Abstract: A monopropellant propulsion system has a tank which includes a liquid chamber and a gas plenum. A monopropellant liquid is contained in the liquid chamber, and a monopropellant gas generator communicates with the gas plenum and the liquid chamber. The gas generator is operable to generate pressurized monopropellant gas in the gas plenum upon receiving monopropellant liquid from the liquid chamber. A one-way flow control valve controls flow of monopropellant liquid from the liquid chamber to the monopropellant gas generator. There is always a standing supply of pressurized monopropellant gas in the gas plenum such that a thrust chamber communicating with the gas plenum will always be supplied with gas. A thrust-generating mechanism is disposed in the thrust chamber in the form of an integrated valve and nozzle.

Abstract: A roofing adhesive particularly suited for use in connection with membrane roofing materials such as EPDM or neoprene is preferably compounded from butyl rubber, a cross-linking system for the butyl rubber and a tackifier. The tensile strength, elongation, modulus at 300% elongation and modulus at failure of the composition are adjusted within range by choice of components and concentration. The adhesive composition may preferably be formed into a tape for joining sheets of the membrane roofing material.

Abstract: A sealant composition particularly suitable for vehicle tires comprising a cured butyl rubber present only in the form of a copolymer having a molecular weight in excess of 100,000 and one or more tackifiers, the tensile strength, elongation and cross-link density of the composition being adjusted to produce the necessary properties for tire sealants.

Abstract: A pelletized propellant particularly suitable for crash restraint device inflation apparatus comprising an alkali metal azide, an oxidizing agent, and a metal oxide formed by dehydrating a hydrated oxide formed in situ, the burn time and sensitivity of the composition being adjusted to produce the necessary properties for crash restraint device inflators.

Abstract: A device for indicating a pressure drop or low pressure condition in a tire detects a pressure drop and makes an acoustic signal in response to the detection of the pressure drop. The device can include a strut for intermittently contacting a wall of a tire, a striker attached to the strut for striking the wheel rim, and a pressure-activated latch for preventing the strut from contacting the wall or the tire when the pressure in the tire is above a predetermined value by holding the strut tangent to the wheel rim.

Abstract: A tracking nozzle is provided for applying a viscuous tire sealant to the interior of the tire. The tracking nozzle may be adjusted to move across the interior surface of the tire in a presettable number of steps, each step being of a preselected width. The amount of sealant applied in each of these discrete sealant application locations may be varied in order to produce a sealant layer of any desired thickness and contour.

Abstract: A sealant composition particularly suitable for vehicle tires comprising a cured butyl rubber present only in the form of a copolymer having a molecular weight in excess of 100,000 and one or more tackifiers, the tensile strength, elongation and cross-link density of the composition being adjusted to produce the necessary properties for tire sealants.

Abstract: A carbon reinforced, partially cross-linked butyl rubber matrix sealant composition as described is particularly suitable for use as a self-healing tire puncture sealant. The sealant composition comprises a high average molecular weight butyl rubber and a low average molecular weight butyl rubber in a ratio of high to low molecular weight butyl rubber of between about 20/80 to 60/40, in admixture with a tackifier present in an amount between about 55 and 70 weight % of the composition. A partially hydrogenated block copolymer may be included in the admixture.

Abstract: The low inflation warning device is a mechanical sound generating apparatus designated for attachment to a wheel assembly such that the apparatus is contained within the pneumatic space formed by the tire and rim. Whenever a condition of low pressure or overload exists on the wheel assembly a warning signal is generated. The signal is initiated by contact of the interior surface of the tire casing with the apparatus. The contact causes a portion of the apparatus to strike an anvil with sufficient force to generate an audible sound. The apparatus is self-setting under the influence of centrifugal force and will generate a warning of insufficient tire pressure or excessive tire load. The apparatus will generate a signal with each revolution of the wheel assembly to which it is mounted. Under extreme low inflation conditions the apparatus will continue to generate periodic warnings without damage to the tire.

Abstract: The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant application station toward a tire unloading station. The rollers simultaneously rotate a series of tires in the same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement with one end tire adjacent the sealant application station and the other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A kicker assembly unloads the latter end tire, whereupon the rollers advance the remaining tires toward the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation thereof. A fresh tire then may be positioned at the application station and the application and advancement steps repeated. The applicator further includes a sealant applicator for effecting airless spray application of sealant to a tire, together with a control system for controlling the position of the spray applicator and causing sealant to be purged a predetermined time after no sealant application is made.

Abstract: The cleaner includes an elevator for moving a tire vertically toward a stationary cleaning head which is made up of spreader rollers for spreading the tire beads a sufficient distance to admit a powered cleaning brush, along with cleaning fluid application and removal apparatus, into the tire interior during such tire movement. The elevator further supports and rotates the tire with respect to the brush during cleaning while the spreader rollers, together with additional fixed guide rollers, maintain the tire vertical and in alignment with the brush. The elevator lifts each tire from a horizontal conveyor which alternately discharges a cleaned tire and receives a fresh one. During cleaning, the brush is movable transversely along an arcuate path within the tire interior at selected contact pressure and is driven alternately in opposite directions. The cleaner is suited for usage in a system for producing self-healing tires.

Abstract: The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant application station toward a tire unloading station. The rollers simultaneously rotate a series of tires in the same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement with one end tire adjacent the sealant application station and the other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A kicker assembly unloads the latter end tire, whereupon the rollers advance the remaining tires toward the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation thereof. A fresh tire then may be positioned at the application station and the application and advancement steps repeated. The applicator further includes a sealant applicator for effecting airless spray application of sealant to a tire, together with a control system for controlling the position of the spray applicator and causing sealant to be purged a predetermined time after no sealant application is made.