Patents Assigned to Michelin & Cie
  • Method of adjusting the pressure of the tires on a vehicle
    Patent number: 5674332
    Abstract: Method of adjusting the pressure of the tires on a vehicle equipped with a entralized inflating installation which successively connects up each tire to the compressed-air source via a line, a rotary seal and a differential-type isolating valve, then closes the compressed-air inlet after a very short time, and repeats these operations iteratively. According to the invention, a value of the set pressure corresponds to a value of the duration of the very short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin --Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Claudio Battocchio
  • Functional diene polymers, their method of preparation and their use in silica-filled elastomeric compositions which can be used for tires
    Patent number: 5665812
    Abstract: A sulfur-vulcanizable rubber composition of improved hysteresis, comprising ilica as reinforcing filler as well as a diene polymer functionalized with a functionalizing agent having the general formula (Y).sub.m --R.sup. --Si(OR.sup.2).sub.3-n --R.sup.3 n and suitable to be used for the manufacture of tires of reduced resistance to rolling.The functionalized diene polymers are prepared by addition to the living diene polymer under suitable mixing conditions of an amount of functionalizing agent such that the molar ratio of functionalizing agent to the number of active sites is equal to or greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Establissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Jean-Noel Gorce, Gerard Labauze
  • Apparatus for the building of tires using a clamped turn-up bladder
    Patent number: 5660677
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a tire-building process in which a so-called "shaping" building drum is used and in which a ply turn-up bladder (2) is clamped on the outside of each bead recess (6) by an assembly of pallets (11) which can open in fan shape and cover the turn-up bladder completely in circumferential direction and in part in axial direction. The axial displacement of the said pallets (11), controlled by the axial displacements of two pistons (7) and (8), makes it possible to modify the shape of the ply turn-up bladder (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Michel Remond
  • Tire with two treads having between treads a reinforcement ring whose load-elongation curve is non-linear
    Patent number: 5645658
    Abstract: In a tire comprising two identical treads (1A) and (1B) reinforced by two own reinforcements (2A) and (2B) and separated by a connecting zone (6) formed of a groove (8) and a ring (7), the ring (7) has a curve representing the circumferential tensile load F as a function of the relative elongation .epsilon. which is non-linear, the ring (7) having for small relative elongations a circumferential tensile rigidity less than for larger relative elongations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Fran.cedilla.ois Gerard, Patrice Peyraud
  • Rim and assembly of tire and ring-shaped tread support on same
    Patent number: 5634993
    Abstract: A tire (1) a mounting rim (2) therefor, and a prop ring (3) for supporting the tread (10) of the tire when running at low or zero pressure. The tire (1) has a radial ply casing (13) on which the points that are furthest apart axially are radially apart close to seats (12B) of outwardly sloping beads (12). The seats (12B) engage sloping seats (23', 23") on the rim (2), which may have at least one mounting well (22), at least one cylindrical portion (21) for receiving the elongatable and circumferentially unstretchable rubber supporting ring (3) and a rim flange (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Drieux, Jean-Charles Lacour, Olivier Muhlhoff, Jean-Pierre Pompier
  • Device and method for measuring resistance to rolling and adherence limits
    Patent number: 5635623
    Abstract: A device in which two identical mounted assemblies E are assembled by a connecting arm which is provided with ballasting means (7) such that the center of gravity G of the loaded device is located below a straight line ZZ' connecting the centers of rotation of the two assemblies E. The device is rotated to impart a cycloidal movement to the center of gravity G to a given angular position. A method of using such devices for carrying out methods of comparative measurements of resistances to rolling and adherence properties of at least two sets of tires or the same properties on at least two types of travel surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Jean-Rene Simon
  • Catalyst for the polymerization of diolefins, method for its preparation, and its use for the preparation of polymers
    Patent number: 5612427
    Abstract: A supported solid catalyst which can be used for the polymerization and clymerization of conjugated dienes having as its basis the reaction product of:A) a solid MgCl.sub.2 support,B) an ether, preferably THF, as swelling agent for the support,C) a metal salt selected from among metals having an atomic number of between 57 and 71 or 92 in the periodic table of elements and, if the metal salt is not a halide,D) a halogenation agent selected from the group consisting of a halogenated compound of aluminum and a halogenated compound not containing aluminum, the reaction solid being free from the swelling agent, plusE) an organic derivative of aluminum which is obligatory when the halogenation agent is not a halogenated compound of aluminum and optional when the halogenation agent is a derivative of aluminum.Also, a method of preparing this catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignees: Campagnie Generale des Establissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie, Elf Atochem S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Robert, Roger Spitz
  • Process for producing a composite part by compression molding
    Patent number: 5609805
    Abstract: A process for producing a composite part comprising:(i) putting short reinforcing fibers into a transfer mold;(ii) impregnation said short reinforcing fibers with a low viscosity resin;(iii) maintaining said short reinforcing fibers impregnated with by said resin in said transfer mold at a first temperature T.sub.1 known as the gelation temperature until a pasty preform is obtained whose viscosity is suitable for compression molding;(iv) removing said pasty preform from the mold;(v) placing said pasty preform in a compression mold brought to a second temperature T.sub.2, known as the compression temperature, wherein T.sub.2 >T.sub.1 ;(vi) compression molding said pasty preform; and(vii) polymerizing said pasty preform at at least a third temperature T.sub.3 wherein T.sub.3 .gtoreq.T.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Establissements Michelin - Michelin & CIE
    Inventors: Francois Finck, Jacques Follanfant, Yves Vernet
  • Catalyst for the polymerization of diolefins, method for its preparation, and its use for the preparation of polymers
    Patent number: 5610114
    Abstract: A supported solid catalyst which can be used for the polymerization and copolymerization of conjugated dienes having as its basis the reaction product of:A) a solid MgCl.sub.2 support,B) an ether, preferably THF, as swelling agent for the support,C) a metal salt selected from among metals having an atomic number of between 57 and 71 or 92 in the periodic table of elements and, if the metal salt is not a halide,D) a halogenation agent selected from the group consisting of a halogenated compound of aluminum and a halogenated compound not containing aluminum, the reaction solid being free from the swelling agent, plusE) an organic derivative of aluminum which is obligatory when the halogenation agent is not a halogenated compound of aluminum and optional when the halogenation agent is a derivative of aluminum.Also, a method of preparing this catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale Des Estab. Michelin-Michelin & Cie, Elf Atochem S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Robert, Roger Spitz
  • Device for monitoring tires with transmission of electric signals through the wheel disks
    Patent number: 5583482
    Abstract: A device for monitoring tires, including a central processing unit and for ach wheel a measuring sensor connected by an electrical connection to a mobile antenna integral with a hub of the wheel as well as a stationary antenna integral with the hub carrier of the wheel and coupled to the stationary antenna. The central processing unit supplies the sensor with power and analyzes the measurement signals of the sensor. The electrical connection includes at least one electric conductor passing through a bolt for fastening the wheel on the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Chamussy, Jean-Louis Gesta, Bernard Taillandier
  • Tire having a plurality of independent removable and reinforced sectors
    Patent number: 5556488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tire formed of a plurality of independent pneuic sectors (S) intended to be mounted on a single rim (J) but removable individually from said rim (J), they being inflatable individually or together. The sectors (S) include at least one reinforcing armoring (4) anchored on at least one circumferential bead wire (10) in each circumferential bead, which is the bead mounted on the wheel rim (J), the reinforcing armoring (4) being radially adjacent to a reinforcement armoring (8) of the tread (2). The circumferential bead wires (10) are connected to meridian bead wires (11) located in the sidewalls (50) of the circumferentially adjacent sectors (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie G en erale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Jean Gergele, Armand Le Gall, Jean-Pierre Pompier, Michel Remond
  • Tire with reinforced sidewalls
    Patent number: 5529104
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of tires having reinforced sidlls. In order to improve the high-speed performance of a tire and reduce the extent of vibration of the sidewalls (1) and effectively transmit a torque from the wheel to the ground via the tire, the rigidity of the sidewalls of the tire is adjusted by the provision of reinforcements (6) in the form of assembly sections oriented in circumferential direction. Said assembly sections are of short length as compared with the development of the tire measured at the point S of the tire which is located furthest radially to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Alain Delias, Francois Doremieux
  • Electronic circuit having identification device utilizing electrically conductive areas of a tire
    Patent number: 5520231
    Abstract: Rubber areas of a tire having electrical conductivity are used to transmit ignals to an integrated circuit embedded within the thickness of the tire without relying on an inductive or capacitive coupling. An identification device conducts an electric signal to the integrated circuit through a first electrically conductive area of rubber such as a bead cover and/or the tire tread, and a responsive signal is returned to the identification device through a second electrically conductive area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: David Myatt
  • Tire bead structure for heavy vehicles
    Patent number: 5513686
    Abstract: A tire structure with radial carcass reinforcement for heavy vehicles and rticularly a tire bead structure which makes it possible to have, on unmodified rims, sidewalls the radii of curvature of which are sufficiently great to avoid premature fatigue of the constituent reinforcement elements of the carcass as a result of the flexing cycles generated by travel. The said tire structure has at least one bead wire (2) which is located radially to the outside of the rim flange (J) and around which the turn-up (1') of the carcass (1) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Establissments Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Christian Diernaz
  • Metal wire comprising a substrate of steel of work-hardened tempered martensite type structure and a coating
    Patent number: 5503688
    Abstract: A metal wire having a substrate and a coating. The substrate is a steel the carbon content of which is equal to at least 0.05% and at most 0.6%, this steel having a structure comprising more than 90% work-hardened tempered martensite. The substrate is coated with a metal alloy other than steel. Method of obtaining this wire. A steel machine wire comprising 28% to 96% proeutectoid ferrite and 72% to 4% pearlite is work hardened. A hardening treatment is carried out in order to obtain a structure comprising more than 90% martensite. A depositing of metals is then effected, the wire is heated to cause the formation of an alloy and the formation of a structure comprising more than 90% tempered martensite. The wire is cooled and work hardened. This wire is used, for instance, to reinforce tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etab. Michelin Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Arnaud, Bernard Prudence, Raoul Serre
  • Tubeless tire with bead protectors having air-impermeable layer and method for producing same
    Patent number: 5499670
    Abstract: The invention concerns the structures and production of tubeless tire beads the seal of which on the rim and the resistance to degradation of which are increased. The beads, at least the surfaces of which in contact with the rim are formed of protectors (7), are covered, in accordance with the invention, with an air impermeable rubber mix (8) at least in part over the portion of the protector in contact with the rim. Extension of the covering (8) over the surface of the protector which is in contact with the inflation air is desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Jean Billieres
  • Process for the building of tires using a clamped turn-up bladder
    Patent number: 5500066
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a tire-building process in which a so-called "shaping" building drum is used and in which a ply turn-up bladder (2) is clamped on the outside of each bead recess (6) by an assembly of pallets (11) which can open in fan shape and cover the turn-up bladder completely in circumferential direction and in part in axial direction. The axial displacement of the said pallets (11), controlled by the axial displacements of two pistons (7) and (8), makes it possible to modify the shape of the ply turn-up bladder (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Michel Remond
  • Sealing ring between the beads of a tire
    Patent number: 5495881
    Abstract: An annular element (3) placed between the two beads (12) of a tire (P) moed on a flat-base rim (J). In order to be able to use the tire on said rim without an inner tube, the annular element, in order to assure the tightness of the assembly, has in meridian section a contour and, in particular, two lateral sides (30) such that the clamping s between the ring and the beads, which is zero or even negative at the base of the ring, increases then slightly over a certain radial distance h.sub.1 and then more greatly over a distance h.sub.2 radially adjacent the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin- Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Dominique Girard
  • Process and apparatus for stabilizing the oscillations of a vehicle, and vehicle equipped with such an apparatus
    Patent number: 5495879
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and vehicle in which the tires operate in accordance with stiff modes in order to increase the damping of their oscillations, the tires being filled practically completely with non-compressible fluid and being subject to the establishing of communications between at least one pair by connections filled with a constant volume of non-compressible fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie General des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Abelardo Cabestrero
  • Method and apparatus for connecting the ends of two assemblages of threads
    Patent number: 5479769
    Abstract: A method and device (100) for connecting the ends of two assemblages (1A, ) of threads (10A, 10B). The ends of the assemblages (1A, 1B) are subjected to an untwisting operation in order to separate the threads (10A1, 10B1) of these ends from each other; as many junction pairs (C) as there are threads (10A1, 10B1) are formed in each of the assemblages (1A, 1B); the filaments of the threads (10A1, 10B1) in the pairs (C) are untwisted, the untwisted parts are placed side by side in each pair (c) so as to obtain a junction region (15); the filaments of the two threads (10A1, 10B1) are assembled together by air splicing in each region (15); all the threads (10A, 10B) thus combined are assembled together by twisting. Joint assemblages thus obtained. Articles, for instance automobile tires, reinforced with these assemblages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Jean Belloy, Pierre Jonville, Guido Valente