Cooling fins might reduce heat on Bridgestone runflats

Tokyo - Future tyres from Bridgestone may use a type of aerodynamic cooling. The company has developed a system of radial ridges on the outer sidewall, which disrupt the airflow around the tyre as it rolls on the axle. It claims these ridges improve heat transfer between the rubber and the surrounding air.

While the development has been promoted as a modification to future runflat tyres, there appears to be no reason why the system cannot be used in other tyres. The company added, "Bridgestone will push ahead with further research and development in the field aimed at expanding application of this technology to other tyres."

Bridgestone said it plans to showcase the technology at various academic conferences in Japan and other key technology markets around the world. The company added, "we anticipate that in the future this technology will enable the utilisation of lighter sidewall-reinforcing rubber, thus reducing overall weight and enhancing comfort during normal driving."

Bridgestone said the development is aimed primarily at high-section runflat tyres, such as those used on SUVs and minivans, "where the high tyre cross-section causes a significant amount of heat to be generated on the sidewall when driving with low air pressure."

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Press release from Bridgestone