Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC

Douglas B Costlow

Paul B Wilson

John D Rensel

Andrew V Haidet

Joshua P Abell

Michael R Beaulieu

Robert W Asper

Hans R Dorfi

Andrew T Miklic

Adam Karl Nesbitt

Sharon E Reinhardt

Terrence E Wei

The present disclosure is directed to actinic radiation curable polymeric mixtures, cured polymeric mixtures, tires and tire components made from the foregoing, and related processes.

Actinic radiation curable polymeric mixtures, cured polymeric mixtures and related processes

The present disclosure is directed to additive manufacturing cartridges having an oxygen impermeable layer and to processes for producing cured polymeric products by additive manufacturing wherein the oxygen content during additive manufacturing is limited such as by use of the cartridge and/or by use of an inert gas.

Additive manufacturing cartridges and processes for producing cured polymeric products by additive manufacturing

A nonpneumatic tire assembly includes an outer hoop, a plurality of loops extending inward from the outer hoop, and a hub having a plurality of members. Each of the plurality of members is connected to one of the plurality of loops.

Tire with spoke loops

A method of making a tire includes forming a first sheet of material having a circular shape. The first sheet of material includes an upper ring and a lower ring. The first sheet of material further includes a plurality of spoke portions extending from the upper ring to the lower ring. A reinforcement is placed on the first of polymeric material, which includes placing the reinforcement on at least a portion of the upper ring. A second sheet of material having a circular shape is formed. The second sheet of material is placed on the first sheet of material such that the reinforcement is sandwiched between the first and second sheets of material. The method further includes placing additional sheets of material and additional reinforcements on the second sheet of material until a tire is built.

Composite layer tire

A tire includes a central region configured to be mounted to a wheel and a crown region including a circumferential tread and a shear element disposed below the circumferential tread. The shear element includes an upper reinforcement layer, a lower reinforcement layer, and an elastic region disposed between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer. A radial distance between the upper reinforcement layer and the lower reinforcement layer varies along an axial width of the tire. The tire also includes an intermediate region extending from the central region to the crown region.

Tire with variable shear element

A green tire includes a plurality of sheets of green rubber having a substantially circular shape, with each sheet having a tread region disposed along a circumference. A plurality of objects are sandwiched between adjacent sheets of green rubber in the tread region. Each object is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel, polyester, nylon, carbon fiber, aramid, fiber glass, cotton, hemp, polyurethane and other plastic, other synthetic or natural fibers and other metal materials.

Tire with shaped tread

A method of making a tire includes placing substantially circular sheets of polymeric material on top of each other until a tire is built to a predetermined width. A predetermined tread shape is formed along a circumference of the substantially circular sheets of polymeric material.

A green tire includes a plurality of sheets of green rubber having a substantially circular shape, wherein each sheet of green rubber includes an upper ring and a lower ring, and each sheet of green rubber further includes a plurality of spoke portions extending from the upper ring to the lower ring. The green tire further includes a plurality of reinforcements. Each reinforcement is disposed between adjacent sheets of green rubber. At least one reinforcement is sandwiched between the upper rings of adjacent sheets of green rubber, and at least one reinforcement is sandwiched between the spoke portions of adjacent sheets of green rubber.

A method of additive manufacturing of un-vulcanized rubber includes providing a printing apparatus and providing un-vulcanized rubber to the printing apparatus. The method also includes warming the un-vulcanized rubber and pressurizing the un-vulcanized rubber provided to the printing apparatus to a pressure of at least 800 psi. The method further includes positioning a dispenser at a beginning of a series of motion control commands, dispensing the un-vulcanized rubber from the printing apparatus onto an area, and cutting the dispensed un-vulcanized rubber.

Methods and apparatuses for additively manufacturing rubber

A nonpneumatic tire includes a tread portion, an upper ring, and a plurality of spokes extending radially downward from the upper ring. Each spoke is configured to carry a load while in tension and while in compression. The upper ring and the plurality of spokes are part of a unitary component constructed of a single material. Each spoke terminates at a lower end having a spoke mount with an opening configured to engage a corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under substantially no tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is disengaged from its corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with the ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.

Tire with tensioned spokes

A nonpneumatic tire includes a tread portion, an upper ring, and a plurality of spokes extending radially downward from the upper ring. Each spoke terminates at a lower end having a spoke mount configured to engage a corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under substantially no tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is disengaged from its corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with the ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.

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Akron, OH, United States of America

Douglas B Costlow