Bladder leak and rupture detector
AssigneeNRM Corporation
InventorThomas C. Jones
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bladder leak and rupture detector employs a low level flow sensor for detecting both bladder leaks and ruptures. False failure signals are avoided by a dual mode logic circuit which monitors for bladder leaks or low level failures only during a preselected portion of the curing cycle and at other times requires sustained flow through the sensor for a predetermined time to indicate bladder ruptures or high level failures. In either case, a warning signal is generated and the cycle may be interrupted to prevent loadng of a next tire into the curing press. Leakage flow passages may be provided for both upper and lower portions of the tire mold cavity to ensure detection of leaks, and vent passages with shut-off valves are provided to facilitate low level leak detection.
Claims27
A bladder leak and rupture detector for a tire curing press having an operating cycle wherein a fluid-inflatable bladder is used in conjunction with a mold cavity to shape and cure a tire positioned between the bladder and mold, said detector comprising:
- leakage passage means communicating with the space between the bladder and mold,
- sensor means responsive to fluid leakage through said leakage passage means, and
- means for generating a failure signal in response to actuation of said sensor means during a preselected portion of the operating cycle and at other times in response to sustained actuation of said sensor means for a predetermined time.
A bladder leak and rupture detector for a tire curing press having an operating cycle wherein a fluid-inflatable bladder is used in conjunction with a mold cavity to shape and cure a tire positioned between the bladder and mold, said detector comprising:
- leakage passage means communicating with the space between the bladder and mold,
- sensor means responsive to fluid leakage through said leakage passage means, and
- means for generating a failure signal in response to actuation of said sensor means during a preselected portion of the operating cycle and at other times in response to sustained actuation of said sensor means for a predetermined time,
- said sensor means being responsive to the rate of flow of fluid through said leakage passage means and including a housing having a bore, a shuttle movably disposed in said bore, a magnet carried by said shuttle, switch means responsive to the position of said magnet, and a piston disposed in said bore operable to move said shuttle in one direction, said piston including metering means for fluid whereby when fluid passes through said metering means, said piston moves in said one direction moving said shuttle thereby to actuate said switch means.
A bladder leak and rupture detector for a tire curing press having an operating cycle wherein a fluid-inflatable bladder is used in conjunction with a mold cavity to shape and cure a tire positioned between the bladder and mold, said detector comprising:
- leakage passage means communicating with the space between the bladder and mold,
- sensor means responsive to fluid leakage through said leakage passage means,
- means for generating a failure signal in response to actuation of said sensor means during a preselected portion of the operating cycle and at other times in response to sustained actuation of said sensor means for a predetermined time,
- vent means communicating with the space between the bladder and mold, and
- valve means for said vent means for opening and closing said vent means, said valve means closing said vent means during such preselected portion of the operating cycle and opening said vent means at such other times.
A detector for producing an output signal indicative of a bladder leak or rupture in a tire curing press having an operating cycle comprising:
- first means for generating a first signal in response to a bladder failure;
- second means for generating a second signal in response to continuous generation of said first signal for a predetermined time period;
- and
- third means for generating an output signal in response to simultaneous generation of said first and second signals.
A detector for producing an output signal indicative of a bladder leak or rupture in a tire curing press having an operating cycle comprising:
- first means for generating a first signal in response to a bladder failure;
- second means for generating a second signal in response to continuous generation of said first signal for a predetermined time period;
- third means for generating an output signal in response to simultaneous generation of said first and second signals;
- and
- means for causing said second means to generate said second signal independently of said first signal during a preselected portion of the operating cycle whereby said output signal is directly responseive to said first signal during such pre-selected portion of the operating cycle.
A detector for sensing a failure in a system comprising:
- sensor means for sensing such failure in the system,
- relay means operable to latch in response to actuation of said sensor means by such failure,
- timer relay means operable to latch in response to continuous energization for a predetermined time,
- first relay contact means operable to energize said timer relay means when said relay means is latched, and
- second relay contact means and a first timer relay contact means connected in series and operable with their respective relay means are latched to generate a failure signal.
A bladder leak detector for a tire curing press including a tire cavity, passage means interconnecting the cavity and atmosphere, and flow responsive signal means in said passage operative to monitor flow through said passage means, said flow responsive signal means being a vertically oriented magnetic piston operative to close a switch when moved vertically.
A bladder leak detector for a tire curing press including a tire cavity, passage means interconnecting the cavity and atmosphere, flow responsive signal means in said passage operative to monitor flow through said passage means, and time delay means requiring sustained flow before actuation of said detector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.