Abstract: A molding tool for forming a non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel portion cavity, a tread ring portion cavity, and a plurality of spoke cavities extending between the wheel portion cavity and the tread ring portion cavity. At least a subset spoke cavities within the plurality of spoke cavities include at least one of a non-uniform thickness, a non-uniform width, and a non-uniform surface. Also, the molding tool can include a conformal thermal control channel, e.g., a conformal cooling channel and/or a conformal heating channel, proximate to at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: A tire and wheel assembly includes a non-pneumatic tire and a wheel. The non-pneumatic tire incudes a tread, an inner liner, and a plurality of spokes extending between and coupling the tread to the inner liner. The plurality of spokes have a first width and the inner liner has a second width greater than the first width such that a pair of inner liner flanges extend beyond the plurality of spokes in an axial direction. The wheel includes a rim and the inner liner is configured to be mounted on the rim with the pair of inner liner flanges fastened to the rim such that the non-pneumatic tire is serviceably mounted on the wheel.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel portion, a tread ring portion, a plurality of flexible spokes extending between and attached to the wheel portion and the tread ring portion, and plurality of bump stops positioned between the wheel portion and the tread ring portion. The bumps stops are configured to limit deformation and/or compressive strain of the plurality of flexible spokes. The plurality of bump stops includes a plurality of tower bump stops, a plurality of triangular-shaped bump stops, and/or a plurality of roof-top shaped bump stops.

Abstract: A tire and wheel assembly includes a non-pneumatic tire and a wheel. The non-pneumatic tire incudes a tread, an inner liner, and a plurality of spokes extending between and coupling the tread to the inner liner. The plurality of spokes have a first width and the inner liner has a second width greater than the first width such that a pair of inner liner flanges extend beyond the plurality of spokes in an axial direction. The wheel includes a rim and the inner liner is configured to be mounted on the rim with the pair of inner liner flanges fastened to the rim such that the non-pneumatic tire is serviceably mounted on the wheel.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel portion, a tread ring portion, a plurality of flexible spokes extending between and attached to the wheel portion and the tread ring portion, and plurality of bump stops positioned between the wheel portion and the tread ring portion. The bumps stops are configured to limit deformation and/or compressive strain of the plurality of flexible spokes. The plurality of bump stops includes a plurality of tower bump stops, a plurality of triangular-shaped bump stops, and/or a plurality of roof-top shaped bump stops.

Abstract: A molding tool for forming a non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel portion cavity, a tread ring portion cavity, and a plurality of spoke cavities extending between the wheel portion cavity and the tread ring portion cavity. At least a subset spoke cavities within the plurality of spoke cavities include at least one of a non-uniform thickness, a non-uniform width, and a non-uniform surface. Also, the molding tool can include a conformal thermal control channel, e.g., a conformal cooling channel and/or a conformal heating channel, proximate to at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel hub portion, a tread ring portion, and a plurality of flexible spokes extending between and coupled to the wheel hub portion and the tread ring portion. A hollow core is positioned between adjacent flexible spokes or formed within each flexible spoke. The plurality of flexible spokes are configured to cyclically move between a narrow position to a wide position when the non-pneumatic tire is attached to a vehicle and is rolling on a road surface such that the plurality of flexible spokes act as a bellows that pumps air from one side of the non-pneumatic tire to another side of the non-pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a spare wheel, a jack and a jack wrench. The jack and a jack wrench are provided to raise the vehicle to allow a user to remove a damaged wheel and replace it with the spare wheel. The jack and jack wrench are secured to the vehicle via a first connector. The spare wheel is then secured to the first connector via a second connector. The second connector extends through the spare wheel and into the first connector to secure the spare wheel to the first connector and thus to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a spare wheel, a jack and a jack wrench. The jack and a jack wrench are provided to raise the vehicle to allow a user to remove a damaged wheel and replace it with the spare wheel. The jack and jack wrench are secured to the vehicle via a first connector. The spare wheel is then secured to the first connector via a second connector. The second connector extends through the spare wheel and into the first connector to secure the spare wheel to the first connector and thus to the vehicle.

Abstract: A two part system for transferring fill material in and out of soft furniture such as beanbag furniture, which comprises a transfer bag and a tubular funnel secured to the transfer bag and a second tubular funnel secured inside a piece of soft furniture to which the filling is to be transferred.

Abstract: A two part system for transferring fill material in and out of soft furniture such as beanbag furniture, which comprises a transfer bag and a tubular funnel secured to the transfer bag and a second tubular funnel secured inside a piece of soft furniture to which the filling is to be transferred.

Abstract: A piezoelectric buzzer includes a vibrating layer capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 260° C. for at least five minutes while still maintaining its ability to vibrate and produce a buzzing sound at a level of at least 80 dB, and a high temperature piezoelectric material having a Curie temperature in excess of 260° C. and one or more of the following properties: a planar coupling coefficient (kp) of at least about 0.5; a longitudinal coupling coefficient (k33) of at least about 1500; and a mechanical quality factor (Qm) of at least about 2000. The piezo material may have a combination of these properties such that the product (kp2)(k33)(Qm) is at least about 1.5×106. The piezoelectric material may have a base formula of PbxSr(1-x)(Mn1/3Sb2/3)(1-y)(ZrzTi1-z)yO3 with x ranging from 0.95 to 0.99, y ranging from 0.92 to 0.97, and z ranging from 0.45 to 0.55, and may further include dopants in the amounts of about 0.4% CeO2, about 1% CuO, and about 4% Nb2O5.

Abstract: A method of making a piezoelectric fan includes using a portion of the fan blade material as the substrate for the electronic circuit. By this method a single material may serve as both the substrate for the electronic circuitry and as the fanning end of the fan blade. Flex circuitry, including elements such as bleed resistors, inductors, capacitors, DC to AC conversion, shielding, or even drive circuitry, may be used. The piezoelectric material used to power the fan blade may have a Curie temperature high enough to survive reflow soldering, thus allowing the fan to be surface mountable on an electronic device. The fan may include an interconnect to facilitate connecting the piezoelectric material to the electronic circuit of the fan, and to facilitate connecting the electronic circuit of the fan to the electrical system of an electronic device. The interconnect may also facilitate mechanically mounting the fan.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes advancing a transducer device through a passageway of a patient's body to a target location inside the body. The transducer device includes a piezoelectric element and an ultrasonic lens. The ultrasonic lens includes an inner surface defining a passage extending along a reference axis. The piezoelectric element is received in this passage and is acoustically coupled to the inner surface of the lens. The ultrasonic lens includes an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the outer surface defines a shape with a concave profile. While positioned at the target location, the transducer device generates ultrasonic energy and ablates tissue along at least a portion of a circumference around the transducer device at the target location by focusing the ultrasonic energy with the lens.