Gary E Richards

US Patent:

6536292, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

May 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/554403

Inventors:

Gary William Richards - Clinton OH
Samuel Kelly Clark - Ann Arbor MI
Aurel Vincent Stan - Canton OH

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

G01D 700

US Classification:

73862041, 73862043, 73862044, 73862045

Abstract:

A triaxial force pin sensor array for measuring the actual forces generated in the footprint of a tire includes a high density of individual force pin sensors in a modular design that allows for rapid replacement of defective sensor array elements and substantially prevents dirt and contamination from affecting force measurements. The triaxial force pin sensor array further reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency (RF) contamination of the sampled data signals. The triaxial force pin sensor array exhibits uniform response in the normal direction. F , regardless of contact location with individual triaxial force pins of the sensor array. Further, the triaxial force pin sensor array features mechanical overload protection.

US Patent:

7055381, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Jul 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/886875

Inventors:

Christopher Gerard Bochkor - Akron OH, US
Paul Anthony Bowers - Hartville OH, US
Linda Rozelle Hirschfelt - Uniontown OH, US
Michael David Marley - Massillon OH, US
Michael John Monnot - Uniontown OH, US
Gary William Richards - Hartville OH, US

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

G01M 17/02

US Classification:

73146, 1521541

Abstract:

A laboratory test for general tire durability can produce results comparable to the GM-ATE road test. A passenger tire is mounted in a test machine and run at approximately 50 mph (80 kph), at maximum rated inflation pressure, with at least 100% maximum rated radial load, with approximately 25% of the test duration being performed with lateral force comprised of approximately equal portions of right and left steering, the remainder of the test being performed without lateral force (straight portions). A test segment comprises repeating a loading cycle a plurality of times until approximately 5000 miles have accumulated, and multiple test segments are performed until 16,000 miles have been accumulated. The test is paused and the tire is visually inspected several times during the test segments, including at the end of the test.

US Patent:

20060124221, Jun 15, 2006

Filed:

Dec 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/010520

Inventors:

Gary Richards - Clinton OH, US
Douglas Swift - Hudson OH, US
Stephanie Brown - Akron OH, US

International Classification:

B60C 9/08

US Classification:

152560000, 156133000

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.

US Patent:

50147625, May 14, 1991

Filed:

May 26, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/357149

Inventors:

Klaus Beer - Stow OH
Gary W. Richards - Clinton OH
Thomas R. Oare - Suffield OH
Thomas A. Brown - Akron OH
Thomas H. Wells - Copley OH

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

B60C 918
B60C 924
B60C 928

US Classification:

152532

Abstract:

A pneumatic tire (10, 40) having a belt reinforcing structure (24) located between the carcass (12) and the tread portion (20) is reinforced with an overlay belt (30) located between the belt reinforcing structure (24) and the tread (20). The overlay belt (30) has a plurality of parallel cords (32) oriented at an angle with respect to the equatorial plane (EP) of the tire. The angle of the cords (32) is between 9. degree. to 24. degree. degrees. The overlay can be used by itself or in conjunction with a pair of belt reinforcing strips (42) located radially outwardly along both axial edges (46, 48) of one of the belts (26, 28) of the belt reinforcing structure (24). The belt reinforcing strips (42) also contain a plurality of cords (50) oriented at an angle of from 9. degree. to 24. degree. with respect to the equatorial plane of the tires.