Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC

Benjamin E Rimai

Bradley S Plotner

Brandon P Nelson

Andrew V Haidet

Jared J Griebel

Timothy M Lusk

Mohammad M Motamedi

Yousof Azizi

Adam Karl Nesbitt

Anthony Bruce Duncan

Jason J Para

Jacob L Walters

Cameron L Reynolds

Christopher W Burton

Matthew W Thomas

Nicholas J Harp

Nihar N Raje

Chad J Kresge

Matthew L Cardinale

Andew V Haidet

Lisa M Dinger

A non-pneumatic and method of making a non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. A support structure extends between the lower ring and the upper ring. The support structure includes a first face and a second face opposite the first face, a first axial edge and a second axial edge. The first and second axial edges space the first face from the second face. At least one of the first edge and the second edge may have a geometry that provides the support structure with a nonrectangular cross section. At least one of the first face and the second face may have a surface roughness of less than 25 microns. The support structure may be free from orthogonal axial edges.

Non-pneumatic tire having support structure with stress-concentration reduction features

A method of making a non-pneumatic tire includes providing an inner ring of elastomeric material and an outer ring of elastomeric material, and arranging the inner ring and the outer ring such that the inner ring is substantially coaxial with the outer ring. The method further includes providing a plurality of sheets of reinforced elastomeric material and forming the plurality of sheets into a plurality of U-shaped sheets. The method also includes arranging the plurality of U-shaped sheets between the inner ring and the outer ring, and curing the inner ring, the outer ring, and the plurality of U-shaped sheets.

Non-pneumatic tire having reinforced support structure and method of making same

A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of loops extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The plurality of loops including at least a first loop and a second loop, wherein the first loop and the second loop are each in direct contact with both the inner ring and the outer ring. The first loop has a single reinforcement layer disposed therein, and includes a first extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring and a second extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring. The second loop has a single reinforcement layer disposed therein, and includes a third extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring and a fourth extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring. The second extent is in direct contact with the third extent.

Non-pneumatic tire having looped support structure and method of making same

A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a shear element. The shear element includes a lower shim layer of solid material, an upper shim layer of solid material, and an elastic layer disposed between the lower shim layer and the upper shim layer. The elastic layer has a higher elasticity than the lower shim layer and the upper shim layer.

Tire tread band with shim layers

A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of bent metal spokes. The non-pneumatic tire further includes a first overmolded foot at a first end of each bent metal spoke. Each first overmolded foot is attached to the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire also includes a second overmolded foot at a second end of each bent metal spoke. Each first overmolded foot is attached to the outer ring.

Flexible metallic web elements for non-pneumatic tire

A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring. The circumferential tread includes a band layer constructed of a single material and a tread rubber layer directly attached to the band layer.

Tire tread with a band layer

A wheel/hub assembly includes an axle shaft, a wheel, and a hub supporting the wheel on the axle shaft. The wheel/hub assembly has a target resonant frequency of vibration. A tuned mass-spring damper is vibrationally coupled to the wheel/hub assembly, and has a counteracting resonant frequency of vibration that is predetermined with reference to the target resonant frequency of vibration.

Tuned mass-spring damper

This disclosure relates to an approach for monitoring a tire for a puncture based on a change in a voltage established based on a resistance of a material disposed within the tire. In one example, the material is a conductive material layer. In another example, the material is a resistive strip. The systems and methods described herein can monitor for a change in an established voltage over time that is a function of parameters including the resistance of the conductive material layer or the resistive strip, and an applied voltage, to provide an indication of the change in the resistance in the material. The change in resistance of the material can be indicative of the puncture within the tire. The systems and methods described herein can alert a vehicle operator of the puncture within the tire.

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Copley, OH, United States of America

Benjamin E Rimai