US4479382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for testing a tire to avoid a torque steer effect
Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
•
Filing: 1982-04-05
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Granted: 1984-10-30
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Expires: 2002-04-05
Abstract
Abstract System for testing pneumatic tires. A tire that revolves under a load is deformed at the area in which it meets the roadway. Such a deformation results in the tire having an effective rolling radius that is shorter than the radius it has while static and/or unloaded. According to the invention, tires are tested by determining their effective rolling radii. When tires having similar effective rolling radii are used on an automotive vehicle, the undesirable torque steer effect is thereby reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Greenhorn
- 👤 William R. Dutt
- 👤 Leonard A. Vandale
- 👤 Douglas L. Winslow
- 👤 David A. Glemming
- 👤 John S. Muhl
- 👤 Michael G. Heisler
- 👤 Jack E. Brown, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M17/00; G01M17/007; G01M17/02; G01M17/022; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/08; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/56; G01P3/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of testing a tire in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, the steps of: inserting said tire between opposed chucks of a measuring device and closing said chucks upon said tire; inflating said tire; simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; and determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of testing a tire in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, the steps of: inserting said tire between opposed chucks of a measuring device and closing said chucks upon said tire; inflating said tire; simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; and determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of testing a tire as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of determining an effective rolling radius of said tire comprises the step of measuring an effective rolling circumference of said tire as said tire revolves under said load.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of testing a tire in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, the steps of: inflating said tire; engaging against said tire a rolling load drum having a predetermined radius; and determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves against said rolling load drum.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of testing a tire in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle comprising, in combination, the steps of: inflating said tire; engaging against said tire a rolling load drum having a predetermined radius; and determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves against said rolling load drum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of testing a tire as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of determining an effective rolling radius of said tire comprises the step of measuring an effective rolling circumference of said tire as said tire revolves under said load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method of testing a tire as claimed in claim 4 wherein said tire and said rolling load drum each exhibit a rotational speed and the step of measuring an effective rolling radius of said tire comprises the steps of: generating a first speed signal having a first value representing said rotational speed of said rolling load drum; generating a second speed signal having a second value representing said rotational speed of said tire; and comparing said first and second values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of testing a tire as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire includes the step of revolving said tire at least twice.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of testing a tire as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second speed signal comprises at least two electrical pulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of testing a tire as claimed in claim 7 wherein a first electrical pulse is generated when said tire is at a first position and a second electrical pulse is generated when said tire is rotated no more than one degree from said first position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a tire manufacturing process including the steps of assembling and curing components to form a tire, subjecting said tire to a test, and shipping said tire to customers only if said tire passes said test, an improved method for testing said tire comprising, in combination, the steps of: inserting said tire between opposed chucks of a testing device; inflating said tire; simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load and checking whether said effective rolling radius meets a predetermined standard; removing said tire from said opposed chucks of said testing device; and indicating whether said effective rolling radius of said tire meets said predetermined standard.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a tire manufacturing process including the steps of assembling and curing components to form a tire, subjecting said tire to a test, and shipping said tire to customers only if said tire passes said test, an improved method for testing said tire comprising, in combination, the steps of: inserting said tire between opposed chucks of a testing device; inflating said tire; simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load and checking whether said effective rolling radius meets a predetermined standard; removing said tire from said opposed chucks of said testing device; and indicating whether said effective rolling radius of said tire meets said predetermined standard.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as claim in claim 9 wherein the step of determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load and checking whether said effective rolling radius meets a predetermined standard comprises the steps of: measuring an effective rolling circumference of said tire as said tire revolves under said load; comparing said effective rolling circumference with a predetermined standard.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the step of simultaneously applying a load to said tire comprises the step of engaging against said tire a rolling load drum having a predetermined radius.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load and checking whether said effective rolling radius meets a predetermined standard comprises the step of measuring an effective rolling circumference of said tire as said tire revolves under said load and checking whether said effective rolling circumference meets a predetermined standard.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said tire and said rolling load drum each exhibit a rotational speed and the step of determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load and checking whether said effective rolling radius meets a predetermined standard comprises the steps of: generating a first speed signal having a first value representing said rotational speed of said rolling load drum; generating a second speed signal having a second value representing said rotational speed of said tire; and comparing said first and second values.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of determining whether first and second tires should be mounted on first and second steerable, automotive wheels adapted to carry first and second tires in order to reduce a torque steer effect created by a rotation of said tires on a roadway comprising, in combination, the steps of: inflating said first tire; simultaneously applying a load to said first tire and revolving said first tire; determining an effective rolling radius of said first tire as said first tire revolves under said load; inflating said second tire; simultaneously applying said load to said second tire and revolving said second tire; determining an effective rolling radius of said second tire as said second tire revolves under said load; and comparing said effective rolling radii of said first and second tires, whereby said first and second tires should be mounted on said first and second steerable, automotive wheels only if said effective rolling radii of said first and second tires are substantially the same.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of determining whether first and second tires should be mounted on first and second steerable, automotive wheels adapted to carry first and second tires in order to reduce a torque steer effect created by a rotation of said tires on a roadway comprising, in combination, the steps of: inflating said first tire; simultaneously applying a load to said first tire and revolving said first tire; determining an effective rolling radius of said first tire as said first tire revolves under said load; inflating said second tire; simultaneously applying said load to said second tire and revolving said second tire; determining an effective rolling radius of said second tire as said second tire revolves under said load; and comparing said effective rolling radii of said first and second tires, whereby said first and second tires should be mounted on said first and second steerable, automotive wheels only if said effective rolling radii of said first and second tires are substantially the same.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method of as claimed in claim 14 wherein: the step of determining an effective rolling radius of said first tire comprises the step of measuring an effective rolling circumference of said first tire as said first tire revolves under said load; and the step of determining an effective rolling radius of said second tire comprises the step of measuring an effective rolling circumference of said second tire as said second tire revolves under said load.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a tire manufacturing system including means for assembling and curing components to form a tire and for testing said tire after said tire has been formed in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle, an improved apparatus for testing said tire comprising, in combination: opposed chuck means for receiving said tire, said chuck means including air means for inflating said tire; machine means for simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; indicator means for determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a tire manufacturing system including means for assembling and curing components to form a tire and for testing said tire after said tire has been formed in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle, an improved apparatus for testing said tire comprising, in combination: opposed chuck means for receiving said tire, said chuck means including air means for inflating said tire; machine means for simultaneously applying a load to said tire and revolving said tire; indicator means for determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves under said load.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
An improved apparatus for testing said radius of said tire as claimed in claim 16 wherein said indicator means includes measurement means for measuring an effective rolling circumference of said tire as said tire revolves under said load.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a tire manufacturing system including means for assembling and curing components to form a tire and for testing said tire after said tire has been formed in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle, an improved apparatus for testing said tire comprising, in combination: air means for inflating said tire; a rolling load drum having a predetermined radius; pressure means, interconnected with said rolling drum, for engaging said rolling load drum against said tire; and indicator means for determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves against said rolling load drum.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a tire manufacturing system including means for assembling and curing components to form a tire and for testing said tire after said tire has been formed in order to reduce a torque steer effect when said tire is used with an automotive vehicle, an improved apparatus for testing said tire comprising, in combination: air means for inflating said tire; a rolling load drum having a predetermined radius; pressure means, interconnected with said rolling drum, for engaging said rolling load drum against said tire; and indicator means for determining an effective rolling radius of said tire as said tire revolves against said rolling load drum.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
An improved apparatus for testing said radius of said tire as claimed in claim 18 wherein said indicator means includes measurement means for measuring an effective rolling circumference of said tire as said tire revolves under said load.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
An improved apparatus for testing said radius of said tire as claimed in claim 19 wherein said tire and said rolling load drum each exhibit a rotational speed and said measurement means further comprises: first detector means, associated with said rolling load drum, for generating a first speed signal having a first value representing said rotational speed of said rolling load drum; second detector means, associated with said tire, for generating a second signal having a second value representing said rotational speed of said tire; and counter means for comparing said first and second values.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
An improved apparatus for testing said radius of said tire as claimed in claim 20 wherein: said first and second speed signals include, respectively, a first and second series of pulses; said counter means counts said first series of pulses for a first interval; and said counter means counts said second series of pulses for a second interval.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
An improved apparatus for testing said radius of said tire as claimed in claim 21 wherein said second speed signal comprises at least two electrical pulses.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
An improved apparatus for testing said radius of said tire as claimed in claim 22 wherein said second detector means generates a first electrical pulse when said tire is at a first position and generates a second electrical pulse when said tire is rotated no more than one degree from said first position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
An improved apparatus for testing said radius of said tire as claimed in claim 23 wherein said pressure means includes a mechanical jack for forcing said rolling load drum against said tire.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-10-30 | 1988-04-30 | 1988-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-10-30 | 1992-04-30 | 1992-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-10-30 | 1996-04-30 | 1996-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |