Abstract: The present application includes methods, apparatuses, and systems for cleaning an aluminum wheel. In particular instances, a method of treating an exterior surface of an aluminum vehicle wheel comprising: blasting the exterior surface a first occurrence for a first duration at a first velocity using blasting media; blasting the exterior surface a second occurrence for a second duration at a second velocity using blasting media after blasting the exterior surface for a first duration, the second velocity being substantially lower than the first velocity; and, arranging the vehicle wheel in contact with vibratory finishing media and vibrating the vehicle wheel with the vibratory finishing media for a duration after blasting the exterior surface in each of the first and second occurrences.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention comprises a composition for reducing weight imbalances, force variations, and/or vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly, the composition comprising a first plurality of particulate for positioning within the tire-wheel assembly, where each particle in the first plurality of particulate is characterized as having low energy absorption capabilities, and a second plurality of particulate for positioning within the tire-wheel assembly, where each particle in the second plurality of particulate is characterized as having elevated energy absorption capabilities. Additional embodiments of the invention comprise a method for reducing force imbalances, force variations, and/or vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly, which includes the steps of providing a tire-wheel assembly and placing into a pressurization chamber of said tire-wheel assembly a composition as contemplated in any embodiment or combination of embodiments suggested herein.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention comprises a composition for reducing weight imbalances, force variations, and/or vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly, the composition comprising a first plurality of particulate for positioning within the tire-wheel assembly, where each particle in the first plurality of particulate is characterized as having low energy absorption capabilities, and a second plurality of particulate for positioning within the tire-wheel assembly, where each particle in the second plurality of particulate is characterized as having elevated energy absorption capabilities. Additional embodiments of the invention comprise a method for reducing force imbalances, force variations, and/or vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly, which includes the steps of providing a tire-wheel assembly and placing into a pressurization chamber of said tire-wheel assembly a composition as contemplated in any embodiment or combination of embodiments suggested herein.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention comprises a composition for reducing weight imbalances, force variations, and/or vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly, the composition comprising a first plurality of particulate for positioning within the tire-wheel assembly, where each particle in the first plurality of particulate is characterized as having low energy absorption capabilities, and a second plurality of particulate for positioning within the tire-wheel assembly, where each particle in the second plurality of particulate is characterized as having elevated energy absorption capabilities. Additional embodiments of the invention comprise a method for reducing force imbalances, force variations, and/or vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly, which includes the steps of providing a tire-wheel assembly and placing into a pressurization chamber of said tire-wheel assembly a composition as contemplated in any embodiment or combination of embodiments suggested herein.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include a wheel having a uniformity and stabilizing system. The wheel generally includes a tube well extending axially along a rotational axis of the wheel between axial ends of the wheel, a flange extending from each axial end of the wheel, and a spider portion extending radially inward from an inner side of the tube well. Particular embodiments of the wheel include an annular stabilizing ring formed within the wheel and being generally substantially filled with a flowable weight material to form an approximately constant mass around the stabilizing ring. In other embodiments, the invention comprises a tire having an integrated uniformity and stabilizing system. The tire generally includes a central portion having a tread extending laterally between axial ends and a pair of sidewalls each extending radially inward from one of the axial ends of the central portion.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include methods and compositions for improved correction of force imbalances, force variations, and/or dampening of vibrations in a tire-wheel assembly. In particular embodiments, the composition includes a plurality of particles for positioning within a pressurization chamber of the tire-wheel assembly, wherein said particles include a void. Further embodiments provide a void containing a tire balancing material or a viscoelastic material. The particle may also be formed of viscoelastic material. Methods of the present invention include the steps of: providing a tire-wheel assembly; providing a plurality of particles having a void; and placing said plurality of particles into a pressurization chamber within said tire-wheel assembly.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and methods for improved correction of force variations and/or frequencies of a tire-wheel assembly. In particular embodiments, the invention comprises a system for improved correction of force variations and/or dampening of vibrations in a pneumatic tire-wheel assembly, which includes: a pneumatic tire-wheel assembly; and a plurality of dampening particles positioned within the tire-wheel assembly, wherein said particles are formed of at least one energy dampening viscoelastic material.

Abstract: In a tire management system and method for surveying and servicing a vehicle tire, a portable hand held computer unit receives and stores data for servicing the vehicle tire and data acquired from the vehicle tire. A desired tire air pressure is input into the portable hand held computer unit and is transmitted from the hand held computer unit to a tire inflation device adapted for automatically inflating or deflating the vehicle tire to the desired tire air pressure. The tire inflation receives the desired tire air pressure and is operated in response to receiving the desired tire air pressure to measure the actual tire pressure of the tire, to transmit the actual tire pressure back to the hand held computer unit for storage therein, to inflate or deflate the tire to the desired tire air pressure and to transmit a final measured tire air pressure back to the hand held computer unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for allowing visual access to the interior of a tire wheel assembly under dynamic conditions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheel rim having a window or access area such that the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim may be viewed under dynamic conditions such as those provided by a dynamometer test machine. A method is also presented in which a camera and strobe light are used with the wheel rim having at least one window to record the reaction of flowable materials inserted into the pressure chamber of a tire wheel assembly at the tire footprint under loaded dynamic conditions. An alternate embodiment includes the camera and the light attached to the wheel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for allowing visual access to the interior of a tire wheel assembly under dynamic conditions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wheel rim having a window or access area such that the interior of a tire mounted on the wheel rim may be viewed under dynamic conditions such as those provided by a dynamometer test machine. A method is also presented in which a camera and strobe light are used with the wheel rim having at least one window to record the reaction of flowable materials inserted into the pressure chamber of a tire wheel assembly at the tire footprint under loaded dynamic conditions. An alternate embodiment includes the camera and the light attached to the wheel.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a water generating apparatus for extracting water from ambient air. The apparatus provides a condensing surface which is maintained during the operation of the apparatus at a temperature which is below the dew point of the ambient air. The presence of contaminants within the extracted water are reduced by filtering the ambient air prior to its processing by the apparatus and subsequently filtering the condensate. The apparatus is constructed from components which produce minimal particulate matter. The use of such components minimizes the likelihood of those components contributing to the contamination of the water generated from the apparatus. Bacteriological contamination in the condensed water is reduced by constructing the apparatus from components that retard bacteria growth. Further diminution of bacterial growth is achieved by maintaining a continuous flow of water condensate through the apparatus.

Abstract: A paintball hopper for connection to a paintball launcher or marker has a counter which includes a flexible potentiometer extending into a transfer conduit that connects to the paintball launcher or marker. The hopper has a reservoir shaped for movement of the paintballs toward the transfer conduit. The hopper has a nose with slanted surfaces that are deflection engineered to enhance the deflectability of paintballs directed at the user. The counter mechanism includes a timer and an LCD display so the user can see how many paintballs have been launched and monitor time. The hopper also includes an agitator to agitate the paintballs in the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved injector apparatus for introducing flowable force compensating material into a tire/wheel assembly for the purpose of equalizing radial and lateral force variations of the tire/wheel assembly when in use on a vehicle. The injector apparatus generally comprises a container having a cylindrical side wall, an inlet end cap and an outlet end cap, which together enclose a chamber for flowable force compensating material, and a flexible hose having a quick disconnect coupling at its discharge end for conveying a mixture of pressurized air and flowable force compensating material from the chamber to the interior of a tire/wheel assembly. The outlet end cap comprises at least one channel groove, which helps direct the flowable force compensating material toward an outlet fitting in a manner preventing the flowable force compensating material from getting trapped in the cylinder.

Abstract: A track assembly allows the placement of a pair of web cleaning devices on either side of a paper web moving upwardly through the floor of a press. The track assembly facilitates mounting and rapid removal of web cleaning buffs from beneath a press. A docking plate is installed on the operator side of the press, and a pivotally mounted flip plate is installed on the drive side of the press. A pair of tracks are mounted on either side of the web slot and extend between the docking plate and the flip plate. The tracks inter-fit with the docking plate and are clamped to the flip plate. A removable ramp can be temporarily attached to the drive side of the tracks to allow the cleaning assemblies to be moved up the ramp and positioned on each of the tracks.

Abstract: A sealing valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a passage defined by the interior surface of a tubular casing comprises a valve body having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal bore therethrough. The valve body is formed for releasable connection to the tubular casing when the valve body is inserted longitudinally into the passage of the tubular casing. A valve seat is disposed on the valve body. A sealing assembly comprises a sealing device adapted for sealing engagement with the valve seat. The sealing device is movable with respect to the valve seat from a closed sealing position in which the sealing device sealingly engages the valve seat to block fluid flow through the bore in the valve body to an open position in which the sealing device is spaced from the valve seat to permit fluid flow through the bore.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for inhibiting particulate material in a pneumatic tire from adversely affecting operation of a tire valve assembly The method involves inserting a filter element into a valve stem passage of the valve assembly while the valve assembly is connected to the wheel assembly, and then installing a sealing valve in the valve stem passage. The invention also relates to a tool for inserting the filter element into the valve assembly to inhibit particulate material from passing into the valve assembly while allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The tool comprises a body selectively attachable to the valve assembly. The body has a plurality of passages therein, including a plunger passage, a filter passage and a fluid passage, and a selector valve having two bores therein for selective registry with the plurality of passages.

Abstract: A metering block having at least one removable jet cartridge is provided for replacing the physical and functional operation of the standard metering block for use with the carburetor and fuel bowl of a conventional internal combustion engine. The metering block has openings in the top of the block at an angle from vertical for receiving the jet cartridges. The jet cartridge is configured to utilize the standard fuel jets used with the standard metering block to maintain the same fuel metering characteristics as the standard metering block. The jet cartridge is positioned at an angle within the metering block to allow the jet cartridge and fuel jet to be removed and replaced from the carburetor without the need to remove the fuel bowl or metering block from the carburetor or fuel to be drained to obtain access to the fuel jet as is the case in the standard metering block design.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in a paint booth to facilitate the coating of an object such as a wheel or rim with a liquid, powder, or other coating. The apparatus is designed to rotate a wheel about both its horizontal and vertical axes. In this manner, the wheel may be more easily and uniformly coated with a minimum of effort by a paint booth operator. After the wheel is coated, the apparatus is designed to lift the object above the work surface so that it can be connected to an overhead conveyor system that may be provided to remove the wheel from the paint booth.