Abstract: A roofing primer composition including a bromobutyl rubber, a polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane is the reaction product of a phenolic resin and an isocyanate having more than two functionalities, the polyurethane being formed in the presence of a catalyst, and a solvent, wherein the solvent is preferably selected from the group consisting of parachlorobenzotrifluoride, 1-dodecene, toluene, hexane, heptane methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichlorethane, xylene, methanol, 1-tetradecene, chloroform, tetrachloro ethylene and ethanol. This primer composition exhibits improved adhesion during application, exhibits improved shelf life, is not water sensitive, and can contain a low volatile solvent.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 17, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 16, 1999
Assignee:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Inventors:
Brian S. Alexander, John W. Fieldhouse, William B. Gorman, Carter C. Slusher
Abstract: A method for monitoring various engineering conditions of a pneumatic tire such a temperature, pressure, tire rotation and other operating conditions of the tire. A tire tag is mounted on the interior of the tire within the pressurizable cavity and contains the stored data and sensors for detecting certain conditions within the cavity. A separate transponding device is mounted on the tire rim. The tire tag contains a battery, an antenna and stored data pertaining to the tire. The transponding device uses electronic circuitry which collects data from the tire tag. The tire tag is actuated by transmitted radio frequency waves from the transponding device, which data is retransmitted by the transponding device to the remote location by an antenna which extends from the transponding device through the rim to a location externally of the tire.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 22, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 2, 1999
Assignee:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Inventors:
John D. Rensel, Robert J. Trew, Paul B. Wilson
Abstract: A process for preparing a lap seam for roofing comprising applying a butyl rubber-containing primer with a mesh pad to the EPDM membrane surfaces to be joined. The primer is applied with a long-handled applicator to permit the roofer to stand during priming. Thereafter a splice tape is positioned between the primed surfaces to form a seam structure and pressure is applied to the structure thus provided to form an adhesively-held lap seam characterized by being watertight and having superior peel strength when compared to other methods of making seam tapes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 6, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 2, 1999
Assignee:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel L. Barksdale, James E. Burkett, Joseph J. Kalwara, James L. Hoff
Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding an active tag to a patch and assembling the patch to a tire is set forth. A patch assembly and a method for securing an electronic monitoring device having electronic and mechanical components for monitoring at least one engineering condition within a tire, comprising an rigid tag assembly encapsulating the electronic monitoring device, bonded to a vulcanized rubber patch which is secured to the inner cavity of a tire utilizing a layer of dual cure bonding rubber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 17, 1997
Date of Patent:
October 26, 1999
Assignee:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Inventors:
Russell W. Koch, Guy J. Walenga, Paul B. Wilson
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 18, 1997
Date of Patent:
August 24, 1999
Assignee:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Inventors:
Jeffrey D. Avesian, Daniel J. Leonard, Robert L. Hiday, Keith A. Stern
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 30, 1998
Date of Patent:
August 24, 1999
Assignee:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Inventors:
David E. Grass, Mark D. Hilburger, Daniel J. Leonard, Mohamad Taghizadeh, Michael K. Whitaker
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 7, 1997
Date of Patent:
May 4, 1999
Assignee:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Inventors:
Neel K. Mani, Stanley J. Olesky, David C. Christy
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 1996
Date of Patent:
March 30, 1999
Assignee:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Inventors:
James A. Davis, Chester T. Chmiel, Brian S. Alexander
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 13, 1997
Date of Patent:
March 9, 1999
Assignee:
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Inventors:
Charles D. Spragg, Edward G. Markow, Thomas W. Bell
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.