprene repeat units, wherein the trans-1,4-isoprene-butadiene copolymer has a Mooney ML 1+4 viscosity which is within the range of about 35 to about 80; and (2) about 55 phr to about 98 phr of at least one other elastomer, preferably a diene based elastomer. The most preferred tire components are those which contain cord reinforcements and require adequate green strength to enhance the tire building and shaping process to maintain cord integrity in the final cured tire. | 04-09-2015 |
20150090386 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND VALVE ASSEMBLY - An air maintenance tire and pump assembly includes a tire, an elongate substantially annular air passageway, an air inlet port assembly, a pair of substantially inline valves, a pair of outlet valves, and a high pressure shut-off valve. The tire has a tire cavity and first and second sidewalls extending from first and second tire bead regions, respectively, to a tire tread region. The elongate substantially annular air passageway is enclosed within a bending region of the sidewalls, the air passageway operatively closing and opening, segment by segment, as the bending region of the sidewalls passes adjacent a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway. The air inlet port assembly is coupled to, and in air flow communication with, the air passageway at an inlet air passageway junction, the air inlet port assembly being operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway. | 04-02-2015 |
20150059954 | PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH COATED REINFORCEMENT - A pneumatic tire includes a pair of axially spaced apart annular bead structures, a carcass structure wrapped around each bead structure and having a pair of carcass turnups substantially contiguous with the carcass structure from the bead structure to radially outer ends of the pair of carcass turnups, a belt structure disposed radially outward of the carcass structure in a crown area of the pneumatic tire, an overlay structure disposed radially outward of the belt structure, and a component comprising a non-adhesive core structure and a coating applied to the core structure with the coating providing adhesion to a surrounding matrix for the core structure. | 03-05-2015 |
20150059951 | COMPACT VALVE SYSTEM FOR SELF-INFLATING TIRE - A tire having a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the tire has a bi-directional pump assembly including a pump passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, and being operative to allow a portion of the pump passageway near a tire footprint to substantially close and open the pump passageway. The tire includes a valve assembly having a valve housing, wherein a diaphragm is mounted in the valve housing forming an interior chamber, and wherein the diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the tire cavity. The interior chamber has an inlet in fluid communication with outside air, and an outlet in fluid communication with inlet and outlet of the pump passageway. The diaphragm is positioned over the outlet and operative to open and close the outlet. A resilient member biases the diaphragm into the open position. | 03-05-2015 |
20150059950 | COMPACT VALVE SYSTEM FOR SELF-INFLATING TIRE - A tire having a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the tire has a bi-directional pump assembly including a pump passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, and being operative to allow a portion of the pump passageway near a tire footprint to substantially close and open the pump passageway. The tire includes a valve assembly having a valve housing, wherein a diaphragm is mounted in the valve housing forming an interior chamber, and wherein the diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the tire cavity. The interior chamber has an inlet in fluid communication with outside air, and an outlet in fluid communication with inlet and outlet of the pump passageway. The valve assembly further includes an inlet control valve having a valve bottom positioned over the outlet and operative to open and close the outlet. The inlet control valve has a first end connected to the diaphragm, and a resilient member biases the inlet control valve into the open position. | 03-05-2015 |
20150059949 | COMPACT VALVE SYSTEM FOR SELF-INFLATING TIRE - A tire having a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the tire has a bi-directional pump assembly including a pump passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, and being operative to allow a portion of the pump passageway near a tire footprint to substantially close and open the pump passageway. The tire includes a valve assembly having a valve housing, wherein a diaphragm is mounted in the valve housing forming an interior chamber, and wherein the diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the tire cavity. The interior chamber has a first hole in fluid communication with the inlet end of the pump passageway, a second hole in fluid communication with the outlet end of the pump passageway, and a third hole in fluid communication with the outside air. The valve housing has a passageway in fluid communication with the tire cavity and the outlet end of the pump. The valve assembly further includes an inlet control valve having a valve bottom positioned over the third hole and operative to open and close the third hole to allow air to enter the system. The inlet control valve has a first end connected to the diaphragm, and a resilient member biases the inlet control valve into the open position. | 03-05-2015 |
20150057877 | TIRE WEAR STATE ESTIMATION SYSTEM UTILIZING CORNERING STIFFNESS AND METHOD - A tire wear state estimation system includes as inputs an axle force estimation, a measured tire inflation pressure; a tire load estimation; a tire cornering stiffness estimation; and a tire identification by which a specific tire-based correlation model correlates tire inflation pressure, the tire load estimation, the tire cornering stiffness estimation, and the vehicle-based sensor axle force estimation. | 02-26-2015 |
20150053324 | TIRE HAVING LAMINATED INNERLINER WITH REINFORCED SPLICE - The present invention relates to pneumatic tires having a laminated innerliner with reinforced splice. The laminated innerliner is a pre-formed laminate comprised of an innerliner film which contains an RFL adhesive coating on both sides for which the innerliner film is cohesively bonded through the RFL adhesive to an uncured tire rubber carcass ply. The uncured splice is comprised of overlapping end portions of the uncured laminated innerliner cohesively bonded together through the RFL adhesive which provides building tack. The uncured splice is reinforced by a an uncured rubber strip cohesively bonded to the laminate by the building tack-providing RFL adhesive for which the strip abridges, the overlapping end portions of the splice, or is sandwiched between the overlapped end portions of the splice, to form a cohesively bonded composite. The assembly, or composite, thereof is cured to adhesively bond the splice and rubber strip together. | 02-26-2015 |
20150053320 | PNEUMATIC TIRE TREAD WITH SIPES AND MOLD BLADE - The invention provides a tire tread, the tread having at least one circumferentially extending or laterally extending main groove, the maximum radial depth of the at least one main groove defining a non-skid tread depth, the at least one main groove partially forming at least one tread element, the at least one tread element having a sipe therein, wherein the sipe has a first portion having a first and second opposed side, and a third side joining said first and second side, and said sipe further including a continuous tubular pathway bordering said first, second and third side. The invention further includes a blade for molding a tire, the blade comprising a first portion having a first and second opposed side, and a third side joining said first and second side, and said blade further including a continuous tubular pathway extending along the third side and partially extending along at least one of the first and second side. | 02-26-2015 |
20150042001 | System and method for applying a bladder release agent between a green tire and a bladder in a tire curing machine - A lubricating system indirectly applies a bladder release agent to a green tire and cures the green tire in a tire curing machine. The system includes a deposition device and a curing bladder. The deposition device directly applies bladder release agent on to a deposition bladder. The deposition bladder is inflated within the green tire in order to deposit the bladder release agent on to an inner surface of the green tire. The curing bladder subsequently receives the green tire with bladder release agent deposited therein and cures the green tire. | 02-12-2015 |
20150041067 | COMPONENT APPLYING/CUTTING APPARATUS FOR A TIRE BUILDING MACHINE - An apparatus cuts and applies a component to a tire during a tire building process. The apparatus includes an application head rotatable about a vertical axis and fitted to an X-Y table such that the component is applied to a curved tire profile spinning on a drum of a tire building machine. The application head feeds the component vertically downward to a predetermined position coincident with an intersection of the vertical axis of the application head and a horizontal plane defined by a horizontal axis of rotation of the drum of the tire building machine. | 02-12-2015 |
20150041039 | PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH A REINFORCED FLIPPER OR CHIPPER - A pneumatic tire includes a carcass reinforced by a carcass ply extending from a first bead to a second bead, at least one belt ply disposed radially outward of the carcass ply in a crown portion of the pneumatic tire, and a bead reinforcement disposed adjacent the first bead and the second bead. The bead reinforcement includes at least one hybrid cord having at least one first core yarn with at least one second aramid wrap yarn wrapped around the first core yarn such that the first core yarn has a modulus less than a modulus of the second wrap yarn. | 02-12-2015 |
20150041036 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE AND VALVE ASSEMBLY - An air maintenance tire and pump assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending from first and second tire bead regions, respectively, to a tire tread region, an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the sidewalls, the air passageway operatively closing and opening, segment by segment, as the bending region of the sidewalls passes adjacent a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway, an air inlet port assembly coupled to, and in air flow communication with, the air passageway at an inlet air passageway junction, the air inlet port assembly being operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly including an inlet control valve and an outlet tee structure positioned 180° opposite the inlet control valve in the air passageway for moving air into the tire cavity, the inlet control valve including two inlet check valves for ensuring air flow only into, and not out of, the inlet control valve, the air passageway, a corresponding plain tee inlet structure, and the tire cavity. | 02-12-2015 |
20150041035 | VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE - An air maintenance tire and air pump assembly includes a sidewall and a tire cavity for maintaining pressure; an elongate tubular air passageway enclosed within a flexing region of the sidewall, air passageway, the air passageway operably closing segment by segment in reaction to induced forces from the tire flexing region as the flexing region of the tire wall rotates adjacent a rolling tire footprint, the elongate air passageway having at least one check valve device seated within the axial air passageway; and a relief valve assembly comprising a chamber body, a valve, a piston, and a silicone ring, the valve having a valve body and a valve head, the valve head, deforming to release over-pressurized air from the tire cavity to atmosphere. | 02-12-2015 |
20150040656 | TORSIONAL MODE TIRE WEAR STATE ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A tire wear state estimation system includes a tire pressure measuring device affixed to a vehicle tire for measuring tire inflation pressure and generating tire inflation pressure data; tire torsional mode measuring means for measuring tire torsional mode frequency and generating tire torsional mode frequency data; and tire identification means for generating tire-specific torsional mode coefficients using tire-specific identification data. A tire wear estimation is made based upon the tire inflation pressure data, the torsional mode frequency data, and the tire identification derived torsional mode coefficients. | 02-12-2015 |
20150028101 | DRIVE-OVER STAND AND ANTENNA ASSEMBLY - A drive over stand for a TAG reader has a lead-on ramped surface and an exit-off ramped surface aligned and operative to intercept and engage the vehicle tire as the vehicle tire traverses over the upper surface of the stand. One or more pockets are disposed within the stand base, each receiving an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly is positioned within the pocket of the base, seated at a tilt angle operative to direct a read field toward a vehicle approach path to the stand. | 01-29-2015 |
20150020944 | PNEUMATIC TIRE HAVING A SINGLE CARCASS PLY REINFORCED WITH POLYESTER CORDS - A pneumatic tire includes a pair of axially spaced apart annular bead cores, each bead core comprising a plurality of metal wraps, each bead core having a radial cross-sectional shape; and a single carcass ply reinforced with polyester cords, the single carcass ply being folded about each bead core, the carcass ply having a main portion that extends between the bead cores and turnup portions that are folded around the bead cores, the polyester cords having a construction of 2000-2000 dtex/½ 8-10/8-10 tpi and 20-30 epi. | 01-22-2015 |
20150018481 | PREPARATION OF RUBBER REINFORCED WITH AT LEAST ONE OF GRAPHENE AND CARBON NANOTUBES WITH SPECIALIZED COUPLING AGENT AND TIRE WITH COMPONENT - The invention relates to preparation of rubber reinforced with at least one of graphene and carbon nanotubes with specialized coupling agent and tire with component thereof. | 01-15-2015 |
20150007926 | TIRE CONTAINING SILICATE MICROFLAKES HAVING ENHANCED TRACTION CHARACTERISTICS - This invention discloses a tire having enhanced wet traction and ice traction characteristics. These tires are comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, wherein the tread includes at least one circumferential groove which separates circumferential ribs, each circumferential groove having two sides and a base therebetween, and wherein the sides of each circumferential groove are comprised of a rubbery composition that includes silicate microflakes which are substantially aligned in an orientation which is parallel with the sides of the grooves. | 01-08-2015 |
20140360643 | DISTRIBUTED CAVITY AIR PUMPING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR A TIRE - A tire assembly and method includes one or more elongate air passageway formed within a tire component, such as a tire sidewall. The air passageway is configured as a series or string of elongate cavities, adjacent cavities connected end to end by an elongate connecting channel. The connecting channel is dimensioned having a channel diametric size smaller than a cavity diametric size. Positioned within the tire component, the air passageway sequentially collapses segment by segment as each of the cavities pass sequentially over a rolling tire footprint. Air is pumped by the sequential air passageway collapse with the smaller dimensioned connecting channel(s) acting as valve components to directionally keep the pumped air moving between an air passageway air inlet and an air passageway air outlet and from there into the tire cavity. | 12-11-2014 |
20140360256 | METHOD OF TREAD WEAR SENSOR INSTALLATION IN A TIRE - A method of installing a tread wear sensor in a tire includes configuring multiple tread wear indicators to each include a stack of sacrificial resistive sensor elements. The stacks of resistive sensor elements are affixed to respective selected tread lugs positioned at dispersed axial locations across a tire tread region. The resistive sensor elements sacrificially abrade and a change in resistance in each stack is measured. Connector assemblies within the tire carcass cavity are positioned radially opposite the selected tread lugs. A needle projection from each of the connector assemblies is inserted radially outward through the tire carrying leads which engage and establish electrical contact with a respective stack of resistive sensor elements. | 12-11-2014 |
20140343231 | FUNCTIONALIZED ELASTOMER - The present invention is directed to a copolymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a polymeric side-chain bonded exclusively to a terminal end of the backbone chain, the side-chain comprising a polymer derived from a monomer having a hydrogen bond donor moiety and a hydrogen bond acceptor moiety. | 11-20-2014 |
20140335576 | METHODS FOR INCREASING MICROBIAL PRODUCTION OF ISOPRENE, ISOPRENOIDS, AND ISOPRENOID PRECURSOR MOLECULES USING GLUCOSE AND ACETATE CO-METABOLISM - Provided herein are methods for the increased production of intracellular acetyl-CoA, mevalonate, isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and/or isoprenoids by recombinant microorganisms via co-metabolism of substrates with varied oxidation levels. | 11-13-2014 |
20140315275 | ISOPRENE SYNTHASE VARIANTS WITH IMPROVED SOLUBILITY FOR PRODUCTION OF ISOPRENE - The present invention provides methods and compositions of variant polypeptides having isoprene synthase activity with improved solubility. In particular, the present invention provides isoprene synthase variant for increased isoprene production in recombinant host cells. | 10-23-2014 |
20140295177 | FILM TO KEEP TIRE SURFACE CLEAN AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PRIME FOR BETTER ADHESION OF BALANCE PAD - The subject invention relates to a method of preparing a tire inner surface to attain better adhesion of balance pads, puncture sealants, and noise reduction foams. In this method a strip of multi-axially stretchable film is adhered to the inner surface of an uncured tire with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Then a release agent coating is applied to the film strip on the inner surface of the uncured tire which is subsequently cured in a suitable mold at an elevated temperature. The cured tire is then removed from the mold and after allowing the cured tire to cool the annular circumferential film strip is removed from the inner surface of the tire to provide a circumferential release coating-free tire inner surface onto which balance pads, puncture sealants, and noise reduction foams can be adhered. | 10-02-2014 |
20140278040 | VEHICLE DYNAMIC LOAD ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A dynamic load estimation system and method is provided, the system including a tire supporting a vehicle; a vehicle-mounted acceleration sensor for determining a vehicle lateral acceleration and a vehicle longitudinal acceleration; a roll angle calculating model for determining a vehicle roll angle; a roll rate calculating model for determining a vehicle roll rate; a static normal load calculation model for calculating a measured static normal load; and a dynamic tire load estimation model for calculating an estimated dynamic load on the tire from the measured static normal load, the vehicle roll angle, the vehicle roll rate, the vehicle lateral acceleration and the vehicle longitudinal acceleration. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277926 | DYNAMIC TIRE SLIP ANGLE ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A dynamic slip angle estimation system and method uses measured vehicle acceleration and yaw rate parameters in estimating a tire slip angle. From load sensor(s) mounted to the vehicle tire, a tire static load estimation is made and a tire slip angle is calculated at low frequency. The vehicle center of gravity longitudinal position and yaw moment of inertia is estimated from the static load on the vehicle tires. An observer calculates tire axle forces based on the vehicle acceleration and yaw rate. From the tire axle force estimations, the vehicle moment of inertia and vehicle center of gravity longitudinal position estimate and a low frequency direct measurement of the tire slip angle, a dynamic tire slip angle calculation is made. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277910 | PREDICTIVE PEER-BASED TIRE HEALTH MONITORING - A method, apparatus and program product determine a health condition for the tires on one or more vehicles by performing an individual self-comparison and a peer-based comparison for each tire, where the individual self-comparison reduces variances between the plurality of tires on the vehicle, and the peer-based comparison reduces variances within each tire. Anomalies, such as severe leakage and tire inflations may be detected, and slow leakages may be predicted based upon historical data associated with the health condition. | 09-18-2014 |
20140273145 | PRODUCTION OF ISOPRENE UNDER NEUTRAL pH CONDITIONS - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a process for producing isoprene from a starch substrate by saccharification and/or fermentation. The saccharification is effectively catalyzed by a glucoamylase at a pH in the range of 5.0 to 8.0. At a pH of 6.0 or above, the glucoamylase possesses at least 50% activity relative to its maximum activity. The saccharification and fermentation may be performed as a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261950 | PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH IMPROVED CROWN DURABILITY - The invention is directed to pneumatic tires for heavy vehicle service that include a carcass, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a sidewall intersecting the tread at a shoulder, and a belt reinforcing structure positioned radially between the carcass and the tread. The belt reinforcing structure includes four belt layers, each layer reinforced by parallel cords the four belts characterized by their cord orientation and angles. A first radially inner belt layer, an adjacent second belt layer overlaying the first belt layer and a third belt layer overlaying the second belt layer are all oriented directionally extending right (R) relative to an equatorial center plane of the tire, a fourth radially outer belt layer overlaying the third belt layer has cords directionally extending left (L). The pneumatic tires of the invention containing these belt layers have improved crown durability and stiffness while maintaining the same overall tire weight. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261944 | ENCASING FOR RELEASABLY CONTAINING A DEVICE AND TIRE CONTAINING SUCH ENCASING OR ENCASED DEVICE - The present invention relates to an encasing for releasably containing a device and tire containing such encasing or encased device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261943 | TIRE WITH OUTER GROOVE CONTAINING BONDED TUBE - The invention relates generally to a pneumatic rubber tire which contains an outer, annular, circular groove which contains a flexible tube bonded to the walls of the groove. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260585 | TIRE SUSPENSION FUSION SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATION OF TIRE DEFLECTION AND TIRE LOAD - A system and method estimating a vehicle tire load includes a tire static load estimator estimating a static tire load using a tire attached TPMS sensor; a Kalman filter based tire deflection estimator estimating tire vertical deflection; a load variation estimator estimating the instantaneous load variation by using the tire vertical deflection information; and an output tire load estimator calculating an output load estimation mathematically by fusing the static tire load with the instantaneous load variation information. The tire deflection estimator includes a chassis accelerometer measuring a chassis vertical acceleration; and a hub accelerometer measuring a wheel hub vertical acceleration of the tire. A linear filter model receives as inputs the chassis vertical acceleration and the wheel hub vertical acceleration. | 09-18-2014 |
20140257629 | TIRE LOAD ESTIMATION SYSTEM USING ROAD PROFILE ADAPTIVE FILTERING - A dynamic load estimation system is provided including: a vehicle load bearing tire; at least one tire sensor mounted to the tire, the sensor operable to measure a tire deformation of the one tire and generate a raw load-indicating signal conveying measured deformation data; road roughness estimation means for determining a road roughness estimation; filtering means for filtering the measured deformation data by the road roughness estimation; and load estimation means for estimating an estimated load on the one tire from filtered measured deformation data. A road profile estimate is fused with the static load estimate in order to obtain an instantaneous tire load estimate | 09-11-2014 |
20140255654 | TIRE WITH RIBBED TREAD - The invention relates to pneumatic tires with ribbed treads which may be, for example pneumatic tires such as bus tires and truck tires. | 09-11-2014 |
20140230977 | SYSTEM FOR NON-PNEUMATIC SUPPORT OF A VEHICLE - A non-pneumatic tire includes a plurality of springs. Each spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each spring is interwoven with at least one other spring thereby forming a toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the non-pneumatic tire. The toroidal structure is at least partially coated with an elastomer. One end portion of at least one spring is wrapped around a first bead structure adjacent a rim. | 08-21-2014 |
20140216621 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE - The present invention is directed to an air maintenance tire and pump assembly comprising: a tire having two spaced inextensible beads; a ground contacting tread portion; a pair of individual sidewalls extending radially inward from the axial outer edges of said tread portion to join the respective beads; a supporting carcass for the tread portion and sidewalls; an innerliner disposed radially inward of the carcass, the innerliner having a innerliner surface facing an interior cavity of the tire; an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the tire, the air passageway operatively closing and opening segment by segment as the bending region of the tire passes through a rolling tire footprint to pump air along the air passageway; an air inlet port assembly coupled to and in air flow communication with the air passageway at an inlet air passageway junction, the air inlet port assembly operable to channel inlet air from outside of the tire into the air passageway, the air inlet port assembly comprising a regulator assembly, the regulator assembly having a mounting surface; the mounting surface adhered to the innerliner surface with a silicone adhesive. | 08-07-2014 |
20140187839 | PURIFICATION OF ISOPRENE FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES - Methods and apparatus for the purification of isoprene, such as the purification of a bioisoprene composition from fermentor off-gas. The apparatus includes two columns that process the fermentor off-gas, which includes isoprene and various impurities. A solvent is added to the off-gas in the first column, and the isoprene is stripped from the solvent in the second column. Also provided is a downstream further purification process. Also provided are the resulting purified isoprene compositions. | 07-03-2014 |
20140180652 | METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING A MODIFIED GEODESIC BELT - A method of making a modified geodesic belt for a pneumatic tire is described. The ideal geodesic belt path is modified to select the centerline belt angle and to avoid excessive build up of the belt at the belt edges. The method includes the step of calculating the minimum three dimensional distance from one belt edge to the other belt edge preferably using dynamic successive approximation. | 06-26-2014 |
20140179837 | RUBBER COMPOUND AND TIRE WITH COMPONENT - The invention relates to a rubber composition with a stiffness property promoted by combination of short fibers and resin product of a methylene donor and a methylene acceptor, where at least a portion of the methylene acceptor is comprised of expoxidized phenol formaldehyde, and to a tire with a component comprised of such rubber composition. | 06-26-2014 |
20140174626 | AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE - A green pneumatic tire comprising a tire cavity; first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region; and a cable embedded into a rubber material of the green tire for allowing a creation of an air passageway in the tire after curing the green tire in a tire mold is disclosed. The cable comprises a core of a first material and a shell of a second material, wherein the shell surrounds the core. Also, a method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire comprising an air passageway is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a green pneumatic tire comprising a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region, and a cable embedded in a rubber material of the green tire, the cable comprising a core of a first material and a shell of a second material, wherein the shell surrounds the core; curing the green tire together with the cable in a tire mold; and extracting the core of the cable from the cured tire thereby providing an air passageway in the tire. | 06-26-2014 |
20140174621 | PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH BUILT IN FASTENER SYSTEM - A pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an inner cavity and an inner surface at least partially defining the inner cavity, a rigid structure for facilitating operation of the tire assembly, and a threaded receptacle for securing the rigid structure to the inner surface of the inner cavity. The threaded receptacle has been integrally bonded to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire. | 06-26-2014 |
20140174620 | COMPACT VALVE SYSTEM FOR SELF-INFLATING TIRE - A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air passageway in the tire that is operable to be sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air from a valve device through the passageway to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. The valve device has an internal pressure membrane that regulates the inlet flow of the air to the tube pump. | 06-26-2014 |
20140174619 | COMPACT VALVE SYSTEM FOR SELF-INFLATING TIRE - A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air passageway in the tire that is operable to be sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air from an inlet device through the passageway to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. A valve device for a tire is also disclosed. The valve device includes an insert mounted in the tire, a valve body mounted within the valve insert; wherein the valve body has a first, second and third chamber, wherein a first and second check valve is positioned in the first and second chamber. A pressure membrane is received within the valve body, and positioned to open and close the third chamber. The pressure membrane is in fluid communication with the tire cavity and the third chamber of the valve body. A spring is received within the third chamber and is positioned to exert force upon the pressure membrane to bias the pressure membrane position relative to the channel in the open position. | 06-26-2014 |
20140166189 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BUILDING A TIRE - A tire building system includes a first loop of travel track, a plurality of first carriage housings movably mounted on the first loop, a second loop of travel track, a plurality of second carriage housings movably mounted on the second loop, and a first transfer station of the first loop and a second transfer station of the second loop for interrelating the first loop and the second loop. | 06-19-2014 |
20140166168 | AUTONOMOUS, PLUG-IN WEAR OR ABRASION SENSING SYSTEM - An autonomous, plug-in and sacrificial wear sensing system including at least one wearable sensor, autonomous energy supply and means for remote radio-frequency communication. The system includes a tubular tread wear indicator body embedded within a tire tread element. The indicator body is centered within the tread element and is shaped in the form of a tube. The sensor element operably changes in at least one electromagnetically measurable physical parameter as the tread element wears radially inward. The system provides a full tread wear system including the algorithm for signal and data processing, buffering and decision making routines to remotely provide vehicle driver or owner with current tire wear status, tire type—vehicle—season match and with real-time estimation of remaining tire life. | 06-19-2014 |
20140163816 | TIRE SLIP ANGLE ESTIMATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A slip angle estimation includes a tire having one or more first and second strain sensor(s) affixed to opposite respective first and second tire sidewalls. The sensors measure a tire strain in their respective sidewalls and generate a sidewall strain signal indicative of strain present within the tire sidewalls. A slip angle estimation is made by estimating the difference in the signal slope of the sensors in the opposite sidewalls. A load estimation is further made for the tire from the inner and outer sidewall strain signals and the load estimation is used in the slip angle estimation. | 06-12-2014 |
20140162337 | ISOPRENE PRODUCTION USING THE DXP AND MVA PATHWAY - The invention provides for methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells using various components of the DXP pathway and MVA pathway, or components associated with the DXP pathway and MVA pathway, iron-sulfur cluster-interacting redox polypeptides, and isoprene synthase. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells. | 06-12-2014 |
20140161584 | Apparatus for supporting and holding a bead core-apex subassembly and method of producing and transporting the bead core-apex subassembly - The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supporting an annular bead core-apex subassembly, the apparatus comprising a spacer disc for supporting the annular bead core-apex subassembly, and a clamping device comprising a supporting surface for supporting the spacer disc, as well as a plurality of clamping elements for selectively clamping the spacer disc to the supporting surface. The clamping elements are movable between an expanded position in which the spacer disc is clamped to the supporting surface, and a retracted position in which the spacer disc is released and can be lifted from the supporting surface. Moreover, the present invention is directed to a system comprising a respective apparatus for supporting an annular bead core-apex subassembly as well as the subassembly. Finally, the present invention is also directed to a method of transporting an annular bead core-apex subassembly. | 06-12-2014 |
20140158267 | AIR MAINTENANCE PUMPING ASSEMBLY AND TIRE - A tire assembly includes a tire having a pneumatic cavity, first and second sidewalls, a sidewall groove, an air passageway, and a pressure regulator mounted to an inner surface of the pneumatic tire cavity. The pressure regulator controls air pressure within the pneumatic tire cavity. The first and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has at least one bending region operatively bending when circumferentially within a rolling tire footprint. The sidewall groove defining groove sidewalls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The groove and air passageway deform segment by segment between a non-deformed state and a deformed, constricted state in response to the bending of the first sidewall bending region circumferentially within the rolling tire footprint. | 06-12-2014 |
20140158266 | Air maintenance pneumatic tire - The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire with an elongate substantially annular air passageway enclosed within a bending region of the tire and extending substantially in a circumferential direction, wherein upon rolling of the tire air is pressed through the air passageway and a valve assembly in air flow communication with the tire cavity, the annular air passageway and the exterior of the tire and having an air inlet for allowing air to enter the valve assembly from the exterior of the tire as well as an air outlet for allowing air to enter the tire cavity. | 06-12-2014 |
20140155660 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING ISOPRENE FREE OF C5 HYDROCARBONS UNDER DECOUPLING CONDITIONS AND/OR SAFE OPERATING RANGES - The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells wherein the cells in the stationary phase. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells and/or increased amount of isoprene. The invention also provides for systems that include a non-flammable concentration of isoprene in the gas phase. Additionally, the invention provides isoprene compositions, such as compositions with increased amount of isoprene or increased purity. | 06-05-2014 |
20140155544 | TIRE WITH COMPONENT COMPRISED OF RUBBER COMPOSITION CONTAINING SILICA AND GRAPHENE PLATELET REINFORCEMENT - This invention relates to a rubber composition comprised of diene-based elastomer, precipitated silica and nano-scale exfoliated graphene platelets. A tire is provided having a component comprised of such rubber composition. | 06-05-2014 |
20140155542 | PREPARATION AND USE OF FUNCTIONALIZED ELASTOMERS IN RUBBER COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SILICA FILLER AND TIRE COMPONENTS THEREOF - This invention relates to preparation and use of in situ functionalized elastomers in a rubber composition, namely post polymerization functionalization of elastomers, in rubber compositions containing precipitated silica filler reinforcement and tires having components thereof. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150948 | OVERLAY PLY FOR A PNEUMATIC TIRE - A composite cord includes at least one cellulose-fiber first yarn twisted helically about at least one second yarn. The second yarn includes at least one polyamide, polyester, or PEN. The first yarn has a first LASE and the second yarn has a second LASE. The first LASE is higher than the second LASE at a yarn elongation in a range from 0% to 10%. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150945 | PUMP AND ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY FOR A SELF-INFLATING TIRE - A system includes a tire having a tire cavity, first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire beads to a common tire tread, and a compression actuator means mounted to the tire within the tire cavity for delivering air to the tire cavity. The compression actuator means includes a hollow containment body formed from a resilient deformable material and containing a quantity of a non-compressible medium. The hollow containment body reciprocally deforms or transforms between a deformed state and a non-deformed state responsive to deformation and recovery of the tire while rotating. The hollow containment body in the deformed state displaces a quantity of the non-compressible medium for generating a compression force from which a volume of air is delivered to the tire cavity. The hollow containment body is shaped to facilitate pivoting during rotation of the tire. | 06-05-2014 |
20140148555 | SELF-HEALING RUBBER COMPOSITION AND TIRE - The present invention is directed to a self-healing rubber composition comprising a functionalized elastomer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and a partitioned metal ion. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148554 | PNEUMATIC TIRE - The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a polymer blend comprising a copolymer and an additional polymer, the copolymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and polymeric sidechains bonded to the backbone chain, the sidechains comprising a polymer immiscible with the backbone; the additional polymer consisting of a polymer miscible with the polymeric sidechains. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148551 | POLYMER BLEND - The present invention is directed to a polymer blend comprising a first polymer and a second polymer, the first polymer comprising: a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and polymeric sidechains bonded to the backbone chain, the sidechains comprising a polymer immiscible with the backbone; the second polymer consisting of a polymer miscible with the polymeric sidechains. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148546 | PREPARATION OF RUBBER COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SYNDIOTACTIC POLYBUTADIENE FILAMENT AND TIRES WITH COMPONENTS - The invention relates to preparation of rubber compositions containing filamentary syndiotactic polybutadiene and tires having components containing filamentary syndiotactic polybutadiene. | 05-29-2014 |
20140148540 | RUBBER COMPOSITION CONTAINING SULFUR CURATIVE AND PENTAERYTHRITOL ESTER OF FATTY ACID, COMPOSITES THEREOF CONTAINING WIRE REINFORCEMENT AND TIRES WITH COMPONENT - The invention relates to rubber compositions, and their use, including composites of such rubber compositions containing wire reinforcement and tires having a component comprised of such rubber composition or composite. | 05-29-2014 |
20140147902 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED ISOPRENE PRODUCTION USING TWO TYPES OF ISPG ENZYMES - The invention provides for compositions and methods for producing isoprene by using recombinantly engineered cells that utilize a system of dual IspG enzymes in addition to isoprene synthase. | 05-29-2014 |
20140135437 | TIRE WITH RUBBER TREAD CONTAINING COMBINATION OF RESIN AND VEGETABLE OIL, PARTICULARLY SOYBEAN OIL - This invention relates to a tire with a circumferential rubber tread composition comprised of a silica reinforced rubber composition containing diene based polymers in combination with traction resin(s) and vegetable oil, particularly soybean oil. | 05-15-2014 |
20140135433 | TIRE WITH RUBBER CONTAINING FLAVONE - The invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a component containing a rubber composition comprising
| 05-15-2014 |
20140130960 | PUNCTURE SEALANT LAMINATE - A puncture sealant laminate for prevention of a flat tire may include three layers of sealant material separated by two layers of non-sealant material. The two layers of non-sealant material may prevent the three layers of sealant material from contacting each other and they may have first and second ends that attach to rubber in the tire that is not part of the puncture sealant laminate. | 05-15-2014 |
20140130895 | CONNECTOR SYSTEM AND AIR MAINTENANCE TIRE ASSEMBLY - A connector system and tire assembly includes a tire having a toroidal tire cavity for containing pressurized air, an elongate integral air passageway contained within a flexible tire component, the air passageway extending between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component, the air passageway extending for at least a partial circumferential path around the tire, and a metallic connector assembly within the outlet cavity, the connector assembly including a through-channel for conducting air flow communication between the air passageway within the flexible tire component and a chamber of the connector assembly. | 05-15-2014 |
20140130357 | SECURING TO A PNEUMATIC TIRE - A pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an inner cavity and an inner surface at least partially defining the inner cavity, a rigid structure for facilitating operation of the tire assembly, and a docking base for securing the rigid structure to the inner surface of the inner cavity. The docking base has been integrally bonded to the inner surface during curing of the pneumatic tire. The docking base has a shape formed by a mold attached to the inner surface of the inner cavity during curing of the pneumatic tire. The mold subsequently is removed thereby resulting in the docking base integrally secured to the inner surface. | 05-15-2014 |
20140128645 | ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF ISOPRENE USING MARINE BACTERIAL CELLS - The invention provides for methods for the production of isoprene in recombinant marine bacterial cells via the heterologous expression of isoprene synthase enzymes. | 05-08-2014 |
20140127770 | METHODS OF PRODUCING ISOPRENE AND A CO-PRODUCT - The invention features methods producing isoprene and a co-product, such as ethanol, 1,3-propanediol, or hydrogen from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells. The invention provides compositions comprising isoprene and ethanol, isoprene and 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene and hydrogen. Additionally, the invention provides methods of co-producing isoprene and ethanol, isoprene and 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene and hydrogen by culturing cells under conditions suitable for co-production of isoprene and ethanol, isoprene and 1,3-propanediol, and isoprene and hydrogen. | 05-08-2014 |
20140121308 | RUBBER COMPOSITION WITH ENCAPSULATED RESIN AND PNEUMATIC TIRE - The present invention is directed to a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising at least one diene based elastomer and an in-situ resin, the in-situ resin comprising a methylene acceptor and a methylene donor, wherein one of the methylene acceptor and methylene donor is microencapsulated. | 05-01-2014 |
20140116590 | Heavy Duty Tire - An off the road tire comprising a carcass, a tread located radially outward of the carcass, the tread having a plurality of lugs, the lugs extending radially outward from an inner tread and being located between first and second lateral tread edges, a first row of lugs extending from the tread lateral edge axially inwards toward the centerplane, a second row of lugs extending from the opposite tread lateral edge and axially inwards toward the centerplane and wherein the lugs of the first and second rows are separated by a plurality of shoulder grooves, a third row of lugs located between the first and second row of lugs, wherein all of the lugs in each row are aligned circumferentially, wherein the lugs in the third row have two or more ends formed by nonlinear grooves. | 05-01-2014 |
20140110028 | SYSTEM FOR NON-PNEUMATIC SUPPORT OF A VEHICLE - A non-pneumatic tire includes a plurality of springs. Each spring comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each spring is interwoven with at least one other spring thereby forming a toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the non-pneumatic tire. The toroidal structure is at least partially coated with an elastomer. | 04-24-2014 |
20140099463 | ATMOSPHERIC PLASMA TREATMENT OF REINFORCEMENT CORDS AND USE IN RUBBER ARTICLES - The present invention is directed to a method of treating a reinforcement cord, comprising the steps of
| 04-10-2014 |
20140099460 | ATMOSPHERIC PLASMA TREATMENT OF REINFORCEMENT CORDS AND USE IN RUBBER ARTICLES - The present invention is directed to a method of making a cord-reinforced rubber article, comprising the steps of | 04-10-2014 |
20140080983 | POLYMERIZATION OF ISOPRENE FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES - This invention relates to compositions and methods for producing polymers of isoprene derived from renewable resources, such as isoprene produced from cultured cells that use renewable carbon sources. A starting isoprene composition, such as a bioisoprene composition, is distinguished from petroleum based isoprene by its purity profile (such as lower levels of certain C | 03-20-2014 |
20140073026 | SYSTEMS USING CELL CULTURE FOR PRODUCTION OF ISOPRENE - The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells. The invention provides isoprene compositions, such as compositions with increased amount of isoprene or increased purity. Additionally, the invention provides methods of producing isoprene by culturing cells under conditions suitable for isoprene production while maintaining cell viability and/or metabolic activity. | 03-13-2014 |
20140069561 | TIRE TREAD WITH GROOVE REINFORCEMENT - The present invention relates to a tire tread comprising a plurality of circumferential grooves separating circumferential ribs, each groove comprising a bottom and two sidewalls, and a plurality of laterally separated reinforcements, wherein one reinforcement is arranged adjacent each circumferential groove, and wherein each reinforcement extends from the radially inner surface of the tread in a radial direction at least to the bottom of an adjacent circumferential groove to form the bottom of that groove. Further, the invention relates to a tire comprising a tread in accordance with the present invention. | 03-13-2014 |
20140069560 | RUBBER COMPOSITION FOR TREAD GROOVE REINFORCEMENT - The present invention relates to a rubber composition comprising at least one rubber component, between about 50 phr and about 120 phr of a filler, wherein at least 20 phr of the filler is a high surface area carbon black. Further, the composition comprises between 10 phr and 30 phr of a phenolic resin. The present invention is further directed to a tire tread or a tire comprising such a composition. | 03-13-2014 |
20140060718 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A COMPARTMENTALIZED TIRE SEALANT STRIP - A method for making a compartmentalized sealant strip and barrier assembly | 03-06-2014 |
20140048213 | SLEEVELESS TIRE BUILDING DRUM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE WIDTH ELEMENTS - A tire building drum and a method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The tire building drum has a center section comprised of a plurality of segments that are radially and axially movable. The sleeve of the tire building drum over the center section has been eliminated, and instead has two seals located on the outer ends or shoulders of the center section of the tire building drum. The building drum further comprises shoulder sections that are axially movable. The shoulder sections include radially expandable bead locks. The method employs the steps of applying one or more carcass layers, locking the bead locks and moving the center section radially outwardly while moving the bead locks axially inwardly. | 02-20-2014 |
20140041777 | TREAD MADE FROM MULTI CAP COMPOUNDS - A pneumatic tire having a tire tread is disclosed, wherein the tread comprises one or more tread elements and one or more grooves, the tread having a radially outer surface and a non-skid tread depth as measured from the radially outer surface of the tread and a radially innermost surface of the grooves. The tread has a radially innermost layer comprised of a base tread compound, a radially outer tread cap layer and a middle tread caplayer located between the base layer and the outer tread cap layer. Wherein the radially outer tread cap layer has a defined depth D, except that there is at least one notched areas wherein the tread cap layer extends radially inward of the defined depth D. | 02-13-2014 |
20140041776 | TREAD MADE FROM MULTI CAP COMPOUNDS - A pneumatic tire having a tire tread is disclosed, wherein the tread comprises one or more tread elements and one or more grooves, the tread having a radially outer surface and a non-skid tread depth as measured from the radially outer surface of the tread and a radially innermost surface of the grooves. The tread has a radially innermost layer comprised of a base tread compound, a radially outer tread cap layer and a middle tread cap layer located between the base layer and the outer tread cap layer. Wherein the radially outer tread cap layer has a defined depth D, except that there is at least one notched areas wherein the tread cap layer extends radially inward of the defined depth D. | 02-13-2014 |
20130330796 | IDENTIFICATION OF ISOPRENE SYNTHASE VARIANTS WITH IMPROVED PROPERTIES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ISOPRENE - The invention provides for compositions and methods for producing isoprene using isoprene synthase variants with improved properties. | 12-12-2013 |
20130330709 | LEGUME ISOPRENE SYNTHASE FOR PRODUCTION OF ISOPRENE - The present invention provides methods and compositions of polypeptides having isoprene synthase activity with improved performance characteristics. In particular, the present invention provides legume isoprene synthases for increased isoprene production in recombinant host cells. | 12-12-2013 |
20130309743 | CONVERSION OF PRENYL DERIVATIVES TO ISOPRENE - The present invention provides methods for producing derivatives from cultured cells. In addition, the present invention provides methods for conversion of prenyl derivatives, obtained from biological or petrochemical sources, to isoprene by employing chemical or biological catalysts. The present invention also provides compositions that include the cultured cells or isoprene or prenyl derivatives produced there from. | 11-21-2013 |
20130295632 | ISOPRENE SYNTHASE VARIANTS WITH IMPROVED SOLUBILITY FOR PRODUCTION OF ISOPRENE - The present invention provides methods and compositions of variant polypeptides having isoprene synthase activity with improved solubility. In particular, the present invention provides isoprene synthase variant for increased isoprene production in recombinant host cells. | 11-07-2013 |
20130253141 | POLYMERS OF ISROPENE FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES - It has been found that certain cells in culture can convert more than about 0.002 percent of the carbon available in the cell culture medium into isoprene. These cells have a heterologous nucleic acid that (i) encodes an isoprene synthase polypeptide and (ii) is operably linked to a promoter. The isoprene produced in such a cultured medium can then be recovered and polymerized into synthetic rubbers and other useful polymeric materials. The synthetic isoprene containing polymers of this invention offer the benefit of being verifiable as to being derived from non-petrochemical based resources. They can also be analytically distinguished from rubbers that come from natural sources. The present invention more specifically discloses a polyisoprene polymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from isoprene monomer, wherein the polyisoprene polymer has δ | 09-26-2013 |
20130252303 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE OF ISOPRENE SYNTHASE AND ITS USE THEREOF FOR GENERATING VARIANTS - The present invention provides a three-dimensional structures of | 09-26-2013 |
20130196402 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING ISOPRENE FREE OF C5 HYDROCARBONS UNDER DECOUPLING CONDITIONS AND/OR SAFE OPERATING RANGES - The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells wherein the cells in the stationary phase. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells and/or increased amount of isoprene. The invention also provides for systems that include a non-flammable concentration of isoprene in the gas phase. Additionally, the invention provides isoprene compositions, such as compositions with increased amount of isoprene or increased purity. | 08-01-2013 |
20130112329 | SELF-INFLATING TIRE - A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an air passageway, the air tube being composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. The air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to an inlet device for exhaust from the passageway or to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. The inlet device is positioned within the annular passageway 180 degrees opposite the outlet device such that sequential flattening of the air tube by the tire footprint effects pumping of air along the air passageway with the tire rotating in either a forward or reverse direction of rotation. The invention further includes an outlet device for regulating the tire cavity pressure and flow into the cavity. | 05-09-2013 |
20130112328 | SELF-INFLATING TIRE - A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an air passageway, the air tube being composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. The air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to an inlet device for exhaust from the passageway or to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. The inlet device is positioned within the annular passageway 180 degrees opposite the outlet device such that sequential flattening of the air tube by the tire footprint effects pumping of air along the air passageway with the tire rotating in either a forward or reverse direction of rotation. The invention further includes an outlet device for regulating the tire cavity pressure and flow into the cavity. | 05-09-2013 |
20130078699 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING ISOPRENE - The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells. | 03-28-2013 |
20130075041 | SOLID DECK BEAD LOCK DRUM - A rotatable tire building drum | 03-28-2013 |
20130071908 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING ISOPRENE - The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells. | 03-21-2013 |
20130061995 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A COMPARTMENTALIZED TIRE SEALANT STRIP - A method for making a compartmentalized sealant strip and barrier assembly | 03-14-2013 |
20130048171 | TIRE CONTAINING SILICATE MICROFLAKES HAVING ENHANCED TRACTION CHARACTERISTICS - This invention discloses a tire having enhanced wet traction and ice traction characteristics. These tires are comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, wherein the tread includes at least one circumferential groove which separates circumferential ribs, each circumferential groove having two sides and a base therebetween, and wherein the sides of each circumferential groove are comprised of a rubbery composition that includes silicate microflakes which are substantially aligned in an orientation which is parallel with the sides of the grooves. | 02-28-2013 |
20130037195 | SPLIT PLY TIRES AND BEAD AREA MONOCOMPONENTS - An intermediate article of manufacture formed as a first stage bead area subassembly for a split ply pneumatic tire carcass is disclosed. The bead area subassembly has an annular bead core; a bead apex; a ply strip; and preferably a sidewall affixed to the ply strip. The subassembly is formed into a disk-shaped bead area monocomponent. The ply strip is wrapped about the bead core and the apex to form a ply turnup and both the ply strip and the ply turnup extend radially outwardly from the bead core. The bead area subassembly when formed into the disk-shaped bead area monocomponent is placed on an annular holder device. The combination of the bead area monocomponent on the holder device can be stacked for storage and latter assembly into a split ply carcass. Preferably, the ply turnup can be oriented extending inside or axially inward of the bead core on final assembly to form a split ply tire having axially inside turnups. In the preferred embodiment the ply strip is reinforced by radially extending ply cords. | 02-14-2013 |
20130032263 | DIAPHRAGM PUMP FOR SELF-INFLATING TIRE - A diaphragm pump for use in a self-inflating tire assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a tire mounted to a rim tire mounting surface. The tire has an internal cavity. The invention further includes a pump device mounted to the rim, and the pump device has a first end and a second end, the first end being mounted within the tire cavity and the second end located outside the rim and in fluid communication with the outside air. The first end of the pump device has a flexible member having an outer rim and an inner rim, wherein the outer rim is connected to a backing plate and an inner rim is connected to a piston, wherein the piston is slidably mounted within a chamber of the backing plate. The piston has an inner passageway for fluid communication with the tire cavity and the chamber, and the second end of the pump device has an internal bore in fluid communication with the outside air and the chamber. | 02-07-2013 |
20130014878 | PNEUMATIC TIRE - A tire casing is formed on an annular toroidally shaped building surface. The tire casing has a cord attachment elastomeric layer extending over the toroidally shaped building surface to a pair of radial inner ends; a first and second bead stack, each bead stack having an axially inner stack and an axially outer stack the axially inner stack attached to one of the radial inner ends of the first elastomeric layer; one or more continuous lengths of first ply cords, and one or more continuous lengths of second ply cords. The one or more continuous lengths of the first ply cords in combination with the one or more continuous lengths of the second ply cords form a bias angled cord reinforced belt structure, the first ply cords forming one cord reinforced sidewall and the second ply cords forming an opposite cord reinforced sidewall. | 01-17-2013 |
20120305153 | TIRE WITH TREAD OF POLYBUTADIENE RUBBER - Pneumatic rubber tire intended for heavy duty service having a cap/base configured tread with a silica-containing specialized cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber-rich tread cap rubber layer. | 12-06-2012 |
20120222792 | LOW ASPECT RATIO SUPER SINGLE TRUCK TIRE - A pneumatic low aspect ratio truck has a crown reinforcing structure | 09-06-2012 |
20120222791 | LOW ASPECT RATIO SUPER SINGLE TRUCK TIRE - The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire | 09-06-2012 |
20120191617 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING A TIRE RETREAD PROCESS - A system and method for tracking a tire through a retread process include various checkpoints with networked touch screen computers at each checkpoint. At certain inspection and repair checkpoints the touch screen computers display tire cross section images with multiple different regions. Selecting a region allows a technician to change injury or repair data associated with that region of the tire. The computer automatically checks entered information against customer retread specifications and alerts the technician if the tire does not fit the customer's requirements for repairing or retreading the tire. | 07-26-2012 |
20120191616 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE TRACKING - A system and method for tracking a vehicle includes a mobile tracking device that receives GPS data. The mobile tracking device transmits the location data to a tracking system whenever it detects certain events based on the data, such as the vehicle making a stop, resuming motion, changing direction, or exceeding a speed limit. The tracking system can associate received data on vehicle location with service calls and automatically generate an accurate bill reflecting the distance traveled to the service call and the duration of the stop. | 07-26-2012 |
20120191495 | TIRE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A web-based tire management system tracks both tire-related and vehicle-related information for multiple fleets and for multiple models and brands of tires to enable sophisticated analysis of tire-related issues to be performed on behalf of individual fleets, as well as for tire dealers and manufacturers. | 07-26-2012 |
20120190384 | MANAGEMENT OF ROADSIDE SERVICE REQUESTS - A method and apparatus to manage a service request involves the use of a smart phone's ability to communicate GPS information over the internet. A customer in need of roadside service can submit a roadside service request through a mobile web site or mobile application, and can provide location information through the smart phone's GPS receiver. Should the system not have a location for the customer, a unique URL can be created that identifies the service request and sent for the customer to access on the smart phone, which allows the web server to request the smart phone's GPS location and automatically associate it with the correct service request. | 07-26-2012 |
20120186218 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A MERGED CORD - A pneumatic tire for use on aircraft has a tread, a crown reinforcement, and a radial carcass reinforcement having at least one axially inner ply of textile cords wound around a pair of bead cores, at least one axially inner ply being wound around the bead core in each bead from inside to the outside forming outside turn-ups and at least one axially outer ply of textile cords extending from bead to bead along the turn-ups of the at least one axially inner ply. The at least one axially inner ply or at least one axially outer ply has merged cords having a percent elongation at break of 12% to less than 20% and a break strength greater than 1050 N with a linear density of greater than 9,000 dtex. Merged cord reinforcement is preferably used in the ply layers or strips of the crown reinforcement as well. | 07-26-2012 |
20120161366 | EXTRUDER APPARATUS FOR FORMING TIRE COMPONENTS - A method and apparatus for applying a blended rubber composition directly onto a tire building drum or core is described. A first extruder and a first gear pump for a first compound is provided. A second extruder and a second gear pump for a second compound is provided. The output of the first and second gear pump is fed into the inlet of the main extruder. A third pumping means is provided for pumping an accelerator mixture into the inlet of the main extruder; mixing together said first compound and said second compound and said accelerator mixture in said extruder and applying the mixture onto a tire building drum or core. | 06-28-2012 |
20120160388 | PNEUMATIC TIRE WITH COMPOSITE INNERLINER - A pneumatic radial ply runflat tire is described. The tire has a carcass structure having at least one radial carcass ply, two bead regions, two sidewalls, each sidewall having an upper sidewall portion that connects to the shoulders and being reinforced by an insert, a belt structure between the tread and the carcass, and an air impermeable inner liner formed of a butyl rubber located radially inward of the carcass structure wherein the air impermeable inner liner extends from a first shoulder region to a second shoulder underneath the crown portion of the tire, and does not extend from the shoulder to the bead portion of the tire. | 06-28-2012 |
20120125509 | PNEUMATIC TIRE - A pneumatic tire comprises a tread, a carcass and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread. The belt structure includes a zigzag belt structure formed of at least two layers of cords interwoven together from a strip of rubber reinforced with one or more cords. The strip forming the zigzag belt structure is layed up in a winding pattern in accordance with the following formula: for i=1 through L, the ith winding pattern is: [W | 05-24-2012 |
20120125505 | METHOD FOR RECOVERING UNCURED RUBBER AND TIRE INCLUDING RECLAIMED RUBBER - A method for recovering uncured rubber from unused electron beam pre-cured rubber stock used in the manufacture of pneumatic tires. A first layer of the pre-cured rubber stock having cured rubber is skived with a band knife cutter blade from a second layer of the pre-cured rubber stock having uncured rubber. The band knife cutter blade is lubricated so as to avoid adhesion of the uncured rubber to a leading cutting edge of the cutter blade. After the first layer of cured rubber is removed from the pre-cured rubber stock, the uncured rubber in the second layer is reworked into at least one tire component. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125498 | Balance Pads For Balancing Pneumatic Tires - Balance pads for balancing pneumatic tires having DVA innerliners, and methods for balancing such pneumatic tires, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a balance pad is provided for balancing a pneumatic tire having a DVA innerliner. The balance pad includes an outer layer having a dynamically vulcanized alloy, which comprises an engineering resin as a continuous phase and at least a partially vulcanized rubber as a dispersed phase. The balance pad further includes an inner layer having a rubber or plastic compound that is bonded to the outer layer. The outer layer is capable of being bonded to an inner surface of a tire innerliner, which includes a dynamically vulcanized alloy having an engineering resin as a continuous phase and at least a partially vulcanized rubber as a dispersed phase. | 05-24-2012 |
20120111481 | TIRE-FORMING APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS - Apparatus and methods of forming a tire. A drum has an expansion device that is configured to turn-up the lateral ends of the tire carcass about respective bead-and-apex assemblies while generally maintaining a constant orientation of the bead-and-apex assemblies. Further, the expansion device turns-up the lateral ends of the tire carcass while at the same time radially expanding the tire carcass. The methods entail turning-up the lateral ends of the tire carcass around the bead-and-apex assemblies and also moving a portion of the tire carcass lying between the bead-and-apex assemblies in a radially-outward direction relative to an axis of rotation of the drum. | 05-10-2012 |
20120111470 | TIRE INCLUDING A CONTINUOUS PRESSURE MEMBRANE - Tire including a continuous pressure membrane. The tire includes a carcass, a rubber layer surrounding the carcass, and a belt. The carcass includes at least one continuous pressure membrane defining a generally U-shaped cross section. The pressure membrane includes a crown portion, a first sidewall portion, and a second sidewall portion connected with the first sidewall portion by the crown portion. The belt may be composed of at least one additional continuous pressure membrane adjacent the crown portion. | 05-10-2012 |
20120073720 | WIRE COAT COMPOSITIONS FOR RUBBER ARTICLES - The present invention is based upon the unexpected finding that lignin can be incorporated into wire coat stock composition to improve metal to rubber adhesion. It has been further found that lignin can be used as a replacement in whole or in part for conventional rubber-to-metal adhesion promoters, such as cobalt materials which are conventionally used in wire coat stocks to attain and maintain needed rubber-to-wire adhesion properties. In fact, wire coat stocks that contain lignin provide more that adequate rubber-to-metal adhesion characteristics for typical applications, such as in tires, and maintain needed levels of adhesion over long periods of product service. For instance, high levels of rubber-to-metal adhesion are maintained under harsh conditions, such as exposure to elevated temperatures and high levels of humidity. The utilization of lignin in wire coat stock formulations in accordance with this invention is also economically advantageous since lignin is a low cost alternative to most conventional adhesion promoting agents. Lignin is also environmentally friendly and does not present any known health hazards. Lignin is derived from wood and constitutes about 25 percent to 33 percent of the dry mass of wood. Accordingly, lignin is an abundant naturally occurring organic polymer which is a renewable resource since it is derived from trees. Accordingly, lignin represents a low cost, abundant, environmentally friendly, and highly effective alternative to conventional rubber-to-metal adhesion promoters. The present invention more specifically discloses a wire coat stock composition which is comprised of (1) a rubbery polymer, (2) about 40 phr to about 80 phr of carbon black, and (3) about 2 phr to about 30 phr of lignin. | 03-29-2012 |
20120029234 | BORON CONTAINING FUNCTIONALIZING AGENT - The present invention relates to functionalizing agents that are particularly useful for functionalizing living rubbery polymers to make the polymer more compatible with fillers, such as carbon black and silica. These functionalizing agents are comprised of a boron containing compound having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of: | 02-02-2012 |
20110290412 | ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD FOR EXTRUDING A TIRE COMPONENT - In order to facilitate the assembly of a tire component like an Off the Road tire shoulder wedge, it is proposed to extrude this component with a high tack compound coating at its periphery by using a dual extruder which otherwise can extrude the tire component with a first high tack compound coating on one side, combined with an assembly for the extruder comprising a splice bar, a holder and a die which are designed to provide a channel deriving and guiding a portion of the high tack compound of the extruder to the stream of compounds before extrusion through the die, on a side opposite to the first coating, thereby providing a coating at almost the whole periphery of the component. | 12-01-2011 |
20110254194 | METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR EXTRUDING A RUBBER COMPOUND - The invention relates to the extrusion of tire components with a large change of gauge across their cross-sectional area. It is provided a method and an assembly for extruding such a tire component with an extruder feeding a flow channel with a downstream die opening, whereby a deflector is provided in the flow channel upstream the die opening such that a flow of rubber is slowed down in front of broad portions of the cross-sectional area of the downstream die, avoiding distortion or bending of the extruded tire component. | 10-20-2011 |
20110237769 | Polymers of isoprene from renewable resources - It has been found that certain cells in culture can convert more than about 0.002 percent of the carbon available in the cell culture medium into isoprene. These cells have a heterologous nucleic acid that (i) encodes an isoprene synthase polypeptide and (ii) is operably linked to a promoter. In some cases, these cells are cultured in a culture medium that includes a carbon source, such as, but not limited to, a carbohydrate, glycerol, glycerine, dihydroxyacetone, one-carbon source, oil, animal fat, animal oil, fatty acid, lipid, phospholipid, glycerolipid, monoglyceride, diglyceride, triglyceride, renewable carbon source, polypeptide (e.g., a microbial or plant protein or peptide), yeast extract, component from a yeast extract, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing. The isoprene produced in such a cultured medium can then be recovered and polymerized into synthetic rubbers and other useful polymeric materials. It is anticipated that there will be a significant demand for synthetic rubber and other isoprene containing polymers that are synthesized using isoprene of this type which is made from renewable, non-petrochemical based resources. In fact, it is believed that industrial customers and consumers would prefer to purchase isoprene containing polymers that are derived from such environmentally friendly sources to those that are made with isoprene derived from a petrochemical process. It is further believed that customers would be willing to pay premium prices for such environmentally friendly products that are made with renewable resources. However, it is important to be able to verify that such isoprene containing polymers are actually made from non-petrochemical based resources. The synthetic isoprene containing polymers of this invention offer the benefit of being verifiable as to being derived from non-petrochemical based resources. They can also be analytically distinguished from rubbers that come from natural sources. The present invention more specifically discloses a polyisoprene polymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from isoprene monomer, wherein the polyisoprene polymer has δ | 09-29-2011 |
20110186197 | ELASTOMERS CONTAINING SURFACE METALATED SILICEOUS FILLER - This invention is based upon the concept of modifying the surface of silica with a metal, such as titanium or zirconium, which will catalyze silanol condensation reactions on the surface of the silica. In other words, modifying the surface of silica with titanium or zirconium provides a catalyst for the silanol condensation reaction between the silica surface and silane coupling agents used in silica filled compounds. The utilization of such metalated silica as a filler in rubber compositions results in improved polymer filler interaction and in turn improved physical properties. For instance, such surface metalated siliceous fillers can be used in tire tread compounds to attain improved rolling resistance and treadwear without compromising traction characteristics. The present invention more specifically discloses an elastomeric composition which is comprised of (1) a rubbery polymer, (2) a silica coupling agent, and (3) a surface metalated siliceous filler. The subject invention further reveals a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, and wherein said tread is comprised of (1) a rubbery polymer, (2) a silica coupling agent, and (3) a surface metalated siliceous filler. | 08-04-2011 |
20110024011 | MODIFIED GEL PARTICLES AND RUBBER COMPOSITION - This invention discloses a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, and wherein said tread is comprised of (1) a filler, (2) a cured rubbery polymer, and (3) core-shell particles which are comprised of (a) a crosslinked elastomeric core consisting essentially of repeat units that are derived from at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and from 15 weight percent to 30 weight percent at least one crosslinking monomer, wherein the crosslinked elastomeric core is a polymeric composition having a glass transition temperature which is within the range of −20° C. to 20° C., and (b) a polymeric shell which is derived from at least one vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the polymeric shell has a glass transition temperature which is within the range of 50° C. to 160° C., and wherein the weight ratio of the core to the shell is within the range of 20:1 to 7:1. | 02-03-2011 |
20110001273 | BLADDER, AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR SHAPING AND CURING A TIRE - A method, a bladder and an apparatus for shaping and curing a tire, wherein the bladder has two weakened regions corresponding to the shoulder regions of the tire when the bladder is expanded in the cavity of the tire. Upon inflation of the bladder and its expansion in the tire, the bladder contacts first the inner surface of the cavity at the bead regions and progressively the sidewalls, the shoulders and then the center of the tire. The weakened regions are designed to stretch more under a given tension than the remaining regions in order to allow a progressive contact movement of the lateral regions of the bladder with the sidewalls with very little tension and relative movement between the lateral regions of the bladder and the sidewalls of the tire. | 01-06-2011 |
20100289173 | METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR EXTRUDING A RUBBER COMPOUND - The invention relates to the extrusion of tire components with a large change of gauge across their cross-sectional area. It is provided a method and an assembly for extruding such a tire component with an extruder feeding a flow channel with a downstream die opening, whereby a deflector is provided in the flow channel upstream the die opening such that a flow of rubber is slowed down in front of broad portions of the cross-sectional area of the downstream die, avoiding distortion or bending of the extruded tire component. | 11-18-2010 |
20100288407 | DENDRIMERS OF RUBBERY POLYMERS - This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a dendrimer of a rubbery polymer comprising: (a) reacting a lithium terminated rubbery polymer with a halogenated tin containing compound to produce a polymer which is terminated with halogenated tin moieties, wherein the halogenated tin containing compound is of the structural formula: | 11-18-2010 |
20100273952 | CONTROLLED POLYMERIZATION - The present invention discloses an emulsion polymerization process that comprises: (1) preparing an aqueous polymerization medium which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a polymerization control agent, and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is prepared in-situ within the aqueous polymerization medium; and (2) initiating polymerization of said monomer within the aqueous polymerization medium. The subject invention more specifically reveals an emulsion polymerization process that comprises: (1) preparing a monomer solution which is comprised of (a) at least one monomer, (b) a conjugate acid of a surfactant with a pK | 10-28-2010 |
20100243118 | Pneumatic tire for use on row-crop field sprayers and other like farm machinery - A pneumatic tire for use on row-crop field sprayers having lugs configured for providing improved traction, load-handling capability, and stability. The leading edge of each lug is curvilinear such that outside corners are absent. Elimination of outside corners removes stress concentration points that would otherwise degrade tire performance under the conditions of high loading and fast speed. The lugs provide a significant load-carrying capacity without sacrificing attributes such as wet and dry traction, tread cleaning and hard surface roading. | 09-30-2010 |
20100206443 | Heterogeneous Rubbery Polymers Having Random, Tapered, and Block Portions Therein and Methods of Making Same - A heterogeneous rubbery polymer is provided that includes a polymer chain derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein from greater than 20 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of units in the rubbery polymer are derived from the vinyl aromatic monomer and from about 60 weight percent to about 80 weight percent of units in the rubbery polymer are derived from the conjugated diolefin monomer. The polymer chain is further characterized by having greater than zero and less than about 30 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 1 vinyl aromatic unit, from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 5 to 8 vinyl aromatic units, and greater than zero and less than about 5 weight percent of the vinyl aromatic units in sequences containing 9 or more vinyl aromatic units. | 08-19-2010 |
20100186875 | ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD FOR EXTRUDING A TIRE COMPONENT - In order to facilitate the assembly of a tire component like an Off the Road tire shoulder wedge, it is proposed to extrude this component with a high tack compound coating at its periphery by using a dual extruder which otherwise can extrude the tire component with a first high tack compound coating on one side, combined with an assembly for the extruder comprising a splice bar, a holder and a die which are designed to provide a channel deriving and guiding a portion of the high tack compound of the extruder to the stream of compounds before extrusion through the die, on a side opposite to the first coating, thereby providing a coating at almost the whole periphery of the component. | 07-29-2010 |
20100160513 | SILICA-RICH RUBBER COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - The invention includes a silica-rich rubber composition, which exhibits good processing characteristics and improved wet traction characteristics, a method for making and a tire having a tread component including the same. In one embodiment, a rubber composition includes at least one elastomer, from about 30 phr to about 120 phr silica reinforcing filler, from about 0 phr to about 30 phr carbon black reinforcing filler, from about 3 phr to about 10 phr of rosin acid, and from about phr to about 7 phr of zinc oxide, provided that no free stearic acid is separately included in the rubber composition. | 06-24-2010 |
20100154611 | TIRE COMPONENT CUTTER APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CUTTING - A method of cutting an elastomeric strip of material is described. The method includes the step of advancing a strip of material | 06-24-2010 |
20100152364 | POLYMERS, RUBBER COMPOSITIONS, AND TIRES - The present invention relates to polymers, rubber compositions, and tires. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to polymers comprising repeat units provided from at least one amine monomer. The amine monomer can be an amine styrene monomer. Examples of amine styrenes monomer are provided. In other embodiments, a polymer can be made from the copolymerization of at least one amine monomer and at least one monomer that is used to make synthetic rubber, such as at least one conjugated diolefin monomer. These polymers can be terminated with a terminating group, including, for example, those having a hydrolyzable group. Rubber compositions can be made from the above-described polymers. Tires can be made from the polymers or from the rubber compositions. | 06-17-2010 |
20100144950 | COUPLING COMPOUNDS AND THEIR USES IN RUBBER COMPOSITIONS AND TIRES - The invention includes coupling compounds, rubber compositions, and tires. The coupling compounds can, for example, be used to couple to silica filler. Rubber compositions can comprise the coupling compound and polymers. Polymers can be homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers, and can include repeat units provided from conjugated diene monomers. Tires and various parts of tires can be made from those rubber compositions. | 06-10-2010 |
20100130664 | TERMINATING COMPOUNDS, POLYMERS, AND THEIR USES IN RUBBER COMPOSITIONS AND TIRES - The invention includes terminating compounds, polymers, rubber compositions and tires. The terminating compounds can provide terminating groups on the polymer. Polymers can be homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers, and can include repeat units provided from conjugated diene monomers. Rubber compositions can be made from the polymers, and tires and various parts of tires can be made from those rubber compositions. | 05-27-2010 |
20100108230 | SYNTHESIS OF SOLUBLE FUNCTIONALIZED LITHIUM INITIATORS - This invention discloses a process for making dilithium initiators in high purity. This process can be conducted in the absence of amines which is desirable since amines can act as modifiers for anionic polymerizations. The dilithium compounds made are highly desirable because they are soluble in aromatic solvents. The present invention also discloses a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, and wherein said tread is a cured the rubber formulation which is comprised of (a) at least one rubbery polymer containing functional groups of the structural formula: | 05-06-2010 |
20100093960 | Potassium Based Catalyst Systems For Synthesizing Rubbery Polymers - The present invention is directed to a catalyst system for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as styrene-butadiene rubber, that can be utilized in tire tread rubbers. The catalyst system, in one embodiment, includes an organolithium compound and a potassium alkyl borohydride or potassium alkyl aluminum hydride defined by: (R) | 04-15-2010 |
20100092589 | SPLICE BAR FOR TIRE TREAD EXTRUSION APPARATUS - A splice bar for a tire tread die designed for providing a narrow strip of electrically conductive rubber extending from a lower under tread to the surface of the outer tread by positioning a slotted chimney block in a the outer tread rubber passage and having a passage between the chimney slot and the under tread rubber passage specially shaped for improving the flow of rubber during extrusion. This passage is essentially straight for guiding a strip-shaped stream of rubber of the under tread to the chimney slot. The passage intersects the rear surface of the splice bar to form a generally rectangular shaped corridor extending from the rear surface to the chimney slot. | 04-15-2010 |
20100089520 | BLADDER, AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR SHAPING AND CURING A TIRE - A method, a bladder and an apparatus for shaping and curing a tire, wherein the bladder has two weakened regions corresponding to the shoulder regions of the tire when the bladder is expanded in the cavity of the tire. Upon inflation of the bladder and its expansion in the tire, the bladder contacts first the inner surface of the cavity at the bead regions and progressively the sidewalls, the shoulders and then the center of the tire. The weakened regions are designed to stretch more under a given tension than the remaining regions in order to allow a progressive contact movement of the lateral regions of the bladder with the sidewalls with very little tension and relative movement between the lateral regions of the bladder and the sidewalls of the tire. | 04-15-2010 |
20100063202 | Methods of Making Siloxy-Amine Functionalized Rubbery Polymers and Uses Thereof in Rubber Compositions for Tires - The invention includes a siloxy-amine functionalized rubbery polymer, which exhibits good reinforcing characteristics and filler dispersing effect, a method for making, and a rubber composition including the same. In one embodiment, a process for manufacturing includes polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer using an organolithium compound as an initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent. Next, an active terminal end of the polymer is reacted with a functionalized terminating agent represented by: | 03-11-2010 |
20100043938 | DENDRIMERS OF RUBBERY POLYMERS - This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a dendrimer of a rubbery polymer comprising: (a) reacting a lithium terminated rubbery polymer with a halogenated silicon containing compound to produce a polymer which is terminated with halogenated silicon moieties, wherein the halogenated silicon contain compound has at least four halogen atoms which are bonded directly to silicon atoms, wherein the ratio of the lithium terminated rubbery polymer to halogen atoms in the halogenated silicon containing compound is within the range of 2:n to (n-1):n, wherein n represents the number of halogen atoms that are bonded directly to silicon atoms in the halogenated silicon containing compound, wherein the halogenated silicon containing compound contains at least three halogen atoms which are bonded directly to a silicon atom; (b) reacting the polymer which is terminated with halogenated silicon moieties with a molar excess of a tertiary alcohol to produce a polymer which is terminated with hydroxy silyl moieties; and (c) allowing the polymer which is terminated with the hydroxy silyl moieties to couple under conditions sufficient to produce a dendrimer containing siloxane linkages. It has also be found that similar dendrimers having improved processability can be make utilizing halogenated tin containing compounds in stead of the halogenated silicon containing compound. | 02-25-2010 |
20100038002 | DIRECTIONAL TREAD FOR A TIRE - A pneumatic tire | 02-18-2010 |
20100024948 | ENHANCED RADIAL AIRCRAFT TIRE - This invention disclosed a pneumatic tire for use on aircrafts having a tread, a crown reinforcement, and a radial carcass reinforcement. The carcass reinforcement has at least one axially inner ply of textile cord wound around a pair of bead cores, at least one axially inner ply being wound around the bead core in each bead from inside to the outside forming outside turn-ups and at least one axially outer ply of textile cords extending from bead to bead along the turn-ups of the at least one axially inner ply. Each bead has an elastomeric apex filler. The at least one axially inner ply or at least one axially outer ply has merged cords having a percent elongation at break of 12% to less than 20% and a break strength greater than 1050 N with a linear density of greater than 9,000 dtex. The preferred cord has fibers of polyamide and nylon. The cord fiber of polyamide is an aromatic polyamide 3300/2 construction. The cord fiber of nylon is a 1880/1 nylon construction. The preferred cord construction is 6.7 (A)+4.5 (N)/6.7 TPI. The cord reinforcement is preferably used in the ply layers or strips of the crown reinforcement as well. | 02-04-2010 |
20100024943 | TWO-PIECE TIRE - A two-piece tire assembly | 02-04-2010 |
20100024936 | TWO-PIECE TIRE - A two-piece tire assembly | 02-04-2010 |
20090308518 | RADIAL AIRCRAFT TIRE - A pneumatic tire | 12-17-2009 |
20090229729 | BORON CONTAINING FUNCTIONALIZING AGENT - The present invention relates to functionalizing agents that are particularly useful for functionalizing living rubbery polymers to make the polymer more compatible with fillers, such as carbon black and silica. These functionalizing agents are comprised of a boron containing compound having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of: | 09-17-2009 |
20090133797 | PNEUMATIC TIRE - A tire casing | 05-28-2009 |
20090114333 | PNEUMATIC TIRE - A pneumatic radial tire has a pair of opposing bead portions | 05-07-2009 |
20090078354 | Rubber Formulation with Adhesive-Compatible Surface - A method of effecting an improved adhesive bond between a rubber surface and a device adhered thereto is disclosed. In pneumatic tires, monitoring devices are more securely adhered to the innerliner of the tire utilizing a room temperature vulcanizable adhesive wherein curing is facilitated in the presence of moisture. The innerliner formulation is prepared by incorporating a material which has incomplete compatibility with the rubber of the innerliner formulation, and which has hygroscopic properties which thereby tends to attract moisture. | 03-26-2009 |
20090062456 | LIQUID POLYMER - This invention discloses a process for manufacturing an elastomeric article by liquid injection molding, said process comprising the steps of: (I) heating a curable composition comprised of (1) a liquid polymer comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000, and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety, (2) a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst, and (3) a tetrakis(dialkyl siloxy) silane crosslinking agent, to a temperature which is within the range of 30° C. to 100° C.; (II) injecting the heated curable composition into a mold at a temperature which is within the range of 100° C. to 210° C. to produce the elastomeric article; and (III) removing the elastomeric article from the mold. | 03-05-2009 |
20090054666 | LIQUID POLYMER - This invention discloses a process for manufacturing an elastomeric article by liquid injection molding, said process comprising the steps of: (I) heating a curable composition comprised of (1) a liquid polymer comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein said liquid polymer has a weight average molecular weight which is within the range of 5,000 to 100,000, and wherein the liquid polymer is functionalized with an amine moiety, (2) a carbonyl inhibited platinum catalyst, and (3) a tetrakis(dialkyl siloxy) silane crosslinking agent, to a temperature which is within the range of 30° C. to 100° C.; (II) injecting the heated curable composition into a mold at a temperature which is within the range of 100° C. to 210° C. to produce the elastomeric article; and (III) removing the elastomeric article from the mold. | 02-26-2009 |
20090042719 | Hairy polymeric nanoparticles - This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a hairy polymer particle which comprises the steps of (1) polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer by emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium to produce core particles, (2) recovering the core particles from the aqueous medium, (3) dispersing the core particles in an organic solvent, (4) adding an organo-lithium compound to the dried core particles in the organic solvent to produce the hairless core initiator, and (5) utilizing the hairless core initiator to initiate the anionic polymerization of a conjugated diolefin monomer in an organic solvent to produce a solution of the hairy polymer particles. The hairy polymer nanoparticles can then be recovered from the organic solvent. These hairy polymer particles are comprised of (1) a core which is comprised of a polymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and (2) hairs which are polymer chains of a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein the hairs are covalently bonded to the core. The core is typically spherical in shape, has a diameter of less than 1000 nm, and is comprised of a crosslinked polymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer. The hairy polymer particles of this invention are useful as fillers in rubber compositions used in making articles of manufacture, such as tires, hoses, power transmission belts, windshield wiper blades, and the like. | 02-12-2009 |
20090036592 | POLYMERIC COMPOSITION FOR SEALS AND GASKETS - The present invention relates to a polymeric composition which has an excellent combination of properties for use in making seals and gaskets for utilization in appliances, automotive applications, and building applications, such as window glazing gaskets. These polymeric compositions offer excellent dimensional stability, low compression set, outstanding sealing characteristics, low temperature flexibility, heat resistance and ultra-violet light resistance. The present invention more specifically discloses a polymeric composition having excellent characteristics for utilization in manufacturing seals and gaskets including dimensional stability, low compression set and outstanding sealing characteristics, said polymeric composition being comprised of a blend of (A) a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, poly phenylene ether polystyrene, and styrene containing copolymer resins, (B) an elastomeric polymer selected from the group consisting of block copolymer comprising a first polymeric block that is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer and a second block that is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diolefin monomer, wherein the repeat units in the second block are hydrogenated, and wherein the repeat units in the second block are elastomeric in nature, and a crosslinked olefinic elastomer, (C) a high molecular weight crosslinked diene elastomer comprised of repeat units that are derived from conjugated diene monomer selected from the group consisting of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene, wherein the high molecular weight diene elastomer has a weight average molecular weight of at least about 200,000, and (D) an oil. | 02-05-2009 |
20090020206 | WRAP-AROUND TOEGUARD FOR A PNEUMATIC TIRE - A wrap-around toeguard | 01-22-2009 |
20080308232 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING EXPOSED METAL CORDS IN AN ELASTOMERIC STRIP - A method and apparatus for detecting exposed and partially separated metal cords | 12-18-2008 |
20080295939 | METHOD FOR PREVENTING SLIPPAGE OF A TIRE ON A TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY, AND TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY OBTAINED THEREBY - The present invention relates to a method for preventing rotatory slippage between a tire and wheel assembly, wherein said method comprises:
| 12-04-2008 |
20080295936 | ELASTOMERS CONTAINING SURFACE METALATED SILICEOUS FILLERS - This invention is based upon the concept of modifying the surface of silica with a metal, such as titanium or zirconium, which will catalyze silanol condensation reactions on the surface of the silica. In other words, modifying the surface of silica with titanium or zirconium provides a catalyst for the silanol condensation reaction between the silica surface and silane coupling agents used in silica filled compounds. The utilization of such metalated silica as a filler in rubber compositions results in improved polymer filler interaction and in turn improved physical properties. For instance, such surface metalated siliceous fillers can be used in tire tread compounds to attain improved rolling resistance and treadwear without compromising traction characteristics. The present invention more specifically discloses an elastomeric composition which is comprised of (1) a rubbery polymer, (2) a silica coupling agent, and (3) a surface metalated siliceous filler. The subject invention further reveals a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads, wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting, and wherein said tread is comprised of (1) a rubbery polymer, (2) a silica coupling agent, and (3) a surface metalated siliceous filler. | 12-04-2008 |