Abstract: A tire and wheel assembly includes a wheel that has a rim. The wheel has a first thermal conductivity. A tire is attached to the wheel to define an annular tire cavity enclosed by the tire and the rim. An insulating member is on the rim within the tire cavity. The insulating member has a second thermal conductivity lower than the first thermal conductivity and is configured to absorb heat from the cavity when a temperature of the cavity is above a first predetermined temperature. The insulating member is also configured to release the absorbed heat back to the cavity when the temperature of the cavity is below a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A tire assembly includes an acoustic foam core disposed within a cavity of the tire for attenuating noise. The foam core defines an expanding radial force that biases the foam core against an inner surface of the tire to secure a position of the foam core relative to the tire. The foam core may include an annular base having a plurality of nodules disposed on an outer periphery of the annular base for engaging the inner surface of the tire and to position the annular base away from the inner surface of the tire. The foam core may further include a plurality of positioning tabs disposed on opposing axial ends of the annular base for engaging side walls of the tire to position the annular base away from the side walls of the tire.

Abstract: A method for testing a tire of a vehicle that includes the steps of creating a first condition comprising a first slip angle of the tire, obtaining a first set of data regarding performance of the tire under the first condition, creating a second condition comprising either a second slip angle or lateral displacement of the tire, obtaining a second set of data regarding performance of the tire under the second condition, and determining the transient response of the lateral force and aligning moment of the tire, using the first set of data and the second set of data.

Abstract: A method for testing a tire of a vehicle that includes the steps of creating a first condition comprising a first slip angle of the tire, obtaining a first set of data regarding performance of the tire under the first condition, creating a second condition comprising either a second slip angle or lateral displacement of the tire, obtaining a second set of data regarding performance of the tire under the second condition, and determining the transient response of the lateral force and aligning moment of the tire, using the first set of data and the second set of data.