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Unusual tire construction

Unusual tire construction

Unusual tire construction

(OP)
Many years ago, in the ‘60’s, I remember reading in one of the magazines published here in the US (Popular Mechanics), an article on injection molded rubber or soft plasticlike material tires.  This past weekend, my wife and I were browsing through a yard sale and I came across that same magazine.  When I went about looking at other things, someone bought it before I did!  What cruelty!

The article stated that a major tire manufacturer (Firestone?) was researching the possibility of the tires, and that the articles author had driven an auto fitted with these tires and reported no unusual performance issues.  One plus (!) is that the tires can be molded in different colors, not sure what to make of that, especially since most tires are black because of the carbon, not by the compounds.  The author had driven the auto at speeds up to 100 mph and that the manufacturer had tested the tires at speeds in excess of that.

What makes these tires unusual is that they were injection molded with no inner air chamber, only a foam-like inner core.  I don’t recall if they were fitted with the reinforcing wire and cords.

Just a few weeks ago, I read another article about integrated wheels and tires, where the wheel was deformable and resilient, but this is not the same issue.  Is anyone familiar with this project?

Franz

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RE: Unusual tire construction

Not quite the asme technology but,
I saw recently (I think it was in "Automotive Engineering" trade mag.) an article about a Michelin R&D program for air-less / integrated tires.

It showed a 'spoked' wheel with a 'banded' tread. The flexible spokes were flat and the width of the wheel. They didn't get into materials but likely a composite (carbon fiber type). The car looked very strange riding on these because there's virtually no sidewall, just a tread, spokes and hub. You can see right through, it looks as if the car is hovering.

I'm sure a side wall 'curtain' would have to added for production. One of my first thoughts when I saw it was, "What if you park in a puddle and it freezes over night ?!"

*Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.*

Hydroformer

RE: Unusual tire construction

(OP)
I think I saw the same article.  Not quite the same technology, but it was run-flat and injection molded, similar to model car tires.  I seem to remember that one car had red tires, which left red stripes on the ground when one tester spun the tires!  Cool, I wanna do that!
Franz

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

RE: Unusual tire construction

Haaa... That'd be cool. Red burnout marks.

Put different colours on each side and 'paint' some donuts on the road.

*Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.*

Hydroformer

RE: Unusual tire construction

The Michelin technology is called (revoltingly) the Tweel.

It offers the performance guys some interesting advantages, since the aligning torque and lateral stiffness of the tire can be adjusted individually.

Cheers

Greg Locock

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RE: Unusual tire construction

I'd give a star for "revoltingly," but I'm too stingy.  I had the same impression of the name, though.

RE: Unusual tire construction

Wow that is what you call low profile.
http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/front/act_affich.jsp?news_id=14419&codeRubrique=43&titrePage=News%20Corporate&lang=EN


I know manufacturers have been looking for a long time at non pneumatic tyres, with Urethane being one area looked at but traction was always a problem, others looked at solid tyres with a “spongy” middle and even a spring running around the tyre. I am sure many other ideas have been tried out.

RE: Unusual tire construction

Yeah, that's the one...

I forgot about the unfortunate name (Lol Greg).

I picture yahoos on motorcycles pulling "Tweelies".

*Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.*

Hydroformer

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