Abstract:
A connector system and tire assembly includes an elongate integral air passageway contained within a flexible tire component of a tire carcass, the air passageway extending between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component, and the air passageway extending at least a partial circumferential path around the tire carcass. A hollow dome-shaped inlet nut seats within the inlet cavity and a hollow dome-shaped outlet nut seats within the outlet cavity. The inlet nut couples to an air inlet device for conducting air external to the tire carcass into the inlet nut central chamber; and the outlet nut outward body side couples to a valve device positioned within the tire cavity.
Abstract:
An air maintenance tire and connector system includes a tire carcass having an elongate integral air passageway contained within a flexible tire component of the tire carcass between an air inlet and an air outlet cavity and a connector assembly inserted within an outlet one of the cavities. The connector assembly includes a hollow right angled elbow-shaped body fitting within the outlet cavity. The elbow-shaped body's second housing segment has an axial length sufficient to project axially inward from the first housing segment through a tire wall thickness to a tire central cavity. A valve device attaches to a remote end of the second housing segment within the tire cavity, the valve device operative to regulate air flow between the elbow-shaped body central chamber and the tire cavity.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method of constructing a tire, comprising: constructing a coated filament, the coated filament constructed by coating a filament with a coating material, the coating material comprising at least one substance dispersible in an uncured rubber compound; encasing the coated filament into containment within an uncured flexible tire component, the coated filament extending between an air inlet and an air outlet cavity in the pre-cured flexible tire component; building on a tire building drum a green tire carcass from uncured tire components including the uncured flexible tire component and encased coated filament; curing the green tire carcass into a cured finished tire including the flexible tire component containing the coated filament; removing the filament from the cured flexible tire component to leave within the flexible tire component a substantially unobstructed air passageway.
Abstract:
A connector system and tire assembly includes an elongate integral air passageway contained within a flexible tire component of a tire carcass, the air passageway extending between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component, and the air passageway extending at least a partial circumferential path around the tire carcass. A hollow dome-shaped inlet nut seats within the inlet cavity and a hollow dome-shaped outlet nut seats within the outlet cavity. The inlet nut couples to an air inlet device for conducting air external to the tire carcass into the inlet nut central chamber; and the outlet nut outward body side couples to a valve device positioned within the tire cavity.
Abstract:
An air maintenance tire and connector system includes a tire carcass having an elongate integral air passageway contained within a flexible tire component of the tire carcass between an air inlet and an air outlet cavity and a connector assembly inserted within an outlet one of the cavities. The connector assembly includes a hollow right angled elbow-shaped body fitting within the outlet cavity. The elbow-shaped body's second housing segment has an axial length sufficient to project axially inward from the first housing segment through a tire wall thickness to a tire central cavity. A valve device attaches to a remote end of the second housing segment within the tire cavity, the valve device operative to regulate air flow between the elbow-shaped body central chamber and the tire cavity.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition contacting one or more reinforcing polyester cords, the polyester cords comprising an RFL adhesive disposed on the surface of the polyester cords, the RFL adhesive comprising from 1 to 20 weight percent of a presilanized silica.
Abstract:
An air-maintenance tire system includes: a tire having a tire carcass comprising a tire cavity defined by a tire inner liner and first and second sidewalls extending respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region; compression actuator means mounted to the tire carcass and configured for operative actuation by tire deformation during a tire revolution; and a pump assembly affixed to the tire carcass and comprising a compressor body affixed to the compression actuator means and having an internal air chamber. The air chamber has an inlet opening for admitting air into the internal air chamber and an outlet opening for conducting air from the internal air chamber to the tire cavity. The compressor body further includes a flexible membrane member located within the internal air chamber and operatively deforming within the internal air chamber responsive to contacting engagement with the compression actuator means between an open position relative to the inlet opening permitting air flow from the inlet opening into the air chamber and a closed position relative to the inlet opening obstructing air flow from the inlet opening into the air chamber. The membrane member during operational deformation between the open and closed positions compresses a volume of air within the air chamber. The first air-maintenance tire system further includes a hook-and-loop system for securing the compression actuator means and the compressor body to the tire carcass.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method of constructing a tire, comprising: constructing a coated filament, the coated filament constructed by coating a filament with a coating material, the coating material comprising at least one substance dispersible in an uncured rubber compound; encasing the coated filament into containment within an uncured flexible tire component, the coated filament extending between an air inlet and an air outlet cavity in the pre-cured flexible tire component; building on a tire building drum a green tire carcass from uncured tire components including the uncured flexible tire component and encased coated filament; curing the green tire carcass into a cured finished tire including the flexible tire component containing the coated filament; removing the filament from the cured flexible tire component to leave within the flexible tire component a substantially unobstructed air passageway.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising a carcass and an innerliner in direct contact with the carcass, the innerliner comprising a rubber composition comprising: at least one elastomer selected from the group consisting of butyl rubber, chlorinated butyl rubber, brominated butyl rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, natural rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, polybutadiene, copolymer of isobutylene and paramethylstyrene, and brominated copolymer of isobutylene and paramethylstyrene; epichlorohydrin rubber; and at least one delaminated talc having a BET surface area according to DIN 66131 of 10-40 m2/g, an average particle size (D50) of 4-8 microns, determined by laser diffraction measurement, and a lamellarity index of 3-15.
Abstract:
A pneumatic tire assembly includes a tire, a filter element disposed between a pneumatic cavity and atmosphere. The filter element has threads for securing to the pneumatic tire. First and second sidewalls extend respectively from first and second tire bead regions to a tire tread region. The first sidewall has a bending region operatively bending when radially within a rolling tire footprint. A sidewall groove defines groove walls positioned within the bending region of the first tire sidewall. The sidewall groove deforms in response to bending of the bending region of the first sidewall while radially within the rolling tire footprint. An air passageway is defined by the sidewall groove and deforms when radially within the rolling tire footprint.