Non-pneumatic tire with fiber metal laminate construction
AssigneeBridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
InventorsJared J. Griebel, Benjamin E. Rimai, Bradley S. Plotner, Brandon P. Nelson
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Abstract
A non-pneumatic tire includes a lower ring having a first diameter and an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The upper ring is substantially coaxial with the lower ring. Support structure connects the lower ring to the upper ring. At least one of the lower ring, the upper ring, and the support structure includes a fiber metal laminate having at least one metal foil layer and at least one fiber and resin combination layer.
Claims20
A non-pneumatic tire comprising:
- a lower ring having a first diameter;
- an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the upper ring being substantially coaxial with the lower ring;
- and
- support structure connecting the lower ring to the upper ring;
- wherein at least one of the lower ring, the upper ring, and the support structure includes a fiber metal laminate having at least one metal foil layer and at least one fiber and resin combination layer.
A method of manufacturing a non-pneumatic tire comprising the steps of:
- providing a lower ring having a first diameter, an upper ring having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, and support structure;
- and
- connecting the lower ring to the upper ring using the support structure;
- wherein the step of providing the lower ring, the upper ring, and the support structure includes manufacturing at least one of the lower ring, the upper ring, and the support structure with a fiber metal laminate that includes at least one metal foil layer and at least one fiber and resin combination layer.
A non-pneumatic tire comprising:
- a lower ring;
- a circumferential tread disposed above the lower ring, the circumferential tread including a tread layer and a tread band;
- and
- support structure that interconnects the lower ring to the tread band to attach the circumferential tread to the lower ring;
- wherein at least one of the lower ring, the tread band, and the support structure includes a fiber metal laminate having at least one metal foil layer and at least one fiber prepreg layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.