Abstract: Method for determining concentric mounting of a tire on a wheel. In one embodiment, method for determining concentric mounting of a tire on a wheel comprises: providing a tire including at least one bead area, wherein at least one rim centering tolerance indicator is oriented in the at least one bead area, and wherein the at least one rim centering tolerance indicator extends circumferentially about the tire; mounting the tire on a wheel to form a tire-wheel assembly, the wheel includes a circular cross-section including a center point; rotatably mounting the tire-wheel assembly on a tire balancing machine; providing a light source adjacent to the tire-wheel assembly, the light source projects a projected reference point upon the at least one bead area; rotating the tire-wheel assembly; and observing the runout of the projected reference point relative to the at least one rim centering tolerance indicator.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a technique for determining life cycle cost of a tire that includes combining initial purchase information and an assessment of operating costs for a customer. Determination of operating costs includes correlating roll resistance with respect to inflation pressure and vehicle imposed load of the tire, as well as usage of the tire. The inflation pressure and vehicle imposed load are acquired for a configuration of the vehicle. The roll resistance can be determined for the pressure and load of the tire at a characteristic tread depth. The fuel consumption required for overcoming the roll resistance by the vehicle can be determined from the roll resistance and a unit cost of the fuel consumption. The operating cost can be determined from the fuel consumption multiplied by the unit cost. The life cycle cost can be determined by combining the purchase cost and the operating cost of the tire.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire is designed to be loosely disposed within the tire and rim combination. The monitoring assembly includes a protective body that surrounds a monitoring device. The protective body at least includes a rigid encapsulation material and may include a cushion layer disposed outside the rigid encapsulation layer. One embodiment of the invention provides channels disposed through the protective body to speed the temperature response of the monitoring assembly.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire is designed to be loosely disposed within the tire and rim combination. The monitoring assembly includes a protective body that surrounds a monitoring device. The protective body at least includes a rigid encapsulation material and may include a cushion layer disposed outside the rigid encapsulation layer. One embodiment of the invention provides channels disposed through the protective body to speed the temperature response of the monitoring assembly.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire includes an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor disposed in a protective body. The monitoring assembly may be configured to float on a variety of liquids that are typically disposed within a tire. The body includes a device that predictably orients the monitoring assembly when the assembly is floating in the liquid. The monitoring assembly is simply placed in a tire before the tire is mounted on a vehicle rim and allowed to move about loosely in the tire chamber when the tire is in use.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire includes an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor disposed in a protective body. The monitoring assembly is configured to float on a variety of liquids that are typically disposed within a tire. The protective body is liquid-tight and includes an encapsulation layer that encapsulates the substrate and sensors, a cushion, and a skin on the outside of the cushion. The protective body is substantially spherical allowing the assembly to roll about the inside of a tire without being permanently connected to the tire. The monitoring assembly is simply placed in a tire before the tire is mounted on a vehicle rim and allowed to move about loosely in the tire chamber when the tire is in use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding an active tag to a patch and assembling the patch to a tire is set forth. A patch assembly and a method for securing an electronic monitoring device having electronic and mechanical components for monitoring at least one engineering condition within a tire, comprising an rigid tag assembly encapsulating the electronic monitoring device, bonded to a vulcanized rubber patch which is secured to the inner cavity of a tire utilizing a layer of dual cure bonding rubber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding an active tag to a patch and assembling the patch to a tire is set forth. A patch assembly and a method for securing an electronic monitoring device having electronic and mechanical components for monitoring at least one engineering condition within a tire, comprising an rigid tag assembly encapsulating the electronic monitoring device, bonded to a vulcanized rubber patch which is secured to the inner cavity of a tire utilizing a layer of dual cure bonding rubber.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire includes an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor disposed in a protective body. The monitoring assembly is configured to float on a variety of liquids that are typically disposed within a tire. The protective body is liquid-tight and includes an encapsulation layer that encapsulates the substrate and sensors, a cushion, and a skin on the outside of the cushion. The protective body is substantially spherical allowing the assembly to roll about the inside of a tire without being permanently connected to the tire. The monitoring assembly is simply placed in a tire before the tire is mounted on a vehicle rim and allowed to move about loosely in the tire chamber when the tire is in use.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire includes an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor disposed in a protective body. The monitoring assembly may be configured to float on a variety of liquids that are typically disposed within a tire. The body includes a device that predictably orients the monitoring assembly when the assembly is floating in the liquid. The monitoring assembly is simply placed in a tire before the tire is mounted on a vehicle rim and allowed to move about loosely in the tire chamber when the tire is in use.

Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire includes an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor disposed in a protective body. The protective body includes an encapsulation layer that encapsulates the substrate and sensors, a cushion, and a skin on the outside of the cushion. The protective body is substantially spherical allowing the assembly to roll about the inside of a tire without being permanently connected to the tire. A breathing tube through the protective body is provided so that a pressure sensor can sense the pressure within the pneumatic tire. The breathing tube may be filled with a transfer gel to prevent the breathing tube from being clogged. The monitoring assembly may further include wings that help position the monitoring assembly within the tire. The antenna of the monitoring device may be disposed within one of the wings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding an active tag to a patch and assembling the patch to a tire is set forth. A patch assembly and a method for securing an electronic monitoring device having electronic and mechanical components for monitoring at least one engineering condition within a tire, comprising an rigid tag assembly encapsulating the electronic monitoring device, bonded to a vulcanized rubber patch which is secured to the inner cavity of a tire utilizing a layer of dual cure bonding rubber.

Abstract: A method for monitoring various physical conditions of pneumatic tires, and to a tire including a monitoring device. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of monitoring tires which uses an active, self-powered programmable electronic device which is installed in or on the interior surface of a pneumatic tire or on a tire rim. This device can be used for monitoring, storing and telemetering information such as temperature, pressure, tire rotations and/or other operating conditions of a pneumatic tire, along with tire identification information. The device can be activated by externally transmitted radio frequency waves and in response, the device compares or transmits information and provides a warning in the event a preselected limit is exceeded.

Abstract: A method for monitoring various physical conditions of pneumatic tires, and to a tire including a monitoring device. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of monitoring tires which uses an active, self-powered programable electronic device which is installed in or on the interior surface of a pneumatic tire or on a tire rim. This device can be used for monitoring, storing and telemetering information such as temperature, pressure, tire rotations and/or other operating conditions of a pneumatic tire, along with tire identification information. The device can be activated by externally transmitted radio frequency waves and in response, the device compares or transmits information and provides a warning in the event a preselected limit is exceeded.

Abstract: A method for monitoring various physical conditions of pneumatic tires, and to a tire including a monitoring device. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of monitoring tires which uses an active, self-powered programmable electronic device which is installed in or on the interior surface of a pneumatic tire or on a tire rim. This device can be used for monitoring, storing and telemetering information such as temperature, pressure, tire rotations and/or other operating conditions of a pneumatic tire, along with tire identification information. The device includes a power source which can be placed into an active or a dormant mode using a data band switching circuit. The device can be activated by externally transmitted radio frequency waves or microwaves and in response, the device compares or transmits information and provides a warning in the event a preselected limit is exceeded.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a tire wherein a monitoring device is embedded within the tire during its manufacture. The method includes placing the device with a dowel on a tie gum ply prior to curing the tire, without having the device contact a body ply of the tire. Then an inner liner ply of the tire is assembled over the monitoring device and over the tie gum ply. Pressure is applied to cause the dowel to press through the inner liner ply and the tire is then cured. After curing, the dowel is removed in order to produce an aperture, thereby permitting the internal space of the tire to communicate with a pressure sensor located on the device.