Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.a.

Clayton Bohn, Jr

Timothy Brett Rhyne

Steven M Cron

Clifford Wilson

Brian Douglas Wilson

Ryan Michael Gaylo

Paul Winston

Damon Lee Christenbury

Eric Rivers

A shear band that may be used e.g., in a non-pneumatic tire is provided. The shear band uses interlaced reinforcing elements positioned within a shear layer of elastomeric material. A variety of configurations may be used to create the interlaced positioning of the reinforcing elements including e.g., a horizontal diamond or vertical diamond configuration. The shear layer formed from a rubber composition having a very low hysteresis.

Shear band having ultra-low hysteresis rubber

A non-pneumatic tire is provided that has a hub with a central axis. A supporting structure is located outward from the hub in a radial direction, and a shear band is located outward from the supporting structure in the radial direction. Tread is located outward from the shear band in the radial direction. A static discharge element extends from a first radial end of the supporting structure to a second radial end of the supporting structure. The first radial end is located closer to the central axis than the second radial end in the radial direction. The static discharge element is electrically conductive to conduct electricity through the supporting structure.

Static discharge element for non-pneumatic tire

A non-pneumatic wheel having a hub, an outer tread band and a plurality of spokes connecting the hub with the outer tread band, each of the plurality of spokes having first and second spoke elements joined by a body comprised of an elastomer connecting the first spoke element to the second spoke element.

Non-pneumatic wheel

A non-pneumatic wheel includes an outer band, a hub and a plurality of spokes formed from a polyamine material. Each of the plurality of spokes is displaced to create pretension in the radial direction under a design load and the displacement is equal to or greater than the predetermined deflection of the outer band. The plurality of spokes is made from a polyamide material having a conditioned tensile modulus between 600 MPa and 3000 MPa, an equilibrium moisture content of no more than 1.5%, and a fatigue failure resistance that can withstand at least 1 million cycles.

Non-pneumatic wheel having nylon spoke

A shear band that may be used e.g., in a non-pneumatic tire is provided. The shear band uses interlaced reinforcing elements positioned within a shear layer of elastomeric material. A variety of configurations may be used to create the interlaced positioning of the reinforcing elements including e.g., a horizontal diamond or vertical diamond configuration. The shear layer formed from a rubber composition having a very low hysteresis reinforced with silica.

A non-pneumatic wheel having a hub (), an outer tread band () and a plurality of spokes () connecting the hub () with the outer tread band (), each of the plurality of spokes () having first and second support elements joined by a first elastomeric joint body () connecting the first support element to the second support element.

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring () that has an inner diameter. An intermediate section () is provided that has a supporting structure. An outer diameter () of the intermediate section () in the uncompressed state is greater than the inner diameter () of the outer shear band ring (). The intermediate section is compressed from the uncompressed state to a compressed state, and is inserted inside of the outer shear band ring (). Compression of the intermediate section is released when the intermediate section is inside of the outer shear band ring, and the intermediate section () moves from the compressed state to a state of interference fit with the outer shear band ring ().

Method of forming non-pneumatic tire including pressure application between an intermediate section and an outer shear band ring

A method for producing a functionalized rubber that includes adding a diene rubber selected from natural rubber, a synthetic polyisoprene rubber or combinations thereof and an organic peroxide to a mixer, the organo peroxide may be represented by the formula R&#x2014;O&#x2014;O&#x2014;R, wherein Ris selected from hydrogen or an organic moiety of between 4 and 15 carbon atoms and Rcomprises a functional moiety. The mix composition may be mixed until the mix composition reaches a target temperature of between 120&#xb0; C. and 190&#xb0; C. and decomposing the organic peroxide to provide a decomposition product comprising the functional moiety and reacting at least a portion of the decomposition product with at least a portion of the diene rubber to produce the functionalized rubber.

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Mauldin, SC, United States of America

Clayton Bohn, Jr