Patent US4120193A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4120193A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak-detecting apparatus
Assignee: UG Licensing Services Inc
•
Filing: 1977-05-12
•
Granted: 1978-10-17
•
Expires: 1997-05-12
Abstract
Abstract Leak-detecting apparatus for a tire-vulcanizing press which is extremely sensitive and is capable of monitoring minute leaks in a diaphragm or bag in the region of the bottom of the bag susceptible to cracking and removed from the vicinity of the leak-detecting apparatus which ordinarily is at a top plate of the press. The apparatus includes temperature-sensitive resistive means in a normally balanced bridge circuit which is unbalanced by leakage fluid from the diaphragm for indicating a malfunction of the press and also includes a check valve for preventing air from outside the press from entering the vicinity of the temperature-sensitive resistive means.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter J. Tomsic
- 👤 Floyd E. Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:04
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/06; B29D30/0601; B29D30/0662; B29D30/0654; B29D2030/0659; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In a fluid-operated tire-vulcanizing press having an operating cycle wherein a fluid-inflatable diaphragm which forms an expansible chamber is utilized in conjunction with heated molds to shape and cure a pneumatic tire positioned between the inflatable diaphragm and the molds, leak-detecting apparatus comprising leakage fluid-transfer means communicating with said chamber when a leak occurs in said chamber, and sensing means in said fluid-transfer means and responsive to leakage fluid from said expansible chamber and actuated by said leakage fluid for indicating a malfunction of the press, said fluid-transfer means including means for preventing air from outside the press from entering the fluid-transfer means in the vicinity of said sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a fluid-operated tire-vulcanizing press having an operating cycle wherein a fluid-inflatable diaphragm which forms an expansible chamber is utilized in conjunction with heated molds to shape and cure a pneumatic tire positioned between the inflatable diaphragm and the molds, leak-detecting apparatus comprising leakage fluid-transfer means communicating with said chamber when a leak occurs in said chamber, and sensing means in said fluid-transfer means and responsive to leakage fluid from said expansible chamber and actuated by said leakage fluid for indicating a malfunction of the press, said fluid-transfer means including means for preventing air from outside the press from entering the fluid-transfer means in the vicinity of said sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said sensing means includes temperature-sensitive resistive means for providing a signal for indicating a malfunction of the press.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a fluid-operated tire-vulcanizing press having an operating cycle wherein a fluid-inflatable diaphragm which forms an expansible chamber is utilized in conjunction with heated molds to shape and cure a pneumatic tire positioned between the inflatable diaphragm and the molds, leak-detecting apparatus comprising leakage fluid-transfer means communicating with said chamber when a leak occurs in said chamber, and sensing means including temperature-sensitive resistive means in said fluid-transfer means and responsive to leakage fluid from said expansible chamber and actuated by said leakage fluid for providing a signal for indicating a malfunction of the press, said fluid-transfer means including means for preventing air from outside the press from entering the fluid-transfer means in the vicinity of said sensing means, said temperature-sensitive means comprising one temperature-sensitive means responsive to the ambient temperature and non-responsive to abrupt changes in ambient temperature and a second temperature-sensitive means responsive to abrupt changes in ambient temperature, said first and second temperature-sensitive means being coupled in a normally balanced bridge circuit which is unbalanced by said leakage fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
171 words
In a fluid-operated tire-vulcanizing press having an operating cycle wherein a fluid-inflatable diaphragm which forms an expansible chamber is utilized in conjunction with heated molds to shape and cure a pneumatic tire positioned between the inflatable diaphragm and the molds, leak-detecting apparatus comprising leakage fluid-transfer means communicating with said chamber when a leak occurs in said chamber, and sensing means including temperature-sensitive resistive means in said fluid-transfer means and responsive to leakage fluid from said expansible chamber and actuated by said leakage fluid for providing a signal for indicating a malfunction of the press, said fluid-transfer means including means for preventing air from outside the press from entering the fluid-transfer means in the vicinity of said sensing means, said temperature-sensitive means comprising one temperature-sensitive means responsive to the ambient temperature and non-responsive to abrupt changes in ambient temperature and a second temperature-sensitive means responsive to abrupt changes in ambient temperature, said first and second temperature-sensitive means being coupled in a normally balanced bridge circuit which is unbalanced by said leakage fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for preventing air from outside the press from entering the fluid-transfer means in the vicinity of the sensing means comprises a check valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-16 | 1982-04-17 | 1982-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-16 | 1986-04-17 | 1986-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-16 | 1990-04-17 | 1990-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |