Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.a.

Milliken & Company

General Electric Company

Compagnie Generale Des Establissements Michelin

Michael Edward Dotson

Kirkland W Vogt

Patrick A Petri

Rush W Marler

Timothy Brett Rhyne

Steven M Cron

Brian Douglas Wilson

Kevin Corbett Miles

James Milo Endicott

Jim Endicott

Boyong Xue

Rush Marler

Clayton C Bohn

Antonio Delfino

Alain Parfondry

The invention provides a rubber composition comprising at least a diene elastomer, at least 60 phr of a reinforcing inorganic filler, and 20 to 100 phr of a plasticizer comprising more than 4 phr of a mercapto-modified silicone oil.

Rubber composition comprising silicone oil

A method is provided for making an annular reinforcement structure having inner and outer reinforcement bands maintained in concentric alignment by a resilient spacing element positioned between the bands. The method includes the steps of placing the spacing element against the inside face of the outer reinforcement band and compressing the spacing element with a jig, adjacent the top edge of the outer reinforcement band. The spacing element is sufficiently compressed to allow the inner reinforcement band to slide into concentric alignment with the outer reinforcement band, with a minimum of deflection and/or distortion of the inner reinforcement band.

Method and apparatus for inserting a spacer between annular reinforcement bands

A non-pneumatic wheel with reinforcement bands that provide structural support for the wheel and a method of manufacture of such a wheel are described. The reinforcement band forms part of an annular reinforcement structure that includes a core that is cast in place between annular reinforcement bands. The core can be impregnated with a matrix material. The matrix material can also be used to form one or more elements of the non-pneumatic wheel.

Annular structure having multiple reinforcement bands

A non-pneumatic wheel with reinforcement bands that provide structural support for the wheel and a method of manufacture of such a wheel are described. The reinforcement band forms part of an annular reinforcement structure that includes foam spacers positioned between the annular reinforcement band. The foam can be a reticulated foam into which a matrix material such as a polyurethane is introduced. The matrix material can also be used to form one or more features of the non-pneumatic wheel such as spokes, a mounting band, and a hub.

Structurally supported non-pneumatic wheel with reinforcements and method of manufacture

A non-pneumatic tire and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. More particularly, a non-pneumatic tire having a reinforcement structure with one or more spacers is provided along with a method of placement of a spacer between reinforcing bands of a non-pneumatic tire. A jig can be used to facilitate placement of the spacer.

Non-pneumatic tire with reinforcement band spacer and method of manufacturing same

A non-pneumatic wheel is provided having a continuous loop reinforcement assembly that can support a load and have performance similar to pneumatic tires. Various configurations of a non-pneumatic wheel, including variations of the continuous loop reinforcement assembly, are provided. One or more resilient spacers can be positioned with the continuous loop reinforcement assembly and can be configured for the receipt of a matrix material.

Structurally supported, non-pneumatic wheel with continuous loop reinforcement assembly

An improved spoke edge geometry for a non-pneumatic or hybrid tire. The spoke edge geometry possesses a reduced cross-section that reduces the bending stresses locally and allows a unique mold construction that changes the placement and orientation of potential flash.

Spoke edge geometry for a non-pneumatic tire

A polyurethane that is a reaction product of reaction components, the reaction components comprising (a) a polyol; (b) a polyisocyanate selected from an aromatic, alicyclic or aliphatic polyisocyanate or combinations thereof; (c) a mixture of chain extenders that includes (i) a chain extender having a sulfur bridge in an amount of between 1 and 30 weight percent of the total mixture of claim extenders and (ii) a main chain extender, wherein the chain extender having a sulfur bridge. The chain extender having a sulfur bridge may be characterized as R-A-S&#x2014;B&#x2014;Rwherein Rand Rare selected from an OH, an NHor combinations thereof, A and B are selected from a divalent aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic organic group or combinations thereof, A and B may be the same or different and x is an integer of between 2 and 10.

Growing community of inventors

Greenville, SC, United States of America

Michael Edward Dotson