US3604249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for testing pneumatic tire casings
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1968-06-21
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1988-06-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for testing pneumatic tire casings while the inflated tire is mounted on a wheel is described. A vibration source in contact with the exterior surface of the tire is caused to vibrate at the natural resonance frequency of the mounted tire. A detector sensitive to the vibration of the tire is in contact with a different region of the exterior surface of the tire. Typically, the vibrator is located on the sidewall of the tire opposite that on which the detector is located and displaced from each other in the circumferential direction. The vibrator and detector positions are maintained constant with respect to one another while they are both moved relative to the tire circumference thereby checking the vibration transmission characteristic of the entire tire. A defect in the tire cord or ply separation of the cord is evidenced by a substantial change in the detected vibration.
Inventors
- 👤 David G Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/12; G01M; G01M17/00; G01M17/007; G01M17/02; G01M17/025; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/26; G01N2291/269; G01N2291/2692; G01N2291/2696
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for testing the casing of an inflated tire comprising, means for producing a resonant vibration in said tire by applying a force of the resonant frequency to the exterior of said tire at one region of the tire, means for sensing the vibration at the exterior surface of said tire at another region spaced from said one region, means for maintaining constant the position of said vibration producing means with respect to said sensing means, while rotating said tire with respect to said vibration producing and sensing means, said sensing means providing an output signal to an indicating instrument whose amplitude is proportional to the amplitude of the sensed vibration as Said tire is rotated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for testing the casing of an inflated tire comprising, means for producing a resonant vibration in said tire by applying a force of the resonant frequency to the exterior of said tire at one region of the tire, means for sensing the vibration at the exterior surface of said tire at another region spaced from said one region, means for maintaining constant the position of said vibration producing means with respect to said sensing means, while rotating said tire with respect to said vibration producing and sensing means, said sensing means providing an output signal to an indicating instrument whose amplitude is proportional to the amplitude of the sensed vibration as Said tire is rotated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vibration producing means comprises, a mechanical vibrator in contact with a small region of said tire, a source of power for said vibrator to energize the vibrator, said vibrator having a vibration frequency range which includes the resonant frequency of said tire, means for holding said vibrator against said tire with a constant pressure, said holding means being adapted to allow said vibrator to be circumferentially and radially positioned with respect to said tire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said vibration sensing means comprises, a vibration-sensitive detector, means for holding said detector in contact with a different small region of said tire with a constant pressure, said detector holding means being adapted to radially position said detector with respect to said tire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein, the contact region of said vibrator is on one sidewall of the tire and the contact region of said detector is on the other sidewall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein, said detector and vibrator holding means is a separate air cylinder for each holding means, each cylinder being maintained at a constant pressure from an air supply, and said detector and vibrator have a roller at their point of contact with the tire.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of testing the casing of an inflated tire for defects comprising, inducing a resonant vibration in said tire by applying a force at the resonant frequency to the exterior surface at one region of said tire, detecting the amplitude of the resonant vibration on the exterior surface of said tire at a region spaced from said one region, causing said detected vibrations to energize an indicating device in proportion to the intensity thereof, rotating said tire about its axis, maintaining the positions of applications of said induced vibration and said detected vibration constant with respect to each other and to said tire configuration as said tire is rotated.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of testing the casing of an inflated tire for defects comprising, inducing a resonant vibration in said tire by applying a force at the resonant frequency to the exterior surface at one region of said tire, detecting the amplitude of the resonant vibration on the exterior surface of said tire at a region spaced from said one region, causing said detected vibrations to energize an indicating device in proportion to the intensity thereof, rotating said tire about its axis, maintaining the positions of applications of said induced vibration and said detected vibration constant with respect to each other and to said tire configuration as said tire is rotated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said detecting of the resonant vibration comprises in addition, detecting the vibration at different positions on said tire whereby the null point of the tire resonant vibration is determined, maintaining said null point position, and thereafter rotating said tire while said detecting position is maintained in the null position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 comprising applying the force to one sidewall of the tire, and detecting the resonant vibration on the other sidewall of the tire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising in addition means for moving said sensing means with respect to said vibration producing means.
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) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |