Abstract: A system for powering an electronic device within a tire is provided, the system comprising: a generator electrically connected to an electrically conductive wheel, the tire being mounted upon the wheel; the tire including bead portions, sidewalls, shoulders, a tread oriented in a trend region, an inner surface, and a metallic cord oriented within an interior of the tire; at least one conductive element extending from a bead portion and piercing into the interior of the tire and electrically connecting to the metallic cord; at least one electronic device within the vehicle tire; and at least one ground path extending through a thickness of the vehicle tire from the inner surface to an exterior surface in a contact patch of the tread; and wherein the at least one electronic device is electrically connected to the metallic cord and the at least one ground path.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating and applying vehicle tire traction. Vehicle data (e.g., movement and location-based data) and tire sensor data are collected at a vehicle and transmitted to a remote computing system (e.g., cloud server). A wear status is determined, and traction characteristics determined for at least one tire, based at least on the vehicle data and the determined tire wear status. The predicted tire traction characteristics are transmitted from the remote computing system to an active safety unit associated with the vehicle, or a fleet management system, wherein the recipient is configured to modify vehicle operation settings based on at least the predicted tire traction characteristics. A maximum speed for the vehicle may be defined by the recipient, or a minimum following distance where, e.g., the vehicle is one of multiple vehicles in a defined platoon.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for efficiently estimating vehicle tire wear. Vehicle kinetics (first) data are provided via one or more sensors associated with the vehicle and/or at least one associated tire. The vehicle kinetics data are locally processed to compress or otherwise generate second data as a reduced subset thereof, said second data representative of the first data and comprising any one or more predetermined wear-specific features extracted therefrom. The second data are selectively transmitted via a communications network to a remote computing system, which processes the second data to estimate a wear characteristic for the at least one tire. Alternatively, the second data processed to generate third data as a reconstruction of the first data, and the third data and the any one or more extracted features are processed to estimate a wear characteristic for the at least one tire.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating progression in vehicle tire wear. A tread depth is stored at a first (e.g., initial or unworn) stage for a given tire, along with a first set of modal frequencies for the tire. At a later (e.g., worn) stage, for example in concert with a controlled excitation of tire structural modes, a second set of corresponding modal frequencies are sensed for the tire, and a tire wear status of the tire is determined at the second stage based on a calculated frequency shift between at least one corresponding modal frequency from each of the first and second sets. In one example, an initial mass of the tire is stored, and a change in mass is calculated based on the calculated frequency shift. Alternatively, a correlation of modal frequency shift may be performed with respect to tread depth for a given tire.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for predicting the non-linear progression in vehicle tire wear. The system determines an original tread depth for a tire associated with a vehicle, and further determines an initial wear rate for the tire based at least partially on the original tread depth. One or more tire conditions are measured as time-series inputs to a predictive tire wear model, for example utilizing “brush-type” tire wear models for a contact interface between a base material of the tire and road surfaces, wherein the interface is represented as a plurality of independently deformable elements, wherein a current wear rate is normalized based at least partially on said inputs to the initial wear rate for the tire. The system can then predict a tire wear status of the tire for specified future parameters, such as for example a specified future distance traveled or a time traveled.

Abstract: A tire includes an electronic device, such as a RFID chip, within the body of the tire. For particular embodiments, a RFID chip is disposed within a tire belt. The RFID chip may be disposed on an inner or outer belt. The RFID chip is connected to at least one steel cords forming an antenna for the RFID chip. The steel cords are disposed at a first angle and second angle with respect to the tire equator. A method of joining the RFID chip to a tire cord is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the read range of an electronic communication module within a tire and methods for improving the read range of an electronic communication module within a tire are provided herein. As discussed further herein, the read range can be increased by applying strain to the tire without abrading its tread, resulting in an increase in read range of 20% or more. Similarly, the read range can be improved by applying strain to the tire without circumferentially contacting the outer surface of its tread, resulting in an increase in the same-distance-signal-strength of 5% or more. Also provided are tires made according to the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for tire state estimation using a physics-based model rather than empirical models. During a calibration process, data is collected in data storage as correlating a first set of tire acceleration values for a given tire model to respective known values for each of a plurality of tire state variables. A physics-based tire model is generated corresponding to the given tire model and comprising one or more tire model parameters determined upon calibration and which remain constant under different conditions. During operation of the tire, measurements are collected for a second set of tire acceleration values and certain of the tire state variables (e.g., speed and inflation) via one or more tire-mounted sensors. At least one of the unmeasured tire state variables (e.g., load and/or tread depth) is estimated based on the second set of tire acceleration values and using the physics-based tire model.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting an electronics package to a tire includes an electronics package, a mount with a peripheral flange, and an attachment patch. The electronics package is connected to the mount, which is in contact with the tire. The attachment patch is connected to the mount and includes a central opening that it smaller than the peripheral flange. The attachment patch is further affixed to the tire.

Abstract: Various method for repairing a tire tread are provided. In one embodiment, a method for repairing a tire tread is provided, the method comprising: providing a tire having a tire tread portion, wherein the tire tread portion includes at least one of a tread block and a tread rib, and wherein at least one of the tread block and the tread rib includes a void resulting from wear or damage of the tire tread portion; scanning the void with a 3D scanner to create a 3D computer model of the void; generating a negative of the void via the 3D computer model, the negative corresponding to a positive removed element representing the material removed from the void; 3D printing a removed element copy using a polymer material; applying an adhesive to at least one surface of the void; applying the removed element copy to the void; and curing the adhesive.

Abstract: A tire includes an electronic device, such as a RFID chip, within the body of the tire. For particular embodiments, a RFID chip is disposed within a tire belt. The RFID chip may be disposed on an inner or outer belt. The RFID chip is connected to at least one steel cords forming an antenna for the RFID chip. The steel cords are disposed at a first angle and second angle with respect to the tire equator. A method of joining the RFID chip to a tire cord is also provided.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting an electronics package to a tire includes an electronics package, a mount with a peripheral flange, and an attachment patch. The electronics package is connected to the mount, which is in contact with the tire. The attachment patch is connected to the mount and includes a central opening that is smaller than the peripheral flange. The attachment patch is further affixed to the tire.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the read range of an electronic communication module within a tire and methods for improving the read range of an electronic communication module within a tire are provided herein. As discussed further herein, the read range can be increased by applying strain to the tire without abrading its tread, resulting in an increase in read range of 20% or more. Similarly, the read range can be improved by applying strain to the tire without circumferentially contacting the outer surface of its tread, resulting in an increase in the same-distance-signal-strength of 5% or more. Also provided are tires made according to the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Various method for repairing a tire tread are provided. In one embodiment, a method for repairing a tire tread comprises: providing a tire having a tire tread portion wherein the tire tread portion includes a tread element that is at least one of a tread block and a tread rib, and wherein the tread element includes a void resulting from wear or damage of the tire tread portion; removing a material from at least a portion of the tread element adjacent to the void to create a removed material portion, wherein the removed material portion includes a specific shape corresponding to a replacement element; applying an adhesive to at least one surface of the removed material portion; applying the replacement element to the removed material portion; and curing the adhesive.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting an electronics package to a tire includes an electronics package, a mount with a peripheral flange, and an attachment patch. The electronics package is connected to the mount, which is in contact with the tire. The attachment patch is connected to the mount and includes a central opening that it smaller than the peripheral flange. The attachment patch is further affixed to the tire.

Abstract: A continuous filament non-woven web is disclosed, wherein filaments of the web include an expandable thermoplastic material. Mattings fabricated from the continuous filament non-woven web are also disclosed. The web or matting can be used in sealing applications as it can be cut into desired dimensions and inserted into a cavity. The web or matting allows for introduction and drainage of further fluids in and from the cavity. The extendable thermoplastic material can be activated and foamed to fill a part of or the entire cavity. The sealing can prevent air, water or noise from intruding into the cavity and a space behind that cavity.