Patents Assigned to Michelin North America, Inc.
  • Method for analyzing a separation in a deformable structure
    Patent number: 6092414
    Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Michelin North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Newman
  • Method for analyzing a separation in a deformable structure
    Patent number: 6089085
    Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Michelin North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Newman
  • Method for analyzing a separation in a deformable structure
    Patent number: 6088101
    Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Michelin North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Newman
  • Method for analyzing a separation in a deformable structure
    Patent number: 5948976
    Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Michelin North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Newman
  • Method for analyzing a separation in a deformable structure
    Patent number: 5786533
    Abstract: A deformable structure is subjected to a plurality of reduced pressures, causing a bulge in the surface of the deformable structure above a separation in the deformable structure. The cross sectional area of the bulge is measured for each reduced pressure in a plane parallel to the surface of the deformable structure. When the cross sectional area of the bulge does not increase with a reduction in the pressure, the cross sectional area of the bulge approximates the area of the separation. The depth of the separation is calculated using the change in cross sectional area of the bulge per change in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Michelin North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Newman