Automatic pressure and temperature control apparatus and method for curing tire assemblies
AssigneeMichelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
InventorsNorman Christopher, Stephen Manuel, Robert Young
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automatic pressure and temperature control apparatus and method for use in curing tire assemblies including retread tire assemblies is provided. Using water as a heating medium, a new process control method and apparatus is described that allows a more precise control of process variables during steady state conditions such that heat transfer is improved and the undesirable formation of steam is eliminated. Existing processes and equipment for curing tire assemblies can be modified, using the teaching disclosed herein, to implement and achieve the benefits of the present invention.
Claims25
An apparatus for curing tires, comprising:
- a chamber configured for containing at least one tire assembly for curing;
- a heat exchanger disposed in said chamber;
- a heating unit for heating water, said heating unit being in fluid communication with said heat exchanger in a closed circuit, said heating unit having a heating unit outlet for the discharge of heated water from said heating unit;
- a pump for circulating a flow of water between said heating unit and said heat exchanger,
- said pump having a pump inlet for the flow of water into said pump;
- an expansion tank in fluid communication with said heating unit outlet and said pump inlet such that water may circulate within said closed circuit from said heating unit, into said expansion tank, and back to said pump;
- a valve connected in said closed circuit between said heating unit outlet and said expansion tank so as to control the flow of water fed to said expansion tank from said heating unit;
- a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the water in said closed circuit;
- and,
- a control system in communication with said pressure sensor and said valve, said control system configured for opening said valve when the pressure of water in said closed circuit falls below a desired set-point pressure and configured for closing said valve when the pressure of water in said closed circuit rises above the desired set-point pressure.
An apparatus for curing tires, comprising:
- a chamber configured for containing at least one tire assembly for curing;
- a heat exchanger in thermal communication with said chamber;
- a heating unit for heating water, said heating unit being in fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
- a pump for circulating a flow of water between said heating unit and said heat exchanger;
- an expansion tank in fluid communication with said heating unit and said pump such that water may circulate from said heating unit to said expansion tank and said heat exchanger, and back to said pump;
- a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the water;
- and
- a valve connected fluidly between said heating unit and said expansion tank, said valve configured for selectively diverting at least part of the flow between said heating unit and said heat exchanger to said expansion tank based on pressure readings determined by said pressure sensor.
A method for curing tire assemblies, comprising the steps of:
- placing a plurality of tire assemblies in a chamber;
- heating water to a desired set-point temperature using a heating unit;
- 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;
- measuring the pressure of the heated water;
- comparing the measured pressure to a desired set-point pressure;
- opening a control valve to divert the water to an expansion tank if the measured pressure is below the desired set-point pressure;
- and
- closing the control valve to prevent water from flowing to the expansion tank if the measured pressure is above the desired set-point pressure.
A method for curing tire assemblies, comprising the steps of:
- placing a plurality of tire assemblies in a chamber;
- heating water to a desired set-point temperature using a heating unit;
- 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;
- measuring the pressure of the heated water;
- comparing the measured pressure to a desired set-point pressure range;
- opening a control valve to divert the water to an expansion tank if the measured pressure is below the desired set-point pressure range;
- and
- closing the control valve to prevent water from flowing to the expansion tank if the measured pressure is above the desired set-point pressure range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.