Rotating mixing chamber for tire curation
AssigneeThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
InventorsWilliam Allen Rex, Carmen John Marinucci, Makenzie Patrice Nasci
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are various embodiments for a rotating mixing chamber apparatus for tire curation. In some examples, an apparatus includes a curing bladder of a tire curing mold and a media distribution cap positioned in a center of the curing bladder. The media distribution cap has an inlet chamber to receive a gas in a plurality of distribution openings. The media distribution cap is configured to rotate about a center axis of the curing bladder when the gas enters the inlet. The gas is distributed into the curing bladder through the distribution openings.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a curing bladder of a tire curing mold;
- a media distribution cap positioned in a center of the curing bladder;
- the media distribution cap having an inlet chamber to receive a gas and a plurality of distribution openings;
- and
- the media distribution cap configured to rotate about a center axis of the curing bladder when the gas enters the inlet chamber, the gas being distributed into the curing bladder through the distribution openings.
A method of operating a tire mixing chamber apparatus for tire curation, comprising:
- positioning a rotating tire mixing chamber assembly within a preformed tire, the rotating tire mixing chamber assembly having a curing bladder attached;
- pre-shaping the curing bladder by providing a first portion of steam through the rotating tire mixing chamber assembly, the first portion of steam is provided at a pressure that is less than a first pressure threshold, a media distribution cap of the rotating tire mixing chamber assembly rotates as the first portion of the steam is provided to the curing bladder;
- expanding the curing bladder to press against an interior of the preformed tire by increasing the pressure to at least a second pressure threshold with a second portion of steam, the second portion of steam causing an elevated temperature at the preformed tire;
- increasing the pressure to a third pressure threshold by providing nitrogen to the curing bladder through the rotating tire mixing chamber assembly;
- and
- curing the preformed tire at the elevated temperature for a set period of time in order to generate a formed tire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.