Device for sealing a lubricant reservoir and method for lubricating the internal cavity of a tire

• US 6,944,948 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2002
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Pompier, Jean-Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Omgba, Essama
• Application Number:
  US10/123,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20020117244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 298/943, 298/943.1, 152/516, 152/521
• US Class Current: 29/894.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/06 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 17/10 Internal lubrication
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 152/10054 Enclosed cushion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49494 Assembling tire to wheel body

Abstract

A method of lubricating a tire cavity and more particularly the interface zone between a safety support and the inside the cavity of a tire enables lubricant to be dispensed in the interface zone only when the mounted assembly comprising the support, the tire and a wheel is in a runflat condition and where the non-instantaneous contact established between the inside surface of the tread and the seal allows the lubrication port to be unblocked. The invention also concerns a lubrication device and a seal enabling the method to be implemented, and a support and a reservoir enabling implementation of the method.

Claims

1. A method of lubricating an interface zone between a safety support and a tire mounted as an assembly comprising the following steps:

a) providing the tire, the safety support and a wheel rim,

b) mounting the tire on the wheel rim having the safety support disposed against the rim and inside a cavity of the tire,

c) providing a reservoir within a cavity of said safety support of lubricant in fluid communication with said interface zone via a lubrication port,

d) closing said reservoir by a removable seal,

e) providing a quantity of lubricant in said reservoir,

f) placing said removable seal against said lubrication port, such that said port remains closed and the lubricant remains in said reservoir when the mounted assembly is rolling while the tire is inflated,

g) establishing a non-transient contact between the inside surface of the tire and said seal when the mounted assembly is in the flat rolling condition, and

h) removing said seal by said non-transient contact between the inside surface of the tire and said seal, and whereby removing said seal requires a substantially simultaneous condition of a temperature increase in the tire cavity and of a mechanical contact between said seal and the inside portion of the tire,

whereby said method allows lubricant to be dispensed in said interface zone only when the mounted assembly is in the flat rolling condition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of placing said removable seal against said lubrication port further comprises the steps of:

a) applying a thermally fusible adhesive having a melting temperature of at least about 100°

Celsius to an adhesion surface located around said port, and

b) bonding said seal to said lubrication port with said thermally fusible adhesive.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of removing said seal further comprises the step of heating said thermally fusible adhesive to a temperature at least equal to about 100°

Celsius.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of placing said removable seal against said lubrication port further comprises the step of:

a) providing a bonding solder having a melting temperature of at least about 100°

Celsius, and

b) soldering said seal to said reservoir with said bonding solder.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of removing said seal further comprises the step of heating said bonding solder to a parting temperature at least equal to about 100°

Celsius.