The proposed Phase II study is directed at development of a run-flat tire for military vehicles using a patented tire manufacturing technology from MASYS (Israel) (US Patent #6,032,710 - 2000). This concept of the run-flat tire consists of a unique tread design supported with a spiral spring reinforcement element. This tread-reinforcement combination gives a high level of adaptability and puncture proof operation in a variety of terrain while maintaining rolling resistance, ride, handling and other performance characteristics related to conventional pneumatic tires. MASYS (Israel) will make a 13-inch tire prototype for Army testing. This study will also include the development of a run-flat tire by inserting a spiral spring into a 15-inch tire using an Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, Inc. (ARDL) concept. A key to these unique designs is the use the spiral spring reinforcement as a replacement of the pneumatic tire. ARDL proposes to further study, optimize and develop airless wheel-tire concepts to ultimately achieve a spring reinforcement for inserting to the current radial tires. · The proposed Phase II study is to continue the current development of a run flat tire is based on a spiral spring reinforcement elements. The development will be based on the following two ideas/concepts: (1) MASYS patented idea of molding the tire around the spiral spring. This idea will be tested using 13-inch prototype tires from MASYS (Israel)
(2) ARDL concept of inserting the spring element into the current commercial and army (radial) tires. This idea will be tested using 15-inch prototype tires developed by ARDL. The Phase II effort will include the selection of one concept/idea for the prototype manufacturing 20-inch Army tire. This design will be evaluated and optimized based on performance, durability, manufacturability, reliability, weight and cost factors for 20-inch tires. The Phase II effort will include the submission of ten prototype 20-inch tires for TACOM durability testing based on the selected manufacturing concept.
Benefits: This unique wheel-tire concept will simultaneously provide competitive advantage for the manufacturer and superior safer tires for the customer. Such a free-market approach looks feasible because the concept features readily lead to easier methods of manufacturing. Optimizing the tire weight and making an unusually strong structure will enhance safety and probably will be directed toward molding advanced composites made of polymeric materials such as carbon fiber embedded in plastic resin. The new materials and special manufacturing methods adapted from other fields (racecars, aerospace, boat building, etc) to achieve high volume and low cost would completely change the way of making tires. The new methods could offer the manufacturer a much easier, in some cases, an order of magnitude easier, lower product cycle time, capital investment, assembly effort, product reliability and product cost. The facility cost, risk and simplification of production would greatly improve under this concept. ARDLs commercialization strategy rests on the premise of such potentially decisive competitive advantages that would easily reward adopters and encourage rapid market entry. However, while this proposed design is intended for military tactical and combat vehicles, the adoption of this design concept would require major technological changes in the automotive industry in regard to utilization of airless tires.
Keywords: Airless tires, ballistics, run-flat, tactical wheeled vehicles, sidewall stiffness
