Patents by Inventor Ronald Hobart Thompson
Ronald Hobart Thompson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11697259Abstract: The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventor: Ronald Hobart Thompson
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Publication number: 20230173774Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a nonpneumatic tire that is constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer which is pre-tensioned during the process of its formation. The Pretention is provided by a thermal means that is naturally available in the forming process. This creates an efficient process of manufacturing by creating pretention without the complexity of adding pretention from mechanical means. The method for forming the non-pneumatic tire includes inserting a tread portion (101) and an annular beam (102) having circumferential reinforcement into a mold, the mold supporting the tread pattern only on an outer radial extent of the tread pattern, inserting a rim (104) extending radially inward from the annular beam (102), and forming an annular support (103) comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer extending radially inward from the annular beam (102)). The thermoplastic elastomer is allowed to harden and the tire is removed from the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Patrick F. KING, Christopher MAST, John DUTY, Kevin C. MILES, Ronald Hobart THOMPSON
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Publication number: 20230173845Abstract: Provided is an non-pneumatic tire that includes thermoplastic elastomer which is pre-tensioned during the process of forming the non-pneumatic tire. The pre-tension is provided by a thermal means that is naturally available in the forming process. This results in an efficient manufacturing combined with efficiency of pre-tension, without a complexity of adding a pre-tension from mechanical means.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Patrick F. KING, Christopher MAST, John DUTY, Kevin C. Miles, Ronald Hobart THOMPSON
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Publication number: 20230166561Abstract: Provided is an non-pneumatic tire that includes thermoplastic elastomer which is pre-tensioned during the process of forming the non-pneumatic tire. The pre-tension is provided by a thermal means that is naturally available in the forming process. This results in an efficient manufacturing combined with efficiency of pre-tension, without a complexity of adding a pre-tension from mechanical means.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Patrick F. KING, Christopher MAST, John DUTY, Kevin C. MILES, Ronald Hobart THOMPSON
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Publication number: 20210379847Abstract: A wheel for a vehicle is non-pneumatic (i.e., airless), may be designed to enhance its use and performance and/or use and performance of the vehicle, and may be manufactured efficiently, including by a single non-pneumatic tire molding operation that can allow rigid rim incorporation and complex tread implementation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventor: Ronald Hobart THOMPSON
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Publication number: 20210245463Abstract: The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventor: Ronald Hobart THOMPSON
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Patent number: 9403332Abstract: A tire with certain tread features and a method for manufacturing the tread for such a tire are provided. More particularly, a tire and method for manufacturing a tire having a tread portion with sipes that can be of minimal thickness and varying geometries, densities, and profiles may be provided. The sipes can also be hidden until after a period of tread wear has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Societe de Technologie MichelinInventors: Damon Lee Christenbury, Cyril Guichon, Daniel Rey, Ronald Hobart Thompson
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Patent number: 9156313Abstract: This invention relates generally to an improved design that provides better hydroplaning performance for a tire, and, more specifically, to a tire that has a variable pressure shear band located below its tread that provides increased structural stiffness to the tire, helping the tire to resist deformation when the tire encounters water, thereby decreasing the tendency of the tire to hydroplane. Advantageously, the variable pressure shear band can improve the hydroplaning performance and rolling resistance simultaneously without degrading wear performance.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ESTABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUE S.A.Inventor: Ronald Hobart Thompson
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Publication number: 20150251498Abstract: This invention relates generally to an improved design that provides better hydroplaning performance for a tire, and, more specifically, to a tire that has a variable pressure shear band located below its tread that provides increased structural stiffness to the tire, helping the tire to resist deformation when the tire encounters water, thereby decreasing the tendency of the tire to hydroplane. Advantageously, the variable pressure shear band can improve the hydroplaning performance and rolling resistance simultaneously without degrading wear performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventor: Ronald Hobart Thompson
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Publication number: 20150047763Abstract: A design for a high-speed tire tread is provided that gives improved performance in both water and snow conditions. The tread region of the tire uses transversely-oriented grooves that each extend across the width of the tread region. There are no grooves or other tread features that provide substantial fluid communication between the transversely-oriented grooves. Features are also provided that decrease the pull under torque associated with such a design.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2012Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Ronald Hobart Thompson, Olivier Piffard
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Patent number: 8813797Abstract: This invention relates generally to shear band of a tire that has means for inducing buckling when the tire is subjected to high deformations, and, more specifically, to a tire that has a shear band with at least one membrane that has a reinforcement having predetermined configurations for controlling the buckling behavior of the reinforcement when the membrane is subjected to compressive stress.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Rescherche et Techniques S.A.Inventors: Scott Powell Anderson, Ronald Hobart Thompson
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Publication number: 20130213543Abstract: A tire with certain tread features and a method for manufacturing the tread for such a tire are provided. More particularly, a tire and method for manufacturing a tire having a tread portion with sipes that can be of minimal thickness and varying geometries, densities, and profiles may be provided. The sipes can also be hidden until after a period of tread wear has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Damon Lee Christenbury, Cyril Guichon, Daniel Rey, Ronald Hobart Thompson
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Publication number: 20120193004Abstract: This invention relates generally to shear band of a tire that has means for inducing buckling when the tire is subjected to high deformations, and, more specifically, to a tire that has a shear band with at least one membrane that has a reinforcement having predetermined configurations for controlling the buckling behavior of the reinforcement when the membrane is subjected to compressive stress.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Scott Powell ANDERSON, Ronald Hobart THOMPSON
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Patent number: 8215351Abstract: An improved shear band for use in non-pneumatic tires, pneumatic tires, and other technologies is provided. The shear band is constructed as a composite of layers that are combined in a specific manner. Each layer is constructed from one or more materials having certain selected physical properties. The layers are combined a specific manner to create a composite having physical properties and performance characteristics desirably outperforming that of the individual materials forming the layers. When used in tire construction, improvements in rolling resistance can also be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Michelin Recherche et TechniqueInventor: Ronald Hobart Thompson
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Publication number: 20120031535Abstract: This invention relates generally to an improved design that provides better hydroplaning performance for a tire, and, more specifically, to a tire that has a variable pressure shear band located below its tread that provides increased structural stiffness to the tire, helping the tire to resist deformation when the tire encounters water, thereby decreasing the tendency of the tire to hydroplane. Advantageously, the variable pressure shear band can improve the hydroplaning performance and rolling resistance simultaneously without degrading wear performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventor: Ronald Hobart Thompson
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Publication number: 20100193097Abstract: A shear band that may be used as part of a structurally supported wheel is provided. More particularly, a shear band constructed from resilient, cylindrical elements attached between inextensible members is described. In certain embodiments, the shear band may be constructed entirely or substantially without elastomeric or polymer-based materials. Multiple embodiments are available including various arrangements of the cylindrical elements between the members as well as differing geometries for the cylindrical elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2008Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Jared Hahn McNier, Joseph Scott Newman, Joshua Stuart Reynolds, David Thomas Stowe, Zachary James Taylor, Ronald Hobart Thompson
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Patent number: 7418988Abstract: A structurally supported tire includes an outer annular band, and a plurality of web spokes extending transversely across and radially inward from the annular band and anchored in a wheel or hub. The annular band may further comprise a shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the shear layer, and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the shear layer. A preferred web spoke has a cutaway section transverse to the annular band. The cutaway section has a profile formed by straight line segments joined by a blending radius. The profile of the cutaway comprises a height and a maximum depth greater than five percent of the height and less than thirty percent of the maximum width. The profile has an angle alpha formed by a line tangent to the profile relative to the horizontal at least equal to ten degrees at the radially outermost and radially innermost extent of said profile.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Steven M. Cron, Jean-Pierre Pompier, Timothy B. Rhyne, Ronald Hobart Thompson, Kenneth W. Demino
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Patent number: 6983776Abstract: A resilient tire that supports a load without internal air pressure includes a ground contacting tread portion and sidewall portions extending radially inward from said tread portion and anchored in bead portions. A bias ply carcass extends between the beads to support the sidewalls. A reinforced annular band is disposed radially inward of the tread portion. The band comprises an elastomeric shear layer at a radially outer side of the bias ply carcass and a membrane adhered to a radially outward side of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the bias ply and membrane has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Ronald Hobart Thompson, Timothy B. Rhyne, Kenneth W. Demino, Steven M. Cron
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Publication number: 20030121581Abstract: A resilient tire that supports a load without internal air pressure includes a ground contacting tread portion and sidewall portions extending radially inward from said tread portion and anchored in bead portions adapted to remain secure to a wheel during rolling of the tire. A bias ply carcass extends between the beads to support the sidewalls. A reinforced annular band is disposed radially inward of the tread portion. The band comprises an elastomeric shear layer at a radially outer side of the bias ply carcass and a membrane adhered to a radially outward side of the elastomeric shear layer. Each of the bias ply and membrane has a longitudinal tensile modulus sufficiently greater than the shear modulus of the shear layer so that when under load the ground contacting portion of the tire deforms to a flat contact region through shear strain in the shear layer while maintaining constant the length of the membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Ronald Hobart Thompson, Timothy B. Rhyne, Kenneth W. Demino, Steven M. Cron
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Patent number: D486781Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: Ronald Hobart Thompson