Abstract: A method for monitoring various physical conditions of pneumatic tires and to a tire which includes a memory device mounted on the interior of the tire within the pressurizable cavity and a separate monitoring device mounted on the tire rim. The memory device contains a battery, an antenna and stored data pertaining to the tire. The monitoring device uses an active self-powered programmable electronic circuitry which obtains data from the memory device and in addition contains one or more sensors which obtains engineering conditions such as temperature, pressure, tire rotation and/or other operated conditions of the pneumatic tire along with the stored information from the memory device.

Abstract: An air actuator has a pair of axially spaced end members and an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. An annular clamp ring having a smooth inner diameter coacts with an annular wall on the end cap having an outer diameter with annular indentations formed therein to clamp the ring on the end cap. The annular wall defines clamping surfaces in between and adjacent to the annular indentations. The annular indentations form a series of pinch areas with the intervening sleeve, which sealingly clamp the sleeve therebetween. The indentations receive portions of the sleeve and change the direction of reinforcing cords within the sleeve. The clamp ring abuts against a radially extending surface or shoulder of the end cap to reduce axial movement of the ring during operation of the air spring.

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of spaced end members for mounting the spring at spaced locations on a structure. A flexible sleeve of elastomeric material is sealingly engaged with the end members and forms a pressurized fluid chamber therebetween. A post is mounted on one of the end members and extends into the fluid chamber. A shock absorbing two-piece bumper includes a rigid metal base which is formed as an inverted cup-shaped member with a cylindrical sidewall. The base is secured to one of the end members with the post extending into an open end of the base member. An elastomeric member is snap-fitted into a hole formed in an end closure wall of the base member and engages the opposite end member upon the air spring failing or experiencing a large deflection. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of flexible fingers are formed from the cylindrical sidewall of the base and are snap-fit to the post to mount the base member on the post and on the one end member of the air spring.

Abstract: A friction testing machine and method for measuring friction characteristics between a test sample and a friction surface. The machine and method are particularly suited for measuring the coefficient of friction between a rubber specimen or a tread element and different friction surfaces at different sliding velocities, contact pressures and orientations. A preferred embodiment of machine is self-contained and portable, configured for easy and quick changing of the friction surface, and provides for rotating the test sample about an axis normal to the sliding surface and the direction of movement of the sample relative to the friction surface. In general, a friction test machine according to the invention comprises a sample holder configured to hold a sample in frictional engagement with a friction surface, and a motion device for effecting relative movement between the friction surface and sample holder in a first direction.

Abstract: A composite iso board (10) comprises a foam core (11) selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanurate and polyurethane materials and mixtures thereof; and first and second facers (12, 13), between which the foam core is sandwiched, the facers comprising a sheet selected from the group consisting of polyamides and polycarbonates. A method of reroofing a roof comprises applying composite iso boards of the present invention to a roof deck; and, applying a weather protective layer over the iso boards.

Abstract: Flat rubber sheets are joined together at their primed surfaces utilizing an adhesive tape composition which features at least one EPDM rubber and will provide a long-term, water-tight barrier. The adhesive tape composition is a solventless, preformed, tacky composition comprising a) at least one crosslinkable EPDM rubber, b) a filler, either of the reinforcing or semi-reinforcing variety, c) one or more compatible tackifiers, d) a softener, and lastly, e) a cure system for the rubbery polymer. The tape composition itself has excellent ozone, moisture, weathering and heat aging resistance as well as superior low temperature properties.

Abstract: A vehicle tire and wheel assembly for use in high brake heat generated service has an overall tire diameter (TD) of approximately 43 inches and an overall wheel diameter (WD) of approximately 24.5 inches to provide a ratio of approximately 1.76. The tire section height (H) is approximately 9.2 inches and the tire section width (W) is approximately 11.5 inches. The tire is of a radial construction containing steel reinforcing cords.

Abstract: A run flat pneumatic tire is reinforced by a thin annular composite band imbedded in the crown portion of the tire in combination with a plurality of radial cords or plies in its sidewalls which have freedom in shear with respect to one another. The band is formed by a plurality of layers of material strips wherein each strip is wound in a helical pattern, with adjacent strips being wound at reverse angles to each other. Each layer is formed under sufficient pressure and at an elevated temperature whereby the band is prestressed in tension which decreases the maximum stress at the footprint area of the tire. The invention furthermore incorporates the method of imparting the prestress on the annular band during its manufacture.

Abstract: Rubber tire component compositions containing silica have effective amounts of extra conductive carbon black to dissipate static electricity. The volume resistivity in Ohm-centimeters of the component such as a tread is generally 10.sup.8 or less. The extra conductive carbon black generally has a BET surface area of at least 500 square meters per gram and the silica is generally utilized in amounts of at least 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the rubber.

Abstract: Circumferentially separate tire pitch sequences are selectively positioned for suppressing tire noise by comparing waveform representations of the separate pitch sequences in a correlation function and using the magnitude of a Hilbert Transform to identify minima of the absolute value of the correlation function. The relative rotated position of the pitch sequences for suppressing tire noise is selected from the vicinity of one of the minima.

Abstract: A non-black roof sheeting material may be prepared from a composition of matter comprising 100 parts by weight of at least one polymeric rubber selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, ethylene-propylene copolymers and other polyolefinic type polymers; from about 20 to about 300 parts by weight of a blend of at least two mineral fillers, per 100 parts of said polymeric rubber, wherein one of said mineral fillers is a reinforcing silica and wherein another of said mineral fillers is a chemically modified clay; from about 20 to about 150 parts by weight of a processing oil, per 100 parts of said polymeric rubber; from 1 to about 6 parts by weight of a sulfur cure package having at least one accelerator but being devoid of any thiuram accelerators, said cure package allowing said sheeting material to cure at about the same rate as a comparable black roof sheeting material at 160.degree. C.

Abstract: A sealing tape for sealing linear seams formed by adjacent substrate sheets comprises two laterally spaced linear strips interconnected with an intervening linear center strip. The center strip comprises a soft, pliable, adhesive sealant material adapted to flow into the substrate seam upon application of heat and pressure to the sealing tape. The laterally spaced side strips are dimensionally stable and comprised of a tacky elastomeric compound adapted to adhere to the substrate under applied heat and pressure.