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US 11,104,089 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels
AssigneeCompagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
InventorsRobert Gaut, Brian D. Wilson, Karl Mohrmann
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels is provided. The exemplary method and apparatus allow for the use of the same molding system to manufacture wheels with different hub constructions. Different configurations of removable mold elements are utilized within the same molding system to provide wheels with different hub constructions.
Claims9
A method of molding a non-pneumatic wheel using a molding system that includes an upper mold portion and a lower mold portion that can be selectively joined to form an internal cavity, the steps comprising:
- positioning a removable bushing and a lower mold bowl onto the lower mold portion;
- placing a compliant, load supporting band onto the lower mold portion;
- inserting an upper mold bowl onto the lower mold bowl;
- closing an upper mold portion onto the lower mold portion;
- and
- heating the lower mold bowl, upper mold bowl, and load supporting band to a predetermined temperature.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.