Abstract: A method of generating hydro-electric energy utilizing a conduit located beneath the surface of a river or stream to feed water into a hydro-electric turbine, eliminating the need to build costly and time-consuming dams and locks.

Abstract: A method of generating hydro-electric energy utilizing a conduit located beneath the surface of a river or stream to feed water into a hydro-electric turbine, eliminating the need to build costly and time-consuming structures such as dams and locks.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a new tire having a reinforced rubber structure and a polyurethane tread.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for partial depth-wise cure of a tire inner liner are disclosed. The method comprising forming a layer of uncured rubber, that layer having a first surface and an opposite surface, applying pressure to the layer of rubber, heating the layer of rubber from the first surface to more fully cure the layer on that surface than on the opposite surface, cooling the layer of rubber and releasing the pressure applied to the layer of rubber after the layer has cooled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the use of low levels of a desiccant material in a rubber compound, such as for use as a tire tread, that allows for reduced cure times of tires cured under pressure, thereby increasing tire production. The low level of desiccant material reduces the blow point of the rubber compound by substantially eliminating blows earlier in the pressure curing process, thereby allowing for the reduced cure time of the tire under pressure. In one embodiment, low levels of no greater than about 9 phr of desiccant material, which may include generally a metal oxide (e.g. calcium oxide or magnesium oxide), are provided in the rubber compound. The rubber compound including the low levels of desiccant material may be cured, under pressure, at less than 30% of full cure of the rubber compound.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to hold tire reinforcements such as plies, belts and beads in place within a tire molding cavity while liquid elastomer surrounds the reinforcements, fills the tire mold and solidifies.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a new method for manufacturing tires, an apparatus used with the new method and the article manufactured by the new method. The article is called the reinforced liquid elastomer tire (RLET). The method of manufacture includes placement of reinforcing materials inside a tire molding cavity and subsequently surrounding the reinforcement with a liquid elastomer which encapsulates the reinforcement and takes the outside shape of the tire mold. The liquid elastomer is solidified and the completed RLET is removed from the mold and ready for service.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a newly manufactured airless or pneumatic tire having a rubber structure and a polyurethane tread.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a new tire having a reinforced rubber structure and a polyurethane tread.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a tire which supports load by means of compressing the tire's elastomeric structure and requires no internal inflation pressure. The preferred embodiments utilize circumferential ribs or radially oriented ribs of elastomer to support the load.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a new method for manufacturing tires, an apparatus used with the new method and the article manufactured by the new method. The article is called the reinforced liquid elastomer tire (RLET). The method of manufacture includes placement of reinforcing materials inside a tire molding cavity and subsequently surrounding the reinforcement with a liquid elastomer which encapsulates the reinforcement and takes the outside shape of the tire mold. The liquid elastomer is solidified and the completed RLET is removed from the mold and ready for service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for partial depth-wise cure of a tire inner liner are disclosed. The method comprising forming a layer of uncured rubber, that layer having a first surface and an opposite surface, applying pressure to the layer of rubber, heating the layer of rubber from the first surface to more fully cure the layer on that surface than on the opposite surface, cooling the layer of rubber and releasing the pressure applied to the layer of rubber after the layer has cooled.

Abstract: A rubber tire component (10, 20, 30, 40) is laden with a mixture of fibers (12). The fibers (12) being sensitive to induction heating can be rapidly cured using a variety of methods. The preferred method permits a selective induction curing of the fiber laden component (10, 20, 30, 40) in combination with conventional curing presses.

Abstract: Making a tire mold having a plurality of complete tire mold segments (20) of epoxy resin mold material formed in the chambers (18) of segmental shoes (10) and having reinforced stand alone ribs (56) formed in recesses in the tread models mounted in the shoes. The shoes (10) and models (50) are reusable and have standard shoe split diameters and chord lengths to reduce the time necessary to make the molds. The models (50) are of resilient material and are also reusable.

Abstract: A tire 10 has a composite ply 40. The composite ply 40 has a primary ply 40A reinforced with parallel inextensible cords 41 and a pair of ply extensions 40B having synthetic cords. The method of manufacturing the tire 10 is described. The tire 10 can be made as a runflat type tire.

Abstract: A monitoring system alarms drivers of potentially dangerous road surface conditions such as water buildup or icing before it is perceptible to them reducing the possibility of an accident. The road surface friction (RSF) measurement analysis and alarm system monitors RFS utilizing either of two techniques: an extension of the vehicle's automatic braking system including those commonly referred to as the antilock braking system (ABS) to measure tire/wheel slip at constant velocity or accelerating; or an apparatus independent of ABS which rolls against the road surface to determine RSF condition. Both techniques analyze data and alarm or advise the driver of a potentially dangerous RSF condition.

Abstract: A tire 10 has a composite ply 40. The composite ply 40 has a primary ply 40A reinforced with parallel inextensible cords 41 and a pair of ply extensions 40B having synthetic cords. The method of manufacturing the tire 10 is described. The tire 10 can be made as a runflat type tire.

Abstract: A method for correcting the conicity value in a pneumatic tire with a feedback system based on the average conicity value as predicted by lateral forces measured during grinding is used in combination with correcting for lateral force variation, and/or radial force variation, and/or radial run-out variation characteristics of a pneumatic tire by grinding the tread surface. The correction of the conicity value is accomplished by grinding either of the shoulder regions of the tire tread.

Abstract: A tire 10 has a composite ply 40. The composite ply 40 has a primary ply 40A reinforced with parallel inextensible cords 41 and a pair of ply extensions 40B having synthetic cords. The method of manufacturing the tire 10 is described. The tire 10 can be made as a runflat type tire.

Abstract: Rubber composites, for example pneumatic tipes, can be made using seamless, tubular reinforcement (14). By pulling socks of seamless tubular reinforcement over, for example, a tire building drum (10), spliceless carcass reinforcement (18) and spliceless belts (64) can be incorporated into tires. Methods of treating the spliceless tubular material, by drawing and by adhesive coating, enhance its strength and adhesion to rubber.