Abstract: A method of inhibiting leakage of a fluid through a defect (4) in a wall of a pipe (2), comprising the steps: introducing a loss control medium (30) into a first portion of a pipe (2); conveying the loss control medium (30) along the pipe from the first portion to a second portion of the pipe, wherein the second portion is embedded in a porous medium and has a defect (4) through which fluid conveyed by the pipe during normal use leaks into the porous medium; and applying a pressure to the loss control medium (30) such that at least a portion of the loss control medium (30) is expelled from the pipe through the defect (4) into the porous medium thereby causing the loss control medium to accumulate within the porous medium in the vicinity of the defect which inhibits flow of a liquid through the defect into the porous medium.

Abstract: A pivot motor, particularly for a vibration exciter for construction machines, has a pivot motor housing that is mounted so as to rotate on a pivot motor shaft. At least two pressure chambers to which a hydraulic oil is to be supplied are provided, by way of which oil the pivot motor can be driven. The pivot motor shaft is provided with an axial bore, into which a lance disposed in torque-proof manner projects, through which lance axially at least two channels for supplying oil to the pivot motor are passed, which end in ring grooves introduced on the outside of the lance, at least in certain regions, at a distance from one another. Radial bores for connecting the at least two ring grooves of the lance with the at least two pressure chambers are introduced into the pivot motor shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle pneumatic tire has a sealing material on the inside of the tire, which material approximately closes off a leak resulting from damage to the tire. A warning system is provided in a section of the tire having the sealing material. The warning system may be a sensor unit, which monitors the tire air pressure and is secured via an adhesive film to the inside of the tire having the sealing material. The adhesive film is adhered over a large surface area which is larger by an order of magnitude than a base surface of the sensor unit or of a sensor unit securing device. The adhesive film may cover the sensor unit so that it is located between the adhesive film and the inside of the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an acceleration calculation means for calculating, based on rotation speed information obtained from a rotation speed detection means, accelerations of the respective tires; an acceleration variation calculation means for calculating acceleration variations of the tires; a comparison means for comparing the acceleration variations; a presumption means for presuming a pressure decrease of a tire; an examination means for identifying, based on the tire rotation speed information, a tire having a rotation speed that is higher than the rotation speeds of the other tires or that is lower than a predetermined criterion; and a determination means for determining, when a tire identified by the presumption means is identical with a tire identified by the examination means, a pressure decrease of the tire.

Abstract: A method for detection and location of air leaks in a pressure vessel, such as a spacecraft, includes sensing structure-borne ultrasound waveforms associated with turbulence caused by a leak from a plurality of sensors and cross correlating the waveforms to determine existence and location of the leak. Different configurations of sensors and corresponding methods can be used. An apparatus for performing the methods is also provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting a leak in a curing bladder during a tire curing process provides a curing bladder (40) and tire (42) in a tire mold structure (18). An inert tracer gas (48) is added to a pressurized gas such as nitrogen, with the nitrogen inflating the curing bladder so that the curing bladder engages a portion of the tire. The method detects whether the inert gas is present between the curing bladder and the tire while the curing bladder and tire remain in the tire mold structure. A curing bladder leak detection system (10) for a tire curing press (12) is also provided.

Abstract: A transmitter, which is operated by a battery, wirelessly transmits data including data that represents the temperature T in a tire and data that represents the voltage V of the battery. A receiver judges whether or not the life of the battery is ending depending on the battery voltage V read from the received data. More specifically, the receiver performs the judgment regarding the life of the battery based on a comparison between the battery voltage V and a variable voltage reference value V0, which is selected in accordance with the temperature T in the tire. The judgment regarding the life of the battery is thus accurately performed.

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: Disclosed are a method for assembling a polishing while inspecting for air leakage in the polishing head and an apparatus for performing the same. By the present invention, a polishing head may be tested for air leakage at each assembly step thereof, so that the polishing head may be assembled free of air leakage, thereby reducing testing time of the polishing head, and failure of the polishing head due to air leakage may be prevented. The apparatus includes a housing supporting the polishing head and having coupling lines coupled with ends of tubes provided in the assembled polishing head, or the polishing head being assembled. A pneumatic pressure regulating section selectively supplies positive pressure or vacuum to the tubes through the coupling lines. A sensor section detects the pressure and level of vacuum in the tubes. A determining section determines if there is air leakage in the polishing head.

Abstract: A method and algorithm for predicting the fluid loss rate of a system, uses data for the leak rate from the system for a substitute fluid that leaks at a different rate than the system fluid. In the illustrated embodiment, the system is a pneumatic tire and the substitute fluid is helium gas. The helium leak rate data is used in a Fortran program to predict the air loss rate from the tire by determining the leak rate factor f’ for helium, as compared to air, and using ‘f’ to calculate the air loss rate.

Abstract: A transmitter, which is operated by a battery, wirelessly transmits data including data that represents the temperature T in a tire and data that represents the voltage V of the battery. A receiver judges whether or not the life of the battery is ending depending on the battery voltage V read from the received data. More specifically, the receiver performs the judgment regarding the life of the battery based on a comparison between the battery voltage V and a variable voltage reference value V0, which is selected in accordance with the temperature T in the tire. The judgment regarding the life of the battery is thus accurately performed.

Abstract: Leaks in a steam expansion vessel, such as a flexible curing bladder, may be detected during a high temperature curing cycle by using a humidity sensor in an article curing and leak checking apparatus. The effectiveness of the humidity sensor may be enhanced by selecting or creating a path in the apparatus incorporating the humidity sensor for detecting a leakage of steam, which tends to direct escaping steam to the humidity sensor in a substantially concentrated flow. The humidity sensor may be encased in a portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for detecting leakage of an expansion vessel 14 that, in an inflated form, occupies or has occupied at least a portion of a cavity 24 of an elastomeric article. The method includes the step of adding a tracer gas to a pressurized fluid. The method is characterized by the step of examining the atmosphere within the cavity of the elastomeric article, not within the expansion vessel, for evidence indicating that a portion of the tracer gas has escaped from the expansion vessel.

Abstract: A tire testing apparatus and method for detecting leaks in tires used on lawn mowers. The tire testing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a roughing pump, a hi-vac pump, an airtight seal, and a spectrometer. The roughing pump and hi-vac pump evacuate the air from the vacuum chamber, creating a vacuum. The pressure sensor detects the level of vacuum in the vacuum chamber and reports this information to the PLC. A method of detecting leaks in tires using the tire testing apparatus is also provided. The method includes the steps of inflating the tire with a mixture of air and 10% helium by volume, placing the tire in the vacuum chamber, sealing the vacuum chamber and removing the air creating a vacuum, then detecting the amount of helium in the chamber, and removing the tire from the chamber and placing it either in the rejected conveyor, or the acceptable conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting leaks in pneumatic tires includes a source of pressurized carbon dioxide gas that is used to partially re-inflate the flat tire, so that a strong concentration of carbon dioxide gas will be present in any gas that leaks out of the tire. In the vicinity of the leak, the concentration of carbon dioxide gas is greatly enhanced above the normal atmospheric concentration of 300 to 800 parts per million. The enhanced concentration of carbon dioxide gas in the vicinity of the leak is detected by a gas sampling system that includes an audible alarm that alerts the user when the location of the leak has been found.

Abstract: An improvement in an air inflation system for a vehicle of an improved sensor for detecting an air leak including an air flow restriction positioned in the air connection between the air supply and the tires and an air actuated differential pressure switch connected to the air connection upstream and downstream of the flow restriction for actuating a warning indicator when air is being supplied to a tire.

Abstract: A central tire inflation system for controlling the tire inflation pressure of a driven wheeled vehicle includes a compressed air source connected through a conduit system with the vehicle tires, a controllable valve system connected in the conduit system and a tire pressure controller connected with and controlling operation of the valve system to selectively increase or decrease inflation pressure includes wheel slip detectors and a vehicle speed detector for generating a signal proportional to detected slippage rate and vehicle speed, and signal processing system for utilizing the slippage signal and vehicle speed signals to control the valve system to automatically control tire inflation pressure in response to conditions encountered to minimize slippage and maintain tire inflation pressure at the highest pressure commensurate with safety and economic operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable bicycle tire leak detector apparatus which is adapted to be attachable to a bicycle frame or conventional bicycle tire pump. The apparatus generally comprises a water bottle having a trough member releasably mounted thereto. The trough member is adapted to contain a quantity of water in a manner allowing an inner-tube of a bicycle tire to be submerged therewithin. The apparatus further includes bicycle tire repair elements which may be stored within the trough member when not filled with water.

Abstract: A device for the testing of air leaks in a vehicle rim or the like includes a water tank having a predetermined volume of water in the bottom thereof, a mounting and bearings for holding the rim and permitting it to be rotated, a pair of separated pressure chambers sealed by sealing rings and communicating with a manometer which has a discharge valve mounted outside the tank, and a feeder extractor carried by the mounting for manipulation of the rim into and out of the water so as to be checked for air leaks.

Abstract: An underground storage tank for fluids such as gasoline or chemicals is provided with L-shaped piping means for venting vapor pockets that would normally be trapped inside an inclined tank. The tank has a generally cylindrical top surface with one or two vent tubes secured inside the top of that surface, each tube extending from a point immediately adjacent a head wall to an upstand exiting through the manway cover. When a pair of such tubes and upstands is provided, vapor can be vented or discharged to the atmosphere, regardless of which way the tank is inclined. Such venting of trapped vapor prior to a hydrostatic test on an underground storage tank permits accurate determination of tank leakage and integrity. Existing tanks may be retrofitted with such venting means.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a tire for defects by applying to an interior surface of a tire a coating of material which accentuates defects when influenced by predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths, and applying the predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths to an exterior surface of the coated tire whereby coating material which has migrated through a defect in the tire to the exterior is accentuated and thereby readily detected. Preferably the coating material fluoresces or brightens when subjected to ultraviolet light. The tire is preferably placed upon a hub, internally pressurized, and rotated incident to the inspecting operation. The coating material is also preferably a liquid admixture composed of the ultraviolet light accentuating material and a detergent, the tire is also dipped and rotated in a tank containing the liquid admixture, and the latter cleans the tire exterior incident to further inspection, recapping and subsequent sidewall painting.

Abstract: Determining the rate of change of fluid pressure in a tire comprises mounting the tire in an inflated condition. A tire pressure sensor senses fluid pressure in the tire and generates an electrical signal in proportion to the fluid pressure sensed in the tire. A temperature sensor senses the temperature adjacent the tire and generates an electrical signal in proportion to the temperature sensed adjacent the tire. A data acquisition system is in electrical communication with the sensors. The data acquisition system receives the electrical signals from the respective sensors at a substantially simulatneously time and converts the electrical signals into digital information. An electronic digital computer is an electrical communication with the data acquisition system for receiving the digital information and for calculating a value representative of a corrected pressure in the tire as a function of the digital information received. A plurality of the corrected pressure values are stored.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a tire for defects by applying to an interior surface of a tire a coating of material which accentuates defects when influenced by predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths, road-running the tire to thereby create tread wear, buffing the exterior tread surface of the tire, and applying predetermined electromagnetic wavelengths to the exterior of the buffed tread surface whereby coating material which has migrated through a defect in the tire to the exterior is accentuated and thereby readily detected. Preferably the coating material fluoresces or brightens when subjected to ultraviolet light. The coating material is preferably part of an admixture composed of the ultraviolet light accentuating coating material and a tire sealant which seals punctures, nail holes and the like when the same migrates through the tire.

Abstract: A method for sensing and reacting to conditions indicative of leakage in a tire (16 or 18), the pressurization of which is measured and controlled by a CTIS (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the location of a leak in a pneumatic tire. A leaking tire is filled with a suspension which is capable of flowing through a leak of the tire and staining the perimeter of the leak at the outside surface of the tire. The suspension is a powdered fluorescent pigment of small particle size suspended in a propellant and the air inside of the tire. A portable container is provided for storing the powdered pigment and propellant. The container has an outlet valve for controlling the release of the pigment and propellant from the container. One end of a flexible tube is connected to the outlet valve of the container and a fitting at the other end of the tube is connected to an inlet valve of the tire. The fitting has a means for sealing the attachment of the tube to the tire inlet valve and a means for opening the tire inlet valve. When the outlet valve of the container is opened, the pigment and propellant flow into the tire and combine with the air in the tire to form the suspension.

Abstract: In the combination of detachable addition members with rubber articles, particularly tire sidewalls, wherein each article has a circumferentially discontinuous first coupling portion adapted to operatively interact with a second coupling portion on the addition member for securing the member to the article, the improvement being characterized in that either the coupling portions or addition members are adapted to produce a perceptive physical change during abnormal operating conditions of the article.