Abstract: A noise damper includes an open cell foam having a circumferential first tier and an interposed circumferential second tier including blocks and voids. The first tier has a radial height that is 3.0-8.0% of a section height and a first axial width. The second tier has a radial height that is 3.0-12.0% of a section height and a second axial width. The blocks span 10-30% of the second tier's inner circumference and the voids span 70-90% of the second tier's inner circumference.

Abstract: A noise damper includes an open cell foam having a circumferential first tier and an interposed circumferential second tier including blocks and voids. The first tier has a radial height that is 3.0-8.0% of a section height and a first axial width. The second tier has a radial height that is 3.0-12.0% of a section height and a second axial width. The blocks span 10-30% of the second tier's inner circumference and the voids span 70-90% of the second tier's inner circumference.

Abstract: An onboard inflation system for a vehicle such as an agricultural vehicle is disclosed, including a tire mounted on a wheel to form a wheel and tire assembly. The tire includes a tread portion and a tire cavity including an inflation chamber adjacent the tread portion of the tire. A storage chamber is carried by at least one of the wheel and the tire. A compressor arrangement is communicated with both the storage chamber and the inflation chamber. The compressor arrangement is configured to transfer air between the storage chamber and the inflation chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire may include a tread, an inner tire surface positioned opposite the tread, and an internal heat exchanger attached to the inner tire surface. The wheel assembly may include a wheel rim, the pneumatic tire, and a pump. The pneumatic tire may be attached to the wheel rim. The pump may be attached to the wheel rim outside of the pneumatic tire and configured to rotate with the wheel rim. The pump may be coupled to the internal heat exchanger through an opening in the wheel rim. The wheel assembly may further include a coolant disposed in the internal heat exchanger and configured to absorb heat from the pneumatic tire. The wheel assembly may also include an external heat exchanger configured to remove heat from the coolant.

Abstract: An onboard inflation system for a vehicle such as an agricultural vehicle is disclosed, including a tire mounted on a wheel to form a wheel and tire assembly. The tire includes a tread portion and a tire cavity including an inflation chamber adjacent the tread portion of the tire. A storage chamber is carried by at least one of the wheel and the tire. A compressor arrangement is communicated with both the storage chamber and the inflation chamber. The compressor arrangement is configured to transfer air between the storage chamber and the inflation chamber.

Abstract: A fiber belt including at least one ferrous element is provided. The inclusion of the ferrous element, for example a ferrous cord, may permit magnetic manipulation of the belt. In one embodiment, a tire belt is provided, the belt comprising: a plurality of non-magnetic cords oriented in a row substantially parallel to one another; at least one ferrous cord oriented in a row substantially parallel to the plurality of non-magnetic cords; and wherein the plurality of non-magnetic cords and the at least one ferrous cord are calendered in a rubber material.

Abstract: A tire for displaying at least one indicium includes a label affixed to the tire at a mounting location. The label has a first side facing away from the tire and a second side connected to the tire. The label's first side is configured to receive at least one adhesive appliqué having at least one indicium. The mounting location is a location on a sidewall of the tire where the label undergoes a strain equal to or less than a threshold strain under pre-defined conditions.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having an increased resistance to punctures. The pneumatic tire may have at least one puncture resistant ply constructed from a fiber reinforcement oriented circumferentially around the tire and providing circumferential reinforcement. The pneumatic tire may incorporate at least one puncture resistant ply in place of at least one belt to provide both circumferential reinforcement and puncture resistance for the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A tire for displaying at least one indicium includes a label affixed to the tire at a mounting location. The label has a first side facing away from the tire and a second side connected to the tire. The label's first side is configured to receive at least one adhesive appliqué having at least one indicium. The mounting location is a location on a sidewall of the tire where the label undergoes a strain equal to or less than a threshold strain under pre-defined conditions.

Abstract: A rapid inflation system is provided for the tires of a machine such as an agricultural machine which must periodically move between field conditions and road conditions. The system can relatively rapidly inflate the tires from a lower field ready state to a higher pressure road ready state by the use of a high pressure reservoir chamber defined within the tire.

Abstract: A tire includes a circumferential tread having a base layer and a cap layer disposed above the base layer. The base layer is constructed of a first material having a first complex dynamic modulus and a first glass transition temperature, and the cap layer is constructed of a second material having a second complex dynamic modulus greater than the first complex dynamic modulus and a second glass transition temperature higher than the first glass transition temperature. The base layer has a shaped geometry with a bottom portion that is wider than a top portion, such that an exposed surface area of the first material increases as the circumferential tread wears.

Abstract: A method of applying a laminate to a tire includes pre-treating a portion of the tire and placing the laminate on at least the pre-treated portion of the tire. The method further includes placing an electrical heating element on top of the laminate and placing a pressure element over the electrical heating element and the laminate. The method also includes applying heat and pressure to the laminate using the electrical heating element and the pressure element to permanently adhere the laminate to the tire.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses for creating a visual effect on a rubber article are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rubber article having a visual effect is provided, the rubber article comprising: a surface having at least one surface feature; and wherein the at least one surface feature comprises a plurality of linear elements creating a camouflage-shaped appearance.

Abstract: A tire includes a tire carcass and a tread extending circumferentially about the tire carcass. The tread includes a plurality of tread elements disposed in a tread pattern. The plurality of tread elements have one of two different pitch lengths and are disposed in a noise-reducing pitch sequence.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes an elastomeric casing. The elastomeric casing includes a crown portion, opposing sidewalls, and bead areas that are formed along the sidewalls in spaced relation to the crown portion. The bead areas include at least one bead reinforcing element, such as a bead core and/or a bead filler, that is at least partially formed from carbon fibers. A method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire assembly is also included.

Abstract: A tire includes a tire carcass and a tread extending circumferentially about the tire carcass The tread includes a plurality of tread elements disposed in a tread pattern. The plurality of tread elements have one of two different pitch lengths and are disposed in a noise-reducing pitch sequence.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a non-pneumatic tire assembly including a replaceable tread element are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tire assembly is provided, the tire assembly comprising: a non-pneumatic tire having: a rim portion, an outer ring oriented radially outward of the rim portion, and a web structure connecting the rim portion and the outer ring; an inner tread band oriented radially outwardly of the non-pneumatic tire and connected to a radially outer side of the outer ring; and an outer tread oriented radially outwardly of the inner tread band and connected to the inner tread band.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a bead filler molded over a bead bundle to form an over-molded bead. The bead bundle may include at least one bead wire. The bead bundle may be over-molded with the bead filler, forming an over-molded bead. The over-molded bead may be formed into a variety of shapes and may be constructed from a variety of materials.

Abstract: A rubber article having a metallic tubular bead structure is provided. The bead structure may include a substantially hollow cavity. In one embodiment, a bead structure for use in a vehicle tire is provided, the bead structure comprising: a wall defining a cavity, wherein the wall includes at least one of a substantially teardrop-shaped cross-section and a substantially triangular cross section; and a bead filler portion; wherein the bead structure is formed into an annulus.

Abstract: A tire for displaying at least one indicium includes a label affixed to the tire at a mounting location. The label has a first side facing away from the tire and a second side connected to the tire. The label's first side is configured to receive at least one adhesive appliqué having at least one indicium. The mounting location is a location on a sidewall of the tire where the label undergoes a strain equal to or less than a threshold strain under pre-defined conditions.