Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC

Firestone Building Products Company, LLC

Michael C Howard

Jason Donald Nieten

Hao Wang

John D Rensel

Sheel Agarwal

Pradipta N Moulik

Brandon C Adcock

Hang Li

Graham R Brookes

Jon Irvin Stuckey

Jason B Smith

David J Zemla

Jonathan D Wood

The present invention is directed to an air spring sleeve comprising: an outer layer, at least one reinforcing layer, and an inner layer that form the sleeve; the outer layer and the inner layer are formed of an elastomeric composition, with the proviso that the elastomeric composition does not comprise epichlorohydrin; and the at least one reinforcing layer comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements disposed between a layer of the elastomeric composition, wherein the elastomeric composition of the at least one reinforcing layer is identical to the elastomeric composition of the outer layer and the inner layer.

Air spring sleeve

Tires and tire components are provided having improved fire properties, as well as the vulcanizable compositions for making the tires and tire components. A vulcanizable composition is provided that includes at least one vulcanizable polymer, a curative, a halogenated hydrocarbon, and expandable graphite. The tires and tire components have improved properties including one or more of improved flame retardancy, reduced smoke density and/or toxicity, and reduced heat release.

Rubber articles with improved fire properties

An air spring having an airsleeve, wherein at least one layer of the airsleeve includes the vulcanization product of a composition that includes at least one vuicanizable polymer, a curative, at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax, and expandable graphite.

Elastomeric articles with improved fire protection properties

An air spring bellow comprising a vulcanized rubber component including the at least partially vulcanized residue of EPDM and a rubber other than EPDM. A method for preparing an air spring bellow is also provided.

Air springs with improved high temperature performance

An air spring bellow comprising a vulcanized rubber component including the at least partially vulcanized residue of EPDM and a rubber other than EPDM.

Various embodiments of a tire assembly having an inner tire and an outer tire are disclosed.

Tire assembly including an inner tire and an outer tire

A replacement indicator can be operatively associated with an elastomeric article such that the replacement indicator is visually observable. In some cases, the replacement indicator can be secured on or along the elastomeric article. Gas spring assemblies and pneumatic tires including a replacement indicator, as well as methods of manufacture are also included.

Replacement indicator, elastomeric articles and methods

An indicator of an estimated remaining life of an associated spring device can include at least one sensor and at least one processor. The at least one sensor can be operative to generate a signal having a relation to at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition of a spring device. The at least one processor can be communicatively coupled with the at least one sensor and programmed to receive signals from the at least one sensor, derive data from the received signals, and determine an estimated remaining life of at least the spring device using the data and an expression modeling a relationship between an estimated remaining life of the spring device and at least one of a usage condition and an environmental exposure condition. A gas spring and indicator assembly, a suspension system and a method are also included.

Growing community of inventors

Noblesville, IN, United States of America

Michael C Howard