Abstract: A rigid jounce bumper includes a body and at least one support segment projecting axially from an end of the body. The rigid jounce bumper is formed from a substantially non-elastic material such that the rigid jounce bumper can support axially-applied loads without undergoing substantial axial deflection. The at least one support segment is capable of displacement relative to the body when under laterally-applied loads. A gas spring assembly having such a rigid jounce bumper is also included.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a technique for determining life cycle cost of a tire that includes combining initial purchase information and an assessment of operating costs for a customer. Determination of operating costs includes correlating roll resistance with respect to inflation pressure and vehicle imposed load of the tire, as well as usage of the tire. The inflation pressure and vehicle imposed load are acquired for a configuration of the vehicle. The roll resistance can be determined for the pressure and load of the tire at a characteristic tread depth. The fuel consumption required for overcoming the roll resistance by the vehicle can be determined from the roll resistance and a unit cost of the fuel consumption. The operating cost can be determined from the fuel consumption multiplied by the unit cost. The life cycle cost can be determined by combining the purchase cost and the operating cost of the tire.

Abstract: A tire, which has a maximum section width, an upper section above the maximum section width, and a lower section below the maximum section width, includes a tread extending circumferentially about the tire, a pair of sidewalls, a pair of bead portions, and at least one carcass ply extending circumferentially about the tire from one bead portion to the other. The tire further includes first and second reinforcement plies extending circumferentially about the tire and being disposed between the at least one carcass ply and the tread and at least one of the sidewalls of the tire. The first and second reinforcement plies have lower ends that terminate in the lower section of the tire.

Abstract: A method of providing an extruded tire tread (T) with anti-static properties. In this method, a pin (10) is coated with an electrically conductive material (M). The coated pin (10) pierces the tire tread (T) to form an opening (12) of the desired depth and then is withdrawn. During withdrawal of the pin (10), the material (M) remains in the pierced opening (12) so that a conductive body (14) is formed in the tire tread (T). The pin (10) can then be re-coated with the material (M) and the cycle repeated to produce a plurality of conductive bodies (14) in the tire tread (T).

Abstract: A method of positioning a vehicle chassis of a stationary vehicle in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum is provided. The vehicle has an axle and a fluid suspension system. The fluid suspension system include a control device, a pressurized fluid source and an exhaust passage. The pressurized fluid source and the exhaust passage are in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid suspension members through the control device. The vehicle also includes an electronic control unit operatively associated with the control device. The method including step of providing alignment sensor supported on the chassis for outputting a signal indicative of the orientation of the chassis to the electronic control unit and acquiring a signal output by the alignment sensor. Another step includes comparing the signal from the alignment sensor to alignment data stored in the electronic control unit.

Abstract: An insert for a tire mold is provided. In one embodiment, the insert has an elongated cylindrical body. The insert includes at least one channel portion with a plurality of channels disposed in a non-axial direction along the surface of the insert. The at least one channel portion extends from a first end of the insert. The insert may further include a reduced diameter portion with at least one axial groove disposed thereon.

Abstract: A sensor system for obtaining data from an elastomeric article includes at least one wireless sensor. The sensor length-scales range from nano- to micro-scale devices that are small enough to avoid becoming occlusions within the article. The article may include sensors embedded within one of the materials of the article, a layer of sensors built into the article, and a string of sensors disposed within a component or embedded within a component of the article. The sensors may be configured to provide data related to one or more of temperature, pressure, sidewall flex, stress, strain and other parameters. The sensors may be LCD sensors, and/or conductive polymer sensors, and/or bio-polymer sensors and/or polymer diodes suitable for sensing data during the operation of the tire. A power circuit using energy generated by the tire may provide power to the sensors.

Abstract: A test machine for testing the tension or compression properties of a test specimen is provided. The test machine utilizes magnetic force to prevent the fixture of the machine from rotating while placing the test specimen in tension or under compression, which accordingly prevents the test specimen from rotating as well as the source of such rotation. Unintended forces are thereby minimized, enabling a user to obtain more accurate test results.