Patents by Inventor Alessandro HELD

Alessandro HELD has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10670497
    Abstract: Device and method for analysis of tyres are presented. The device includes a support frame, a flange, and first/second image acquisition systems. According to one aspect, the first acquisition system is two-dimensional and includes a first camera having a first optical axis, a first focal plane, a first focal point, and a first depth of field, and a first illumination system that illuminates around the first focal point. According to another aspect, the second image acquisition system is three-dimensional and includes a second camera having a second optical axis, a second focal plane, and a second depth of field, and a second illumination system. A translation plane, substantially orthogonal to the first optical axis, is defined by the first focal point, and an intersection between the second optical axis and the second depth of field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A
    Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Fabio Regoli, Valeriano Ballardini, Giuseppe Casadio Tozzi
  • Patent number: 10663374
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for checking tyres in a tyre production line. The apparatus includes a support frame for mounting the tyre, a flange for attaching the support frame to a movement member, and an acquisition system for acquiring digital images of a surface of the tyre. The acquisition system includes a linear camera and an illumination system for illuminating an objective line of the camera. The illumination system includes a light source and an optical lens system having a second optical axis. The optical lens system includes first and second converging lenses arranged on the side opposite the light source with respect to the first lens so that the light source, the first lens and the second lens are coaxial with the second optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Bartolomeo Montrucchio
  • Patent number: 10627314
    Abstract: An apparatus for checking tyres is described. The apparatus has a first check unit having an inlet for tyres and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus also has a second check unit having an outlet for the tyres and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus further has an overturning and transport device operatively interposed between the first check unit and the second check unit. The first check unit, the second check unit and the overturning and transport device define a check path configured to be traversed by each tyre step by step. The first check unit and the second check unit have the same check tools configured for executing the same checks on respective axial halves of the tyres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Alessandro Held, Gianni Mancini, Albert Berenguer, Valeriano Ballardini, Rainer Huber
  • Patent number: 10627220
    Abstract: An apparatus for checking tires described as a linear camera having an objective line lying on an optical plane; a first, a second and a third light source for emitting respectively a first, a second and a third light radiation; a command and control unit for selectively activating at least one from among the first, second and third light source and activating the linear camera in order to acquire a two-dimensional image of a linear surface portion of the tire synchronously with the activation of the first, second and third source. The first and second light source lie on opposite sides of the optical plane. Furthermore, the first, second and third light source include each one or more sub-sources each having a respective main extension direction parallel to the optical plane and the distance of the sub-sources of the third light source from the optical plane is less than the distance of the first and second light source from the optical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Alessandro Held, Valeriano Ballardini, Giuseppe Casadio Tozzi
  • Patent number: 10605698
    Abstract: Method for checking a tyre. The method includes associating first and second independent light sources with a camera, applying a first force against a first surface portion of the tyre to generate a first deformed surface portion, and illuminating the first deformed surface portion with a first light radiation emitted by the first light source while keeping the second light source deactivated. A first image of the first deformed surface portion is then acquired by the camera. The first force is removed and a second surface portion partially distinct from the first surface portion is illuminated with a second light radiation emitted by the second light source without deforming the second surface portion. A second image of the second surface portion is then acquired by the camera. The first and second images are processed for detection of possible defects in the first and second surface portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Daniele Pecoraro, Valeriano Ballardini, Josef Engelsberger, Bernd Leitner
  • Patent number: 10488302
    Abstract: A device for checking a tyre in a tyre production line. The device includes a detection system, an illumination arrangement and a reflective element. The detection system includes a camera having a target line lying on an optical plane passing through the camera. The illumination arrangement includes first, second and third light sources, the second and third light sources being arranged at opposite sides with respect to the optical plane and symmetrically with respect to the first light source. The reflective element defines a reflective plane arranged perpendicular to the optical plane and arranged between the second and the third light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Daniele Pecoraro, Valeriano Ballardini
  • Publication number: 20190353560
    Abstract: An apparatus for checking tyres is described. The apparatus has a first check unit having an inlet for tyres and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus also has a second check unit having an outlet for the tyres and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus further has an overturning and transport device operatively interposed between the first check unit and the second check unit. The first check unit, the second check unit and the overturning and transport device define a check path configured to be traversed by each tyre step by step. The first check unit and the second check unit have the same check tools configured for executing the same checks on respective axial halves of the tyres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Alessandro HELD, Gianni MANCINI, Albert BERENGUER, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Rainer HUBER
  • Patent number: 10458883
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for controlling tires wherein the apparatus includes at least one control station which includes: a base; a rotating table mounted on the base so as to be able to rotate around a respective vertical rotation axis; at least one control device operatively active at the rotating table; and a movement device configured for rotating the rotating table around the vertical rotation axis. The rotating table has a substantially horizontal abutment portion configured for receiving and supporting a sidewall of a tire to be controlled. The abutment portion is movable in the horizontal plane according to two directions with respect to the vertical rotation axis by means of an actuator. A detection device is configured for detecting a shift between the vertical rotation axis and the main axis of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Maurizio Marchini, Alessandro Held, Riccardo Antoj
  • Patent number: 10451527
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for checking tires is described. The apparatus has a first check unit having an inlet for tires and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus has a second check unit having an outlet for the tires and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus has an overturning and transport device operatively interposed between the first check unit and the second check unit. The first check unit, the second check unit and the overturning and transport device define a check path configured to be traversed by each tire step by step. The first check unit and the second check unit have the same check tools configured for executing the same checks on respective axial halves of the tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Alessandro Held, Gianni Mancini, Albert Berenguer, Valeriano Ballardini, Rainer Huber
  • Publication number: 20190145906
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for checking tyres, comprising: a support frame (2); a flange (3); and an acquisition system (4) of three-dimensional images of a surface of a tyre, the acquisition system being mounted on the support frame and comprising: a matrix camera (5), a linear laser source (7), and a reflecting surface (12) which intersects the propagation axis (9) of the linear laser beam and the optical axis (6) of the matrix camera (5), wherein a first angle (50) formed between a first section (14) and a second section (31) of the optical axis (6) mutually symmetrical with respect to a normal to the reflecting surface in the respective point of incidence to the reflecting surface, is obtuse, and wherein a second angle (51) formed between a first section (16) and a second section (32) of the propagation axis (9) mutually symmetrical with respect to a normal to the reflecting surface in the respective point of incidence to the reflecting surface, is obtuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Alessandro HELD, Fabio REGOLI, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Giuseppe CASADIO TOZZI
  • Publication number: 20190086293
    Abstract: Method for checking a tyre. The method includes associating first and second independent light sources with a camera, applying a first force against a first surface portion of the tyre to generate a first deformed surface portion, and illuminating the first deformed surface portion with a first light radiation emitted by the first light source while keeping the second light source deactivated. A first image of the first deformed surface portion is then acquired by the camera. The first force is removed and a second surface portion partially distinct from the first surface portion is illuminated with a second light radiation emitted by the second light source without deforming the second surface portion. A second image of the second surface portion is then acquired by the camera. The first and second images are processed for detection of possible defects in the first and second surface portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Josef ENGELSBERGER, Bernd LEITNER
  • Publication number: 20190017902
    Abstract: A device for checking a tyre in a tyre production line. The device includes a detection system, an illumination arrangement and a reflective element. The detection system includes a camera having a target line lying on an optical plane passing through the camera. The illumination arrangement includes first, second and third light sources, the second and third light sources being arranged at opposite sides with respect to the optical plane and symmetrically with respect to the first light source. The reflective element defines a reflective plane arranged perpendicular to the optical plane and arranged between the second and the third light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI
  • Publication number: 20180372590
    Abstract: An apparatus for checking a tyre, having a support, a deformation system, a lighting arrangement, a moving member and a processing unit. The deformation system is configured to form an elastically deformed portion of inner surface and an elastically deformed portion of outer surface on the tyre. The lighting arrangement includes light sources and cameras to illuminate and detect deformed inner and outer surface portions of the tyre, and generate corresponding control signals. The moving member sets the support in relative rotation with respect to the light sources and the deformation system around a rotation axis of the tyre. The processing unit is configured so that while the light sources illuminate the deformed portions of outer and inner surfaces, the deformation system acts and the moving member imparts the relative rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA
  • Publication number: 20180372592
    Abstract: An apparatus for checking tyres has a support, deformation systems, positioning actuators and a moving member. The deformation systems apply, in operation, compression forces on respective surfaces of a free wall of the tyre to form deformed portions of the free wall. The positioning actuators move the deformation systems towards and away from the surfaces. The moving member sets the tyre in relative rotation with respect to the deformation systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Riccardo ANTOJ, Maurizio MARCHINI, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Giuseppe CASADIO TOZZI
  • Publication number: 20180364134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for checking a tyre (200), the device (10) comprising: a detection system (104) comprising a camera (105) having an optical plane (107) passing through the camera (105) and defining a focal plane (121); a first light source (110), a second light source (108) and a third light source (109) adapted for emitting a first light radiation, a second light radiation and a third light radiation, respectively to illuminate a surface portion of said tyre at or close to said focal plane (121), said second light source (108) and said third light source (109) being arranged at opposite sides with respect to said optical plane (107); where said first light source (110) is fixed with respect to said detection system (104) and said second light source (108) and third light source (109) are adapted to be movable from a first inactive configuration where they are controlled to not emit said second light radiation and third light radiation and wherein the distance (d2, d3) of said s
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Josef ENGELSBERGER, Bernd LEITNER
  • Publication number: 20180321114
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for checking tyres in a tyre production line. The apparatus includes a support frame for mounting the tyre, a flange for attaching the support frame to a movement member, and an acquisition system for acquiring digital images of a surface of the tyre. The acquisition system includes a linear camera and an illumination system for illuminating an objective line of the camera. The illumination system includes a light source and an optical lens system having a second optical axis. The optical lens system includes first and second converging lenses arranged on the side opposite the light source with respect to the first lens so that the light source, the first lens and the second lens are coaxial with the second optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Bartolomeo MONTRUCCHIO
  • Publication number: 20180299353
    Abstract: Device and method for analysis of tyres are presented. The device includes a support frame, a flange, and first/second image acquisition systems. According to one aspect, the first acquisition system is two-dimensional and includes a first camera having a first optical axis, a first focal plane, a first focal point, and a first depth of field, and a first illumination system that illuminates around the first focal point. According to another aspect, the second image acquisition system is three-dimensional and includes a second camera having a second optical axis, a second focal plane, and a second depth of field, and a second illumination system. A translation plane, substantially orthogonal to the first optical axis, is defined by the first focal point, and an intersection between the second optical axis and the second depth of field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Fabio REGOLI, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Giuseppe CASADIO TOZZI
  • Publication number: 20180266810
    Abstract: An apparatus for checking tyres described as a linear camera having an objective line lying on an optical plane; a first, a second and a third light source for emitting respectively a first, a second and a third light radiation; a command and control unit for selectively activating at least one from among the first, second and third light source and activating the linear camera in order to acquire a two-dimensional image of a linear surface portion of the tyre synchronously with the activation of the first, second and third source. The first and second light source lie on opposite sides of the optical plane. Furthermore, the first, second and third light source include each one or more sub-sources each having a respective main extension direction parallel to the optical plane and the distance of the sub-sources of the third light source from the optical plane is less than the distance of the first and second light source from the optical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Alessandro HELD, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Giuseppe CASADIO TOZZI
  • Publication number: 20180143102
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process for controlling tyres wherein the apparatus includes at least one control station which includes: a base; a rotating table mounted on the base so as to be able to rotate around a respective vertical rotation axis; at least one control device operatively active at the rotating table; and a movement device configured for rotating the rotating table around the vertical rotation axis. The rotating table has a substantially horizontal abutment portion configured for receiving and supporting a sidewall of a tyre to be controlled. The abutment portion is movable in the horizontal plane according to two directions with respect to the vertical rotation axis by means of an actuator. A detection device is configured for detecting a shift between the vertical rotation axis and the main axis of the tyre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Maurizio MARCHINI, Alessandro HELD, Riccardo ANTOJ
  • Publication number: 20170370807
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for checking tyres is described. The apparatus has a first check unit having an inlet for tyres and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus has a second check unit having an outlet for the tyres and a plurality of check tools. The apparatus has an overturning and transport device operatively interposed between the first check unit and the second check unit. The first check unit, the second check unit and the overturning and transport device define a check path configured to be traversed by each tyre step by step. The first check unit and the second check unit have the same check tools configured for executing the same checks on respective axial halves of the tyres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Alessandro HELD, Gianni MANCINI, Albert BERENGUER, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Rainer HUBER