Patents by Inventor Valeriano BALLARDINI
Valeriano BALLARDINI 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).
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Publication number: 20200191685Abstract: 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 sType: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2020Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Josef ENGELSBERGER, Bernd LEITNER
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Patent number: 10670497Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.AInventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Fabio Regoli, Valeriano Ballardini, Giuseppe Casadio Tozzi
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Patent number: 10627314Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Alessandro Held, Gianni Mancini, Albert Berenguer, Valeriano Ballardini, Rainer Huber
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Patent number: 10627220Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Alessandro Held, Valeriano Ballardini, Giuseppe Casadio Tozzi
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Patent number: 10605698Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Daniele Pecoraro, Valeriano Ballardini, Josef Engelsberger, Bernd Leitner
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Patent number: 10488302Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Daniele Pecoraro, Valeriano Ballardini
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Publication number: 20190353560Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Alessandro HELD, Gianni MANCINI, Albert BERENGUER, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Rainer HUBER
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Patent number: 10451527Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Alessandro Held, Gianni Mancini, Albert Berenguer, Valeriano Ballardini, Rainer Huber
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Publication number: 20190318466Abstract: Method and related apparatus for detecting defects on a surface of a tyre, comprising: providing the tyre (200); acquiring a digital image comprising a structure comprising sections representative of linear elements of a pattern in a surface portion and representative of possible elongated defects, said sections of the structure having a respective orientation; providing a model of the pattern in the surface portion, wherein each pixel is associated with a first index representative of whether the pixel belongs or not to a pattern section and a second index representative of an at least local orientation of the pattern section passing through said pixel; calculating for each pixel of the structure a third index representative of the orientation of the structure section passing through said pixel; and establishing, for each pixel of the structure having a corresponding pixel in the pattern model belonging to the pattern, whether said pixel of the structure belongs to a proposed defect on the basis of the compaType: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.Inventors: Alessandro GHIDOTTI PIOVAN, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Vincenzo BOFFA, Fabio REGOLI, Luigi DI STEFANO
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Publication number: 20190271539Abstract: A method for checking a tyre for vehicle wheels in a checking station. The checking station includes a background with a support surface lying on a plane perpendicular to a reference axis, an image acquisition apparatus to acquire an image of the tyre arranged with a first outer lateral surface in contact with the support surface and a second outer lateral surface facing the image acquisition apparatus, an illumination system and a computer for generating a working image from the acquired image. The image acquisition apparatus, the illumination system and of the background are arranged to generate a contrast, in the working image, between the entire second outer lateral surface of the tyre and an area circumferentially surrounding the tyre.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2017Publication date: September 5, 2019Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Luca TERSI, Valeriano BALLARDINI
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Publication number: 20190145862Abstract: A checking method and line for checking a tyre for vehicle wheels. The tyre is associated with a model associated with a setting for image acquisition devices. Once the model is obtained, preliminary images of the tyre are acquired, from which at least one adjustment value representative of at least one geometric characteristic of the tyre is obtained. A deviation between the at least one adjustment value and a respective reference value associated with the model is then calculated. The setting associated with the model of tyre is then adjusted based on the calculated deviation and the tyre is then inspected to look for possible production defects by acquiring images of at least part of the surface of the tyre using the image acquisition devices, set according to the adjusted setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2017Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Marco CANTÙ, Fabio REGOLI, Valeriano BALLARDINI
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Publication number: 20190145906Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Alessandro HELD, Fabio REGOLI, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Giuseppe CASADIO TOZZI
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Patent number: 10275874Abstract: Method and related apparatus for detecting defects on a surface of a tire, include: providing the tire; acquiring a digital image including a structure including sections representative of linear elements of a pattern in a surface portion and representative of possible elongated defects, the sections of the structure having a respective orientation; providing a model of the pattern in the surface portion, wherein each pixel is associated with a first index representative of whether the pixel belongs or not to a pattern section and a second index representative of an at least local orientation of the pattern section passing through the pixel; calculating for each pixel of the structure a third index representative of the orientation of the structure section passing through the pixel; and establishing, for each pixel of the structure having a corresponding pixel in the pattern model belonging to the pattern, whether the pixel of the structure belongs to a proposed defect on the basis of the comparison between tType: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.Inventors: Alessandro Ghidotti Piovan, Valeriano Ballardini, Vincenzo Boffa, Fabio Regoli, Luigi Di Stefano
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Patent number: 10267710Abstract: A method for detecting defects on tires in a tire production process includes providing a tire; acquiring a three-dimensional image of a surface portion of the tire; generating, as a function of the acquired image, a plurality of values indicating the measure of a height profile of the surface portion of the tire; calculating, as a function of the plurality of values of the measure of the height profile and according to a consensus interpolation, a plurality of values indicating an estimation of a reference height profile of the surface portion of the tire; calculating, as a function of the plurality of values of the measure of the height profile and of the estimation of the reference height profile, a height profile of possible defects in the surface portion of the tire; and comparing values of the height profile of possible defects with respect to a threshold value in order to detect possible defects in the surface portion of the tire.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.AInventors: Fabio Regoli, Vincenzo Boffa, Luigi Di Stefano, Valeriano Ballardini, Giuseppe Casadio Tozzi
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Publication number: 20190086293Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Josef ENGELSBERGER, Bernd LEITNER
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Publication number: 20190017902Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI
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Patent number: 10175147Abstract: Method and apparatus for checking tires for vehicle wheels. A tire to be checked is fed to a checking station. A sidewall of the tire lies on a supporting portion of a rotating table. The supporting portion lies on a plane while the rotating table has a rotation axis perpendicular to the plane. A centring operation is carried out to align, in the plane, the rotation axis of the tire with the rotation axis of the rotating table.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.Inventors: Vincenzo Boffa, Luca Tersi, Valeriano Ballardini
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Publication number: 20180372591Abstract: Method for setting up a tyre checking apparatus, said apparatus (1) comprising at least: a support base (34) for a tyre (2) a first acquisition device (430) and a second acquisition device (43a) for acquiring images representative of said tyre (2) positioned on said support base (34); a first robotic member (40a) for moving said second acquisition device (43a). Said method comprises: providing a setup device (100) comprising : a first wall (110) having first predefined shapes (F1); a second wall (120) having second predefined shapes (F2), said second wall (120) being substantially parallel and non-coplanar to said first wall (110); a top surface (130); a central reference (140) arranged on said top surface (130). Said method also comprises: executing at least one of a first set-up and a second set-up.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.Inventors: Vincenzo BOFFA, Maurizio MARCHINI, Fabio REGOLI, Stefano BORACCO, Marco CANTU', Valeriano BALLARDINI, Stefano MONTI
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Publication number: 20180372592Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Riccardo ANTOJ, Maurizio MARCHINI, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Giuseppe CASADIO TOZZI
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Publication number: 20180364134Abstract: 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 sType: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Josef ENGELSBERGER, Bernd LEITNER