Abstract: A method of monitoring an operating parameter of an apparatus. The method comprises taking a measurement of the operating parameter of the apparatus on multiple occasions. The mean and standard deviation of a set of threshold determining values is then determined, the threshold determining values each being dependent on at least one of the operating parameter measurements. Thereafter an event threshold, dependent on the mean and standard deviation of the set of threshold determining values is determined. The operating condition value is monitored, where the operating condition value at any given time is dependent on at least one of the operating parameter measurements. Finally an event signal is generated if the operating condition value is in a regime beyond the event threshold.

Abstract: The invention provides a tire tread, the tread having at least one circumferentially extending or laterally extending main groove, the maximum radial depth of the at least one main groove defining a non-skid tread depth, the at least one main groove partially forming at least one tread element, the at least one tread element having a sipe therein, wherein the sipe has a first portion having a first and second opposed side, and a third side joining said first and second side, and said sipe further including a continuous tubular pathway bordering said first, second and third side. The invention further includes a blade for molding a tire, the blade comprising a first portion having a first and second opposed side, and a third side joining said first and second side, and said blade further including a continuous tubular pathway extending along the third side and partially extending along at least one of the first and second side.

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 pair of working belts, wherein the angle of the working belts range from about 15 degrees to about 30 degrees, wherein the belt structure further includes a zigzag belt structure located between the working belts. The zigzag belt structure is formed of at least two layers of cords interwoven together from a strip of rubber reinforced with one or more cords, wherein the strip forming the zigzag belt structure is layed up in a first zigzag winding extending from a first lateral belt edge to a second lateral belt edge in a zigzag wavelength having a first amplitude W1 followed by a second amplitude W2, and a second zigzag winding formed of a zigzag wavelength having a first amplitude W2 followed by a second amplitude W1.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread, a carcass and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread. The belt structure includes a zigzag belt structure formed of at least two layers of cords interwoven together from a strip of rubber reinforced with one or more cords. The strip forming the zigzag belt structure is layed up in a winding pattern in accordance with the following formula: for i=1 through L, the ith winding pattern is: [WL-(i-1)Wi]×N for each drum revolution, wherein L is the number of different amplitudes used to define the zigzag cycle and L?2, and N is the number of zigzag cycles per drum revolution and N is either an integer ?1 or N=1/2n wherein n is an integer ?1.

Abstract: Passive device for broadband acoustic acquisition (3) that can communicate with a digital processing unit (4), the device including a plurality of microphone sensors (7) that can generate an electric signal (8) that is representative of an acoustic pressure (9) received, electronics for processing and digitizing (12) electric signals being able to adapt the electric signals and transform them into digital signals (13) of acoustic pressure, transfer electronics (14) being able to communicate with a digital processing unit (4) and to make possible the transfer of the digital signals of acoustic pressure to the digital processing unit. The microphone sensors and the transfer electronics are mounted on a multifunctional rigid support element (17) that incorporates the processing and digitizing electronics.

Abstract: A bleed flow discharge device (136) adapted to discharge a bleed fluid flow into a main fluid flow, wherein the bleed flow discharge device comprises an outer wall (135) defining a passage (137) for the bleed fluid flow, the outer wall comprising a wave-shaped edge (139) where the bleed fluid flow meets the main fluid flow.

Abstract: A vehicle tire tread includes a circumferential spaced apart array of discrete tie-bar block elements within a circumferential tread groove, each tie-bar block element having a circumferentially oriented bisecting cut dividing the tie bar into opposed tie-bar components. The opposed tie-bar components operatively flex and converge axially when present within a rolling tire footprint to close the radially outward cut segment and resume a nominal separation dimension when outside a rolling tire footprint. The bisecting cut within each tie-bar block element further forms at a radially inward end a large diameter fluid conducting channel extending through the tie-bar block element to allow the passage of fluid along the circumferential groove, unobstructed by the array of tie-bar block elements.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel tire having a symmetrical five rib tread construction with adjacent tread ribs comprising the tread separated by circumferential grooves. The intermediate tread grooves have an axial width wider than an axial width of the shoulder grooves and a center rib has an axial width wider than the axial widths of the intermediate ribs and the shoulder ribs. The axial width of the center rib, intermediate ribs, and shoulder ribs are within a prescribed preferred range of a total tread axial width and the axial width of each intermediate groove is within a prescribed preferred range of total tread axial width.

Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire includes a first circumferentially continuous groove, a second circumferentially continuous groove, a central rib interposed between the two circumferentially continuous grooves and extending continuously around a circumference of the tread, a first circumferentially extending shoulder rib disposed laterally outside of the first circumferentially continuous groove, and a second circumferentially extending shoulder rib disposed laterally outside of the second circumferentially continuous groove. The central rib has a plurality of circumferentially spaced sipes arranged in a first circumferential row and a second circumferential row. The sipes of the first row originate at the first circumferentially continuous groove and the sipes of the second row originate at the second circumferentially continuous groove. The sipes of both the first and second rows extend axially inward to a circumferentially extending and continuous variable center groove.

Abstract: A tire includes a circumferential regional tire tread having a central region and first and second shoulder regions adjacent the central region. A circumferential array of spaced apart shoulder sipes is formed within one or both of the shoulder regions, each of the shoulder sipes having a depth in an unworn tire tread condition within a depth range of from 1 mm to 3.5 mm, and each shoulder sipe having a longitudinal axis oriented in a substantially axial direction within a range of between 20 degrees of the tire axial direction. The shoulder sipes each include a first and a second straight segment intersecting at an end-to-end intersection with respect to each other at an intersection angle. The first and second straight segments of each shoulder sipe incline in opposite directions from the end-to-end intersection and the end-to-end intersection of each shoulder sipe is located at a circumferential shoulder groove within a respective shoulder region.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread, a carcass and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread. The belt structure includes a zigzag belt structure formed of at least two layers of cords interwoven together from a strip of rubber reinforced with one or more cords. The strip forming the zigzag belt structure is layed up in a winding pattern in accordance with the following formula: for i=1 through L, the ith winding pattern is: [WL-(i-1)Wi]×N for each drum revolution, wherein L is the number of different amplitudes used to define the zigzag cycle and L?2, and N is the number of zigzag cycles per drum revolution and N is either an integer ?1 or N=½n wherein n is an integer ?1.

Abstract: A retreaded pneumatic truck tire includes a used carcass having a uniform annular attachment area and a retread element. The retread element secures to the attachment area of the used carcass. The retread element has a tread pattern comprising a first circumferential groove separating the tread pattern into a first shoulder rib and an intermediate rib and a second circumferential groove separating the tread pattern into the intermediate rib and a second shoulder rib. The tread pattern further comprises a first plurality of identical arcuate notches extending axially and circumferentially across the first circumferential groove and a second plurality of identical arcuate notches extending axially and circumferentially across the second circumferential groove. The first plurality of arcuate notches are offset circumferentially from the second plurality of arcuate notches.