Abstract: There are described apparatus and methods wherein ultraviolet light kills and/or degrades and vaporizes microorganisms and organic material which naturally form over time on a heat exchanger. As this matter is eliminated, the pressure drop is decreased (i.e., airflow is increased) and the heat exchange efficiency (capacity) is increased. Less energy per Btu removed is used by the cooling system, and less energy is used by the HVAC system to move air.

Abstract: Method of avoiding or eliminating deposits in the exhaust area of a vacuum system in which a gas containing depositable constituents in the exhaust area is at least intermittently pumped out of a vacuum chamber that is connected to a vacuum pump via a gas line. A reactive gas that removes deposits from the gas in the vacuum pump and/or units provided downstream therefrom, and/or reduces or eliminates existing deposits in this area is at least intermittently added to the gas directly upstream from or within the vacuum pump. The proposed method is particularly suitable for anisotropic plasma etching of silicon using alternating etching steps and polymerization steps, the vacuum chamber being supplied with a sulfur-containing etching gas during the etching steps and a polymerizing agent-containing gas during the polymerization steps.

Abstract: A method of cleaning semiconductor wafers before the epitaxial deposition comprising (A) etching silicon wafers with HF; (B) rinsing the etched wafers with ozonated ultrapure water; (C) treating the rinsed wafers with dilute SC1; (D) rinsing the treated wafers; (E) treating the wafers with dilute HF; (F) rinsing the wafers with DI water; (G) drying the wafers with nitrogen and a trace amount of IPA; wherein steps (E) through (G) are conducted in a single dryer chamber and wafers are not removed from the chamber between steps. A system comprising a single tank adapted for cleaning, etching, rinsing, and drying the wafers has means to inject HF into a DI water stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printed wet wipe comprising a flexible sheet like substrate to which has been applied an aqueous or non-aqueous composition and printed with a non-aqueous or aqueous ink, respectively. The present invention also relates to a stack of said printed wet wipes and the use of said inks in the manufacture of printed wipes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method of construction of the apparatus where the apparatus is a portable self-contained structure used for cleaning motor vehicles. The apparatus is completely self-sufficient with an ability to: carry environmentally safe cleaning products; to supply the water needed for vehicle washing; and to provide the power needed for vehicle washing, vacuuming, and other equipment associated with the apparatus.

Abstract: In one aspect, a dishwasher comprising a control mechanism coupled to a sensor for generating an output representative of an amount of soil in the dishwasher water is described. The dishwasher comprises a tub, at least one filter for filtering water in the tub, and a fluid circulation assembly for circulating water in the tub. The control mechanism is configured to determine whether corrective action is needed to unclog the filter based on a signal output by the sensor.

Abstract: An angle adjusting mechanism for hanging parasols includes a hollow housing member and an anchor means located in the housing member. An adjusting element with a turning member located at a lower end thereof is housed in the housing member for fastening a supporting bracket. The turning member may be turned for a selected displacement in the housing member to change the angle of a hanging parasol relative to the supporting bracket to block sunshine, and a displacement element of the anchor means may be moved to constrict the adjusting element at a selected position to keep the hanging parasol stationary at the selected angle.

Abstract: An enhanced frame of an auto-opening umbrella comprises hollow cylindrical intermediate pivotal joints with spreaders passed through and each including two spaced bottom lugs, a shaft integrally formed with the lugs, and a recess between the lugs. A plurality of links has hooked ends pivotably coupled to a lower ring and the shaft. The outer hooked end of each link is sufficiently smaller than the recess so that ribs are spaced apart from the spreaders by a much smaller distance when the umbrella is folded. This can achieve a smooth folding operation and a more compact umbrella after folded.

Abstract: A safety runner of a foldable umbrella includes a runner body slidably held on a central shaft of the umbrella, and an actuating sleeve slidably coupled with the runner body having a thrusting protrusion formed on the actuating sleeve for engaging a sloping portion formed on a spring catch, which is resiliently held on the central shaft for locking the runner when opening the umbrella; whereby upon a downward movement of the runner by cooperatively pulling the actuating sleeve downwardly, the thrusting protrusion on the actuating sleeve will thrust the sloping portion of the spring catch inwardly to disengage the spring catch from the runner, thereby allowing a smooth operation for closing the umbrella.

Abstract: An expansible and retractable protective cover is provided for umbrellas. The cover is mountable to align with the shaft of the umbrella and can be expanded parallel to the shaft of the umbrella to cover the umbrella after the umbrella has been folded into a closed condition. Thus, the cover contains moisture accumulated on the wet umbrella cloth from scattering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic wall structure and a method of making and erecting same. The pneumatic wall structure includes an inner flexible tent sheet, a central flexible tent sheet and an outer flexible tent sheet. The inner, the central and the outer flexible tent sheets are arranged to form a two-layer wall structure comprising (i) an inner layer formed by the inner tent sheet and the central tent sheet and, (ii) an outer layer formed by the central tent sheet and the outer tent sheet. The inner layer is inflatable and provides a main support structure for the wall structure, and the outer layer forms a convection space into which an ambient air is capable of flowing. The inflatable support tubes are arranged between the central tent sheet and the outer tent sheet to provide redundancy to the main support structure and to provide a spacer between the central tent sheet and the outer tent sheet.

Abstract: The collapsible shelter includes a truss and canopy framework that permits a flexible, collapsible canopy to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. The collapsible shelter includes at least three legs supporting flexible poles removably mounted to the tops of the legs and forming the framework of the canopy. X-shaped truss pairs of link members are connected to each of the legs on each side of the shelter between adjacent legs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for solar energy production comprises a multi-layer solid-state structure including a photosensitive layer, a thin conductor, a charge separation layer, and a back ohmic conductor, wherein light absorption occurs in a photosensitive layer and the charge carriers produced thereby are transported through the thin conductor through the adjacent potential energy barrier. The open circuit voltage of the solar cell can be manipulated by choosing from among a wide selection of materials making up the thin conductor, the charge separation layer, and the back ohmic layer.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element having an electrode structure having a plurality of joining portions (A) in which a plurality of collecting electrodes are spacedly arranged on a light receiving face side of said photovoltaic element such that they are individually joined to a bus bar electrode, wherein each of the joining portions (A) has a first joining portion (i) comprising a first paste, of said plurality of collecting electrodes, each of the collecting electrodes (b) excluding the collecting electrodes (a) positioned at opposite end sides of the arrangement of said plurality of collecting electrodes further has a second joining portion (ii) comprising a second paste having a smaller resistivity than that of said first electrically conductive paste at the joining portion (A) thereof, and a proportion of the first joining portion (i) in the joining portion (A) of each of the collecting electrodes (a) is greater than a proportion of the first joining portion (i) in the joining portion (A) of each of the collecting e

Abstract: A substrate for a solar cell is provided which comprises a support having a metal surface and a zinc oxide film formed on the metal surface and having a water content of 7.5×10−3 mol/cm3 or less, preferably 4.0×10−4 mol/cm3 or more. Thereby, the increase of series resistance and the generation of shunt are prevented and the efficiency such as Jsc and the chemical stability are improved, thus obtaining a solar cell with a zinc oxide film having optimal overall characteristics.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a microfluidic device and method of using the same is provided for self-regulating the flow of fluid therethrough. The microfluidic device includes a body defining first and second flow channels. The first flow channel has an input for receiving the fluid and an output. The second flow channel has an input for receiving a compensating fluid to modify the value of the property of the fluid and an output communicating with the first flow channel. A polymeric material is disposed in the first flow channel downstream of the output of the second flow channel. The polymeric material has a volume responsive to the value of the property of the fluid. A valve is disposed in the second flow channel and is movable in response to the volume of the material. The valve is movable between the first open position allowing the compensating fluid to flow past the valve into the first flow channel and a second closed position limiting the flow of compensating fluid therepast.

Abstract: In a throttle assembly for a flowing medium having an inlet and outlet and having two throttle devices disposed between them coaxially to one another, which each have at least one flow window for the passage of a flow of the medium flowing from the inlet to the outlet and are rotatable relative to one another for controlling the flow of the medium, in order to avoid friction and wear between the throttle devices and to assure a closing position without leakage flows, the throttle devices are embodied as hollow cones, with a cone jacket including at least one flow window, and the cones are disposed concentrically to one another in such a way that in the closing region of the throttle assembly, they are displaced axially toward one another by displacement means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve for use in a microfluidic system. The valve includes a substrate defining an upstream channel and a downstream channel joined by a passage, wherein the passage comprises a first opposed wall disposed at an angle to a central axis of the upstream channel. A thermally responsive substance (TRS) obstructs the passage. At least a portion of the TRS that obstructs the passage abuts the first opposed wall. Upon the actuation of the heat source in thermal contact with the TRS an opening motion of the TRS opens the passage.

Abstract: A housing for receiving a gas line, sized to fit behind the plane of a wall. The housing including a back member and a plurality of side members sealed along a plurality of seams to define a enclosure having an open face generally parallel to the back member. The enclosure defining an interior surface and an exterior surface and at least one of the interior surface and exterior surface including a fire resistant material. An orifice is located in at least one of the side members and the orifice is adapted to accept the gas line. At least one attachment member is adapted to permit the enclosure to be affixed to the wall.

Abstract: A flow regulator for a water pump, comprising a valve body, a control element, a tube, a spring, and a connecting pipe. The valve body is roughly shaped like a cross, enclosing a first chamber and a second chamber in a vertical direction and having a passageway in a horizontal direction. The control element is glidingly movable in the vertical direction in the first chamber. The tube is placed in said second chamber. The spring is inserted between the control element and the tube and pushes the control element to perform a vertical movement. The connecting pipe is connected with the first tube, transmitting water pressure from a supply pipe to the first tube. The piston block is pushed inward by the water pressure, narrowing the passageway, while being pressed outward by the elastic force, so that control led water flow and pressure in the supply pipe are achieved.

Abstract: A flow regulator for a water pump, comprising a valve body, a piston block, a spring, a connecting pipe, and a rod. The valve body is roughly shaped like a cross, having a passageway in a vertical direction and a first tube and a second tube in a horizontal direction. The piston block is glidingly movable in the horizontal direction in the first tube. The spring is disposed in the second tube, having ends that are fastened to inner and outer holding plates. The connecting pipe is connected with the first tube, transmitting water pressure from a supply pipe to the first tube. The rod connects the inner holding plate and the piston block to allow the water pressure and the elastic force to balance each other. The piston block is pushed inward by the water pressure, narrowing the passageway, while being pressed outward by the elastic force, so that controlled water flow and pressure in the supply pipe are achieved.

Abstract: A flow regulator for a water pump, comprising a valve body, a left piston, a right piston, a connecting rod, a spring, and a conduit. The valve body is roughly shaped like a cross, having a passageway in a vertical direction and a left tube and a right tube in a horizontal direction, respectively enclosing a left chamber and a right chamber. The left and right pistons are glidingly movable inside the left and right tubes, respectively, being connected by the connecting rod. The spring is inserted between the right piston and a right cap on the right tube. The conduit is placed inside a side wall of the left tube, transmitting water pressure from the passageway to the left chamber. The control element is by water pressure pushed towards the passageway, narrowing the passageway. This is countered by an elastic force of the spring, so that controlled water flow and pressure are achieved.

Abstract: A reed valve includes a generally wedge shaped reed cage or block defining a fluid flow passage and having substantially coplanar discharge ports. A reed is mounted at a common hinge end to the reed cage and has a plurality of petals each of which overlies a corresponding one of the ports. The petals have predetermined edge profiles to establish different transverse widths at their hinge axes so that the petals overlying outer low pressure zones in the reed cage lift from their port closing positions at a lower fluid pressure than the petals that overlie higher pressure zones in the reed cage, thereby providing multiple stage lifting and reflex action by the reed petals relative to the reed cage ports.

Abstract: A check valve for micro electro mechanical structure devices (MEMS), and in particular pertains to a check valve which is adapted to be employed in connection with micro electro mechanical structure devices which are intended to be employed with supercritical fluids constituting working fluids. In a preferred embodiment, the check valve is equipped with a bypass channel including a freely moveable plug structure which, in the open position of the valve enables the ingress of supercritical fluids under high superatmospheric pressures, and subsequent to the filling of the system, let down to atmospheric pressure, causes the plug to be moved into a permanent valve-closed position.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle has at least one reservoir which is arranged within the fuel tank, and a fuel pump associated with the reservoir. A filling conduit for filling the tank with fuel is of such a design that at least a partial flow of the fuel flowing through the filling conduit can be fed directly to the reservoir. The filling conduit opens at its delivery end into an open catch receptacle which communicates with the reservoir by way of at least one discharge.

Abstract: A water tapping point with a hot water inlet; a cold water inlet, a hot water space, a cold water space, a mixing chamber, a hot water outlet from the hot water space and a cold water outlet from the cold water space. A characteristic feature of the invention is passage means extending between the hot water outlet and the cold water outlet and provided with means for connection to a common return water pipe. The invention also relates to a tap water network comprising a plurality of tapping points. The tap water network needs only one return water pipe.

Abstract: A linear solenoid valve provided in a hydraulic pressure control device includes a cylinder having a inlet port communicating with the controlled element and a drain port communicating with a drain, a permanent magnet having a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole surrounding the first magnetic pole, a wound movable coil located between the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole and movable to the axial direction of the permanent magnet, a valve body disposed with respect to the movable coil to selectively permit and prevent communication between the inlet port and drain port to control communication between the controlled element and the drain. The hydraulic pressure applied to the controlled element is controlled based on an electromagnetic force of the movable coil resulting from electric current applied to the movable coil and a magnetic field generated between the first magnetic pole and the second magnetic pole.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a flexible cord-like hollow object with an inner zone, which is enclosed by a casing, for the transportation of media, [and] with a barrier layer that is impermeable to the volatile molecules of the medium that is to be transported.

Abstract: An improved centrifugally-cast tube is provided, along with a related method and apparatus of making the tube. The tube includes a plurality of grooves and bosses that are mechanically machined into an interior surface of the tube, such as by a broaching process. The profile of grooves and bosses may be defined by a plurality of intersecting concave and convex radii. The tube is resistant to creep, carburization and metal dusting. The tube also has an enhanced heat transfer rate, and a desirable surface roughness. A method of making the tube is also provided. The method essentially consists of mechanically deforming the interior surface of the tube by passing a series of cutting inserts on support rings having incrementally-differing dimensions over the interior surface.

Abstract: In order to deflect a warp spread sheet (2) in a weaving machine, a means (18) is provided in which is guided in guide means (26) that also guide heald frames (13, 14, 15, 16). The means for deflecting positions a segment (46) of the warp thread sheet (2) that starts at the beatup line (7) of the fabric (8).

Abstract: An airbag fabric is made from multifilament yarns each comprised of a plurality of individual filaments, with each filament having a linear density in the range from about eight (8) decitex to about eleven (11) decitex per filament, and more preferably a linear density in the range from about nine (9) decitex to about eleven (11) decitex per filament. The fabric has a circular bend stiffness in the range of about four (4) Newtons to about seven (7) Newtons, as measured in accordance with ASTM method D4032-94.

Abstract: Disclosed are a type of institutional or hospital network system of personal, portable hand cleaning agent dispensers and a method to record and report their specific usage by healthcare workers and patients of the institution or hospital through a dispenser control apparatus having a computer processor memory. In one form, each dispenser has an identifier unique to it and shared with no other dispenser. Each dispenser contains hand cleaning fluid agent in an amount sufficient to provide multiple shots of predetermined amount (or unit dose size) upon pressing a pad on the dispenser to dispense one shot per press. Each worker has an identifier unique to that worker.

Abstract: A tinting machine system for tinting base paints (2) supplied in containers (1) which paints are suitable for use in coating compositions, which system has

Abstract: A vessel for use on land for the storage and distribution of material such as a dockside storage terminal, comprises a hull which is subdivided into a plurality of hoppers. Each hopper is provided with a discharge opening at a lower end thereof for the gravity discharge of material from the hopper. A passageway is provided in the hull below the discharge openings for the passage of transfer vehicles along the discharge openings for receiving material discharged from the discharge openings. The hull is floatable for transporting the vessel on water from a location of construction to a location of use.

Abstract: A container for product storage including an expandable portion is provided to eliminate space between the container and the product to prolong the remaining products usable life within the container after opening. The invention includes a storage container (30) that has a cover (32) and product (34) within its interior. An inflatable bladder (36) is disposed within the storage container and a tube (38) penetrates through the container and is connected to the bladder. A valve (48) is attached to the tube's distal end and a pressure source, which could include heat or cooling, is connectable to the valve. The combination of the valve and the pressure source supplies the required pressure to inflate the bladder (36) which occupies the space between the product within the storage container (30) and the cover (32) thereby precluding ambient atmospheric contact with the product. A releasable pressure valve (66) is provided to discharge pressure created within the container when the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: An electromechanical device having a size no larger than about 10 microns utilizing a working fluid in the high pressure liquid or supercritical fluid state. A process of preparing the electromechanical device involves the introduction of the liquid or supercritical fluid therein which permits the retention of the working fluid in the liquid or supercritical state after introduction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling sacks with a predetermined quantity of product. The apparatus comprises at least one mobile sack feed and filling unit which carries each sack along the process line and at the same time fills the product into it. In the method according to the invention, the empty sacks are fed at the same speed as the mobile filling unit before they are transferred to the mobile filling unit itself.

Abstract: A tree felling and shaping apparatus is provided with a fully powered and controllable link system which links a tree processor head to a boom that is in turn mounted to a vehicle. The link system includes two powered pivoting joints and a rotary coupling of up to 360° disposed therebetween. Such a combination provides a great convenience for the manipulation of the tree felling and shaping apparatus, not only permitting a maximum angular adjustment of the tree processor head for all directional orientations whether the head is in an upright position for felling trees or the head is in a recumbent position for processing trees, but also performing a universal joint function to freely suspend the tree processor head from the boom without using a conventional uncontrollable universal joint. The present invention improves maneuverability of the tree felling and shaping machines and thereby increases work efficiency.

Abstract: A knife and apparatus for clamping the knife. The knife has front and back sides that, preferably, both include interlocking features adapted for interlocking engagement with corresponding inner and outer clamping members, to prevent slippage of the knife from the clamping members in orientations wherein the knife rests thereon in the chipping apparatus when the knife is unclamped. Preferably, the interlocking feature of the back side of the knife includes a semi-cylindrical groove, and the interlocking feature of the front side of the knife includes two spaced-apart deflector ridges. Preferably, the interlocking feature of the outer clamping member is a projection having a semi-cylindrical tip portion wherein the semi-cylindrical shape is preferably half-cylindrical, and wherein the projection extends from an inner surface of the outer clamping member sufficiently far that most of the back side of the knife does not make contact therewith.

Abstract: A device (41) for positioning a joinery fastener (74) in a joinery member (33) for later use in forming a joinery assembly. The fastener positioning device (41) includes a feed magazine (82) formed for feeding joinery fasteners (74) to a gripping apparatus (83). The gripping apparatus (83) is positioned to receive the fasteners (74) and is further adapted to releasably grip individual fasteners (74) at a position (103) below the fastener head (86) to hold the fasteners (74) in a known and controlled, indexed relation to the gripping apparatus (83). The gripping apparatus is movable between a fastener gripping position to a fastener placement position while the pointed end (88) of the fastener (74) remains in indexed relation, and a placement arm (92) is formed to urge the fastener (74) from the gripping apparatus (83) and into interference fit with the joinery member (33).

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a new method for edging a wood board. This method comprises the steps of constructing from the scanned images of a wood board, a virtual entity of the wood board; determining from the scanned images an optimized cut line along the virtual entity; displacing the forward edge of the virtual entity ahead of the leading edge of the wood board; displacing the rear edge of the virtual entity behind the trailing edge of the wood board and sawing the wood board along the optimized cut line on the virtual entity. In another feature, the saw blades inside the board edger are mounted in saw collars and are shifted along the arbor by an electric setworks mounted on the top of the saw box and a shifting arm extending vertically between the setworks and a respective saw collar.

Abstract: A method of making a material alloy for an iron-based rare earth magnet includes the step of forming a melt of an alloy with a composition of (Fe1−mTm)100−x−y−z−n(1−pCp)xRyTizMn. T is Co and/or Ni; R is at least one element selected from Y (yttrium) and the rare earth elements; and M is at least one element selected from Al, Si, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Hf, Ta, W, Pt, Au and Pb, wherein the following inequalities are satisfied: 10<x≦25 at %, *6≦y<10 at %, 0.5≦z≦12 at %, 0≦m≦0.5, 0≦n≦10 at % and 0≦p≦0.25. Next, the melt is fed onto a shoot with a guide surface tilted at about 1 degree to about 80 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane, thereby moving the melt onto a melt/roller contact region. The melt is then rapidly cooled using a chill roller to make a rapidly solidified alloy including an R2Fe14B phase.

Abstract: A method of grain refining cast magnesium alloy includes adding to a magnesium alloy melt containing aluminum and manganese, pure carbon powder, or a carbon source in combination with niobium pentoxide or vanadium pentoxide.

Abstract: A method for cooling hot reduced iron briquettes at low cost without degrading the strength is provided. The method includes a primary cooling step of cooling the hot reduced iron briquettes by steam at a cooling rate of 4.0° C./s or less, a secondary cooling step of cooling the reduced iron briquettes by steam and sprayed water at a cooling rate of 4.0° C./s or less, and a final cooling step of cooling the reduced iron briquettes by sprayed water at a cooling rate of 3.5° C./s or more to a temperature in a final product temperature range. The steam generated by evaporation of sprayed water during the final cooling step is used in the primary and/or secondary cooling step.

Abstract: Low-alloy carbon steel for the manufacture of seamless pipes having improved resistance to corrosion, particularly the “sweet corrosion” that occurs in the media rich in CO2, for using in exploration and production of oil and/or natural gas. The steel contains: 1.5-4.0% by weight of Cr, 0.06-0.10% by weight of C, 0.3-0.8% by weight of Mn, not more than 0.005% by weight of S, not more than 0.015% by weight of P, 0.20-0.35% by weight of Si, 0.25-0.35% by weight of Mo, 0.06-0.9% by weight of V, approximately 0.22% by weight of Cu, approximately 0.001% by weight of Nb, approximately 0.028% by weight of Ti, not more than a total value of O of 25 ppm, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing medium carbon steel sheet and strip with enhanced uniform elongation for deep drawing applications. In one embodiment, a steel slab containing carbon 0.30/0.70%, manganese 0.75/2.0%, silicon up to 1.0% max., total aluminum 0.020/0.10%, the balance iron and incidental impurities is hot rolled to strip at a finishing temperature within the range of 839° C. (1542° F.) to 773° C. (1424° F.) and spheroidize annealed at a temperature below the A1 temperature. In a second embodiment, a steel slab containing 0.40 minimum/0.70% maximum carbon, 0.50/1.50% manganese, up to 1.0% silicon, 0.020/0.10% total aluminum, the balance iron and incidental impurities is hot rolled, cold rolled and spheroidize annealed, with various combinations of manganese and silicon within the above ranges providing lower yield strength at levels of 60 ksi, 70 ksi, and 80 ksi with minimum 14% uniform elongation.

Abstract: A system useful for superadiabatic combustion generation of a reducing atmosphere for metal heat treatment includes a superadiabatic reactor which supplies a reducing atmosphere to a metal heat treatment apparatus.

Abstract: Water-in-oil emulsion explosive compositions comprising a) an aqueous oxidizer phase comprising at least one oxygen supplying component wherein said oxygen supplying component comprises at least 50% by weight of prilled agricultural grade ammonium nitrate, b) an organic phase, comprising at least one organic fuel and c) an emulsifying amount of an aliphatic hydrocarbyl group substituted succinic emulsifier composition, said succinic emulsifier composition having at least one of succinic ester groups, succinic amide groups, succinic imine groups, succinic ester-amide and succinimide groups, and mixtures thereof, wherein each of said groups is substituted with an aminoalkyl group, wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon based group contains from about 18 up to about 500 carbon atoms.

Abstract: This invention comprises an inner tube, a mesh sack, and a plurality of air-filled elastic balls. The mesh sack, preferably made of rubber, is randomly satiated with the elastic balls, and is placed abutting the tread portion (or radially outward portion) of a conventional pneumatic tire. The inner tube is placed abutting the interior portion (or radially inward portion) of the tire, so that the elastic balls are interposed between the inner tube and the radially outward portion of the interior of the tire. Inflation of the inner tube to a specified pneumatic pressure causes the elastic balls to compress against the radially outward interior portion of the tire and each other. The random placement of the elastic balls creates multiple, three-dimensionally independent layers of “air-pockets.” These air-pockets will minimize the effects of punctures from the tread-portion of the tire as well as the sidewall portions of the tire.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rubber composite made from an elastomer polymerized on the surface of a silanized filler, a rubber composition containing such composite and an article such as for example a tire, which has at least one component comprised of such composition. Such reinforcement is applied by polymerizating a conjugated diene hydrocarbon in the presence of a filler silanized with an alkenyl silane. In particular a silanized reinforcing filler is pre-treated with butyl lithium or peroxide catalyst, preferably with butyl lithium, followed by polymerizing a conjugated diene hydrocarbon in the presence of such treated filler via an anionic or free radical polymerization in an organic solvent. Such pre-formed elastomer composite is also contemplated as well as a rubber composition comprised of a blend of such pre-formed composite and at least one additional elastomer. Such filler may be, for example, precipitated silica, carbon black and/or a modified carbon black.