Abstract: A polyurethane foam based on MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) and on a polyol with an ethylene oxide content of greater than 50%, is made by mixing, under pressure, to form a foaming liquid precursor of polyurethane foam: a first reactive liquid, referred to as liquid A, comprising (a) a urethane prepolymer based on a first portion of the MDI and on a first portion of said polyol, and (b) the second portion of the MDI in the free state, said prepolymer being dissolved in this second portion of MDI and a second reactive liquid, referred to as liquid B, comprising the second portion of said polyol and water as foaming agent. The amount of said polyol in the liquid B represents between 25% and 75% by weight of the total of said polyol; this method is advantageously used for casting a polyurethane foam into the cavity of a tire casing.

Abstract: A flat or planar reinforcer shaped as a multicomposite strip (R1), which is defined by three main perpendicular directions: an axial direction (X), a transverse direction (Y), and a radial direction (Z), has a width LR in the Y direction of between 2 and 100 mm, and has a thickness ER in the Z direction of between 0.1 and 5 mm. A ratio LR/ER is greater than 3. The multicomposite strip includes a plurality of monofilaments made of a composite material. The monofilaments are oriented along the X direction and include filaments of a mineral material embedded in a thermoset resin having a glass transition temperature Tg1 that is greater than 70° C. The monofilaments are coated in a layer of thermoplastic material. The reinforcer may be used to reinforce a tire and a multilayer laminate, which may be used to reinforce a tire.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel having a plurality of spokes attached within slots in a hub, the slots having a first retaining surface and a second retaining surface, the radially outer portion of the first retaining surface possesses a flared edge such that the radially outer portion of the first retaining surface curves away from the radially outer portion of the second retaining surface.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel having a plurality of lengthwise reinforced spokes each spoke having at least one separation extending from the radially inner end of each of the plurality of spokes to the radially outer end of each of the plurality of spokes forming at least two spoke web sections where the radially inner end of each spoke is mechanically attached to the hub and the radially outer surface of each spoke is bonded to the outer annular band.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel having an annular reinforcement structure that includes rectangular reinforcements within a shear layer. The rectangular reinforcements replace deforming rubber or polymeric materials and can thereby reduce the volume of deforming materials to optimize energy loss therein and reduce rolling resistance of the non-pneumatic wheel.

Abstract: A method of constructing a non-pneumatic wheel by securing a plurality of spokes around the outer circumference of a hub, positioning at least one spoke support at the radially outer end of each spoke such that the at least one spoke support holds the radially outer end of each spoke in a radially outward annular orientation, placing an outer annular band concentrically over the radially outer ends of the spokes, bonding the spokes to the outer annular band, contracting the at least one spoke support radially inward; and separating the at least one spoke supports from the non-pneumatic wheel.

Abstract: A solid composition, of use in particular on any type of metallic substrate as a hydrophobic, electrically conductive, metal-adhesive coating, comprises at least (% by weight of composition): as conductive filler, from 75% to 95% of electrically conductive microparticles, the weight-average size of which is between 1 ?m and 100 ?m; and as hydrophobic, metal-adhesive polymer matrix, from 5% to 25% of a polymer matrix denoted “P”, comprising at least 2 different polymers P1, a thermoplastic fluoropolymer, the weight-average molecular weight of which, denoted “Mw”, is between 100 000 and 1 000 000 g/mol; and P2, a thermoset resin, the glass transition temperature of which is between 30° C. and 150° C. A steel bipolar plate, especially made of stainless steel, for a fuel cell, may be coated with such a composition.

Abstract: A process for depositing, on a substrate, at least the surface of which is at least partially metallic, a metal-adhesive, hydrophobic and electrically conductive coating based on electrically conductive microparticles and on a polymer matrix P comprising at least one thermoplastic fluoropolymer P1 and a thermosetting resin P2 comprises at least the following steps: in a first container, dissolving the polymer P1 in an organic solvent, referred to as first solvent, of this polymer; in a second container, dispersing the electrically conductive microparticles in an organic solvent of the polymer P1, referred to as second solvent, identical to or different from the first solvent; adding, in the first container, the thermosetting resin P2 in the liquid state; mixing the contents of the first and second containers, then depositing the mixture obtained in this way on the substrate; and crosslinking the resin P2 and removing the solvents, in order to obtain the targeted final coating.

Abstract: A polymer has urethane or thiourethane units, which can be used, in particular, as an adhesion primer for the adhesive bonding of metal or glass to rubber. The polymer comprises base units comprising at least a sub-unit of formula X1CO—NH—, in which X1 respectively represents O or S, and additional units comprising at least a secondary alcohol function and a thioether function in the ? position relative to the alcohol function. The polymer can be used as an adhesion primer for the adhesive bonding of a substrate, for example glass or metal, to an unsaturated rubber, or as a corrosion-resistant protective coating for a metal substrate. A metal reinforcer, such as wire, cord, film or plate, can be coated with the polymer.

Abstract: An exemplary spoke for a non-pneumatic wheel. The spoke can be manufactured with a reinforcement structure having reinforcement elements and one or more layers of material. The spoke can also be provided in various shapes and configurations. The spoke includes anchors that allow the spoke to be more readily incorporated into, or removed from, a non-pneumatic wheel. More particularly, the anchors also allow the spoke to be joined as one-piece with the non-pneumatic wheel or releasably connected on one or both ends with the non-pneumatic wheel.

Abstract: Adapter for a tire having two beads (B) and a rim (J) placed between one of the beads and the rim, the rim having two rim seats (7). The adapter has an axially inner end (10) mounted on rim seat (7) and comprises inner reinforcer element (16). Axially outer end (9) is mounted on rim seat (7), and comprises outer reinforcer element (15), body (11) that connects outer end (9) to inner end (10) so as to form a single piece. A substantially cylindrical adapter seat receives one of the beads (B). Adapter bearing face (21) is substantially contained in a plane perpendicular to the axis. Outer reinforcer element (15) is wholly positioned axially on the outside of bearing face (21). Body (11) comprises at least one isotropic material (23, 24) selected from polyurethane, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutadiene terephthalate, silicones.

Abstract: An exemplary method of manufacture for a spoke (100) of a non-pneumatic wheel. The spoke can be manufactured with a reinforcement structure having reinforcement elements and one or more layers of material. The spoke can also be provided in various shapes and configurations. The spoke includes anchors (112, 114) that allow the spoke to be more readily incorporated into, or removed from, a non-pneumatic wheel. More particularly, the anchors also allow the spoke to be joined as one-piece with the non-pneumatic wheel or releasably connected on one or both ends with the non-pneumatic wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparation of a continuous composite element formed of reinforcement fibers impregnated with a resin that includes photo-initiators for curing. Reinforcement fibers are pulled through a vacuum chamber (110) and then a vertical impregnation chamber (122) where impregnation with the resin occurs. The elongate composite is then deposited onto a rotating wheel of conformation (140). During rotation, a radiation source (146) such as e.g., LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used to activate the photo-initiators and provide at least partial curing of the resin. From the wheel of conformation, the continuous composite element is passed along a vertical course (148) where additional radiation sources (150) activate the photo-initiators and provided additional curing.

Abstract: Flat reinforcer having the shape of a multicomposite strip (R1, R2, R3) defining three main perpendicular directions, the axial direction (X), the transverse direction (Y) and the radial direction (Z), having a width WR measured along the Y direction of between 2 and 100 mm and having a thickness TR measured along the Z direction of between 0.1 and 5 mm, the aspect ratio WR/TR being greater than 3, this multicomposite strip comprising at least: a plurality of monofilaments (10, 20) made of composite material, orientated along the X direction, comprising filaments of a mineral material (101) embedded in a thermoset resin (102), the glass transition temperature of which, denoted Tg1, is greater than 70° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stopping a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel-cell stack and to a system containing a fuel-cell stack implementing such a method. The system comprises a gas circuit and a stack of electrochemical cells forming a fuel-cell stack comprising a polymer ion exchange membrane, said circuit comprising: a fuel-gas supply circuit (11) connecting a fuel-gas tank to the anode of the fuel-cell stack; and an oxidant-gas supply circuit (12b) connecting an oxidant-gas tank, or atmospheric air, to the cathode of the fuel-cell stack; characterized in that the system furthermore comprises means able to completely eliminate hydrogen present at the anode of the fuel-cell stack.

Abstract: A bead wire for a tire includes a core, an outer layer, and at least one intermediate layer. The core includes at least one yarn of a multifilament textile fiber embedded in an organic matrix. The outer layer includes an outer-layer metal wire wound around the core. Each intermediate layer includes an intermediate-layer metal wire wound around the core. Each intermediate layer is disposed between the core and the outer layer.

Abstract: A multicomposite reinforcer (R1, R2) comprises one or more monofilament(s) (10) made of glass-resin composite comprising glass filaments (101) embedded in a crosslinked resin (102), with a glass transition temperature Tg1. A layer of a thermoplastic material (12), the glass transition temperature of which, denoted Tg2, is greater than 20° C., covers said monofilament or, if there are several, individually covers each monofilament or collectively covers all or at least some of the monofilaments. Said monofilament or, if there are several, all or at least some of the monofilaments has the following features: a temperature Tg1 equal to or greater than 190° C.; an elongation at break A(M) equal to or greater than 4.0%; and an initial tensile modulus E(M) greater than 35 GPa. A multilayer laminate may comprise such a multicomposite reinforcer. A pneumatic or non-pneumatic tyre may be reinforced with such a multicomposite reinforcer or multilayer laminate.

Abstract: A polyurea comprises at least urea base units of formula —NH—CO—NH— and additional units. The additional units comprise at least, on the one hand, a secondary alcohol functional group and, on the other hand, an ether, thioether or secondary amine functional group in the alpha position with respect to the secondary alcohol functional group. Such a polymer can be used as an adhesion primer for the adhesive bonding of a substrate, for example, glass or metal, to an unsaturated rubber or as corrosion-resistant protective coating for a metal substrate. Metal reinforcers, such as thread, cord, film or plate, coated can also be coated with such a polymer.

Abstract: A device for coating a thread with a coating material includes a housing, a die body, and a supply line for the coating material. The housing includes a support and a cover mounted on the support, delimiting a chamber. The die body is installed in the chamber, between the support and the cover. The die body includes a lower part and an upper part, with a calibrated die channel being located between the lower and upper parts. Between the support and the cover are an inlet through passage and an outlet through passage. The inlet and outlet passages and the die channel are aligned, so that a thread is able to be passed longitudinally therethrough. The supply line for the coating material includes a lower outlet end located close to the thread, between the inlet or upstream through passage and the die channel.

Abstract: A ready-for-use metal reinforcer, for example, of the wire or cord type, made of brass-coated carbon steel, is capable of adhering directly by vulcanization to a matrix of unsaturated rubber such as natural rubber. The surface of the reinforcer is provided with nanoparticles of at least one sulfide of a metal chosen from cobalt, copper, iron, zinc and the alloys comprising at least one of these elements. Such a reinforcer can be used as the reinforcing element of a finished article made of rubber, such as a tire.