Method and apparatus for inspecting tires

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1 including maintaining said source of penetrative radiation in a location axially between and radially inwardly of the tire bead rims while establishing engagement of said opposite side wall portions of the tire.

Claim 4

actuator means for adjustably moving said source element radially relative to said axis from a retracted position wherein said element is disposed radially between said axis and said sealing surfaces to an inspection position wherein the said element is moved relative to said axis radially away from said axis; d. tire inflation means for communicating pressurized gas to a location between said tire engaging members; e. said tire engaging members comprising annular rim members each having a sealing surface which is configured to sealingly engage a bead rim of a tire being inspected, said annular rim members disposed about hub elements defined by said tire engaging means, and connecting means for detachably securing said rim members to said hub elements to enable removal and replacement of said rim members when tires having different sized bead rim diameters are inspected; and, f. radiation detection means for detecting radiation which has passed into the tire wall from said source means, said detection means effective to provide inspection information concerning the construction of the tire.

Claim 5

actuator means for adjustably moving said source element radially relative to said axis from a retracted position wherein said element is disposed radially between said axis and said sealing surfaces to an inspection position wherein the said element is moved relative to said axis radially away from said axis; d. tire inflation means for communicating pressurized gas to a location between said tire engaging members; e. said tire engaging members comprising annular rim members each having a sealing surface which is configured to sealingly engage a bead rim of a tire being inspected, said annular rim members disposed about hub elements defined by said tire engaging means, and connecting means for detachably securing said rim members to said hub elements to enable removal and replacement of said rim members when tires having different sized bead rim diameters are inspected; and, f. radiation detection means for detecting radiation which has passed into the tire wall from said source means, said detection means effective to provide inspection information concerning the construction of the tire.

Claim 6

actuator means connected between said x-ray tube and one of said members for adjustably moving said tube radially relative to said axis from a retracted position wherein said tube is disposed radially between said axis and said sealing surfaces to an inspection position wherein the radial distance between a part of said tube and said axis is at least the same as the radial distance between said sealing surfaces and said axis; d. radiation detection means for detecting x-rays which emanate from said source means; and, e. tire inflation means for communicating pressurized gas to a location between said tire engaging members.

Claim 7

actuator means connected between said x-ray tube and one of said members for adjustably moving said tube radially relative to said axis from a retracted position wherein said tube is disposed radially between said axis and said sealing surfaces to an inspection position wherein the radial distance between a part of said tube and said axis is at least the same as the radial distance between said sealing surfaces and said axis; d. radiation detection means for detecting x-rays which emanate from said source means; and, e. tire inflation means for communicating pressurized gas to a location between said tire engaging members.

Claim 8

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein inflating the tire comprises introducing pressurized air into the tire.

Claim 9

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein engaging axially opposite side wall portions of the tire comprises sealingly engaging the bead rims of the tire and further including spreading the bead rims apart when the tire is inflated.

Claim 10

A method as claimed in claim 1 further including producing a beam of penetrative radiation from said source and sweeping said beam from one tire bead rim to the other tire bead rim whereby the tire wall is completely inspected.

Claim 11

A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein detecting penetrative radiation comprises positioning a radiation detection device outside of the tire and moving the detection device about the tire to maintain the detecting device substantially within the path of the beam during inspection of the tire.

Claim 12

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein detecting penetrative radiation comprises producing a transparency image of the penetrative radiation which has passed through the tire wall.

Claim 13

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein relatively rotating the tire source between the axial wall portions; the radiation source comprises rotating the tire about its centerline.

Claim 16

The method claimed in claim 9 wherein directing x-rays comprises forming a beam of x-rays and sweeping the x-ray beam about the tire in a plane passing through the tire wall portions, bead rims of the tire and the tread area of the tire.

Claim 17

The method claimed in claim 10 wherein detecting x-rays comprises stationing an x-ray detector means outside of said tire and moving said detector means about the tire in said plane in timed relation to the sweep of said beam.

Claim 18

The method claimed in claim 9 wherein inflating said tire comprises introducing pressurized air into the tire and further including absorbing soft x-rays with said pressurized air to reduce the quantity of soft x-rays detected.

Claim 19

The method claimed in claim 9 wherein positioning an x-ray source between the axial wall portions comprises relatively moving the tire and tHe x-ray source to positon a focal spot of the x-ray source within the toroidal volume defined by the tire.

Claim 20

Tire inspection apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a tire engaging member defining a continuous sealing surface, said sealing surfaces each disposed about a common axis and spaced from each other along said axis; b. actuator means for moving at least one of said tire engaging members along said axis from a retracted position to a first tire engaging position wherein opposite sides of a tire are engageable by said sealing surfaces respectively; c. radiation source means comprising a device for producing penetrative radiation supported by one of said tire engaging means at a location axially between said tire engaging members; d. second actuator means for adjustably moving said device radially relative to said axis to an inspection position wherein the radial distance between said device and said axis is at least as great as the radial distance between said sealing surfaces and said axis; e. detection means for detecting radiation emanating from said source means; and, f. inflation means for inflating a tire engaged by said first and second tire engaging means.

Claim 21

Tire inspection apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a tire engaging member defining a continuous sealing surface, said sealing surfaces each disposed about a common axis and spaced from each other along said axis; b. actuator means for moving at least one of said tire engaging members along said axis from a retracted position to a first tire engaging position wherein opposite sides of a tire are engageable by said sealing surfaces respectively; c. radiation source means comprising a device for producing penetrative radiation supported by one of said tire engaging means at a location axially between said tire engaging members; d. second actuator means for adjustably moving said device radially relative to said axis to an inspection position wherein the radial distance between said device and said axis is at least as great as the radial distance between said sealing surfaces and said axis; e. detection means for detecting radiation emanating from said source means; and, f. inflation means for inflating a tire engaged by said first and second tire engaging means.

Claim 22

The apparatus claimed in claim 14 wherein said sealing surfaces are defined by rotatable hub members and are engageable with bead rims of a tire.

Claim 23

The apparatus claimed in claim 14 wherein said first mentioned actuator means effects movement of said at least one tire engaging member toward said retracted position from said first tire engaging position to a second tire engaging position wherein bead rims of a tire engaged by said sealing surfaces are spread apart by internal pressure forces in said tire.

Claim 24

The apparatus claimed in claim 14 wherein said detection means comprises a detecting member orbitally movable about said source means.

Claim 25

The apparatus claimed in claim 14 wherein said device for producing radiation comprises an x-ray tube which directs x-rays radially therefrom in a plane extending generally parallel to said axis.

Claim 26

The apparatus claimed in claim 18 wherein said x-ray tube emits a beam of x-rays which is swept about said inspection position in said plane.

Claim 27

The apparatus claimed in claim 19 wherein said detection means comprises an x-ray detector member and means for moving said detector orbitally about said inspection position.

Claim 28

The apparatus claimed in claim 14 wherein said inflation means comprises a source of pressurized gas and means for communicating said source of pressurized gas to one of said tire engaging means.

Claim 29

Tire inspection apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a tire engaging member defining a continuous annular sealing surface, said sealing surfaces each disposed about a common axis and spaced from each other along said axis; b. means for positioning a tire for sealing engagement by said sealing surfaces respectively so that a sealed volume is defined within the tire between said tire engaging members; c. radiation source means comprising:

Claim 30

Tire inspection apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a tire engaging member defining a continuous annular sealing surface, said sealing surfaces each disposed about a common axis and spaced from each other along said axis; b. means for positioning a tire for sealing engagement by said sealing surfaces respectively so that a sealed volume is defined within the tire between said tire engaging members; c. radiation source means comprising:

Claim 31

Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said tire engaging members each comprise a rotatable hub member and said sealing surfaceS are each defined by an annular member detachably connected to said hub member.

Claim 32

Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said tire engaging members each comprise a rotatable hub member and said seal sealing surfaces are defined by the peripheries of said hub members.

Claim 33

Apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said x-ray tube produces a beam of x-rays which is swept about said inspection position in a plane substantially parallel to said axis.

Claim 34

Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 further including means for rotating a tire engaged by said tire engaging means about said axis relative to said radiation source means.

Claim 35

A tire inspection apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a member defining a continuous annular sealing surface for engaging with and sealing a bead rim of a tire whereby a sealed volume is defined between said tire engaging members within a tire engaged thereby; b. inflation means for communicating pressurized gas to a location between said tire engaging members for inflating a tire engaged thereby; c. source means for producing tire penetrating emanations, said source means disposed between said tire engaging members and located in the volume defined between said tire engaging members and within a tire supported thereby; and, d. detection means for detecting emanations from said source means to produce inspection information concerning the tire.

Claim 36

A tire inspection apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a member defining a continuous annular sealing surface for engaging with and sealing a bead rim of a tire whereby a sealed volume is defined between said tire engaging members within a tire engaged thereby; b. inflation means for communicating pressurized gas to a location between said tire engaging members for inflating a tire engaged thereby; c. source means for producing tire penetrating emanations, said source means disposed between said tire engaging members and located in the volume defined between said tire engaging members and within a tire supported thereby; and, d. detection means for detecting emanations from said source means to produce inspection information concerning the tire.

Claim 37

Tire inspection apparatus as claimed in claim 27 further including actuator means for moving at least one of said tire engaging members toward the other tire engaging member to a tire engaging position, said actuator means effective to enable said at least one tire engaging member to move relatively away from said other tire engaging member to a tire inspection position in which bead rims of said tire are uniformly spread apart by the pressurized gas in said volume and are maintained in sealing engagement with said members.

Claim 38

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall defining an annulus comprising bead rims, side wall portions and a tread portion which define a toroidal volume, the method comprising: a. moving a tire to an inspection station; b. supporting the tire at the inspection station; c. introducing a fluid under pressure into the volume to inflate the tire during inspection; d. providing a source means for directing tire penetrating emanations at least partially through the tire wall; e. relatively rotating the tire and the source about a rotation axis extending along the tire centerline; f. providing an emanation detecting means; g. stationing one of said means at an inspection location axially between the bead rims and radially spaced from the rotation axis; h. detecting emanations which penetrate the tire while inflated from the source means to provide inspection information concerning the construction of the tire.

Claim 39

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall defining an annulus comprising bead rims, side wall portions and a tread portion which define a toroidal volume, the method comprising: a. moving a tire to an inspection station; b. supporting the tire at the inspection station; c. introducing a fluid under pressure into the volume to inflate the tire during inspection; d. providing a source means for directing tire penetrating emanations at least partially through the tire wall; e. relatively rotating the tire and the source about a rotation axis extending along the tire centerline; f. providing an emanation detecting means; g. stationing one of said means at an inspection location axially between the bead rims and radially spaced from the rotation axis; h. detecting emanations which penetrate the tire while inflated from the source means to provide inspection information concerning the construction of the tire.

Claim 40

A method as claimed in claim 29 further characterized in that inflating the tire comprises introducing pressurized air into the tire.

Claim 41

A method as claimed in claim 29 wherein supporting the tire is further characterized by sealingly engaging the bead rims of the tire and spreading the bead rims apart when the tire is inflated.

Claim 42

A method as claimed in claim 29 further characterized by producing a beam of penetrative radiation from said source means and sweeping said beam from one tire bead rim to the other tire bead rim whereby the tire wall is completely inspected.

Claim 43

A method as claimed in claim 29 wherein detecting emanations comprises producing a transparency image of tire wall portion through which the emanations have passed.

Claim 44

The method claimed in claim 29 wherein said source means comprises an x-ray tube and further comprising operating said x-ray tube to direct x-rays through the tire from the inspection location and detecting x-rays which have been passed through the tire from the x-ray tube.

Claim 45

The method claimed in clAim 29 wherein emanations are directed from the source means to the detecting means throughout the tire wall from bead rim to bead rim.

Claim 48

A method as claimed in claim 36 wherein positioning the source of penetrative radiation comprises locating the source of penetrative radiation at least adjacent the toroidal volume within the circumference of the tire tread portion.

Claim 49

A method as claimed in claim 36 wherein penetrative radiation is directed from the source throughout the circumferential section of the tire wall from bead rim to bead rim.

Claim 50

Tire inspection apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a tire engaging member defining a continuous sealing surface, said sealing surfaces each disposed about a common axis and spaced from each other along said axis; b. radiation source means comprising a device for producing penetrative radiation emanating from a focal spot; c. actuator means for adjustably moving said device radially relative to said tire engaging members to an inspection position wherein the focal spot is axially between said sealing surfaces and radially adjacent circumferential portions of said sealing surfaces; d. inflation means for inflating a tire engaged by said first and second tire engaging means; and, e. radiation detection means for detecting radiation passing through the wall of the inflated tire and providing inspection information concerning the construction of the tire.

Claim 51

Tire inspection apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a tire engaging member defining a continuous sealing surface, said sealing surfaces each disposed about a common axis and spaced from each other along said axis; b. radiation source means comprising a device for producing penetrative radiation emanating from a focal spot; c. actuator means for adjustably moving said device radially relative to said tire engaging members to an inspection position wherein the focal spot is axially between said sealing surfaces and radially adjacent circumferential portions of said sealing surfaces; d. inflation means for inflating a tire engaged by said first and second tire engaging means; and, e. radiation detection means for detecting radiation passing through the wall of the inflated tire and providing inspection information concerning the construction of the tire.

Claim 52

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall including a tread portion, side walls and bead rims, the wall defining a toroidal volume, the steps comprising: a. providing tire penetrating emanation emitting and detecting structures; b. locating at least part of one of said structures within the toroidal volume; c. relatively positioning the tire and the emitting and detecting structures so that source emanations may pass from the emitting structure into the tire wall and to the detecting structure; d. inflating the tire; e. passing emanations from the emitting structure into the tire wall; and, f. detecting emanations which emerge from the tire wall with the detecting structure while the tire is inflated to produce inspection information concerning the structure of the tire wall.

Claim 53

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall including a tread portion, side walls and bead rims, the wall defining a toroidal volume, the steps comprising: a. providing tire penetrating emanation emitting and detecting structures; b. locating at least part of one of said structures within the toroidal volume; c. relatively positioning the tire and the emitting and detecting structures so that source emanations may pass from the emitting structure into the tire wall and to the detecting structure; d. inflating the tire; e. passing emanations from the emitting structure into the tire wall; and, f. detecting emanations which emerge from the tire wall with the detecting structure while the tire is inflated to produce inspection information concerning the structure of the tire wall.

Claim 54

The method claimed in claim 40 wherein directing emanations from said emitting structure comprises directing the emanations through the tire wall from bead rim to bead rim.

Claim 55

The method claimed in claim 41 wherein directing emanations comprises forming a relatively narrow beam of tire penetrating radiation and sweeping the radiation beam about the tire wall from bead rim to bead rim.

Claim 56

Inspection apparatus for tires each comprising a wall defining an annulus having a tread portion, side wall portions and bead rims extending about the inner peripheries of the side wall portions, the apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a tire eNgaging member defining a continuous annular sealing surface, said sealing surfaces each disposed about a common axis and spaced from each other along said axis; b. means for positioning a tire for sealing engagement by said sealing surfaces respectively so that a sealed volume is defined within the tire between said tire engaging members; c. radiation source means comprising:

Claim 57

Inspection apparatus for tires each comprising a wall defining an annulus having a tread portion, side wall portions and bead rims extending about the inner peripheries of the side wall portions, the apparatus comprising: a. first and second tire engaging means each comprising a tire eNgaging member defining a continuous annular sealing surface, said sealing surfaces each disposed about a common axis and spaced from each other along said axis; b. means for positioning a tire for sealing engagement by said sealing surfaces respectively so that a sealed volume is defined within the tire between said tire engaging members; c. radiation source means comprising:

Claim 58

Apparatus as claimed in claim 43 wherein said rim members are substantially composed of a material which is substantially transparent to the tire penetrating radiation.

Claim 59

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall defining an annulus comprising bead rims, side wall portions and a tread portion which define a toroidal volume, the method comprising: a. moving a tire to an inspection station; b. supporting the tire at the inspection station; c. sealingly engaging axial sides of the tire to provide a sealable volume defined at least in part by the tire; d. introducing a fluid under pressure into the volume to inflate the tire during inspection; e. providing a source of penetrative radiation for directing penetrative radiation through the tire wall; f. positioning the source of penetrative radiation relative to the tire at an inspection location axially between the bead rims and radially spaced from the rotation axis; g. relatively rotating the tire and the source of penetrative radiation about a rotation axis extending along the tire centerline; h. providing a radiation detecting means; and, i. detecting penetrative radiation which passes through the tire while inflated from the source of penetrative radiation to provide inspection information concerning the constructon of the tire.

Claim 60

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall defining an annulus comprising bead rims, side wall portions and a tread portion which define a toroidal volume, the method comprising: a. moving a tire to an inspection station; b. supporting the tire at the inspection station; c. sealingly engaging axial sides of the tire to provide a sealable volume defined at least in part by the tire; d. introducing a fluid under pressure into the volume to inflate the tire during inspection; e. providing a source of penetrative radiation for directing penetrative radiation through the tire wall; f. positioning the source of penetrative radiation relative to the tire at an inspection location axially between the bead rims and radially spaced from the rotation axis; g. relatively rotating the tire and the source of penetrative radiation about a rotation axis extending along the tire centerline; h. providing a radiation detecting means; and, i. detecting penetrative radiation which passes through the tire while inflated from the source of penetrative radiation to provide inspection information concerning the constructon of the tire.

Claim 61

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall defining an annulus comprising bead rims, side wall portions and a tread portion which define a toroidal volume, the method comprising: a. moving a tire to an inspection station; b. supporting the tire at the inspection station; c. introducing a fluid under pressure into the volume to inflate the tire during inspection; d. providing a source of penetrative radiation for directing penetrative radiation through the tire wall; e. positioning the source of penetrative radiation at a location radially inward from the tire bead rims and axially spaced from the annulus defined by the tire wall as the tire moves to the inspection station; f. relatively moving said source of penetrative radiation and the tire when the tire is engaged at said inspection station so that said source of penetrative radiation extends into the annulus of the tire and is positioned at said inspection location relative to the tire when the tire is at said inspection station; g. relatively rotating the tire and the source of penetrative radiation about a rotation axis extending along the tire centerline; h. providing a radiation detecting means; and, i. detecting penetrative radiation which passes through the tire while inflated from the source of penetrative radiation to provide inspection information concerning the construction of the tire.

Claim 62

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall defining an annulus comprising bead rims, side wall portions and a tread portion which define a toroidal volume, the method comprising: a. moving a tire to an inspection station; b. supporting the tire at the inspection station; c. introducing a fluid under pressure into the volume to inflate the tire during inspection; d. providing a source of penetrative radiation for directing penetrative radiation through the tire wall; e. positioning the source of penetrative radiation at a location radially inward from the tire bead rims and axially spaced from the annulus defined by the tire wall as the tire moves to the inspection station; f. relatively moving said source of penetrative radiation and the tire when the tire is engaged at said inspection station so that said source of penetrative radiation extends into the annulus of the tire and is positioned at said inspection location relative to the tire when the tire is at said inspection station; g. relatively rotating the tire and the source of penetrative radiation about a rotation axis extending along the tire centerline; h. providing a radiation detecting means; and, i. detecting penetrative radiation which passes through the tire while inflated from the source of penetrative radiation to provide inspection information concerning the construction of the tire.

Claim 63

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall including a tread portion, side walls and bead rims, the wall defining a toroidal volume, the steps comprising: a. providing penetrating radiation emitting and detecting structures; b. locating at least part of one of said structures within the toroidal volume; c. relatively positioning the tire and the emitting and detecting structures so that a beam may pass from the emitting structure through the wall to the detecting structure; d. inflating the tire; e. passing radiation from the emitting structure through the tire wall; and f. detecting radiation with the detecting structure which detected radiation has passed through the wall once while the tire is inflated to inspect the structure of the wall for defects.

Claim 64

In a method of inspecting an inflatable tire having a wall including a tread portion, side walls and bead rims, the wall defining a toroidal volume, the steps comprising: a. providing penetrating radiation emitting and detecting structures; b. locating at least part of one of said structures within the toroidal volume; c. relatively positioning the tire and the emitting and detecting structures so that a beam may pass from the emitting structure through the wall to the detecting structure; d. inflating the tire; e. passing radiation from the emitting structure through the tire wall; and f. detecting radiation with the detecting structure which detected radiation has passed through the wall once while the tire is inflated to inspect the structure of the wall for defects.

Claim 65

The method claimed in claim 47 wherein locating at least part of one of said structures comprises locating at least part of said emitting structure within the toroidal volume.