Tire defect detection system that images localized cooling at a defect

A method for inspecting a tire, the method comprising:

• (a) inflating the tire with an expanding gas;
• (b) capturing a reference frame of a section of the tire using an infrared camera;
• (c) pausing capture of the infrared camera for a period of time enabling air to escape through the tire in the presence of a defect in the tire, wherein escaping air cools an area of the tire around the defect;
• (d) after pausing, capturing a subsequent frame of the section;
• (e) comparing the reference frame to the subsequent frame to identify a difference in temperature;
• (f) comparing the difference in temperature to a threshold temperature;
• (g) if the difference in temperature is greater than the threshold temperature, determining that a defect exists and storing defect data;
• (h) if the difference in temperature is less than the threshold temperature:
• determining that the amount of time, as measured from the start of the pause, has exceeded the threshold amount of time indicating the absence of the defect;
• or
• determining that an amount of time, as measured from a start of the pause, has not exceeded a threshold amount of time, repeating steps (c)-(h).