Abstract: An antenna comprises two elongate antenna segments (740, 740?, 862, 940, 970, 1208/1212, 1300, 1320, 1322/1324, 1360, 1360?, 1520, 1520?, 1520?, 1523, 1523?, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920) which extend from first ends (742, 742?, 864, 942, 972, 1322e, 1362, 1362?, 1522, 1522?, 1522?, 1622, 1922)/(744, 744?, 868, 944, 974, 1324e, 1364, 1364?, 1524, 1524?, 1524?, 1624, 1924) connected to the antenna coupling coil in opposite directions to second ends (744, 744?, 868, 944, 974, 1322c, 1366, 1366?, 1524, 1524?, 1524?, 1624, 1924)/(742, 742?, 864, 942, 972, 1324c, 1368, 1368?, 1522, 1522?, 1522?, 1622, 1922) at least partially around the inner surface of the tire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a transponder module (400, 702, 951, 1000, 1020, 1751, 1752, 1852, 1852?, 1951, 1951a) and a separate antenna (1520, 1520?, 1520?, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920) to an inner surface (1504, 1504?, 1504?, 1704, 1804) of a pneumatic tire (312, 650, 1204, 1350, 1350?, 1550, 1550?, 1550?), and for coupling the transponder module to the antenna by coupling coils which are included with the transponder module (450, 760, 953, 1004, 1024) and the antenna (750, 750?, 866, 938, 968, 1538, 1538?, 1538?, 1638, 1638?, 1738, 1738?, 1838, 1838?, 1938). The transponder module mounting methods generally allow it to be inserted, removed, or accessed for maintenance at any time during the tire's life cycle, and allow sensing access to the tire's inner atmosphere.

Abstract: An unsafe operating condition, such as low pressure, of a pneumatic tire is monitored by measuring a temperature (T) of the pneumatic tire, determining (304, 308) rates (R1, R2) at which the tire temperature is changing, and indicating (340) when the rate exceeds predetermined values (A, C). The rate (R1, R2) may be determined with respect to time (t), or with respect to some other parameter such as travel distance (x). The predetermined value (C) may be a function of the tire's rotational velocity (V). The rotation speed (V) of the tire may be taken into account. The driver may be alerted when the temperature exceeds a maximum acceptable operating temperature (D) for the tire, or when the temperature of one tire deviates significantly from the temperatures of the other tires on the vehicle.

Abstract: A method (650) of calibrating a transponder (200, 604) capable of measuring temperature data (NT) and pressure data (NP) in an object (e.g., a tire, (104)) and transmitting a data stream (FIG. 3C) to an external reader/interrogator (106, 400). The transponder includes memory (238) for storing measurements, calibration data (662), transponder ID number and the like. Since the transponder combines temperature and pressure information in the “pressure” data, the ratio NT/NP is a direct indicator of pressure only, and is also relatively insensitive to transponder power variations. The calibration method employs a calibration chamber (602) containing reference pressure (614) and temperature (612) sensors. The transducer to be calibrated is placed in the chamber and exposed (652) to a number of predetermined temperatures and pressures (as measured by the reference sensors) at a number of calibration points.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire (400) with improved tire uniformity. The tire has a pair of beads (432a,432b) in bead portions and at least one carcass ply (418) extending between the beads and consisting of reinforcement cords (419) embedded in a rubber matrix (836). The method is characterized by the steps of: a) forming the rubber matrix of the carcass ply or a portion of the bead portions from a matrix material (such as a thermoplastic) that can be rendered plastic and rendered non-plastic, which respectively permits and restricts reorientation of the reinforcement cords, b) rendering the matrix material plastic (such as by heating the thermoplastic) before the tire begins to cure to permit the one or more of the reinforcement cords to be free to reorient themselves, and c) curing the tire in a tire mold (354) while the matrix material remains plastic so that the reinforcement cords remain free to reorient themselves while curing.

Abstract: According to the invention, a pneumatic tire and method of manufacturing the pneumatic tire having improved tire uniformity characteristics is disclosed. The carcass reinforcement ply has a plurality of reinforcement cords embedded in a matrix material that can be rendered plastic and non-plastic to, respectively, permit and restricts reorientation of the reinforcement cords after the tire has been at least partially vulcanized. The method includes the steps of rendering the matrix material plastic, reorienting one or more reinforcement cords without their being stretched beyond their elastic limits, and then rendering the matrix material non-plastic. The reorientation can occur while the tire is still in the tire mold or when the tire is still hot from the tire mold and at a temperature of at least the deflection temperature by applying a force for reorienting the reinforcement cords.

Abstract: A method for monitoring pressure with a transponder (200, 604) capable of measuring temperature data (NT) and pressure data (NP) in an object (e.g., a tire, (104)) and transmitting a data stream (FIG. 3C) to an external reader/interrogator (106, 400). The transponder includes a memory (238) for storing measurements, calibration data (662), transponder ID number and the like. Since the transponder combines temperature and pressure information in the “pressure” data, the ratio NT/NP is a direct indicator of pressure-only, and is also relatively insensitive to transponder power variations. The calibration method employs a calibration chamber (602) containing reference pressure (614) and temperature (612) sensors. The transducer to be calibrated is placed in the chamber and exposed (652) to a number of predetermined temperatures and pressures (as measured by the reference sensors) at a number of calibration points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire construction and method of correcting one or more tire uniformity characteristics. A tire has two beads and a carcass reinforcement ply having reinforcement cords. The method is characterized by the steps of A) forming a portion of the tire with a material (typically a thermoplastic), that can be rendered plastic (such as by heating) and rendered non-plastic (such as by cooling), which, in turn, respectively, permits and restricts reorientation of the reinforcement cords; B) rendering the material plastic, after the tire has been vulcanized, to permit one or more of the reinforcement cords to be reoriented; C) reorienting one or more reinforcement cords with respect to other rein-forcement cords or tire components; and D) rendering the material non-plastic, to restrict further reorientation of adjacent reinforcement cords. Reorientation of the cords can be achieved without stretching them beyond their elastic limit.

Abstract: At least one dynamic condition of a pneumatic tire of a vehicle is determined by measuring the rotational angular position of the tire and/or a wheel or wheel carrier the tire is mounted on. The position measurement is preferably combined with transponder measurements of tire pressure and/or temperature, and the measurement information is transmitted from a tire or wheel antenna to a receiver with one or more antennas on the vehicle. The measurements can be combined with a tire pressure regulating device. The rotational angular position is preferably measured by monitoring fluctuations in coupling of RF power between the transmitting and the receiving antennas. In a preferred embodiment, transponders and antennas are disposed in both the tire and the wheel or wheel carrier for the purpose of monitoring the rotational angular position of a tire relative to its wheel or wheel carrier, thereby indicating torsional effects on the tire.

Abstract: A pneunatic radial ply tire (500, 600, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400) having a tread (538, 638, 938, 1038, 1138, 1238, 1338, 1438), a carcass structure (560, 660, 960, 1060, 1160, 1260, 1360, 1460) and a belt structure (546, 646, 946, 1046, 1146, 1246, 1346, 1446) has an electrically conductive and electrically continuous single-turn hoop (510, 610, 910, 1010, 1110, 1410) disposed about the circumference of the tire. The hoop might be provided as a coupling element in a transponder and interrogator system and in some designs as a structural element of the tire.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (200) for monitoring vehicle tire pressure and warning the driver when a low tire inflation pressure condition occurs includes transponder tags (220a . . . 220d, 300, 300a) and associated sensors (e.g., pressure, temperature) for each tire and a monitor (230a . . . 230d, 400 disposed in close proximity to each tire (204a . . . 204d). In this case manner, a low-powered radio transmission can take place between each tire tag and an associated one of the monitors. Each monitor is connected to a vehicle data bus 206, 430) for communicating, preferably bi-directionally, with a computer (208), and a central display (212) provides visual (or audible) warnings to the operator of the vehicle. The system is simple in operation, economical to manufacture, easy to install, and highly reliable, and conforms to standards established for heavy vehicles, and can be used on passenger car applications as well.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a transponder module (602, 602a, 702, 951, 1000, 1020, 1102, 1102′, 1402) and an antenna (740, 740′, 862, 940, 1140, 1140′, 1200, 1300, 1320, 1360, 1360′, 1440, 1460) in a pneumatic tire (312, 630, 1204, 1350, 1350′), and for coupling or connecting the antenna to the transponder module. A patch (600, 700, 700′, 850, 950, 980, 1100, 1100′, 1210, 1356, 1356′, 1400) has an opening (620, 720, 720′, 856, 956, 986, 1120, 1120′, 1420) extending to a cavity (622, 722, 860, 960, 990, 1122, 1122′, 1422) within the body of the patch. The transponder module is removably retained in the cavity by a resilient annular lip (624, 724, 724′, 858, 958, 988, 1124, 1124′, 1424) extending around the opening.

Abstract: A transponder measures temperatures and pressure within a pneumatic tire. A temperature count is transmitted, which is a function of temperature. A pressure count is transmitted, which is a function of both temperature and pressure. The pressure is determined by dividing the temperature count by the pressure count. Within the transponder, a timing generator generates a first timing window during which temperature is measured and a second timing window during which pressure is measured; a temperature register captures first data indicative of the temperature within the tire; a pressure register captures second data indicative of the pressure within the tire; and a modulator circuit impresses the first data as a first portion of a data stream on a signal output by the transponder, and impresses the second data as a second portion of the data stream on the signal output by the transponder.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) transponder (200) capable of measuring parameters associated with an object and transmitting data to an external reader/interrogator (106, 400). In use with a pneumatic tire (104), the transponder measures temperature and pressure within the tire. The transponder includes circuitry (226) for controlling windows of time (WT and WP) during which real-time temperature and pressure measurements are made, and for storing (236) calibration data, transponder ID number and the like, and for transmitting this information in a data stream (FIG. 3C) to the reader/interrogator. An excessive temperature condition may also be sensed (MTMS 218) and included in the data stream. The circuitry of the transponder is preferably implemented on a single IC chip (204), using CMOS technology, with few components external to the IC chip. The transponder is preferably passive, deriving its operating power from an RF signal provided by the exernal reader/interrogator.

Abstract: A temperature-sensor is implemented with a temperature-sensitive component of an IC chip which functions as a radio frequency transponder capable of measuring parameters associated with an object and transmitting data to an external reader/interrogator. In use with a pneumatic tire, the transponder measures temperature and pressure within the tire. The transponder includes circuitry for controlling windows of time during which real-time temperature and pressure measurements are made, and for storing calibration data, transponder ID number and the like, and for transmitting this information in a data stream to the reader/interrogator. An excessive temperature condition may also be sensed and included in the data stream.

Abstract: Circuit modules having one, two or three double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). Each PCB can have coils formed as spiral traces on both sides thereof. The coils can all be connected together, in series or in parallel, to function as a coil antenna. Alternatively, selected ones of the spiral traces can be connected to function as one winding of a transformer, the other coils functioning as another winding of the transformer and connected to an external antenna. Electronic components can be mounted to a lower one of the PCBs, and in embodiments having two or three PCBs, the PCB overlying the lower PCB has a central opening to accommodate the electronic components. A ferrite rod antenna may be disposed in the opening, aligned parallel to the PCBs, to provide a dual-directional antenna system.

Abstract: Circuit modules having one, two or three double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). Each PCB can have coils formed as spiral traces on both sides thereof. The coils can all be connected together, in series or in parallel, to function as a coil antenna. Alternatively, selected ones of the spiral traces can be connected to function as one winding of a transformer, the other coils functioning as another winding of the transformer and connected to an external antenna. Electronic components can be mounted to a lower one of the PCBs, and in embodiments having two or three PCBs, the PCB overlying the lower PCB has a central opening to accommodate the electronic components. A ferrite rod antenna may be disposed in the opening, aligned parallel to the PCBs, to provide a dual-directional antenna system.

Abstract: Circuit modules having one, two or three double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). Each PCB can have coils formed as spiral traces on both sides thereof. The coils can all be connected together, in series or in parallel, to function as a coil antenna. Alternatively, selected ones of the spiral traces can be connected to function as one winding of a transformer, the other coils functioning as another winding of the transformer and connected to an external antenna. Electronic components can be mounted to a lower one of the PCBs, and in embodiments having two or three PCBs, the PCB overlying the lower PCB has a central opening to accommodate the electronic components. A ferrite rod antenna may be disposed in the opening, aligned parallel to the PCBs, to provide a dual-directional antenna system.

Abstract: At least one dynamic condition of a pneumatic tire of a vehicle is determined by measuring the rotational angular position of the tire and/or a wheel or wheel carrier the tire is mounted on. The position measurement is preferably combined with transponder measurements of tire pressure and/or temperature, and the measurement information is transmitted from a tire or wheel antenna to a receiver with one or more antennas on the vehicle. The measurements can be combined with a tire pressure regulating device. The rotational angular position is preferably measured by monitoring fluctuations in coupling of RF power between the transmitting and the receiving antennas. In a preferred embodiment, transponders and antennas are disposed in both the tire and the wheel or wheel carrier for the purpose of monitoring the rotational angular position of a tire relative to its wheel or wheel carrier, thereby indicating torsional effects on the tire.