Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire in accordance with the present invention includes a tread base layer, a first tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer, a second tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer and both radially outside and axially adjacent the first tread cap layer, a third intermediate layer radially between the tread base layer and the first and second tread cap layers. The first tread cap layer has a protrusion extending radially inward and into the third intermediate layer more than a main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer thereby allowing the first tread cap layer to provide the overall tread with enhanced performance characteristics after the main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer have worn away.

Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire in accordance with the present invention includes a tread base layer, a first tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer, a second tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer and both radially outside and axially adjacent the first tread cap layer, a third intermediate layer radially between the tread base layer and the first and second tread cap layers. The first tread cap layer has a protrusion extending radially inward and into the third intermediate layer more than a main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer thereby allowing the first tread cap layer to provide the overall tread with enhanced performance characteristics after the main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer have worn away.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a blended rubber composition directly onto a tire building drum or core is described. The method includes the steps of extruding a first rubber compound through a main extruder and a main gear pump. A second rubber compound is extruded through a second extruder and into a second gear pump. The output from the second gear pump is fed into the main extruder. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound is varied by adjusting the speed of the main gear pump and the speed of the second gear pump. A continuous strip of rubber formed of said first compound and said second compound is layed directly onto a tire building machine to form a first layer of rubber having a first blend ratio. The speed of the main gear pump and the second gear pump is adjusted to obtain a second blend ratio of said first compound to said second compound, and then a strip of rubber formed of said second blend ratio is applied to the tire building drum or core.

Abstract: A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a pin extending from the outer surface of the tread segment. The pin is mounted to a rotatable body which can swivel. The rotatable body further comprises a guide pin which cooperates with a working member to rotate the body into a desired position in order to position the pin in the tire tread to be molded. The working member actuates the rotatable body into various positions.

Abstract: A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a pin extending from the outer surface of the tread segment. The pin is mounted to a rotatable body which can swivel. The rotatable body further comprises a guide pin which cooperates with a working member to rotate the body into a desired position in order to position the pin in the tire tread to be molded. The working member actuates the rotatable body into various positions.

Abstract: A laser welding technique for joining two parts together, the parts having contacting faces which define an interfacial region. One part is permeable to a laser beam directed toward and focused on the interfacial region, the face of the other part having light-disruptive characteristics whereby when the beam impinges thereon, multiple internal reflections are produced within the interfacial region which trap the energy of the beam to generate sufficient heat to cause the parts to superficially melt and fuse.

Abstract: A differential pressure transducer of the capacitive type responsive to fluid pressure. The transducer includes a cylindrical body having insulating sections at either end provided with a planar end face and a concave cavity surrounded by an annular rim. The cavities communicate with each other through an internal duct in the body and are filled with a dielectric fluid. Covering each cavity and sealed to the surrounding rim is a diaphragm provided with a movable electrode which cooperates with a fixed electrode on the cavity surface to form a capacitor therewith whose value varies as a function of diaphragm deflection in response to an applied pressure.

Abstract: Device for supporting a piezoelectric resonator inside a casing. The device comprises two cross-shaped half-shells, each one comprising: four branches of which the free ends define angle pieces with a horizontal bearing surface of small dimension, which surface is slightly raised with respect to the central part of the corresponding half-shell, as well as one vertical branch holding the edge of the resonator: four identical independent securing flanges to secure the two half-shells in position, said flanges having the shape of a turned down U, each flange comprising, at the end of each branch of the U, two stop elements bearing against two superposed branches of the two half-shells, on the faces of those branches facing said horizontal bearing surfaces; and at least four pairs of springs for suspending the four securing flanges with respect to the casing.

Abstract: In a piezoelectric transducer (10) an external element (12) of tubular form receives a pressure, notably a pressure to be measured, on its external face (16). It is cut in a quartz crystal in one piece with a plate (25) capable of vibrating under the action of an electric stress and extending in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tubular element inside the latter. Each of the longitudinal edges of the plate is connected by a transverse connecting element (30, 31) to the internal face (14) of the tubular element so as to transmit forces (F1 and F2) resulting from the application of the external pressure to the plate (25) in a direction substantially parallel to its plane and perpendicular to the axis of the tubular element (12).