Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Compagnie Generale Des Etablissments Michelin

Pascal Schroeter

Antonio Delfino

Philippe Berguerand

François Pozo

Maeike Blanc

Sylvain Grandjean

Oliver Joye

A laminated product () comprises at least: a layer () of silicone rubber, in particular of the high temperature crosslinking type, such as, for example, a silicone rubber of VMQ or PVMQ grade the said layer () of silicone rubber being sandwiched between two layers () of fibre-resin composite comprising filaments () of an inorganic substance (), in particular glass, embedded in a thermoset resin (), such as, for example, a vinyl ester resin. The silicone layer has a thickness, denoted T, of between 1.5 and 3 times the thickness Tof each layer of fibre-resin composite, which is between 0.25 and 2 mm. Such a laminate may be used in the manufacture of a finished article, in particular of a non-pneumatic wheel or tire.

Silicone rubber and fiber-resin composite-based laminated product

A non-pneumatic elastic wheel () defining three perpendicular directions, circumferential (X), axial (Y) and radial (Z), comprises at least: &#x2014;a hub (), for example made of metal; an annular band referred to as a shear band () oriented in the circumferential direction (X), surmounted by a tread (); and a plurality of support elements () connecting the hub () to the annular shear band (). The annular shear band () is formed by a laminate comprising at least one layer of silicone rubber, in particular of the high temperature crosslinking type, such as, for example, a silicone rubber of VMQ or PVMQ grade, the said layer being sandwiched between two layers of fibre-resin composite comprising filaments of an inorganic substance, in particular glass, embedded in a thermoset resin such as, for example, a vinyl ester resin.

Non-pneumatic resilient wheel

A method of mounting a non-pneumatic tire onto a hub to provide a non-pneumatic wheel is provided. Certain portions of spokes of the non-pneumatic tire are connected to grooves along the hub. The tire is repeatedly rotated and deformed to allow the remaining portions of the spokes to be connected with the grooves in order to fully mount the tire onto the hub.

Method of mounting a non-pneumatic tire onto a hub

An exemplary spoke for a non-pneumatic wheel. The spoke can be manufactured with a reinforcement structure having reinforcement elements and one or more layers of material. The spoke can also be provided in various shapes and configurations. The spoke includes anchors that allow the spoke to be more readily incorporated into, or removed from, a non-pneumatic wheel. More particularly, the anchors also allow the spoke to be joined as one-piece with the non-pneumatic wheel or releasably connected on one or both ends with the non-pneumatic wheel.

Spoke fabrication for a non-pneumatic wheel

An apparatus for preparation of a continuous composite element formed of reinforcement fibers impregnated with a resin that includes photo-initiators for curing. Reinforcement fibers are pulled through a vacuum chamber () and then a vertical impregnation chamber () where impregnation with the resin occurs. The elongate composite is then deposited onto a rotating wheel of conformation (). During rotation, a radiation source () such as e.g., LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used to activate the photo-initiators and provide at least partial curing of the resin. From the wheel of conformation, the continuous composite element is passed along a vertical course () where additional radiation sources () activate the photo-initiators and provided additional curing.

Device for impregnation and curing of continuous fibers with resin

An exemplary method of manufacture for a spoke () of a non-pneumatic wheel. The spoke can be manufactured with a reinforcement structure having reinforcement elements and one or more layers of material. The spoke can also be provided in various shapes and configurations. The spoke includes anchors () that allow the spoke to be more readily incorporated into, or removed from, a non-pneumatic wheel. More particularly, the anchors also allow the spoke to be joined as one-piece with the non-pneumatic wheel or releasably connected on one or both ends with the non-pneumatic wheel.

Growing community of inventors

Givisiez, Switzerland

Pascal Schroeter