CLERMONT-FERRAND, France—Michelin Group has filed for a patent on the use of polyurethane foam inside a tire to reduce noise.
As yet the company has not disclosed whether it's making such tires, whereas both Continental A.G. and Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. have started supplying OE customers with similarly equipped tires.
Michelin filed its patent application with the World Intellectual Property Organization in 2013. In the filing, Michelin claims the cavity noise generated by tires equipped with the foam insert was reduced by 2.5 dB (A).
Both Conti and Pirelli have developed tires for Audi Group that are designed to reduce noise by using a layer of polymer sponge that is adhered to the inner liner.