The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

Fiberstars, Inc.

Brian John Doucet

Bruce Raymond Hahn

Thomas Robert Maier

Adel Farhan Halasa

Wen-Liang Hsu

John M Davenport

Thierry Florent Edme Materne

Roger F Buelow, Ii

Laurie Elizabeth Austin

Chris H Jenson

A light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration includes an optical light pipe with a plastic light-carrying portion covered with a fluoropolymer cladding. A plurality of light-extraction devices is spaced along an active section of the light pipe for emission of side light over only a range from about 2 to 270 degrees of the cross-sectional circumference of the light pipe in the active section. The light-extraction devices have inlets passing through the cladding and optically contacting the plastic light-carrying portion. Another form of light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration includes an optical light pipe with a plastic light-carrying portion. An active section of the light pipe for side light emission comprises an axisymmetrical change of area of cross section of the light pipe that generally diminishes from an inlet end of the active section, through the active section.

Side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration and light-extraction devices extending radially beyond the outer cladding

This invention relates to a process of preparation of components and articles of manufacture containing at least one of such components, such as tires, and the resulting prepared components and fabricated articles, by use of directed high frequency energy internally heated silica-rich rubber compositions which contain sulfur curative and a significant content of high softening point polymer, namely a polymer and/or elastomer having a melting point (Tm) and/or high glass transition temperature (Tg) above 0&#xb0; C., and particularly above 30&#xb0; C., and which contains a minimal, if any, carbon black reinforcement. Such directed high frequency energy heating is provided, individually, by directed radio frequency (electromagnetic) radiation and/or by directed microwave radiation. Representative examples of such polymers may be, for example, trans 1,4-polybutadiene, 3,4-polyisoprene, natural cis 1,4-polyisoprene rubber, isoprene/butadiene copolymer having a high trans 1,4-polybutadiene component, polystyrene, styrene/butadiene rubber having a high trans 1,4-polybudadiene component and styrene/butadiene rubber having a high styrene content.

Preparation of components and articles with directed high frequency energy heated silica-rich rubber components containing high softening point polymer and sulfur curative

This invention specifically discloses a process for heating trans-1,4-polybutadiene to a temperature at which it can be processed without causing oxidative gelation which comprises heating the trans-1,4-polybutadiene by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency in the range of about 2 MHz to about 80 MHz, wherein the trans-1,4-polybutadiene is oil-extended with at least 10 phr of a processing oil.

Radio frequency heating of trans-1, 4-polybutadiene

It is highly desirable for tire treads to exhibit good traction characteristics such as good wet skid resistance. However, it has traditionally been very difficult to improve the traction characteristics of a tire without sacrificing rolling resistance and tread wear. The high performance segmented elastomers of this invention offer a unique combination of desirable characteristics for utilization in making tire tread compositions. For instance, the rubbery polymers of this invention can be made into tire treads which exhibit outstanding traction characteristics while maintaining good rolling resistance and tread durability. This invention more specifically reveals a rubber polymer which has an excellent combination of properties for use in making tire treads which is comprised of repeat units which are derived essentially from at least one conjugated diene monomer, wherein the first segment has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 25,000 to about 350,000; and (b) a final segment which is comprised of repeat units which are derived from 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, and styrene, wherein the repeat units in the final segment are in essentially random order, and wherein the final segment has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of about 25,000 to about 350,000.

High performance segmented elastomer

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Akron, OH, United States of America

Brian John Doucet