Abstract: An apparatus and method for high voltage discharge testing of a tire is disclosed. In particular embodiments, a high voltage probe is maintained against the surface of a tire. The high voltage probe is energized and relative motion is provided between the surface of the tire and the high voltage probe. At the presence of an anomaly that penetrates the insulating material of the tire surface, an electrical discharge will occur between the conductive spring electrode and a reference electrode. The reference electrode is positioned adjacent the bead portion of the tire such that the electrical discharge will travel from the high voltage probe through the anomaly in the surface of the tire to one or more carcass plies in the tire. The carcass plies will carry the electrical discharge to the bead portion of the tire, where the electrical discharge will pass to the reference electrode.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus and method for detecting anomalies in the surface of a tire is disclosed. A high voltage probe having a conductive spring electrode is placed adjacent a portion of a tire surface such that the conductive spring electrode is compressed against the surface of the tire. Relative motion is imparted between the high voltage probe and the surface of the tire. An electrical discharge occurs between the high voltage probe and a reference electrode at the location of an anomaly on the surface of the tire. The apparatus and method are configured to determine a precise azimuthal and radial position on the tire of the electrostatic discharge. The conductive spring electrode can have a length sufficient to ensure contact with a given point on the tire surface during a charge cycle for the high voltage probe at increased tire surface speeds.

Abstract: A tire surface anomaly detection system and method are disclosed. The system and method are generally based on the principle that a tire surface anomaly will have a different heat transfer rate than that of the uniform mass surrounding the tire surface anomaly. Embodiments of the present disclosure apply thermal energy to the surface of a tire and monitor the infrared energy at the surface of the tire to generate one or more infrared images of the surface of the tire. The infrared images are analyzed by an image processing system to determine and locate thermal gradients on the surface of the tire. The presence of a thermal gradient in the infrared images generally indicates the presence of an anomaly in the surface of the tire. In this manner, the present disclosure provides an objective technique for identifying, locating, and classifying tire surface anomalies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a patch to an interior surface of a tire, the apparatus comprising a patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior surface of the tire, the patch holder comprising a patch receptacle and a plurality of orifices extending there through in fluid communication with a vacuum source, and, an adhesive barrier surrounding the patch receptacle. The steps of a method include placing a patch into a patch receptacle in a tire patch holder, the patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior tire surface, directing the patch holder to obliquely contact the interior surface of the tire, and, pressing the patch into substantial adhesive contact with the interior tire surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a patch to an interior surface of a tire, the apparatus comprising a patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior surface of the tire, the patch holder comprising a patch receptacle and a plurality of orifices extending there through in fluid communication with a vacuum source, and, an adhesive barrier surrounding the patch receptacle. The steps of a method include placing a patch into a patch receptacle in a tire patch holder, the patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior tire surface, directing the patch holder to obliquely contact the interior surface of the tire, and, pressing the patch into substantial adhesive contact with the interior tire surface.