US3835591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for correcting dimensional variation in a rotating tire
Assignee: Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co
•
Filing: 1973-05-14
•
Granted: 1974-09-17
•
Expires: 1993-05-14
Abstract
Abstract The method and apparatus for reducing the radial run-out of a rotating tire by grinding or cutting from the tread a portion thereof as determined by noncontacting optical inspection system which provides an electrical signal proportional to the amount of radial run-out, which controls such grinding or cutting. A jet air stream is cooperative with the inspection system to assure a true signal is received unaffected by the heat generated by the grinding or cutting operation. The electrical signal from the inspection system is fed to a comparator which compares the signal with preset limits and thereafter can control the grinding or cutting operation.
Inventors
- 👤 F Cimprich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M17/00; G01M17/007; G01M17/02; G01M17/027; B; B24; B24B; B24B49/00; B24B5/00; B24B5/36; B24B5/366; G01M17/022; G01M17/024; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S451/00; Y10S451/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for reducing the magnitude of radial run-out in a pneumatic tire comprising: Chuck means for supporting and rotating a tire in an inflated condition about its axis; means responsive to radial run-out in the rotating tire to provide an output signal that is proportional to the run-out variation; said last mentioned means includes a sensing means and a light source operative to direct a narrow beam of rays tangentially across a surface of a tire to provide said output signal; tread removing means supported adjacent the tire for movement a predetermined distance to and from engagement therewith for removing a portion of the tire tread when engagement therewith; circuit means responsive to said output signal for moving said tread removing means; and cooling means mounted midway between said sensing means and said light source for directing coolant toward said chuck means and the periphery of a tire mounted thereon to intersect the tire where said beam of rays intercepts said tire to provide a cooling of the surface of a tire thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
An apparatus for reducing the magnitude of radial run-out in a pneumatic tire comprising: Chuck means for supporting and rotating a tire in an inflated condition about its axis; means responsive to radial run-out in the rotating tire to provide an output signal that is proportional to the run-out variation; said last mentioned means includes a sensing means and a light source operative to direct a narrow beam of rays tangentially across a surface of a tire to provide said output signal; tread removing means supported adjacent the tire for movement a predetermined distance to and from engagement therewith for removing a portion of the tire tread when engagement therewith; circuit means responsive to said output signal for moving said tread removing means; and cooling means mounted midway between said sensing means and said light source for directing coolant toward said chuck means and the periphery of a tire mounted thereon to intersect the tire where said beam of rays intercepts said tire to provide a cooling of the surface of a tire thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for reducing the run-out of a tire as set forth in claim 1 where said coolant means is an air jet for directing a stream of air toward a tire on said chuck for breaking up boundary layer to eliminate the interference to the passage of said beam of rays.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus for reducing the run-out of a tire as set forth in claim 2 wherein said sensing means is an infrared device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for reducing the run-out of a tire as set forth in claim 3 wherein said circuit means includes means for providing a reference voltage representative of a minimum level of said run-out variation; means responsive to the onset of that portion of said output signal in excess of said reference voltage for initiating movement of said tread removing means into engagement with the tire; and means responsive to the recession of said signal below said reference voltage to withdraw said material removing means from contact with the tire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for reducing the run-out of a tire as set forth in claim 4 wherein said tread removing means is spaced peripherally a distance along the tire tread from a point midway between said sensing means and said light source; and said means responsive to onset of that portion of said signal in excess of the reference voltage includes means to delay actuation of said tread removing means an amount in tire rotation time corresponding to the said distance between said means to provide said output signal and said tread removing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
204 words
A tire truing machine comprising support means, chuck means mounted on said support means for rotation about a central axis, motive drive means connected to said chuck means for rotating said chuck means and a tire thereon, tool means mounted on said support means for movement toward and away from said central axis of said chuck means for removing of material from a tire held by said chuck means, means for directing radiant energy from a source tangentially toward the periphery of a tire held by said chuck means, a sensing means operative to receive all or part of said radiant energy to provide an output signal proportional to the radial run-out of a tire mounted on said chuck means, circuit means operative to move said tool means toward and away from said central axis of said chuck means in response to said output signal, air jet means operative to direct coolant means toward said chuck means and a tire mounted thereon for cooling the periphery of a tire in which said radiant energy impinges, and said air jet means located between said sensing means and said means for directing radiant energy in a noncontacting relationship relative to a tire mounted on said chuck.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
A tire truing machine comprising support means, chuck means mounted on said support means for rotation about a central axis, motive drive means connected to said chuck means for rotating said chuck means and a tire thereon, tool means mounted on said support means for movement toward and away from said central axis of said chuck means for removing of material from a tire held by said chuck means, means for directing radiant energy from a source tangentially toward the periphery of a tire held by said chuck means, a sensing means operative to receive all or part of said radiant energy to provide an output signal proportional to the radial run-out of a tire mounted on said chuck means, circuit means operative to move said tool means toward and away from said central axis of said chuck means in response to said output signal, air jet means operative to direct coolant means toward said chuck means and a tire mounted thereon for cooling the periphery of a tire in which said radiant energy impinges, and said air jet means located between said sensing means and said means for directing radiant energy in a noncontacting relationship relative to a tire mounted on said chuck.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of truing tires comprising the steps of inflating a tire, rotating said inflated tire about its central aixs, measuring the radial run-out by a noncontacting optical system, removing the material at such high portions indicated by said optical system to true the tire, and simultaneously direct a jet of air toward the periphery of the tire at the area of measurement by the noncontacting system.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of truing tires comprising the steps of inflating a tire, rotating said inflated tire about its central aixs, measuring the radial run-out by a noncontacting optical system, removing the material at such high portions indicated by said optical system to true the tire, and simultaneously direct a jet of air toward the periphery of the tire at the area of measurement by the noncontacting system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of truing a tire as set forth in claim 1 wherein said measuring includes the directing of a light beam tangentially of a tire for interception of a portion of such tire.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of truing a tire comprising the steps of inflating a tire, rotating such tire about its central axis, measuring the radial run-out by a noncontacting optical system, comparing the radial run-out with a reference base, removing portions of the periphery of a tire in response to the comparison made between said radial run-out and said reference base, and cooling that portion of the tire being measured by the noncontacting optical system.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of truing a tire comprising the steps of inflating a tire, rotating such tire about its central axis, measuring the radial run-out by a noncontacting optical system, comparing the radial run-out with a reference base, removing portions of the periphery of a tire in response to the comparison made between said radial run-out and said reference base, and cooling that portion of the tire being measured by the noncontacting optical system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of truing a tire as set forth in claim 9 wherein said cooling of the tire is by a jet air stream directed at said tire.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of reducing the magnitude of radial run-out in a pneumatic tire comprising: a. inflating the tire and rotating it about its axis; b. measuring the radial run-out by a noncontacting optical system; c. providing an electrical signal, the amplitude and duration of which is representative of the radial run-out variation of the rotating tire; d. engaging the tread of the rotating tire to a predetermined depth in the locality productive of said signal with a means for removing rubber from the tread region in response to said signal and continuing the engagement of the material-removing means for that portion of a single revolution of the tire corresponding to the time in which said signal is in excess of a predetermined minimum; e. cooling said tire as said removing of rubber is continued to eliminate the radial run-out; and f. continuing rotation of the tire and operation of said material-removing means until the maximum radial runout variation signal is less than said predetermined minimum.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of reducing the magnitude of radial run-out in a pneumatic tire comprising: a. inflating the tire and rotating it about its axis; b. measuring the radial run-out by a noncontacting optical system; c. providing an electrical signal, the amplitude and duration of which is representative of the radial run-out variation of the rotating tire; d. engaging the tread of the rotating tire to a predetermined depth in the locality productive of said signal with a means for removing rubber from the tread region in response to said signal and continuing the engagement of the material-removing means for that portion of a single revolution of the tire corresponding to the time in which said signal is in excess of a predetermined minimum; e. cooling said tire as said removing of rubber is continued to eliminate the radial run-out; and f. continuing rotation of the tire and operation of said material-removing means until the maximum radial runout variation signal is less than said predetermined minimum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method defined in claim 11, further comprising delaying said engagement of the tire with said means for removing material from the tread region until the amplitude of said electrical signal is in excess of a predetermined minimum and the duration exceeds a predetermined minimum time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2097783A
Cited
US2868291A
Cited
US3250043A
Cited
US3426828A
Cited
US3574973A
Cited
US3681877A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |