High voltage tire testing apparatus

An apparatus for detecting flaws in a tire during rotation of the tire about a substantially horizontal axis, comprising:

• (a) a frame sized to be placed in the interior of the tire substantially adjacent a lowest portion of said interior of the tire;
• (b) support means for the frame interfacing with an interior surface of the tire so that upon rotation of the tire, the frame moves freely relative to the tire interior surface and by gravitational force remains in a substantially lowest portion of the tire interior surface;
• and
• (c) at least one test probe supported on the frame, wherein the at least one test probe is adapted to be connected to a voltage generator to create an electric field within the tire sufficient to cause an electric arc upon encountering the flaw.

A system for detecting a flaw in a tire, comprising:

• (a) a frame sized to be placed in the interior of the tire;
• (b) a support connected to the frame so that upon rotation of the tire the frame travels around the interior of the tire, wherein the frame is substantially supported by the tire;
• (c) a high voltage generator;
• and
• (d) at least one conductor attached to the frame, wherein the voltage generator is connected to said at least one conductor to produce an electric field therein so that an electric arc is produced in response to the presence of the flaw.

A method for detecting flaws in a tire, comprising:

• (a) placing a frame in the interior of the tire, wherein the frame has at least one roller attached thereto;
• (b) applying an electric field to the inside of the tire through the frame;
• and
• (c) rotating the tire so that the frame rotates on the at least one roller around the interior of the tire in a shiftable relationship in a predetermined testing orientation relative to the tire interior, wherein the frame substantially aligns in both circumferential and radial orientations relative to the tire interior, without external guidance, wherein an electric arc is produced upon the electric field encountering the flaw.

A device for detecting a flaw in a tire, comprising:

• a voltage generator;
• and
• a frame dimensioned to be accommodated within the tire and comprising:
• a support operably attached to the frame, the support including structure to move the frame relative to the interior of the tire and to remain in substantially the same lowest position of the interior of the tire by gravitational force when the tire is rotated, and
• a first pin in electrical communication with the voltage generator, the first pin cooperating with the voltage generator to establish an electric field, an arc extending from the electric field through the flaw when the flaw is proximate the electric field.

A testing device for detecting a flaw in a tire, comprising:

• a voltage generator;
• a frame;
• a plurality of electrical conductors in mechanical communication with the frame and in electrical communication with the voltage generator such that an electric field is established when the voltage generator provides electrical power to the plurality of conductors, said plurality of electrical conductors comprising a chain pin and a sidewall wire;
• and
• first and second pairs of rollers rotatably attached to the frame and configured to maintain the frame in a substantially lowermost position in the tire and to center the frame within the tire when the tire is being rotated during an inspection.

A method of testing a tire for a flaw using a testing device, the testing device comprising a voltage generator, a frame, a plurality of electrical conductors, and first and second pairs of rollers, the plurality of electrical conductors in mechanical communication with the frame and in electrical communication with the voltage generator such that an electrical field is established in an interior of the tire when the voltage generator provides electrical power to the plurality of conductors, the first and second pairs of rollers in rotatable, mechanical communication with the frame and configured to maintain the frame in a substantially lowermost position in the tire and to center the frame within the tire when the tire is rotated during an inspection, the method comprising:

• placing the frame within the tire;
• supplying electrical power to the plurality of electrical conductors such that the electrical field is established within the tire;
• and
• rotating the tire such that an arc extends from the electrical field through the flaw when the flaw is proximate the electrical field.

A testing device for detecting the presence of a flaw in a tire, comprising:

• a frame configured to be accommodated within the tire;
• an electrical connector attached proximate the frame for establishing an electrical field within the tire;
• and
• a support for maintaining the frame at a lowest portion of the tire by gravitational force and for centering the frame within the tire when the tire is being rotated.