Composition for equalizing radial and lateral force variations at the tire/road footprint of a pneumatic tire

• US 7,022,753 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2001
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert D. Fogal Sr
• Original Assignee: Robert D. Fogal Sr
• Inventors: Fogal, Robert D. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cain, Edward J.
• Application Number:
  US10/019,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20040224153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 523/220
• US Class Current: 523/220
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/003 Balancing means attached to the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2982 Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2993 Silicic or refractory material containing [e.g., tungsten oxide, glass, cement, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2998 including synthetic resin or polymer

Abstract

A composition or particle mixture (20) for equalizing radial and lateral forces at the tire/road footprint of a pneumatic tire (11) due to tire/wheel assembly imbalance, non-uniformity of the tire, temporary disturbances in the road surface, or other vibrational effects of the unsprung mass of a vehicle whereby the particle mixture (20) is inserted into the interior of the tire (11). The composition is a dry solid particle mixture (20) wherein the particles are freely flowable and non-tacky at elevated tire temperatures, the particle mixture (20) is essentially devoid of liquid material, and the particle mixture (20) comprises two or more sets of particles wherein each set consists essentially of particles of a predetermined size or size range. The particle mixture (20) exhibits a multimodal particle size distribution.

Claims

1. A system for equalizing radial and lateral force variations at a tire/road footprint of a pneumatic tire/wheel assembly comprising:

a pneumatic tire/wheel assembly; and

a dry solid particle mixture positioned within the tire/wheel assembly, wherein

(a) the particles forming said particle mixture are freely flowable and non-tacky at temperatures up to 150 degrees C.;

(b) said particle mixture is essentially devoid of liquid material;

(c) said particle mixture comprises a plurality of sets of particles, wherein each set consists essentially of particles of a predetermined size or size range;

(d) said particle mixture exhibits a multimodal particle size distribution; and

(e) said particles are in a size range substantially between 60–

270 U.S. screen size.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said particle mixture comprises spheres of a first diameter and spheres of a second diameter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said particle mixture comprises a first set of particles having a first size range and a second set of particles having a second size range, the particle size distribution of said particle mixture being characterized by at least two peaks.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said particle mixture comprises a first set of particles having a first size range, a second set of particles having a second size range, a third set of particles having a third size range, wherein the particle sizes ranges do not overlap.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said particles forming said particle mixture have a specific gravity greater than 1.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said particles forming said particle mixture have sufficient hardness to prevent them from degrading while tumbling in said tire.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said mixture comprises polymeric resin particles.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said particle mixture includes substantially 70% by weight of said polymeric resin and 28% by weight of a cellulose material.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said polymeric resin is a thermoset material.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a lubricant material.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said lubricant particles are in a size range substantially between 200–

325 U.S. screen size.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said particle mixture comprises 15–

30% lubricant material by weight.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said lubricant is talc.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said lubricant is corn starch.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said lubricant is an anti-agglomeration agent.

10. A dry solid particle mixture for equalizing radial and lateral force variations at the tire/road footprint of a pneumatic tire, wherein

(a) the particles forming said particle mixture are freely flowable and non-tacky at temperatures up to 150 degrees C.;

(b) said particle mixture is essentially devoid of liquid material;

(c) said particle mixture comprises a plurality of sets of particles, wherein each set consists essentially of particles of a predetermined size or size range; and

(d) said particle mixture exhibits a multimodal particle size distribution; and

(e) said mixture comprises polymeric resin particles wherein said polymeric resin is a thermoplastic material.

11. A dry solid particle mixture for equalizing radial and lateral force variations at the tire/road footprint of a pneumatic tire, wherein

(a) the particles forming said particle mixture are freely flowable and non-tacky at temperatures up to 150 degrees C.;

(b) said particle mixture is essentially devoid of liquid material;

(c) said particle mixture comprises a plurality of sets of particles, wherein each set consists essentially of particles of a predetermined size or size range; and

(d) said particle mixture exhibits a multimodal particle size distribution; and

(e) one set of particles is made of fiberglass.

12. The particle mixture according to claim 11, wherein said fiberglass particles are in a size range substantially between 130–

200 U.S. screen size.