Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising: at least one diene based elastomer; from 20 to 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of silica; and from 10 to 25 weight percent of aluminum hydroxide; wherein the composition is self-extinguishing at a temperature of 1000° C., and the composition is exclusive of halogenated paraffins and antimony trioxide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one component, the at least one component comprising a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising: at least one diene based elastomer; from 20 to 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), of silica; and from 10 to 25 weight percent of aluminum hydroxide; wherein the composition is self-extinguishing at a temperature of 1000° C., and the composition is exclusive of halogenated paraffins and antimony trioxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire having tread of a cap/base configuration. The tread contains a thin electrically conductive rubber strip in the form of an extension of said tread base rubber layer which extends radially outward from the tread base rubber layer through an electrically resistive tread cap rubber layer to and including its running surface circumferentially around the tread to thereby provide a path of electrical conductivity through the tread cap layer to its running surface. The composite of the electrically non-conductive tread cap rubber layer and electrically conductive strip at the running surface of the tire tread have a similar abradability.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tire tread, the tread comprising grooves therein, the grooves forming tread elements, the tread having a radially outer surface and a non-skid tread depth as measured from the radially outer surface of the tread, and a radially innermost surface of the grooves, and one or more sunken grooves located radially inward and below the surface of the unworn tread, the tread comprised of a base tread compound, a radially outer compound, and a radially inner compound, wherein the intersection of the radially outer compound and the radially inner compound is wavy.

Abstract: A mold and molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire is provided. The molding device includes a thin flexible wire having one or more molded elastomer elements thereon. The flexible wire is preferably hyperelastic and the molded elastomer is preferably silicone rubber.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. The molding device may further comprise a magnet. A portion of the flexible member is positioned in contact with a first surface of a relief forming element of a mold and the rigid element has a mating surface in mating contact with a second surface of the relief forming element. The mold further may further comprise a second relief forming element positioned adjacent the first relief forming element, wherein the rigid element further includes an outer surface in mating contact with a surface of said second relief forming element.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member along an attachment point or line on the connecting surface of the rigid element. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. If multiple rigid elements are utilized, the rigid elements are closely spaced together such that a portion of the opposed walls are in mating contact with an adjacent rigid element.

Abstract: A method for providing grades of service to unprotected traffic on an optical network that provides protection channels associated with working channels, defines a linearly ordered set of protection switch request priorities, and two or more grade of service priorities, and uses those priorities to enforce a protection access policy. The unprotected traffic may be of a high priority, approximating non-pre-emptable unprotected traffic (NUT); of low priority, like extra traffic; or may be of an intermediate priority between the two. This allows data transport providers to offer different unprotected transport services at different rates on protected links, in which the different unprotected transport services are associated with different probabilities of pre-emption.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member along an attachment point or line on the connecting surface of the rigid element. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. If multiple rigid elements are utilized, the rigid elements are closely spaced together such that a portion of the opposed walls are in mating contact with an adjacent rigid element.

Abstract: A mold and molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire is provided. The molding device includes a thin flexible wire having one or more molded elastomer elements thereon. The flexible wire is preferably hyperelastic and the molded elastomer is preferably silicone rubber.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. The molding device may further comprise a magnet. A portion of the flexible member is positioned in contact with a first surface of a relief forming element of a mold and the rigid element has a mating surface in mating contact with a second surface of the relief forming element. The mold further may further comprise a second relief forming element positioned adjacent the first relief forming element, wherein the rigid element further includes an outer surface in mating contact with a surface of said second relief forming element.

Abstract: A tire with a changing tread pattern is formed by first forming a tire having a tread, the tread having at least one circumferential or lateral groove. A wearable filler, having a configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove formed in the tire, is located in the radially outer portion of the circumferential or lateral groove or a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove, and secured within the grooves so as to create a groove void radially inward of the wearable filler, the void being exposed upon wear of the tire tread.

Abstract: Processes for isolating, formulating, and shaping macrocyclic oligoesters were developed which allow efficient production of macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from solvent, which may include additives, fillers, and catalysts.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for manufacturing low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate, for example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The invention also provides methods and systems for preparing macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO) from low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate. Finally, the invention provides methods and systems for preparing MPO via reaction of a diol and a dialkyl ester in an organic solvent to form non-isolated, low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate which undergoes cyclization (depolymerization) to form MPO.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for selective removal of catalyst residue from a depolymerization product stream without a water quench, as well as methods and systems for subsequent recovery of residual linear oligomer. The substantially metal-free and substantially water-free residual oligomer byproduct can then be advantageously used as recyclate in a process for preparing MPO. For example, the residual oligomer recyclate can be used as a reactant in the polymerization and subsequent depolymerization (cyclization) of low-acid polyester to form MPO.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for the use of an oligomer recyclate from a depolymerization product stream. The oligomer byproduct of a polyester depolymerization reaction can be used as a reactant in the formation of a polyester. For example, linear oligomer byproduct can be used as a reactant in a solution polymerization to form a low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to processes for producing substantially free-flowing shapes of macrocyclic oligoester, wherein the freshly-shaped macrocyclic oligoester is maintained at elevated temperature for a sufficient time. In certain embodiments, the shapes are heated in water, thereby avoiding agglomeration during the heating process itself. In another aspect, the invention relates to processes for removing solvent from a solution of macrocyclic oligoester using elevated temperature, reduced pressure, or both, thereby obviating the need for an anti-solvent to precipitate the macrocyclic oligoester from the solution. Other aspects of the invention related to shaping of macrocyclic oligoesters are presented as well.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and formulations involving the use of promoters that accelerate the polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers (MPOs). For example, in certain embodiments, the invention provides blends of macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO), catalyst, and promoter that are substantially stable at ambient temperature for a period of time. The blend material may be stored without premature polymerization of MPO or deactivation of catalyst. The invention also provides processes employing one-part, ready-to-polymerize blends that contain MPO, catalyst, and promoter, as well as processes in which the catalyst and promoter are used in separate streams and are contacted when it is desired to accelerate polymerization of MPO. Methods of the invention offer advantages in the manufacture of thermoplastic parts and composites, due at least in part to the unique properties of MPO.

Abstract: A method and corresponding network element configuration for delivering communications services between first and second survivable rings, each comprising a respective plurality of network elements, at least two of which are common to both rings. For each particular service, one of the common network elements is designated as a primary gateway node and another as a secondary gateway node. A primary inter-ring connection is established for the particular service by a switch at the primary gateway node, but no inter-ring connection is established at the secondary gateway node. The secondary gateway node comprises a controller for monitoring the status of the primary gateway node and establishing a new inter-ring connection for delivery of the service upon detecting a failure of the primary gateway node. This provides survivable inter-ring traffic which is bandwidth-efficient and with a low switching delay.