Apparatus for curing retread tire assemblies
AssigneeMichelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
InventorTheophile Henry Louchart, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for curing retread tire assemblies includes an autoclave in which retread assemblies are placed and a heated water system for heating the autoclave. The heated water system provides heated water under pressure to the autoclave to achieve heat transfer at a rate and capacity sufficient for curing the retread assemblies. A control valve controls the flow of heated water according the heating demand of the autoclave. The system is adaptable for use in curing presses for retread assemblies.
Claims15
An apparatus for curing tires, comprising:
- a chamber for containing at least one retread tire assembly for curing;
- a heat exchanger disposed in the chamber;
- a heating unit for heating water connected to the heat exchanger in a closed circuit;
- a pump for circulating a flow of water between the heating unit and the heat exchanger;
- and,
- a control valve connected in the closed circuit to control the flow of water to the heat exchanger to attain and maintain a predetermined temperature in the chamber.
A method for curing retreaded tire assemblies having a precured tread, comprising the steps of:
- placing a plurality of retreaded tire assemblies in a chamber;
- heating water to a temperature of at least 143° C.;
- circulating the heated water in a closed circuit through a heat exchanger in the chamber;
- circulating air in the chamber to flow by the heat exchanger;
- and
- controlling the circulation of water to obtain and maintain an air temperature of at least 126° C. for a predetermined curing duration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.