Powder dispensing/collection manifold for indoor wear testing

Abstract

A powder dispensing/collection device for indoor testing of pneumatic tires includes a first outer housing (12) having an open end (24) facing a road wheel (94). First and second adjustable shrouds (28), (32) are disposed on an upper and lower portion of the outer housing respectfully. The shrouds are selectively moveable in a direction perpendicular to a width (w) of the outer housing. A second inner housing (48) is partially enclosed by the outer housing and has an open end (64) facing the road wheel which protrudes out from the outer housing a predetermined distance. At least one of the outer walls of the inner housing and the inner walls of the outer housing define a vacuum collection chamber (76). The inner housing is manually moveable within the outer housing so that the distance between the open end of the inner housing and the road wheel can be adjusted. A hose (78) extends through an aperture (80) in the inner housing and into the dispensing chamber. A spray nozzle (84) is connected to the free end of the hose. The position of the spray nozzle within the dispensing chamber is adjustable by manually moving the nozzle backward or forward within the inner housing. At least one vacuum duct (82a, 82b) is operatively connected to a rear wall (22) of the outer housing for transferring a vacuum force to the vacuum collection chamber.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.