Devices for reducing tire noise

Abstract

A noise damper, annulus for reducing tire noise, and tire and noise damper assembly are disclosed. The noise damper, annulus for reducing tire noise, and tire and noise damper assembly mitigate sound produced by a moving tire. The noise damper and annulus for reducing tire noise may move within a tire cavity.

1 . A tire and noise damper assembly comprising:
 a tire including:
 a first annular bead and a second annular bead, 
 a body ply extending between the first annular bead and the second annular bead, 
 an annular belt package, disposed radially upward of the body ply and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, 
 a circumferential tread disposed radially upward of the annular belt package and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, and 
 a first sidewall extending between the first annular bead and a first shoulder, the first shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread, and a second sidewall extending between the second annular bead and a second shoulder, the second shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread; 
   a noise damper including at least one foam mass made of a compressible and elastic open-cell foam, wherein the noise damper has at least one generally flat surface that is configured to conform to a tire innerliner; and   a thin film attached to the foam mass,
 wherein the thin film has a generally flat surface that substantially coincides with the generally flat surface of the foam mass, and 
 wherein the thin film has a radial height that is between 0.05-10% of a radial height of the foam mass. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly further comprises a lubricant disposed between the thin film and the tire innerliner. 
     
     
         3 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the lubricant further comprises a cooling additive. 
     
     
         4 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the noise damper has an axial width of 20-80% of a tread width. 
     
     
         5 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the noise damper is free to rotate within the tire. 
     
     
         6 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the noise damper further includes a splice. 
     
     
         7 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the foam mass further includes tunnels. 
     
     
         8 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the thin film covers 40-70% of a surface area of the foam mass. 
     
     
         9 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the foam mass has a substantially trapezoidal cross section. 
     
     
         10 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the foam mass further comprises surface fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the foam mass is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyester, polyether, and melamine. 
     
     
         12 . A tire and noise damper assembly comprising:
 a tire including:
 a first annular bead and a second annular bead, 
 a body ply extending between the first annular bead and the second annular bead, 
 an annular belt package, disposed radially upward of the body ply and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, 
 a circumferential tread disposed radially upward of the annular belt package and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, and 
 a first sidewall extending between the first annular bead and a first shoulder, the first shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread, and a second sidewall extending between the second annular bead and a second shoulder, the second shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread; 
   a noise damper including a foam mass; and   a thin film attached to the foam mass.   
     
     
         13 . The tire and noise damper of  claim 12 , wherein the assembly further comprises a lubricant disposed between the thin film and a tire innerliner. 
     
     
         14 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the lubricant further comprises a cooling additive. 
     
     
         15 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the noise damper is free to rotate within the tire. 
     
     
         16 . A tire and noise damper assembly comprising:
 a tire;   a noise damper including a foam mass;   a thin film attached to the foam mass; and   a lubricant configured to allow the noise damper to move freely against a surface of the tire.   
     
     
         17 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the tire comprises:
 a first annular bead and a second annular bead,   a body ply extending between the first annular bead and the second annular bead,   an annular belt package, disposed radially upward of the body ply and extending axially across a portion of the body ply,   a circumferential tread disposed radially upward of the annular belt package and extending axially across a portion of the body ply, and   a first sidewall extending between the first annular bead and a first shoulder, the first shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread, and a second sidewall extending between the second annular bead and a second shoulder, the second shoulder being associated with the circumferential tread.   
     
     
         18 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the lubricant is disposed between the thin film and a tire innerliner. 
     
     
         19 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the lubricant further comprises a cooling additive. 
     
     
         20 . The tire and noise damper assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the thin film covers 40-70% of a surface area of the foam mass.