Abstract: A tread for a tire includes a first circumferential main groove, a second circumferential main groove, a third circumferential main groove, and a fourth circumferential main groove. The fourth main groove has a stabilizing structure for increasing tread stiffness. The stabilizing structure has a circumferentially extending subgroove in a radially innermost bottom of the fourth circumferential main groove. The subgroove is axially offset a predetermined amount from a centerline of the fourth circumferential main groove.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for use on trucks, the tire comprising a tread and a belt structure located radially inward of the tread, the belt structure including a pair of working belts, wherein the working belts are reinforced plies each comprising parallel reinforcement elements, wherein the angle of the reinforcement elements in the respective working belt ranges from 12 degrees to 35 degrees from the circumferential direction, wherein the belt structure further includes a low angle belt positioned between the working belts comprising parallel reinforcement elements angled at less than 5 degrees from the circumferential direction, and wherein a first and second narrow belt is positioned on the lateral ends of the low angle belt, and wherein the first and second narrow belt are each positioned radially inward of an axially outermost groove on each side of the tread.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for use on trucks, the tire comprising a tread and a belt structure located radially inward of the tread, the belt structure including a pair of working belts, wherein the working belts are reinforced plies each comprising parallel reinforcement elements, wherein the angle of the reinforcement elements in the respective working belt ranges from 12 degrees to 35 degrees from the circumferential direction, wherein the belt structure further includes a low angle belt positioned between the working belts comprising parallel reinforcement elements angled at less than 5 degrees from the circumferential direction, and wherein the low angle belt has folded belt edges forming a first and second narrow belt at the lateral ends of the low angle belt, and wherein the first and second narrow belt are each positioned radially inward of an axially outermost groove on each side of the tread.

Abstract: This invention relates to pneumatic radial tires which exhibit improved rolling resistance (provide better fuel economy) and improved performance characteristics. More particularly, this invention relates to the structure of radial ply tires for heavy load vehicles such as trucks, buses, and the like. It is based upon that finding that a defined profile of the outer surface of the sidewall portion can lead to a tire with reduced rolling resistance and a reduced generation of heat. The reduction in rolling resistance is obtained by a specific shaping of the bead portion of the tire which allows a bead mass reduction with an acceptable trade-off with regard to bead durability.

Abstract: A tread for a tire includes a first circumferential main groove, a second circumferential main groove, a third circumferential main groove, and a fourth circumferential main groove. The fourth main groove has a stabilizing structure for increasing tread stiffness. The stabilizing structure has a circumferentially extending subgroove in a radially innermost bottom of the fourth circumferential main groove. The subgroove is axially offset a predetermined amount from a centerline of the fourth circumferential main groove.

Abstract: A tread for a tire includes a first circumferential main groove; a second circumferential main groove; a third circumferential main groove; and a fourth circumferential main groove. The fourth circumferential main groove has a stabilizing structure for increasing tread stiffness. The stabilizing structure is axially offset a predetermined amount from a centerline of the fourth circumferential main groove. The fourth circumferential main groove has an angled axially inner sidewall, an angled axially outer sidewall, and a curved base surface. The stabilizing structure extends radially inward from the curved base surface of the fourth circumferential main groove.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for use on trucks, the tire comprising: a tread which includes a belt reinforcement structure, the belt structure including a pair of working belts, wherein the angle of the working belts range from about 12 degrees to about 36 degrees, wherein a low angle belt is positioned preferably between of the working belts, wherein the angle of the low angle belt is less than 5 degrees. The working belts and the low angle belt are extensible, and preferably made of extensible wire. The pneumatic tire further includes a top protector belt made of high impact resistant steel reinforcements.

Abstract: A tire includes an annular tread portion including a first circumferentially extending asymmetric shoulder groove having an angled axially inner sidewall with an axially inner sidewall radial angle between 170° and 180°, an angled axially outer sidewall with an axially outer sidewall radial angle between 155° and 170°, and a curved base surface with a radius of curvature ranging from 40.0 mm at an axially inner edge and 20.0 mm at an axially outer edge.

Abstract: A tire includes an annular tread portion with a circumferentially extending groove having bridge structures at circumferential intervals about the groove and contoured pockets therebetween. Each pocket has curved transition surfaces separating the bridge structures from curved base surfaces of the pocket. The curved transition surfaces have radii of curvature between 2.0 mm and 4.0 mm. The curved base surfaces may radii of curvature between 4.0 mm and 8.0 mm.

Abstract: An accurate position sensor is presented. The sensor operates over 360-degree motion angular motion and includes a coil structure formed on a substrate and a target mounted to be angularly moved over the coil structure, the target being formed of a conducting material in a shape of a spiral of Archimedes. The coil structure includes coils with an arc sufficient to operate over a 360 degree motion of the target, for example between 120 degrees and 360 degrees. Some embodiments include coils with a 180 degree arc. A method of operating the position sensor includes rotating a target formed of a conducting material in a shape of a spiral of Archimedes over a coil structure and providing a linearized and calibrated response indicating the angular position of the target relative to the coil structure.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is described which includes a tread, a carcass and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread. The belt structure includes a first and second working belt, wherein the angle of the working belts range from about 12 degrees to about 30 degrees, wherein the belt structure further includes a low angle belt located between the working belts. The first working belt is the radially innermost belt, and is the widest belt. The second working belt is radially outward of the low angle belt, and has first and second lateral ends that are located adjacent first and second lateral belts. The first and second lateral belts are low angle belts. The pneumatic tire may further include an optional third working belt, that is the radially outermost belt.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for use on trucks, the tire comprising a tread and a belt structure located radially inward of the tread, the belt structure including a pair of working belts, wherein the working belts are reinforced plies each comprising parallel reinforcement elements, wherein the angle of the reinforcement elements in the respective working belt ranges from 12 degrees to 35 degrees from the circumferential direction, wherein the belt structure further includes a belt positioned between the working belts comprising parallel reinforcement elements angled at less than 5 degrees from the circumferential direction, and wherein there is a split belt formed of a first and second narrow belt, and wherein the first and second narrow belt are each positioned radially inward of an axially outermost groove on each side of the tread.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for use on trucks, the tire comprising: a tread which includes a belt reinforcement structure of only three belts, the belt structure including a pair of working belts, wherein the angle of the working belts range from about 12 degrees to about 35 degrees, wherein a low angle belt is positioned preferably between of the working belts, wherein the angle of the low angle belt is less than 5 degrees. The working belts are made of high elongation wire having an elongation at break greater than 3.5%.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is described which includes a tread, a carcass and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread. The belt structure includes a first and second working belt, wherein the angle of the working belts range from about 12 degrees to about 35 degrees, wherein the belt structure further includes a low angle belt located radially inward of the working belts. The first working belt is the radially innermost working belt, and is the widest belt. The second working belt is the radially outermost belt. The pneumatic tire may further include a second optional low angle belt, that is located between the first low angle belt and the first working belt.

Abstract: An accurate position sensor is presented. The sensor operates over 360-degree motion angular motion and includes a coil structure formed on a substrate and a target mounted to be angularly moved over the coil structure, the target being formed of a conducting material in a shape of a spiral of Archimedes. The coil structure includes coils with an arc sufficient to operate over a 360 degree motion of the target, for example between 120 degrees and 360 degrees. Some embodiments include coils with a 180 degree arc. A method of operating the position sensor includes rotating a target formed of a conducting material in a shape of a spiral of Archimedes over a coil structure and providing a linearized and calibrated response indicating the angular position of the target relative to the coil structure.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a controller system that is configured to drive a power switch includes a driver integrated circuit (IC), which includes an interface circuit, a synchronization circuit, and a drive circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive a control scheme over a serial interface. The synchronization circuit is coupled to the interface circuit and is configured to receive an angular position signal and synchronize a drive signal with the angular position signal, where the drive signal is based on the control scheme. The drive circuit is coupled to the synchronization circuit and is configured to drive the power switch using the drive signal.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a controller system that is configured to drive a power switch includes a driver integrated circuit (IC), which includes an interface circuit, a synchronization circuit, and a drive circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive a control scheme over a serial interface. The synchronization circuit is coupled to the interface circuit and is configured to receive an angular position signal and synchronize a drive signal with the angular position signal, where the drive signal is based on the control scheme. The drive circuit is coupled to the synchronization circuit and is configured to drive the power switch using the drive signal.