Method and apparatus for torque wind-up reduction in a free-rolling dual tire assembly

Abstract

An improved dual tire assembly method for free rolling applications. Each tire is constructed having the tire carcass slightly angled away from the conventional ninety degree configuration to minimize torque windup caused by interaction between the individual tires in the dual assembly. Such a deviation from ninety degrees is made relatively small enough to avoid experiencing a significant rolling resistance penalty in each tire yet large enough so that the torque windup effect of one tire on the other tire is minimized. A method of reducing torque windup in a dual tire assembly is achieved comprising the steps: configuring both tires in a dual assembly to provide a carcass angled slightly from 80 to 100 degrees; mounting such tires in proximal relationship in a dual tire assembly on a common axle; operating both tires in a free rolling mode of operation; and using the angled carcass of each tire to minimize the effect of torque windup imposed by the opposite tire.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.