A tire includes a carcass, a tread disposed radially outward of the carcass, a sidewall including a shoulder extends toward the tread, and a reinforcing structure positioned radially between the carcass and the tread. The reinforcing structure includes a plurality of belts extending axially toward the shoulder and an overlapping spiral wound strip positioned at a radially outermost portion of the reinforcing structure. The overlapping spiral wound strip includes a uniform width having groups of four first cords with a single second cord therebetween. The first cords include a hybrid construction and the second cords include a single material construction.

A system cures and manufactures a partially-cured tire assembly. The system includes a plurality of elongate spacer members for maintaining corresponding a uniform cavity tension in the partially-cured tire assembly, each spacer member including a first longitudinal body member axially opposed to a second longitudinal body member, two cam bolts for adjusting a radial gap between the first longitudinal body member and the second longitudinal body member, and two springs each attached to the first body member and the second body member for maintaining a radial compressive force against the cam bolts; a first annular curing platen for securing spacer members relative to each other; and a second annular curing platen for securing spacer members relative to each other.

A system cures and manufactures a partially-cured tire assembly. The system includes a plurality of elongate spacer members for maintaining corresponding a uniform cavity tension in the partially-cured tire assembly, each spacer member including a first longitudinal body member axially opposed to a second longitudinal body member, two cam bolts for adjusting a radial gap between the first longitudinal body member and the second longitudinal body member, and two springs each attached to the first body member and the second body member for maintaining a radial compressive force against the cam bolts; a first annular curing platen for securing spacer members relative to each other; and a second annular curing platen for securing spacer members relative to each other.

A composite PDU tire in an aircraft cargo handling system may comprise a plurality of bonded regions configured to propel cargo within an aircraft cargo bay. The composite tire may include edge regions that are stiffer than a cylindrical region. The edge regions may be configured to have a greater wear resistance and abrasion resistance relative to the cylindrical region. The cylindrical region may be configured to have greater traction relative to the edge regions. The edge regions may include a fillet profile and may be configured to reduce chipping as cargo climbs across the tire.

A composite PDU tire in an aircraft cargo handling system may comprise a plurality of bonded regions configured to propel cargo within an aircraft cargo bay. The composite tire may include edge regions that are stiffer than a cylindrical region. The edge regions may be configured to have a greater wear resistance and abrasion resistance relative to the cylindrical region. The cylindrical region may be configured to have greater traction relative to the edge regions. The edge regions may include a fillet profile and may be configured to reduce chipping as cargo climbs across the tire.

A method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels is provided. The exemplary method and apparatus allow for the use of the same molding system to manufacture wheels with different hub constructions. Different configurations of removable mold elements are utilized within the same molding system to provide wheels with different hub constructions.

A method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels is provided. The exemplary method and apparatus allow for the use of the same molding system to manufacture wheels with different hub constructions. Different configurations of removable mold elements are utilized within the same molding system to provide wheels with different hub constructions.

3D printers may fabricate tires with graphene-based materials. Biopolymers may be used to produce graphene foam. Molten salt synthesis with metallic powders may produce coatings for the foam to protect the tires from oxidation. Graphene oxide sheet may also be applied to the tire structure using an inexpensive bio-adhesive.

3D printers may fabricate tires with graphene-based materials. Biopolymers may be used to produce graphene foam. Molten salt synthesis with metallic powders may produce coatings for the foam to protect the tires from oxidation. Graphene oxide sheet may also be applied to the tire structure using an inexpensive bio-adhesive.

A non-pneumatic tire comprises a radially inner ring for contacting a vehicle rim, a radially outer ring and a support structure including spokes extending from the radially outer ring to the radially inner ring. The spokes delimit openings in the support structure, which extend in a width direction of the non-pneumatic tire. The non-pneumatic tire has a reinforcement structure comprising loops of reinforcement cord, each loop extending around one of the openings. Each spoke has arranged therein radial reinforcement cord segments extending radially between the inner ring and the outer ring. The radial reinforcement cord segments are lined up parallel to one another along the width direction of the non-pneumatic tire.