Washington State University

Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.a.

Dylan Morris

David F Bahr

Michael J Anderson

John M Youngsman

Cedric W Mousseau

Cedric Mousseau

The present invention includes a method for testing a tire on a tire testing surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tire testing surface arranged along a tire testing device; providing a tire having a radially outer annular side comprising a road-engaging surface; engaging forcefully the tire against the tire testing surface, whereby the forceful engagement generates a tire footprint comprising an area of contact between the road-engaging surface of the tire and the tire testing surface; rotating the tire and along the tire testing surface while engaged according to the prior step; and, applying a particulate material along the footprint, the particulate material comprising kaolinite. In other embodiments, particulate material similar to kaolin or kaolinite is employed by such methods in lieu of kaolin or kaolinite.

Method of applying particulate material along a tire footprint during tire testing on a tire testing surface

Energy converters and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an energy converter includes a first structural member spaced apart from a second structure member, a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element individually coupled to the first structural member and the second structural member, and a deflection member tensionally suspended between the first and second piezoelectric elements. The deflection member is substantially rigid.

Energy converters and associated methods

Piezoelectric transducers and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric transducer includes a support member, a piezoelectric element attached to the support member, and a pressurized chamber at one side of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element comprises a flexible film, and the pressurized chamber contains a fluid that applies a static pressure to a side of the piezoelectric element.

Piezoelectric transducers and associated methods

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Seneca, SC, United States of America

Dylan Morris