Abstract: A conveyor belt (10) having an electrically conductive sensor (20) or antenna embedded therein. The conductor (20) has a copper core having a plurality of stainless steel filaments wrapped together to form a strand or a cable. The conductor has a low profile cross section making it suitable for use in thin belts. The conductor is formed in a repeating sine wave to aid in flexibility. The conductor/belt is especially useful in conveyor rip detection systems.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having gum strips (19,21) for encapsulation of the cut edge of a cord reinforced ply (14), in particular a carcass ply. The gum strips are formed from an elastomeric compound having physical properties such that its 300% Modulus (ASTM D412) is comprised between 5 and 7 MPa and its Shore A Hardness (ASTM D1415) is comprised between 55 and 65. It has been found that such gum strips when used in the bead portion (11) of a tire to encapsulate the ply end (18), improve the durability of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread portion (11) which consists of a plurality of block elements (17) arranged in rows (18) extending laterally across the tread portion. In each row each block element (17A) axially overlaps with at least one adjacent block elment (17B) and (17C). The mutually overlapping portions of the block elements (17) are separated by axially extending blades (26).Under a circumferential load (L), the block elements distort and the blades close so that adjacent blocks interlock.

Abstract: This specification discloses a run flat insert for use with a tire and rim assembly. The insert comprises an annular band having radially inner and outer surfaces and a plurality of circumferentially spaced supporting legs extending toward the axis of rotation of the tire from the radially inner surface of the annular band. Preferably, the supporting legs are inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the insert; half are inclined in one direction away from the mid-circumferential plane and the other half are inclined in the opposite direction away from such plane.The circumferential spacing between each supporting leg and the next circumferentially adjacent supporting leg inclined in the same axial direction is at least thirty percent of the circumferential width of the supporting legs at the radially inner ends.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the operation of a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles by gathering data, and utilizing a computer. The data includes the number and type of tire positions per vehicle, the types of tires at each position and the cost of such types of tires. The computer is used to optimize the operation by determining at least one of the following: the type of tire to be used at each position, the suitable tread depths for removal of tires from one tire position to another, a tire rotation sequence for the transfer of tires. This method further provides for gathering data by surveying a fleet of vehicles through the use of a portable hand held computer.

Abstract: A valve (10) for a dual chamber tire comprises a hollow sleeve (15) with at least two ports (21) (22) therein each of which is connected with an inflation chamber. A hollow valve stem (31) is slidably disposed within the sleeve (15). A locking means (50) is capable of holding the stem (31) and sleeve (15) in two different operating positions. An air passageway (35) connects the hollow interior (32) of the stem with the interior (16) of the sleeve (15) and is arranged so that when the stem is locked in one of said two operating positions air can be supplied to two inflation chambers (12,14) simultaneously and when the stem is in the other of said two operating positions one of the inflation chambers (12) is isolated.

Abstract: A metallic cable (10) suitable for reinforcing elastomeric articles comprises two or more substantially identical helical formed bare filaments (11,12,13) nested together and secured to one another by axially spaced apart applications of an adhesive substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic radial carcass type tire for heavy duty use having an improved reinforcing structure for the bead region. In a tire comprising a four ply radial carcass (1), the two bead regions are each reinforced by a bead core (2) and an axially inner (6) and an axially outer (7) textile reinforcing layer and a rubber apex strip (8). As compared to the prior art, the relatively low rubber apex strip (8) and the resulting low separation point between the first (3) and second (4) set of carcass plies reduces the sheer stresses between these carcass plies while the specific arrangement of the axially inner (6) and axially outer (7) reinforcing layers retains the required stiffness in the bead region (5). A particular durable bead region (5) is thus obtained.

Abstract: This invention provides for heating a brake assembly electrically to prevent it from freezing. More specifically this invention provides for heating electrically an aircraft multi-disk brake assembly.An electric resistance heating element 12 is adapted to form a heater 10 to provide heating to a brake stack 44. Heat may be transferred either directly to the brake stack 44 or indirectly by first heating a member of the brake assembly 36. This member in turn transfers heat to the brake stack.The heater 10 may be formed to fit within the cavity formed by a torque tube 26 wherein the heater abuts a substantial portion of the torque tube 26.Signals from a thermocouple may be used for activation and deactivation of the heater 10.

Abstract: A system of enhancing a limited field of view (LFOV) aircraft simulator, having less than a full 360.times.360 degree continuous field of view, such that while a primary object is tracking within the field of view it is fully reproduced as an aircraft, target, runway, etc. and once it migrates outside of this area, or if another primary object is located outside of this area, the object is represented and tracked as a light spot. Once the primary object migrates within the limited field of view, the light spot will be extinguished and replaced by the fully reproduced object. The relative distance of the primary object to the simulated cockpit is illustrated by varying the magnitude of the light spot.