US3574973A — Tire uniformity correction machine

Claim 1

Independent Claim 245 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus which includes means to rotatably support an inflated tire having a tread with lateral edge shoulders, means to radially load the tire tread and produce loaded rotation thereof, means to detect radial force variations in the tire tread occurring during the loaded rotation thereof which includes at least two load cells mounted to the means to radially load the tire tread, which detect radial load variations at least on both lateral edge shoulders of the tread, and produce electrical signals of said radial load variations, means to amplify the electrical signals produced by the load cells to produce amplified signals, means to sum the amplified signals with a preset load signal to produce a force variation signal around the preset load signal, means to determine peak in the force variation signal for each revolution of the tire and sum this peak with a preselected minimum grind signal to produce a bottom grind limit signal for each revolution of the tire, means to sum the force variation signal with the bottom grind limit signal to produce a grind signal for time equal to the duration of that portion of the force variation signal exceeding the bottom grind limit signal, grinder means positioned adjacent the tread of the tire, and means to actuate the grinder means to move the grinder means into the tread to grind portions from only the lateral shoulders in accordance with the grind signals as the tire rotates.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 245 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus which includes means to rotatably support an inflated tire having a tread with lateral edge shoulders, means to radially load the tire tread and produce loaded rotation thereof, means to detect radial force variations in the tire tread occurring during the loaded rotation thereof which includes at least two load cells mounted to the means to radially load the tire tread, which detect radial load variations at least on both lateral edge shoulders of the tread, and produce electrical signals of said radial load variations, means to amplify the electrical signals produced by the load cells to produce amplified signals, means to sum the amplified signals with a preset load signal to produce a force variation signal around the preset load signal, means to determine peak in the force variation signal for each revolution of the tire and sum this peak with a preselected minimum grind signal to produce a bottom grind limit signal for each revolution of the tire, means to sum the force variation signal with the bottom grind limit signal to produce a grind signal for time equal to the duration of that portion of the force variation signal exceeding the bottom grind limit signal, grinder means positioned adjacent the tread of the tire, and means to actuate the grinder means to move the grinder means into the tread to grind portions from only the lateral shoulders in accordance with the grind signals as the tire rotates.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 69 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus according to claim 1 including means to shift the grind signals in accordance with the position of the load cells relative to the tire and the grinder means so that grinding takes place at the proper position on the tire, and where the grinder means comprises a pair of grinding wheels each positioned to engage only a respective lateral edge shoulder of the tire.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 62 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus according to claim 2 where the means to shift the grind signals includes a code wheel mechanically connected to the tire to determine its instantaneous angular position, and a register to effect timing delay of the grind signal so that it occurs in exact registration when the tire is in the proper position under the grinder means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 62 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus according to claim 3 where the means to actuate the grinder means is a hydraulic servosystem, and which further includes a closed loop servo means to position each respective grinding wheel at a preselected uniform distance from its respective lateral edge shoulder of the tire tread at all times during the rotation thereof exclusive of grind signals.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 69 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus according to claim 4 which includes a digital filter to provide signal conversion to drive the servosystem at a predetermined maximum limit, to provide pulse suppression and extension to eliminate mechanical strain on the servosystem due to irregular and short force variations, and a reject comparator to provide a means to detect an excessive signal and indicate the presence thereof, and reject the tire.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 70 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus according to claim 5 which includes three separate minimum peak detector means, and timing and switch control means sequentially actuating each detector means in respective cycles initializing, measuring the minimum peak, and storing the measured peak information, and a scaling comparator dependent upon the peak information to reduce the maximum value of the drive signal to the servosystem as the peak information decreases in value.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 41 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus according to claim 6 which includes means to limit the total time of grinding to a predetermined value, where maximum grind pressure is 10 lbs., and where each grinding wheel acts independently with its own servosystem.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 133 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus which includes means to rotate an inflated pneumatic tire having a tread about its rotational axis, means to load the tire to effect rotation of the tire under loaded conditions, means to measure radial force variations in the tire relative to its rotational axis while it is rotating under loaded conditions and produce signals thereof, means to grind material off only the lateral edges of the tread of the tire while it is rotating under loaded conditions to correct such radial force variations to predetermined minimum acceptance levels, means to provide a closed loop continuous measurement of such radial force variations, and means to control the means to grind so they are actuated with a predetermined force, but of a timed duration directly dependent upon the force variations.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 133 words

A tire uniformity correction apparatus which includes means to rotate an inflated pneumatic tire having a tread about its rotational axis, means to load the tire to effect rotation of the tire under loaded conditions, means to measure radial force variations in the tire relative to its rotational axis while it is rotating under loaded conditions and produce signals thereof, means to grind material off only the lateral edges of the tread of the tire while it is rotating under loaded conditions to correct such radial force variations to predetermined minimum acceptance levels, means to provide a closed loop continuous measurement of such radial force variations, and means to control the means to grind so they are actuated with a predetermined force, but of a timed duration directly dependent upon the force variations.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-04-12	1974-10-12	1975-04-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-04-12	1978-10-12	1979-04-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-04-12	1982-10-12	1983-04-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Tire uniformity correction machine

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