Abstract: An autonomous, plug-in and sacrificial wear sensing system including at least one wearable sensor, autonomous energy supply and means for remote radio-frequency communication. The system includes a tubular tread wear indicator body embedded within a tire tread element. The indicator body is centered within the tread element and is shaped in the form of a tube. The sensor element operably changes in at least one electromagnetically measurable physical parameter as the tread element wears radially inward. The system provides a full tread wear system including the algorithm for signal and data processing, buffering and decision making routines to remotely provide vehicle driver or owner with current tire wear status, tire type—vehicle—season match and with real-time estimation of remaining tire life.

Abstract: A system monitors wear of a vehicle part. The system includes a piezoelectric disk electrically connected to a radio frequency circuit for receiving electrical current from the piezoelectric disk and an antenna for actively transmitting a signal from the radio frequency circuit to a microprocessor such that, when the piezoelectric disk contacts a surface through wear, the radio frequency circuit actively generates a signal received by the microprocessor.

Abstract: An autonomous, plug-in and sacrificial wear sensing system including at least one wearable sensor, autonomous energy supply and means for remote radio-frequency communication. The system includes a tubular tread wear indicator body embedded within a tire tread element. The indicator body is centered within the tread element and is shaped in the form of a tube. The sensor element operably changes in at least one electromagnetically measurable physical parameter as the tread element wears radially inward. The system provides a full tread wear system including the algorithm for signal and data processing, buffering and decision making routines to remotely provide vehicle driver or owner with current tire wear status, tire type—vehicle—season match and with real-time estimation of remaining tire life.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a tire having a foam noise damper, comprising the steps of: pressing a barrier layer onto an exposed virgin surface of a green tire innerliner to adhere the barrier layer to the virgin surface and thereby form a protected green innerliner; curing the protected green innerliner; removing the barrier layer to reveal the virgin surface; and securing a foam noise damper to the virgin surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a tire having a foam noise damper, comprising the steps of: pressing a barrier layer onto an exposed virgin surface of a green tire innerliner to adhere the barrier layer to the virgin surface and thereby form a protected green innerliner; curing the protected green innerliner; removing the barrier layer to reveal the virgin surface; and securing a foam noise damper to the virgin surface.