# US 11,440,357 B2 · Devices for reducing tire noise

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- Number: US 11,440,357 B2
- Document ID: US11440357B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/335,016
- Filed: 2017-09-19
- Published: 2019-08-15
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-23
- Assignees: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
- Applicants: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
- Inventors: Christopher R. Baker; Paul Zakelj; Robert W. Asper
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440357B2

## CPC

- B60C 19/002: {Noise damping elements provided in the tyre structure or attached thereto, e.g. in the tyre interior}
- B29D 30/0061: {Accessories, details or auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for}
- B60C 5/14: with impervious liner or coating on the inner wall of the tyre
- B60C 2200/06: for heavy duty vehicles
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)

## Abstract

A noise damper, annulus for reducing tire noise, and tire and noise damper assembly are disclosed. The noise damper, annulus for reducing tire noise, and tire and noise damper assembly mitigate sound produced by a moving tire. The noise damper and annulus for reducing tire noise may move within a tire cavity.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A noise damper, configured for use within a passenger, light-truck, or truck-and-bus-radial tire, comprising:
a foam body, configured for use within a passenger, light-truck, or truck-and-bus-radial tire, the noise damper being configured to move freely within the tire,
a thin film that attaches to the foam body,
a lubricant disposed on a first side of the thin film to allow the noise damper to move freely against a surface of the tire, and
an adhesive that bonds the foam body to a second side of the thin film, wherein:
the foam body includes at least one generally flat surface that is configured to conform to a tire innerliner,
the foam body includes a radial height and an axial length that is between three and six times the radial height;
the foam body is made of compressible and elastic open-cell foam;
the thin film has a generally flat surface that substantially coincides with the generally flat surface of the foam body;
the thin film includes a radial height that is between 0.005-10% of the radial height of the foam body; and
the thin film is made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and has a coefficient of friction of 0.07-0.12.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The noise damper of claim 1, wherein the foam body has a sound absorption coefficient between 0.4 and 1.5.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The noise damper of claim 1, wherein the thin film has a radial height between 50-200 microns.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The noise damper of claim 1, wherein the foam body further includes pyramidal protrusions.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The noise damper of claim 1, wherein the noise damper is configured into an annulus.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The noise damper of claim 5, wherein an outer diameter of the annulus is 110-140% of a diameter of the tire.