Abstract: A lubricating system indirectly applies a bladder release agent to a green tire and cures the green tire in a tire curing machine. The system includes a deposition device and a curing bladder. The deposition device directly applies bladder release agent on to a deposition bladder. The deposition bladder is inflated within the green tire in order to deposit the bladder release agent on to an inner surface of the green tire. The curing bladder subsequently receives the green tire with bladder release agent deposited therein and cures the green tire.

Abstract: A lubricating system indirectly applies a bladder release agent to a green tire and cures the green tire in a tire curing machine. The system includes a deposition device and a curing bladder. The deposition device directly applies bladder release agent on to a deposition bladder. The deposition bladder is inflated within the green tire in order to deposit the bladder release agent on to an inner surface of the green tire. The curing bladder subsequently receives the green tire with bladder release agent deposited therein and cures the green tire.

Abstract: A lubricating system indirectly applies a bladder release agent to a green tire and cures the green tire in a tire curing machine. The system includes a deposition device and a curing bladder. The deposition device directly applies bladder release agent on to a deposition bladder. The deposition bladder is inflated within the green tire in order to deposit the bladder release agent on to an inner surface of the green tire. The curing bladder subsequently receives the green tire with bladder release agent deposited therein and cures the green tire.

Abstract: A method for detecting ply wire anomalies in a tire carcass ply having a plurality of spaced apart ply wires extending across a tire carcass, the method comprising the steps: constructing a green tire carcass in a diametrically expanded toroidal configuration, the carcass comprising a pair of beads, the carcass ply extending from bead to bead, at least one crown layer covering the carcass ply and having a peripheral skirt region; and sidewalls covering the carcass ply and extending from the beads to the crown layer and having edge portions intersecting the crown layer; mounting a wire sensor apparatus proximal to the tire carcass ply, the wire sensor apparatus including a wire sensor for detecting the presence of a proximal ply wire; establishing relative movement between the wire sensor and the tire carcass whereby the plurality of spaced apart ply wires are sequentially placed into proximal relationship with the wire sensor; and generating sequential data from the wire sensor indicative of at least one ply

Abstract: A ply wire sensor system is provided for a tire carcass ply in a green tire carcass having a toroidal shape, the tire carcass ply having a plurality of spaced apart ply wires extending across the toroidal shape. The sensor system includes a wire sensor mounted in close proximity with the tire carcass ply, the wire sensor detecting the presence of a proximal ply wire; and means for establishing relative movement between the wire sensor and the tire carcass whereby the plurality of spaced apart ply wires are sequentially placed into proximity with the wire sensor. The wire sensor generates sequential data indicative of at least one ply wire parameter of the plurality of spaced apart ply wires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the propensity for a RMT steer tire to have irregular tire tread wear. The method comprises the steps of: providing a RMT steer tire to be tested; placing measurement points upon a ground engaging surface of selected circumferential tread ribs of the tread of the RMT tire; progressively rolling the RMT steer tire across a first planar side of a transparent plate whereby the progressive movement of a footprint image of the RMT steer tire is imposed upon the first planar side of the transparent plate; recording the progressive movement of the marked measurement points in the footprint image of the RMT steer tire imposed upon the first planar side of the transparent plate; determining the amount of lateral movement of each of the marked measurement points in the footprint image; and if any measurement points exhibit lateral movement beyond 0.060 inches, predicting that the RMT steer tire will have irregular tire tread wear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting air leaks in tires and in a tire testing machine. Each of the tires is mounted on the tire testing machine; inflated with an air flow from an inflation system to a first pressure; and maintained at the first pressure by continued supply of air from the inflation system into the tire. The flow of the continued supply of air is measured with a calorimetric flow sensor calibrated to output a sensor signal having a full scale value corresponding to an identical model tire mounted on the tire testing machine with no air leaks in the model tire or the testing machine. The flow of the continued supply of air is compared with an averaged flow for previously measured tires mounted on the tire testing machine with no air leaks in the tires or the testing machine. A control signal indicating an air leak is outputted if the sensor signal is 20% to 80% of the full scale value.

Abstract: A paint applying roller is positioned over the sidewall of a tire rotating about a vertical axis and the roller is vertically movable into contact with the sidewall to apply and spread protective paint over white sidewall surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting air leaks in tires and in a tire testing machine. Each of the tires is mounted on the tire testing machine; inflated with an air flow from an inflation system to a first pressure; and maintained at the first pressure by continued supply of air from the inflation system into the tire. The flow of the continued supply of air is measured with a calorimetric flow sensor calibrated to output a sensor signal having a full scale value corresponding to an identical model tire mounted on the tire testing machine with no air leaks in the model tire or the testing machine. The flow of the continued supply of air is compared with an averaged flow for previously measured tires mounted on the tire testing machine with no air leaks in the tires or the testing machine. A control signal indicating an air leak is outputted if the sensor signal is 20% to 80% of the full scale value.

Abstract: A method for correcting the balance of a pneumatic tire mounted in a tire uniformity machine modified for balance screening such tires. After balance screening of the tires, tires which are unacceptably imbalanced are maintained at the second rotational speed of the balance screening routine. A grinding wheel is brought to the position of maximum radial and/or lateral deflection causing tire material to be removed from deflected portions of the tire. The tire is once again balance checked and if the balance is still unacceptable, the grinder is advanced an incremental unit of distance toward the center of the tire, more tire material is removed, and the balance is again checked. The steps of advancing the grinder, removing material, and checking the tire imbalance are performed until the tire is found to have acceptable static and couple imbalance.

Abstract: A method for correcting the radial run-out and radial force variation of a pneumatic tire (12) with a tire uniformity machine (10). The tire is rotated at a high speed and radial run-out is measured. A center grinder assembly (24) is incrementally advanced into contact with sections of the tire having intrinsic radial run-out until all values of radial run-out about the tread circumference are within an acceptable value of radial run-out. In addition to the advancement of the center grinder assembly (24), top and bottom tread shoulder grinders (40A, 40B) may be advanced into contact with sections of the tire having phase adjusted lateral run-out. The extent of the advancement of the shoulder grinders into contact with the tread shoulders of the tire is dictated by a control signal generated by a computer program from the initial measurements of radial run-out.

Abstract: When the pressure on a reinforced rubber object is varied, weaker portions of the object expand more than surrounding areas of the object. By (a) illuminating the object with single phase monochromatic light which is separated into more than one beam, (b) causing the object to distort by abrasion or expansion, (c) observing the interference patterns on the object as it distorts and (d) analyzing stress patterns revealed by the interference patterns, these physical changes can be detected, recorded and analyzed.

Abstract: A method for analyzing tire uniformity including a force machine, the method including the steps of measuring radial and lateral forces of a tire, generating radial and lateral waveforms from measurements of the radial and lateral forces of the tire, and calculating the first and second derivatives of the waveforms, preferably using a point-to-point slope calculation. The derivatives may be represented in terms of peak-to-peak pounds force per square seconds, in terms of frequency spectrum, in terms of maximum rate of change, or in terms of root mean squares. The derivatives are then compared to predetermined uniformity specifications, and tires not falling with the specifications are removed. Tangential forces may also be analyzed.