Abstract: A robot arm having seven axes of actuation imparts to a toroidal support a circumferential distribution motion about its own geometric axis simultaneously with controlled transverse distribution displacements in front of a dispensing organ of a strip of elastomeric material. The strip thus forms a plurality of turns, the orientation and mutual superposition whereof are controlled in such a way as to control the thickness variations to be conferred to a component of a tire being manufactured, based on a pre-determined laying scheme pre-set on an electronic computer. The rotation of the toroidal support is controlled in such a way as to obtain a peripheral speed of application exceeding the theoretical feeding rate of the strip, able to be increased or decreased as needed to form turns with reduced or, respectively, enlarged cross section.

Abstract: A robot arm having seven axes of actuation imparts to a toroidal support a circumferential distribution motion about its own geometric axis simultaneously with controlled transverse distribution displacements in front of a dispensing organ of a strip of elastomeric material. The strip thus forms a plurality of turns, the orientation and mutual superposition whereof are controlled in such a way as to control the thickness variations to be conferred to a component of a tyre being manufactured, based on a pre-determined laying scheme pre-set on an electronic computer. The rotation of the toroidal support is controlled in such a way as to obtain a peripheral speed of application exceeding the theoretical feeding rate of the strip, able to be increased or decreased as needed to form turns with reduced or, respectively, enlarged cross section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing tires includes making a plurality of structural components for tires, assembling the components following a pre-established sequence at respective work stations disposed along a manufacturing line, transferring the tires to a curing line, and curing the tires in respective vulcanization molds. The tires are sequentially transferred along the manufacturing line from a first work station to successive work stations. At least one series of tires is simultaneously processed on the manufacturing line and the curing line, and the at least one series of tires includes at least one first tire model and at least one second tire model different from the at least one first tire model. The tires are transferred from the manufacturing line to the curing line at a same rate as the tires are sequentially transferred along the manufacturing line from the first work station to the successive work stations.

Abstract: A method of allowing control of a vehicle with at least two-wheels in case of puncture of a tire, each wheel including a rim and a tire associated therewith, includes the steps of: inflating each tire to an operating pressure; admitting a fluid compressed to a first pressure higher than the operating pressure of the tire into at least one tank associated with at least one of the rims; bringing the tire into communication with the tank when the inner pressure of the tire is lower than a predetermined first threshold value; detecting a variation of an inner pressure of the tank; activating a pressure measuring device when the inner pressure variation corresponds to a reduction and is higher than a first predetermined value; measuring the inner pressure of the tank with a predetermined frequency by means of (through) the pressure measuring device; calculating a variation in the inner pressure in a time unit; generating an alarm signal when the calculated inner pressure variation corresponds to a reduction and is

Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes providing at least one extruder, metering and feeding at least one elastomer, at least one filler, and ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one extruder, mixing and dispersing the at least one filler and the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder, and extruding a resulting elastomeric composition. The at least one extruder includes the housing and at least one screw rotatably mounted in the housing. The housing includes at least one feed opening and a discharge opening. At least one of the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers includes a subdivided product including one or more minor ingredients dispersed in at least one thermoplastic binding agent. An apparatus for continuously producing the elastomeric composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wheel having a controlled and compensated pressure includes a rim associated with a tank adapted to be filled with a fluid to a first pressure; a tyre mounted on the rim and having an inner volume inflated to an operating pressure, the operating pressure being lower than the first pressure; at least one valve adapted to regulate a communication between the tank and the inner volume of the tyre, the valve having at least one elastic element operatively associated with a closure member designed to open and close a port of the valve to bring the tank into communication with the tyre when the pressure of the tyre is lower than the operating pressure, the elastic element having an elastic constant showing a variation of 10% to 40% within a temperature range of about ?50° C. to about 50° C.

Abstract: A method of molding and curing tires for vehicle wheels includes the steps of disposing a tire being processed on a toroidal support, enclosing the tire and the toroidal support inside a molding cavity defined in a vulcanization mould, pressing the outer surface of the tire against the molding cavity walls, and administering heat to the tire to cause molecular crosslinking of the tire. The pressing step includes the steps of compressing side portions of the tire between the molding cavity walls and the outer surface of the toroidal support, concurrently with the closing step, and imposing an expansion to a radially-outer portion of the tire to bring the radially-outer portion of the tire against the walls of the molding cavity.

Abstract: A tyre for a wheel of a vehicle comprises a toroidal carcass provided with axially opposite sidewalls and beads for anchoring the tyre to a rim of the wheel, a tread band located crownwise on the carcass, comprising a surface with a plurality of hollows and grooves defining a raised tread pattern, and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread band, axially extending between the sidewalls. The tread band comprises at least first and second circumferential axially-contiguous portions arranged to contact a road surface. The first portion is formed of a first composition comprising a reinforcing filler having at least 40%-by-weight carbon black and at least some white filler, the second portion is formed of a second composition comprising a reinforcing filler having at least 20%-by-weight white filler, and the first composition is different from the second composition.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes metering at least one elastomer, at least one filler, and at least one minor ingredient; feeding the at least one elastomer, the at least one filler, and the at least one minor ingredient into at least one extruder; mixing and dispersing the at least one filler and the at least one minor ingredient into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder; obtaining a subdivided product from a resulting elastomeric composition discharged from the at least one extruder; accumulating an amount of the subdivided product; and stirring the accumulated amount of the subdivided product. An apparatus for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes at least one extruder, at least one first metering device, at least one second metering device, at least one device for obtaining a subdivided product, and at least one accumulating and stirring device.

Abstract: There is described a method for controlling the deformation of a surface of a sail (1) of a sailing boat (100) during a direction change manoeuvre, said method comprising the step of arranging at least one inflatable batten (10) into a respective seat (3) formed on a side surface (2a) of the sail (1), said at least one batten (10) being inflated at a predetermined working pressure, said working pressure being such as to impart to said at least one batten (10) a bending stiffness having, with no bending load, a predetermined value and the step of carrying out a manoeuvre for changing the direction of the sailing boat (100), wherein in a first part of said manoeuvre said at least one batten (10) is subjected to the action of an increasing bending load and in a second part of said manoeuvre, said bending load ends its action on said at least one batten (10), during said manoeuvre the mechanical properties of said at least one batten (10) being changed so that as said bending load increases in said first part of

Abstract: A process for manufacturing elastomeric components of a tire for a vehicle wheel includes feeding a continuous elongated element from a delivery member by exerting a feeding pressure inside the delivery member, rotating a building support around a geometrical rotation axis of the support, carrying out controlled relative displacements between the delivery member and the support to form a tire component, stopping the feeding of the elongated element when formation of the tire component is complete, and exerting a counter-pressure inside the delivery member after stopping the feeding. Rotating the support assists circumferential distribution of the elongated element on the support. Carrying out controlled relative displacements assists transverse distribution of the elongated element on the support. The tire component is defined by a plurality of coils laid in a pre-established deposition pattern depending on a predetermined cross-section outline to be given to the tire component.

Abstract: A first carcass ply (3) is formed by depositing onto a toroidal support (11), strip-like lengths (13) cut to size from a continuous strip-like element and each comprising longitudinal thread-like elements (14) incorporated into a layer of elastomer material (17). The strip-like lengths are laid down sequentially in mutual circumferential side by side relationship, to form side portions (25) partly superposed on each other and crown portions (24) in mutual circumferential side by side relationship. Associated with the carcass ply (3) are annular structures (4) comprising a first and a second circumferentially inextensible annular inserts (27, 28) and an elastomer filling (29) interposed therebetween. A second carcass ply (31) is made in superposed position to the first carcass ply (3) and the annular structures (4). A belt structure (5), a tread band (8) and sidewalls (9) are combined with the carcass structure (2) thus formed, to define a tire (1) to be vulcanized.

Abstract: A wheel having a controlled pressure includes a rim associated with a tank adapted to be filled with a fluid to a first pressure; a tire mounted on the rim and having an inner volume inflated to an operating pressure at a reference temperature, the operating pressure being lower than the first pressure; and at least one valve assembly adapted to establish a communication between the tank, the inner volume of the tire and the external environment. The valve assembly includes a command valve, an exhaust valve and a compensation valve operatively associated with each other. The command valve controls communication between the tank and the inner volume of the tire. The exhaust valve is connected to the external environment, to the inner volume, to the command valve and to the compensation valve. The compensation valve is connected to the exhaust valve and the command valve.

Abstract: A method for controlling the deformation of a surface of a sail of a sailing boat during a direction change maneuver, includes arranging at least one inflatable batten into a respective seat formed on a side surface of the sail, the at least one batten being inflated at a predetermined working pressure as to impart to said at least one inflatable batten a bending stiffness having, with no bending load, a predetermined value, carrying out a maneuver for changing the direction of the sailing boat, wherein in a first part of maneuver, the at least one batten is subjected to the action of an increasing bending load, and in a second part of the maneuver, the bending load ends its action on the at least one batten, during the maneuver the mechanical properties of the at least one batten being changed so that as the bending load increases in the first part of the maneuver, the value of the bending stiffness of the at least one batten decreases considerably, and as the action of the bending load ends in the second pa

Abstract: A method for determining the force at the hub of a wheel of a vehicle while traveling. The wheel includes a rim and at least one deformation sensor directly associated with the rim in at least one predetermined position and arranged according to at least one predetermined orientation. The method includes the steps of detecting at least one deformation component of the rim during travel through the at least one deformation sensor; applying to the at least one deformation component, during travel, a correlation parameter characteristic of the rim, between the force at the hub and the relative deformation of the rim to determine at least one force component at the hub correlated with the at least one deformation component of the rim.

Abstract: A plant for producing types of tyres different from each other includes a manufacturing unit including a plurality of work stations, devices for transfer and movement of the tyres being produced, and a vulcanizing unit including vulcanizing moulds for the tyres being produced. Each work station is designed to assemble at least one corresponding structural component on at least one type of tyre being produced. The devices for transfer and movement operate between the work stations and provide selective movement for each of the types of tyres being produced in proximity to corresponding work stations. The plant may also include a central processing unit. The central processing unit may control the devices for transfer and movement to coordinate processing stages for each type of tyre in the manufacturing unit and in the vulcanizing unit. Additionally, the plant may include holding stations associated with at least some of the work stations.

Abstract: A method of moulding and curing tyres for vehicle wheels includes the steps of disposing a tyre being processed on a toroidal support, enclosing the tyre and the toroidal support inside a moulding cavity defined in a vulcanization mould, pressing the outer surface of the tyre against the moulding cavity walls, and administering heat to the tyre to cause molecular crosslinking of the tyre. The pressing step includes the steps of compressing side portions of the tyre between the moulding cavity walls and the outer surface of the toroidal support, concurrently with the closing step, and imposing an expansion to a radially-outer portion of the tyre to bring the radially-outer portion of the tyre against the walls of the moulding cavity.

Abstract: A pneumatic tyre for vehicle wheels with a radially inner surface of a substantially toroidal conformation, includes at least one antenna provided with an electrically conductive elongated body in engagement with the radially inner surface through a plurality of constraint elements. Each pair of consecutive constraint elements identifies an orthodromic distance smaller than the length of the elongated-body portion between this pair of elements. Also described is a method of setting the antenna on the inner surface of the tyre.

Abstract: A method of moulding and curing tires for vehicle wheels includes the steps of disposing a tire being processed on a toroidal support, enclosing the tire and the toroidal support inside a moulding cavity defined in a vulcanization mould, pressing the outer surface of the tire against the moulding cavity walls, and administering heat to the tire to cause molecular crosslinking of the tire. The pressing step includes the steps of compressing side portions of the tire between the moulding cavity walls and the outer surface of the toroidal support, concurrently with the closing step, and imposing an expansion to a radially-outer portion of the tire to bring the radially-outer portion of the tire against the walls of the moulding cavity.

Abstract: A method of allowing control of a vehicle with at least two-wheels in case of puncture of a tyre, each wheel including a rim and a tyre associated therewith, includes the steps of: inflating each tyre to an operating pressure; admitting a fluid compressed to a first pressure higher than the operating pressure of the tyre into at least one tank associated with at least one of the rims; bringing the tyre into communication with the tank when the inner pressure of the tyre is lower than a predetermined first threshold value; detecting a variation of an inner pressure of the tank; activating a pressure measuring device when the inner pressure variation corresponds to a reduction and is higher than a first predetermined value; measuring the inner pressure of the tank with a predetermined frequency by means of (through) the pressure measuring device; calculating a variation in the inner pressure in a time unit; generating an alarm signal when the calculated inner pressure variation corresponds to a reduction and is