Abstract: A glass-based assembly includes a glass or glass-ceramic substrate comprising a surface. The surface has flaws, such as a population of small cracks extending into the surface, whereby the substrate is weakened relative to ideal strength thereof. The assembly further includes a coating coupled to the substrate and overlaying at least some of the flaws. Ultimate strength of the substrate with the coating coupled thereto is greater than that of the substrate alone, without the coating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a window for a sensing system comprising a substrate, a first layered film comprising alternating layers of higher and lower index materials, and a second layered film comprising alternating layers of higher and lower index materials. The window comprises a maximum hardness, measured at the first layered film and by the Berkovich Indenter Hardness Test, of at least 8 GPa. The first and second layered films are configured so that the window has favorable antireflective and transmission attributes in an infrared wavelength range of interest, while providing relatively low reflectance and transmittance in the visible spectrum to provide a dark appearance and low signal noise.

Abstract: A tire having a modified geodesic belt is described. The ideal geodesic belt path is modified to select the centerline belt angle and to avoid excessive build up of the belt at the belt edges. The method includes the step of calculating the minimum three dimensional distance from one belt edge to the other belt edge preferably using dynamic successive approximation.

Abstract: A tire having a modified geodesic belt is described. The ideal geodesic belt path is modified to select the centerline belt angle and to avoid excessive build up of the belt at the belt edges. The method includes the step of calculating the minimum three dimensional distance from one belt edge to the other belt edge preferably using dynamic successive approximation.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for pre-cure application of an antenna assembly to a tire comprises the method steps: forming within a rigid core defining an interior surface of the tire a core recess complementarily configured to the antenna assembly; positioning the antenna assembly within the core recess; building an uncured carcass of the tire around the rigid core entrapping the antenna assembly within the core recess; cross-bonding the antenna assembly to the inner surface of the tire during a cure cycle; and removing the cured tire and assembly from the rigid core.

Abstract: Apparatus and method in the use thereof attaches an annular transponder unit to an annular tire surface, the transponder unit being of a type having a sensor housing coupled to an annular antenna. The apparatus includes a rotary turntable for supportably rotating a tire having an annular tire surface in an accessible disposition and an arm proximately disposed to the turntable and having end-of-arm tooling for attaching the transponder unit section by section to the annular tire surface as the tire is rotated. The tooling includes a gripping mechanism engaging the sensor housing and placing the sensor housing at a preselected location on the annular tire surface and a guide mechanism engaging the annular antenna and positioning the annular antenna section by section along the annular tire surface as the tire is rotated.

Abstract: An antenna conductor is electrically coupled to a transponder and antenna conductor ends are spliced. The antenna conductor and the transponder are formed into a ring assembly and at least partially embedded within an adhesive material. The annular assembly affixes to a tire by means of the adhesive material.

Abstract: An annular antenna and transponder are affixed to a tire using the transponder as a counterweight to offset tire imbalance. The annular antenna is attached to an inner tire surface and is coupled electrically to a transponder device and is fixed relative to a housing in which the transponder device is packaged. The mass of the transponder housing is used specifically to counterbalance tire imbalance by first ascertaining the position at which a counterbalance would prove to be beneficial and then affixing the annular assembly to the tire so as to position the mass of the transponder housing at the optimal location for counterbalancing benefit.

Abstract: A tire has a carcass reinforcement extending between a pair of opposing bead portion. At least one of the bead portions terminates axially to the outside by a tip and is intended to be mounted on a wheel rim having a bead seat that has an axially outer end closer to the axis of rotation than the axially inner end thereof. Within the bead portion are a bead ring and a bead apex. The radial carcass reinforcement ply is anchored in each bead portion and has at least one terminal end located in the bead portion. In the bead portion, the reinforcement ply passing radially inward of the bead ring, extending axially outward of the bead ring. The reinforcement ply terminates without passing back under the bead ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting segments from a long sheet (1) of multilayered elastomeric material. An initial opening is formed in the sheet without severing reinforcing cords (20) within the elastomeric sheet by a penetrator/separator (40). Two ultrasonic knives are inserted on either side of the penetrator/separator (40) and positioned to cut the sheet at a small skive angle &agr; with respect to the plane of the sheet being cut. Then the knives are moved to opposite edges of the sheet of elastomeric material.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting segments from a long sheet of multilayered elastomeric material. An initial opening is formed in the sheet without severing reinforcing cords within the elastomeric sheet by a penetrator/separator. Two ultrasonic knives are inserted on either side of the penetrator/separator and positioned to cut the sheet at a small skive angle &agr; with respect to the plane of the sheet being cut. Then the knives are moved to opposite edges of the sheet of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting segments from a long sheet (1) of multilayered elastomeric material. An initial opening is formed in the sheet without severing reinforcing cords (20) within the elastomeric sheet by a penetrator/separator (40). Two ultrasonic knives are inserted on either side of the penetrator/separator (40) and positioned to cut the sheet at a small skive angle a with respect to the plane of the sheet being cut. Then the knives are moved to opposite edges of the sheet of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A tire drum turret having an outboard support and direct drive of the frame with adjustable drum shaft bearings for precise positioning of the drums.

Abstract: Tread guides (24, 26, 28) supported on a frame (16) over a conveyor (10) have rollers (28) for engaging edges of the tread (14) an the conveyor and a constant centering force is provided by ball nuts (50, 52) in engagement with a ball screw (44) connected to a pneumatic torque applying actuator (56). Conicity adjustment (62, 66) is provided by lateral adjustment of the ball screw (44), ball nuts (50, 52) and tread guide assembly as a unit relative to the conveyor (10).

Abstract: A composite of a flexible, releasable backing having discrete portions of thin, sulfur vulcanizable, carbon black filled adhesive rubber composition thereon is used for adhering a tire tread splice and other applications in assembled rubber articles. The adhesive composition comprises a rubber composition containing a sulfur curative together with carbon black, processing oil, and tackifier resin. The invention is further directed to a method of preparing a tire having tread ends joined together with said discrete adhesive composition. The adhesive is applied to the tread from its releasable backing so that tacky adhesive need not be physically contacted by an operator or machine.

Abstract: Tire building apparatus and method wherein the cut to length tread is transported to a drum on a conveyor having laterally movable driving rollers and inverted guide rollers engaging the inner surfaces of raised shoulders of the tread. Control of the tread length is provided by measuring the length of the tread before and while it is being wrapped on the drum and then varying the stretching and rate of tread application to the drum to provide a precise splice of the ends of the tread. The position of the tread ends are controlled by a pricker bar to insure placement of the leading end on the drum and then placement of the trailing end on the drum over the leading end to provide the desired splice.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an elongated body of elastomeric material includes a tensioned wire which is oscillated in a generally up and down motion while traversing through the elastomeric material. The wire acts as a cutting blade and prepares the cut surface of the elastomeric material to improve splices. The wire is suspended between a pair of pivotally mounted arms so that the wire oscillates as the arms are rocked by an eccentric mounted to a rotating shaft. The cutter wire passes through the body of elastomeric material at an angle relative to the plane in which the body of elastomeric material lies. The body of elastomeric material is secured in place by clamp segments which conform themselves to the cross-sectional shape of the body. The cutter wire is traversed through the elastomeric material on a cutter frame which is moved by a ball screw driven by a variable speed electric motor.