Apparatus and method for high pressure testing and inspection of tires
OwnerLeslie M. Bubikinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for inspecting and testing tires under high pressure in excess of 50 p.s.i. The apparatus includes a base, a pair of flanges on the shaft which support the tire, means for moving the flanges together to insure a seal between the flanges and the tire beads and means for introducing air under pressure into the interior of the tire. High frequency sound wave sensing means and indication means are also provided.
Claims14
An apparatus for high pressure testing and inspection of a tire having opposing beads, said apparatus comprising:
- base;
- shaft extending from said base;
- first and second flanges slidably and rotatably mounted on said shaft, each including a peripheral seat designed to seal against one of said tire beads;
- stop means for holding said flanges on said shaft;
- means for moving one or both flanges along the shaft to reduce the space between said flanges and to seal the flange seats against the beads of a tire mounted on said flanges;
- and
- means for introducing air into the interior of said tire to pressurize the tire.
An apparatus for pressurizing and testing a tire having opposing beads, said apparatus comprising:
- base;
- means supported by said base for sealing said tire at its opposing beads;
- means for introducing air into the interior of said tire to pressurize the tire;
- at least one sensor means supported by said base and positioned adjacent the pressurized tire for receiving high frequency sound waves generated by air escaping from said tire;
- and
- indicator means for transmitting an aural or visual signal upon reception of said high frequency sound waves by said sensor means, whereby the circumferential and transverse location of small air leaks in said tire may be determined.
A method for high pressure testing or inspection of a tire having opposing beads, comprising the steps of:
- loosely mounting said tire on a pair of flanges having peripheral seats capable of sealing against said tire beads;
- compressing the tire between said flanges until a seal has been effected between each flange and the respective opposing beads of the tire;
- introducing air under pressure into the interior of the tire to pressurize the tire while simultaneously moving the flanges apart to the extent necessary to permit the pressurized tire to assume a generally normal operating configuration;
- and
- inspecting the surface of the tire with sensor means capable of detecting high frequency sound waves generated by air escaping from the tire to thereby determine the circumferential and transverse location the source of such escapting air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.