Abstract: A vehicle tire (1), particularly for motor vehicles, defined by an outer tread (2) and two beads (3), each connected to the tread (2) by a respective annular sidewall portion (5); each sidewall portion (5) presenting an inner reinforcing cord assembly (6) defined by at least two layers (7) of reinforcing cords (8) on opposite sides of an extending outwardly of the respective bead (3), and a layer (16) of a lightweight elastomeric sponge filler material located between the two layers (7) of reinforcing cords (8), the thickness of which depends on the rigidity required of the respective sidewall portion (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for the catalytic cracking in the fluid state of hydrocarbon feedstocks which comprises a riser-type column (2); at the top of the riser (2) and concentric therewith, a chamber (1) for separation of the hydrocarbon vapors and the coke-laden catalyst particles; directly above the upper opening of the riser (2) and in the interior of said chamber (1), a ballistic separator (3); at least one unit for regeneration of the spent catalyst, fed by stripped particles received from said chamber. The chamber (1) for separation of the coke-laden catalyst particles and the stripping thereof comprises, at a level intermediate between the bed (6) of particles being stripped and the opening of the riser (2), a means (11) adapted to form a baffle for locally reducing the diameter of said chamber (1) and the free passage at the periphery of the riser (2), thereby reducing recirculating streams of hydrocarbon vapors in separation chamber (1) of the FCC unit thus avoiding overcracking.

Abstract: This bitumen-polymer composition contains:a) at least one bitumen,b) at least one polymer having hydrocarbon chains with mobile hydrogens, said polymer being grafted and crosslinked in situ in said bitumen through a complex of at least one organic silicon compound, said complex being formed from a primary constituent and a secondary constituent, the latter being the organic silicon compound.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for gasification of organic materials (typically incorporated in domestic and industrial wastes, including auto shredder residues) to produce useful synthesis gas (primarily CO & H.sub.2) with effectively non-toxic ash residue by means of a preferably stoichiometric burner directed into a single stage reactor containing a tumbling charge thus heated to 650.degree. to 800.degree. C. (below the incipient fusion temperature of the charge) resulting in thermally cracking and gasifying the organic materials in the charge and reacting the complex hydrocarbons and gas evolved with the CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O generated by the burner by combustion of a fuel and oxygen-containing gas at a high flame temperature, typically 2500.degree. to 3000.degree. C.

Abstract: A curing press for tires or other curable articles, has a fluid inlet line for supplying curing fluid into an inflatable elastomeric bladder mounted within the press cavity for curing a green tire or article in the cavity. The spent curing fluid is removed from the bladder after a curing operation by a pump through an exhaust line. A venturi ejector in the exhaust line causes a vacuum to be created within the bladder as the fluid is being removed during an unload cycle. A vacuum sensor is connected to the exhaust line and if a predetermined vacuum strength is not reached within a predetermined time, which indicates that leak exists, appropriate control circuitry is actuated to prevent loading of the next green tire or article into the press. The invention also incorporates the method for detecting a leak by measuring the strength of the vacuum created upon removal of the spent curing fluid after each curing cycle.

Abstract: An air spring for providing a variable spring rate for a suspension system has an auxiliary fluid reservoir formed within a hollow interior of one of the spaced end members of the air spring. A flexible elastomeric sleeve extends between the end members and forms a main air chamber therebetween which is in communication with the auxiliary fluid reservoir. A fluid supply line communicates with the auxiliary fluid reservoir for changing the volume of fluid within the reservoir. In one embodiment, one end of the flexible sleeve is closed and forms a flexible membrane which extends across an entrance of the auxiliary reservoir and separates the air chamber from the auxiliary reservoir. In another embodiment, a separate inflatable bladder is mounted in the hollow interior of the end member and provides the flexible membrane which separates the air chamber from the auxiliary reservoir.

Abstract: This bitumen-polymer emulsion contains:a) at least one bitumen,b) at least one polymer having hydrocarbon chains with mobile hydrogens, said polymer being grafted and crosslinked in situ in said bitumen through a complex of at least one organic silicon compound, said complex being formed from a primary constituent and a secondary constituent, the latter being an organic silicon compound,c) water, andd) at least one emulsifier.

Abstract: A tire building drum has a pair of drum sections axially movable along a center shaft which form an internal tire inflation chamber for inflating the carcass of a green tire when mounted between the drum sections. Each of the drum sections has a plurality of bead lock segments controlled by a plurality of straight links moved by an annular piston. The piston is mounted in an annular cylinder surrounded by an annular manifold ring, an annular sealing ring and an annular bladder ring. The annular manifold provides for the distribution of pressurized air to various components of the drum and functions as an air seal for the tire inflation chamber. A plurality of air passages are formed in the manifold ring and connect to a source of pressurized air for supplying the control air from a remote source to an inflation turn-up bladder mounted on each of the drum sections and to a control assembly mounted within each of the drum sections for actuating the bead lock segments.

Abstract: A toroidal road vehicle tire carcass comprises two annular beads connected by a substantially tubular toroidal reticulated structure defined by a number of elongated reinforcing elements extending between and substantially radially in relation to the beads. The carcass is produced using at least one continuous cord for forming a first and a second continuous series of oppositely-oriented U-shaped loops, wherein the loops in both series are connected so as to weave the substantially tubular reticulated structure enclosing the two beads.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing road vehicle tires, whereby a toroidal forming mold, housing a finished green tire, is fed successively through a first preheating station where peripheral heating elements preheat the tread portion of the green tire; through a second curing station where the tire is cured; and through a third postinflation station where the tire, fitted to a tubular support and removed from the mold, is engaged by a cooling element for cooling the bead portions of the tire.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a toroidal road vehicle tire carcass, the carcass presenting an annular frame rotated about its axis in relation to a knotting device located outside the frame and employing two continuous cords for producing, on the frame, a number of substantially radial, elongated reinforcing elements, each defined by a loop. Each loop is formed by winding in a U, an intermediate portion of a respective cord, wound about a respective annular bead forming part of the frame, and which is drawn towards the other bead and connected to a corresponding loop in the other cord to form with the same a reticulated "boucle" structure enclosing the two beads.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of particles of sulfated lime (containing up to 80% CaSO.sub.4) as a polymer filler which can be derived from dry desulfurization of flue gas. Such sulfated lime can advantageously be incorporated into an elastomer such as ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR).

Abstract: A process for the fixed-bed sweetening of sour petroleum distillates with fraction temperatures of from about 125.degree. to about 350.degree. C. and having an acid number of 0.03 mg of KOH/g or higher. The reduction of the acidity and the oxidation of the mercaptans necessary for the sweetening of the distillates are carried out together in a single stage by passing the distillate, in the presence of an oxidizing agent but in the absence of a basic solution, and particularly of an alkali-metal hydroxide solution, over an oxidation catalyst whose specific surface ranges from 1 to 10 m.sup.2 /gram, and preferably from 2 to 6 m.sup.2 /gram, and whose micropore volume ranges from 0.01 to 0.10 cm.sup.3 /gram, and preferably from 0.02 to 0.05 cm.sup.3 /gram.

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of axially spaced end members and an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. A pair of recesses are formed on an inner surface of an annular clamp ring which cooperate with a pair of corresponding annular projections formed on an outer surface of each of the end members to positionally locate the ring on the end member and to form a pair of pinch areas sealingly clamping the sleeve therebetween. Expansion grooves are formed between the projections and on opposite sides thereof to receive portions of the sleeve therein to form three elastomeric bead-like members, and to change the direction of reinforcing cords within the sleeve. The clamp ring seats upon a shoulder of each of the end members to reduce movement of the clamp ring during operation of the air spring.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique for determining the abrasion potential for tire treads is presented. A tire is rotatably and forcefully brought into contacting engagement with a reflective surface received upon an illuminated glass plate. A charge coupled device monitors the internal reflection light which evidences a grey level corresponding to the force of engagement between the associated portion of the tire and the glass support plate. A marker is placed upon the tire centrally within a region of interest. The video image of the marker and region of interest is analyzed as to slip and force at that area. The product of the slip and force functions is an indication of frictional work at the interface between the tire and support surface and is correspondingly an indication of the propensity of the tire to wear.

Abstract: A method of forming a bead assembly for use in a pneumatic tire includes extruding a strip of green elastomeric material onto a split or pair of steel supporting guide ring where the ends of the extruded strip are cut at a bias angle and then spliced together to form an annular elastomeric member. The extruded strip and formed annular member has a pair of tapered longitudinal end members joined by a central recess. An annular tire bead is placed in radial alignment about the central recess of the annular member. Next, a segmented mandrel carrying inflatable turnup bladders is expanded outwardly, afterwhich the split guide ring is axially withdrawn. The mandrel and bladders then provide the support for the elastomeric member previously provided by the split annular ring, and traps the bead within the central recess. The two longitudinal end members of the extruded strip are then turned up about the bead by inflating the bladders to form the bead assembly, afterwhich the assembly is placed in a shaping mold.

Abstract: In a fluidized catalytic cracking (FLC) type unit for contacting of a hydrocarbon feedstock with hot solid particles in a fluidized bed in an upright tubular-type upflow hydrocarbon conversion reactor, there is provided, between the means for fluidization and the means for injection of the feedstock, a means for causing the fluidized phase at the periphery of the reactor to rotate about the axis of the reactor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video imaging of a tire ground contact patch or tire footprint is presented. A digitized image of the footprint is generated as an array of pixels. Each pixel is attributed a binary value of one or zero, to present a two-valued image. Contact areas within the image are attributed a first value, while void or noncontact areas are attributed a second value. The image is then dilated and eroded in an appropriate sequence to eliminate all white pixels from the image and to eliminate surface anomalies or the like which are not of interest in the tire analysis. An image of the footprint, accurate in size and dimensions, is thereby generated and, from such footprint, total area, contact area, and void area can be determined, as well as measurements of width, center line length, and other desired lengths at various lateral width locations. This data may be used to analyze the tire construction, operation, noise generation, and performance.