Means for correcting non-uniformity in tires

Claim 2

The combination of a tire grinding machine and a control system therefor comprising means rotatably supporting an inflated tire for rotation about its axis, grinding wheel means mounted adjacent the tire and movable into and out of contact with said tire to selectively grind off portions of the tire tread at various locations in response to force variation measurements taken around the circumference of the tire, comprising: A. means for generating electrical signals representative of force variations around the circumference of a tire and including transducer means engaging the tire, B. a memory means for storing signals from the generating means and emitting an output signal in response to the information stored, and C. a servo mechanism for moving the griNding wheel means to and from a grinding position with respect to the tire in response to the output signal from the memory means.

Claim 3

The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein the memory means is adapted to select and store the signal representative of the lowest force measurement taken during each revolution of the tire.

Claim 4

emitting an output grind signal in response to the information stored therein; and C. a servo mechanism for moving the grinding wheel to and from a grinding position with respect to the tire in response to the output grind signal from the memory and comparator means.

Claim 5

emitting an output grind signal in response to the information stored therein; and C. a servo mechanism for moving the grinding wheel to and from a grinding position with respect to the tire in response to the output grind signal from the memory and comparator means.

Claim 6

emitting an output grind signal in response to the signals received; and C. a servo mechanism for moving the grinding wheel to and from a grinding position with respect to the tire in response to the output grind signal from the memory and comparatory means.

Claim 7

emitting an output grind signal in response to the signals received; and C. a servo mechanism for moving the grinding wheel to and from a grinding position with respect to the tire in response to the output grind signal from the memory and comparatory means.

Claim 8

The combination as claimed in claim 2 including a means for correlating the transmission of a signal to the servo mechanism in response to the rotational position of the tire.

Claim 9

The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the correlating means comprises a delay means connecting the memory means and the servo mechanism to delay the transmission of the output signal from the memory means to the servo mechanism and a means for timing the operation of the delay means in response to the rotation of the tire.

Claim 10

The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein separate force variation measuring means are mounted adjacent to each shoulder rib of the tire.

Claim 11

The combination of a tire grinding machine and a control system therefor comprising means rotatably supporting an inflated tire for rotation about its axis, grinding wheel means mounted adjacent the tire and movable into and out of contact with said tire to selectively grind off portions of the tire tread at various locations in response to force variation measurements taken around the circumference of the tire comprising: A. means for generating electrical signals in response to force variation measurements taken around the circumference of a tire, B. a memory means for selecting and storing the signals from the generating means, representative of the lowest force measurement during each revolution of tire, C. a comparator means for comparing the stored signal from the memory means with the varying signal from the signal generating means to provide an output grind signal when the stored signal and the varying signal differ by a predetermined amount, and D. a servo mechanism for moving the grinding wheel means to and from a grinding position with respect to the tire in response to the output grind signal from the comparator means.

Claim 12

The combination of a tire grinding machine and a control system therefor comprising means rotatably supporting an inflated tire for rotation about its axis, grinding wheel means mounted adjacent the tire and movable into and out of contact with said tire to selectively grind off portions of the tire tread at various locations in response to force variation measurements taken around the circumference of the tire comprising: A. means for generating electrical signals in response to force variation measurements taken around the circumference of a tire, B. a memory means for selecting and storing the signals from the generating means, representative of the lowest force measurement during each revolution of tire, C. a comparator means for comparing the stored signal from the memory means with the varying signal from the signal generating means to provide an output grind signal when the stored signal and the varying signal differ by a predetermined amount, and D. a servo mechanism for moving the grinding wheel means to and from a grinding position with respect to the tire in response to the output grind signal from the comparator means.

Claim 13

The combination of a tire grinding machine and a control system therefor comprising means rotatably supporting an inflated tire for rotation about its axis, grinding wheel means mounted adjacent the tire and movable into and out of contact with said tire to selectively grind off portions of the tire tread at various locations in response to force variation measurements taken around the circumference of the tire, comprising: A. means for generating electrical signals representative of force variations around the circumference of a tire; B. a memory and comparator means for

Claim 14

The combination of a tire grinding machine and a control system therefor comprising means rotatably supporting an inflated tire for rotation about its axis, grinding wheel means mounted adjacent the tire and movable into and out of contact with said tire to selectively grind off portions of the tire tread at various locations in response to force variation measurements taken around the circumference of the tire, comprising: A. means for generating electrical signals representative of force variations around the circumference of a tire; B. a memory and comparator means for

Claim 15

The combination as claimed in claim 7 including a delay means connecting the memory and comparator means and the servo mechanism to delay the transmission of the grind signal from the memory and comparator means to the servo mechanism and a means for timing the operation of the delay means in response to the rotation of the tire.

Claim 18

The device according to claim 9 wherein the rubber removal means comprises at least one grinding wheel adapted to contact one of said laterally spaced shoulder portions of the tread of the tire.

Claim 19

The device according to claim 9 wherein said rubber removal means comprises a pair of grinding wheels, each of said wheels positioned to contact one of the laterally spaced shoulder portions of the tread.

Claim 20

A grinder control comprising: A. a force transducer to measure force variations around the circumference of a circular rotating resilient body in contact therewith and convert such force variations to electrical signals; B. means amplifying the signals; C. a memory means for selecting and storing the signal from the amplifying means representative of a predetermined relative force level of the force variations around the circumference of the body during each revolution of the body; D. a comparator means for comparing the stored signal from said memory means with a varying signal from the amplifying means to provide an output signal when the stored signal and the varying signal differ by a predetermined amount; and E. a servo mechanism for moving a grinding wheel to and from a grinding position with respect to the rotatable body in response to the output signal from the comparator means so that the grinding wheel may selectively grind off portions of the rotatable body and correct the force variations therearound.

Claim 21

A grinder control comprising: A. a force transducer to measure force variations around the circumference of a circular rotating resilient body in contact therewith and convert such force variations to electrical signals; B. means amplifying the signals; C. a memory means for selecting and storing the signal from the amplifying means representative of a predetermined relative force level of the force variations around the circumference of the body during each revolution of the body; D. a comparator means for comparing the stored signal from said memory means with a varying signal from the amplifying means to provide an output signal when the stored signal and the varying signal differ by a predetermined amount; and E. a servo mechanism for moving a grinding wheel to and from a grinding position with respect to the rotatable body in response to the output signal from the comparator means so that the grinding wheel may selectively grind off portions of the rotatable body and correct the force variations therearound.

Claim 22

A grinder control as claimed in claim 12 including a delay means connecting the memory means and the servo mechanism to delay the transmission of the grind signal from the memory means to the servo mechanism and a means for timing the operation of the delay circuit in response to the rotation of the body.

Claim 25

The device according to claim 14 wherein the means in connection with said test drum to measure force variations imposed against said drum by the rotating tire and adapted to produce a signal proportional to the magnitude of said given force variation is adapted to measure force variations imposed radially of the test drum.

Claim 26

The combination of a tire grinding machine and a control system therefore comprising means rotatably supporting an inflated tire for rotation about its axis, grinding wheel means mounted adjacent the tire and movable into and out of contact with said tire to selectively grind off portions of the tire tread at various locations in response to force variation measurements taken around the circumference of the tire, comprIsing: A. means for generating electrical signals representative of force variations around the circumference of a tire; B. a memory and comparator means for

Claim 27

The combination of a tire grinding machine and a control system therefore comprising means rotatably supporting an inflated tire for rotation about its axis, grinding wheel means mounted adjacent the tire and movable into and out of contact with said tire to selectively grind off portions of the tire tread at various locations in response to force variation measurements taken around the circumference of the tire, comprIsing: A. means for generating electrical signals representative of force variations around the circumference of a tire; B. a memory and comparator means for

Claim 28

A grinder control comprising: A. a force transducer to measure force variations around the circumference of a circular rotating resilient body in operative contact therewith and convert such force variations to electrical signals; B. means amplifying the signals; C. a memory means for selecting and storing the signal from the amplifying means representative of a predetermined relative force level of the force variations around the circumference of the body during each revolution of the body; D. a comparator means for comparing the stored signal from said memory means with a varying signal from the amplifying means to provide an output signal when the stored signal and the varying signal differ by a predetermined amount; and E. a servo mechanism for moving a grinding wheel to and from a grinding position with respect to the rotatable body in response to the output signal from the comparator means so that the grinding wheel may selectively grind off portions of the rotatable body and correct the force variations therearound.

Claim 29

A grinder control comprising: A. a force transducer to measure force variations around the circumference of a circular rotating resilient body in operative contact therewith and convert such force variations to electrical signals; B. means amplifying the signals; C. a memory means for selecting and storing the signal from the amplifying means representative of a predetermined relative force level of the force variations around the circumference of the body during each revolution of the body; D. a comparator means for comparing the stored signal from said memory means with a varying signal from the amplifying means to provide an output signal when the stored signal and the varying signal differ by a predetermined amount; and E. a servo mechanism for moving a grinding wheel to and from a grinding position with respect to the rotatable body in response to the output signal from the comparator means so that the grinding wheel may selectively grind off portions of the rotatable body and correct the force variations therearound.

Claim 30

A grinder control as claimed in claim 17 including a delay means connecting the memory means and the servo mechanism to delay the transmission of the grind signal from the memory means to the servo mechanism and a means for timing the operation of the delay circuit in response to the rotation of the body.

Claim 31

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 determine and select grind signals from said amplified signals, 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 portion from only the lateral shoulders in accordance with the grind signals as the tire rotates.

Claim 32

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 determine and select grind signals from said amplified signals, 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 portion from only the lateral shoulders in accordance with the grind signals as the tire rotates.

Claim 33

A tire uniformity correction apparatus according to claim 19 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 34

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 and 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.

Claim 35

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 and 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.