Abstract: A device for ascertaining the lateral strip contour and/or the position of the strip edges of a metal strip. It includes at least one sensing element for ascertaining suitable measurement data. The sensing element is integrated into a lateral guide together with a main part module of the metal strip conveying device. The lateral guide includes at least one wear element which is arranged in the lateral guide and which comprises a wear element adjusting device that can be rotated about a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to a guide plane of the lateral guide. The wear element together with the wear element adjusting device is designed as a sensing element. In an operating method, at least one sensing element is brought into contact with a lateral edge at a starting time, and suitable measurement data is ascertained using the sensing element while the metal strip runs past the sensing element.

Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the field of automobile chassis suspension system tests, and provides fatigue test equipment for an automobile chassis simulation road test. The fatigue test equipment can simultaneously test the simulation road test fatigue durability of automobile chassis parts such as the wheel and suspension system and the like, ensures that a test state of the tested wheel and suspension system is close to a real automobile state, and simulates and reproduces a load which an automobile chassis bears in the real road running process in a laboratory.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for estimating tire-road friction in a vehicle pro-actively, prior to safety systems of the vehicle are engaged. An example method includes computing a slip for the vehicle based on one or more wheel speeds, acceleration, and tire pressure measurement. The method further includes determining a slope (?) as indicator of tire-road friction for the vehicle based on the acceleration and the slip. Further, the method includes sending the slope to an autonomous controller of the vehicle for adjusting vehicle kinematics according to the estimated friction using the slope.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assessing tire health are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vehicle speed sensor, and a processor. The processor of the of the example apparatus to obtain load data for a wheel of a vehicle, obtain speed data for the vehicle, determine a power associated with heating a tire coupled to the wheel based on the load data and the speed data, and determining a condition of the tire based on the power.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and methods for testing a tire on a wheel. Particular embodiments of such methods include providing a tire testing surface upon which the tire is to operate and a tire having a radially outer annular side including a road-engaging surface. The methods further include engaging forcefully a radially outer annular side of the tire with the tire testing surface to create a footprint constituting an area of contact between the tire and the tire testing surface, the footprint having a width extending in an axial direction of the tire. The tire is then rotated while engaged with the tire testing surface according to the prior step and a particulate is discharged from a particulate discharge outlet of a particular discharging device, the outlet having a length extending at least substantially across the width of the footprint.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating the ability of a tire to clean its tread is provided. For example, an apparatus (100) and method for evaluating the ability of a tire to eject materials such as e.g., mud from its tread during use is provided. Samples (10) of a subject test pattern are rotated at predetermined rpm profile. A camera (170) captures the effect of centrifugal forces on the materials during rotation, which in turn may be used to compare how differences in tread patterns impact the ejection of materials (15) from the tread during use.

Abstract: A method performed by a network node for estimating a relative tire friction performance of a number of vehicles is disclosed. The network node and a communication unit may be located in each vehicle and may be part of a communications network. The method may include receiving continuously tire-to-road friction values and corresponding VSPs (Vehicle State Parameters) from each communication unit. Each VSP may include the geographical location and time at which tire-to-road friction value is measured. The method may further include determining that a tire-to-road friction value of a first vehicle is comparative to the tire-to-road friction value of a second vehicle. The method may also include comparing the tire-to-road friction value of the first vehicle to the tire-to-road friction value of the second vehicle, and determining a ranking of the relative tire friction performance of the first vehicle in relation to the second vehicle based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for estimating wear resistance of a tread portion of a tire comprises: a tire manufacturing step in which the tire to be evaluated is manufactured; a rubber seat sampling step in which an evaluation rubber seat is cut out from the tread portion of the tire to include a part of the tread surface; an abrasion step in which the rubber seat is subjected to abrasion by the use of an indoor wear testing machine; and a wear resistance estimating step in which the wear resistance of the tire is estimated based on a state of the wear of the rubber seat caused in the abrasion step.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for testing tire performance using a laterally-contoured road wheel. Accordingly, particular embodiments of the machine include a wheel configured to rotate, the wheel having a tire operating surface configured to engage a tire during operation, the outer tire operating surface arranged along an annular side of the wheel and having a width extending laterally relative a circumferential direction of the wheel along a contoured path. The machine may further include a drive source configured to rotate the wheel and a tire mount configured to rotatably maintain a tire. The present invention also includes methods of forming a laterally-contoured tire operating surface for a road wheel.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire excellent in resistance to uneven wear, and crack resistance of a groove is provided. A position, on an equator plane, of a tread surface 20 of a tire 2 is represented as a point Pc. A position, at a maximum width, of an axially outer side surface 6a of a sidewall 6 is represented as a point Pe. A position that is a mid-point, in the radial direction, between the point Pc and the point Pe, and that is on the axially outer side surface 6a, is represented as a point Pd. When an internal pressure is enhanced from an Internal pressure that is 0.05 times a normal internal pressure P to the normal internal pressure P, a value Fs of difference in amount of protrusion between an amount of protrusion Dd (mm) at the point Pd and an amount of protrusion De (mm) at the point Pe is calculated according to mathematical expression (1) in which a nominal width is represented as W (mm). The value Fs of difference in amount of protrusion is greater than ?0.4 and less than 0.5.

Abstract: A method for detecting wear of a tire involves at least one sonic wear gauge emitting an acoustic footprint noise that includes several acoustic footprint elementary frequency components. An acoustic signal that includes the acoustic footprint noise is acquired, with the acoustic signal including several elementary frequency components acquired in the frequency domain. Several series of elementary frequency components are enumerated, with each enumerated series forming some part of the acoustic footprint elementary frequency components. An acoustic footprint series is determined and, if a confidence index determined based on a local confidence index is greater or less than a predetermined threshold, an alert regarding the wear of the tire is emitted.

Abstract: A tire performance indicator for a tire includes at least one tread wear indicator region structured and arranged in a tread region of the tire and at least one performance symbol guide structured and arranged approximate a sidewall region of the tire.

Abstract: A post-road surface maintenance field test device includes a frame, a plurality of wheels connected to the frame, a rotatable brush held at least partially by or within the frame, a drive mechanism configured to rotate the brush, and a collection member. The collection member is held at least partially by or within the frame and resides adjacent the rotatable brush. In operation, as the device is conveyed over a road surface, the drive mechanism rotates the brush and the brush engages loose aggregates and/or aggregates that are weakly bound to a bonding medium and urges the engaged aggregates into the collection member.

Abstract: A method of measuring wear rate in an actual rubber tire. A section of rubber is cut out of an actual tire below the surface of the tire. The cut out section is attached to the surface of a first wheel. An abrasive substance is attached to the surface of a second wheel. The two wheels are rotated for a predetermined time, in opposite directions, in contact with each other, at uneven rates resulting in some slippage between the surfaces of the two wheels. The wear rate of the rubber tire is measured based on the changes in the cut section over time, in much less time and using less resources than required by conventional wear measurement methods.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for testing a tire on a tire testing surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tire testing surface arranged along a tire testing device; providing a tire having a radially outer annular side comprising a road-engaging surface; engaging forcefully the tire against the tire testing surface, whereby the forceful engagement generates a tire footprint comprising an area of contact between the road-engaging surface of the tire and the tire testing surface; rotating the tire and along the tire testing surface while engaged according to the prior step; and, applying a particulate material along the footprint, the particulate material comprising kaolinite. In other embodiments, particulate material similar to kaolin or kaolinite is employed by such methods in lieu of kaolin or kaolinite.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the estimation of maximum friction between a vehicular tire and a road surface via driving dynamics measurements and at least one sensor measuring the road surface, comprising measuring road surface properties via a sensor; measuring the state of motion of a vehicle and a tire and concluding therefrom a momentary maximum friction coefficient when the tire is subjected to a sufficient friction force; storing a maximum friction estimate concluded from the above-mentioned measurements, along with measuring results regarding road surface properties measured at the moment of measurement; when the tire is not subjected to a friction force sufficient for measuring maximum friction, using, as a maximum friction estimate, the previously measured maximum friction estimate, such that an applied selection criterion for the maximum friction estimate is the newness as up-to-date as possible of the measuring result and a consistency of the road surface measuring result.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a substantially rigid hardened wear surface for a tire tread wear testing apparatus is provided, the method comprising making a cast of a road surface on which tread wear of the tire is to be tested, providing a layer of adhesive mixed with at least one aggregate and configured for hardening to create the substantially rigid hardened wear surface, while the layer of adhesive is unhardened: (a) coating the layer of adhesive onto a road wheel of the tire tread wear testing apparatus, and (b) stamping an impression of the cast into the layer of epoxy adhesive for producing the wear surface adapted for emulating one or more surface roughness characteristics of the road surface.

Abstract: A system and related method for improving tire uniformity includes providing at least one set of test tires constructed with one or more process elements provided at known relative angular locations. At least one uniformity parameter, such as radial or lateral run-out, balance, mass variation, radial lateral or tangential force variation, is measured for at least one harmonic of interest for each test tire. Respective rectangular coordinates are determined for each measured uniformity parameter and harmonic of interest for each tire. A form of the determined rectangular coordinates (e.g., the rectangular coordinates themselves and/or the log of the residuals squared) is analyzed for each tire to identify optimized relative angular locations for each process element that reduce dispersion (or dispersion and mean) of the measured uniformity parameter. New tires are built with the one or more process elements positioned in the identified optimized relative angular locations.

Abstract: I-beam wear assessment trolleys include a first sensor assembly including a first upper block, a first lower block, a first pressure sensor positioned between the first upper block and the first lower block, and at least one first biasing member positioned between the first pressure sensor and either the first upper block or the first lower block of the first sensor assembly, wherein the at least one first biasing member biases the first upper block and the first lower block of the first sensor assembly away from one another.

Abstract: Provided is a method of testing rubber wear in which a wear phenomenon occurred in a tire can be precisely reproduced in a sample, and a method of calculating the rubber index of a tire using the method of testing rubber wear. Also provided is a test method for predicting the anti-wear properties of a tire by using a test piece of the same rubber as that of a tire tread, which is a method of testing rubber wear in which, while a disk-shaped sample 3 and a disk-shaped grinding wheel 1 are rotated at individually predetermined numbers of rotations, the sample 3 is pressed on the outer periphery of the grinding wheel 1. A pressing load is applied to the sample 3 such that a contact pressure when the sample is pressed on the outer periphery of the grinding wheel 1 and a contact pressure at a site related to the evaluation of rubber wear of tread are the same.

Abstract: A method for estimating wear resistance of a tread portion of a tire comprises: a tire manufacturing step in which the tire to be evaluated is manufactured; a rubber seat sampling step in which an evaluation rubber seat is cut out from the tread portion of the tire to include a part of the tread surface; an abrasion step in which the rubber seat is subjected to abrasion by the use of an indoor wear testing machine; and a wear resistance estimating step in which the wear resistance of the tire is estimated based on a state of the wear of the rubber seat caused in the abrasion step.

Abstract: A friction coefficient between at least one tire of a motor vehicle and a roadway is estimated recursively. A kingpin inclination angle is detected or measured. A model determines a lateral friction value by defining a functional correlation between that value and the angle such that a non-linear course of that value relative to the angle is dependant on an initial increase of that value relative to the angle and on a recursively determined estimated value of the friction coefficient. The initial increase is defined substantially independently from the recursively determined estimated value. In addition, a measurement variable of the driving dynamics is captured. Depending on the lateral friction value, the driving dynamics model variable is determined. Furthermore, a variance between the driving dynamics measurement variable and the driving dynamics model value is determined. The recursion when acquiring the estimated value includes that the estimated value is adjusted.

Abstract: In the course of the method for detecting wear of a tyre comprising a tread and exhibiting at least two predetermined thresholds Si of radial wear: beyond each threshold Si, the tread is devised so that it comprises NEi set(s) of sonic cavities associated with the threshold Si; and for each threshold Si, Kmin is the minimum value of the values of ki with: ki=NEi/NEi-1 when for the value of i ? [2, M], NEi/NEi-122 1, or ki=NEi-1/NEi when for the value of i ? [2, M], NEi-1/NEi>1 for each threshold, an acoustic footprint noise emitted by the sonic cavity or cavities associated with this threshold is detected at a speed V, and the value of the speed V for detecting the acoustic footprint noise is limited to an interval I=]Vmin; Vmax] satisfying Vmax?kmin·Vmin.

Abstract: In the course of the method for detecting the wear of a tyre (10) comprising a set of at least one sonic wear gauge (18) emitting an acoustic footprint noise comprising several acoustic footprint elementary frequency components, an acoustic signal liable to comprise the acoustic footprint noise is acquired (100), the acoustic signal comprising several elementary frequency components acquired in the frequency domain; several series of elementary frequency components are enumerated (206), each enumerated series being liable to form some part of the acoustic footprint elementary frequency components; an acoustic footprint series is selected (302) from among the enumerated series; a local confidence index of the acoustic footprint series is determined (306); if a confidence index determined on the basis of the local confidence index is greater or less than a predetermined threshold, an alert of the wear of the tyre (10) is emitted.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a substantially rigid hardened wear surface for a tire tread wear testing apparatus is provided, the method comprising making a cast of a road surface on which tread wear of the tire is to be tested, providing a layer of adhesive mixed with at least one aggregate and configured for hardening to create the substantially rigid hardened wear surface, while the layer of adhesive is unhardened: (a) coating the layer of adhesive onto a road wheel of the tire tread wear testing apparatus, and (b) stamping an impression of the cast into the layer of epoxy adhesive for producing the wear surface adapted for emulating one or more surface roughness characteristics of the road surface.

Abstract: I-beam wear assessment trolleys include a first sensor assembly including a first upper block, a first lower block, a first pressure sensor positioned between the first upper block and the first lower block, and at least one first biasing member positioned between the first pressure sensor and either the first upper block or the first lower block of the first sensor assembly, wherein the at least one first biasing member biases the first upper block and the first lower block of the first sensor assembly away from one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for measuring slip rate of a tire for a construction vehicle, which system makes it possible to select based on a quantitative estimation a tire species that is the most advantageous in terms of wear resisting period among plural types of tire species having the same TKPH value and a method of selecting a tire tread pattern for a construction vehicle using the system.

Abstract: A testing machine tests the durability of backer pads on the track shoe assembly and the surface of the road wheel. The test machine utilizes two eccentric drives to move a section of a road wheel to simulate actual vehicle conditions. A positioning system positions the track shoe assembly with respect to the road wheel to adjust the loading between the two components.

Abstract: In a method for alerting to the wear of a tyre that includes a tread strip equipped with at least one circumferential groove, the running noise made by the tyre running along a ground is measured, from the measured running noise, a noise emitted in a predetermined range of frequencies close to a predetermined resonant frequency of a portion of the circumferential groove during running is isolated, the amplitude of the isolated noise is measured, and the measured amplitude is compared against a predetermined alert threshold.

Abstract: A method of wear level determination and an associated product. Multiple Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tags are distributed within a thickness of a wearing surface layer of a tire. The multiple RFID tags include first RFID tags that have not been worn away, second RFID tags that have been worn away, and a special RFID tag that has not been worn away. A measure of wear of the wearing surface layer of the tire is determined from data received from the first RFID tags and from a table in the special RFID tag. The product includes the wearing surface layer of the tire, the multiple RFID tags, and a mechanism for determining the measure of wear of the wearing surface layer.

Abstract: A tire tread sensing system includes a magnetic field sensor and a magnetic field source configured to magnetize magnetizable particles embedded in a tire tread. The magnetic field sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field strength associated with the magnetic field source and the magnetizable particles, and the magnetic field strength is indicative of a tire tread depth. Alternatively, the particles comprise alternating permanent magnets embedded in a tread portion of a tire.

Abstract: Repeated small irregularity, i.e. defect in outer shape on a sidewall portion S of a pneumatic tire T is detected. An order analysis is performed in higher order by an order analysis means 24 based on a waveform measured the irregularity on the sidewall portion S of the pneumatic tire T along the circumferential direction to calculate the value of the small irregularity at this order, and then the defect in outer shape is decided if the value of the small irregularity exceeds an allowable value. Thus, a pneumatic tire T of which small irregularity of certain order exceeding the allowable value is repeatedly formed in the circumferential direction on the sidewall portion S can be easily and certainly rejected as a defective tire.

Abstract: A method of wear level determination and an associated product. Multiple Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tags are distributed within a thickness of a wearing surface layer of a tire. The multiple RFID tags include first RFID tags that have not been worn away, second RFID tags that have been worn away, and a special RFID tag that has not been worn away. A measure of wear of the wearing surface layer of the tire is determined from data received from the first RFID tags and from a table in the special RFID tag. The product includes the wearing surface layer of the tire, the multiple RFID tags, and a mechanism for determining the measure of wear of the wearing surface layer.

Abstract: A method and associated product for wear level determination. Data is received from at least one Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag within a thickness of a wearing surface layer of each product of at least one product. The wearing surface layer of each product is an outermost surface layer of each product. The wearing surface layer of each product is adapted to be worn away such that the thickness of the wearing surface layer is reduced as each product is being used. A measure of wear of the wearing surface layer of each product is determined.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing a road by selecting a bituminous mixture for repairing a paved surface and re-paving the surface using a hot in-place recycling process. Selection includes adding and mixing various types and amounts of bitumens with a reclaimed sample of the paved surface to form mixtures, compacting the mixtures to form test specimens with air voids within about 1-3% of the air voids of the paved surface or density within 10-20% of the density of the paved surface, and measuring the rheology of the specimens, preferably by a tensile strength procedure. Selecting bitumen content based on the rheology of the tested specimens. Re-paving the surface by milling the surface to a depth of about 1.5-8 inches, mixing the selected bitumen with the milled surface, and paving the surface with the paving mixture thus formed.

Abstract: A technique for predicting the wear of at least one tire whose tread has pattern elements and which is fitted to a terrestrial motor vehicle, and a system for implementing the technique that enables a user, such as the vehicle's driver, to know reliably at any given moment the level of wear on the tire or on all the tires, or how long the residual wear will last, or even the remaining available running distance. Also, the piloting of drive-aid systems such as “ABS” (anti-block braking system) or “ESP” (electric programmed stability device) systems can be adapted as a function of the wear characteristics of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method has been invented for predicting the build-up of heat, material aging, and subsequent belt separation failure in rolling steel-belted pneumatic tires (20). The procedure employs finite element analysis and a new fatigue crack propagation model that takes output generated by the finite element model to predict distance and time to belt separation in the tire. The finite element model uses input information on tire load, speed and inflation pressure (12) to calculate the temperature and energy release rate at the corresponding tips of the fatigue crack to generate four-dimensional response surfaces of crack-tip energy release rate as a function of crack length, crack-tip circumferential angular position, and crack-tip temperature. The fatigue crack propagation model samples the response surface and is numerically integrated to predict distance and/or time to belt separation failure (30).

Abstract: The apparatus is a multi-speed flat belt durability tester that can simultaneously test several belts of different lengths. The tester can apply different tensions to each belt with a tension pulley powered by a hydraulic cylinder, and it monitors the tracking of the belts with photocell sensors. At least two belt test positions located at the outer edges of the apparatus include cantilevered pulley ends that greatly facilitate installation and removal of the belts being tested.

Abstract: A method of developing a set of input forces used to analyze tire wear includes the steps of characterizing a wear course by driving a vehicle over the wear course and measuring data related to a plurality of forces experienced by the vehicle. A vehicle characterization model for a target vehicle having at least one tire is developed. The vehicle characterization model is used to calculate force data that represents the forces that would be experienced by at least one tire of the characterized vehicle if the characterized vehicle were driven over the characterized wear test course in the first vehicle configuration. The force data is then used to analyze tire wear using a computer prediction technique or by running an indoor wear test on the tire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear displacement transducer with improved accuracy, in which stable contact is achieved by forming contacts coming into contact with resistors in a elastic linear contact type, rather than a conventional point contact type, using a rotating roller made of a conductive rubber material, and the life span thereof is extended by considerably reducing friction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for tires having a positioning device for the tire to be inspected and a laser inspection device. In accordance with the invention, the inspection device comprises several measuring heads, in particular laser measuring heads in order to reduce the inspection time. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, several observation units and associated lighting sources are integrated in each measuring head.

Abstract: A method for indoor wear testing tires includes the steps of characterizing a vehicle and a wear test course and combining the characterized data to create input data for an indoor wear test machine. The input data allows the indoor wear test machine to accurately simulate an outdoor wear test course for the characterized vehicle. The method allows multiple wear test courses to be used with a single characterized vehicle and allows a single wear test course to be used with multiple characterized vehicles. The method allows tires to be wear tested in relatively short time periods in the controlled environment of the indoor laboratory. In addition, the method is relatively easy to set up and perform.

Abstract: A hand-held probe (10) for measuring a tire tread profile comprises a housing (20) with a slit (64) formed parallel to its major axis, a range finder (70) mounted inside the housing (20) in such a way that it can traverse much of the length of the tube while directing light from a laser through a window (60) and onto a tire surface, a bracket (50) that is carried by the proximal end of the tube to enable the user to hold the probe (10) in position against the tire, a serial port (32) for connection with a computer (40), and a handle (30) that houses the batteries for operation and an IR or RF transmitter. The IR or RF transmitter is for transmitting the tire tread profile wirelessly to a computer suitably equipped to receive IR or RF transmissions.

Abstract: Protruding part of a mechanism body is connected to a base frame by screws, and other protruding part is connected to an auxiliary connecting metal fittings by the screws. A machining necessary for connecting is conducted on the protruding portions, the widths of which are wide. Therefore, a sufficiently long distance can be obtained by the protruding portions. As a result, the Roberval's parts 4, 5 are not affected by stress strain, which is caused in the process of connecting, even if a size of an electronic balance in a longitudinal direction is not extended. Accordingly, it is possible to realize the compact electronic balance of high performance in which an accurate measurement can be made even if a load is given to a balance pan being biased.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter includes a coil, exciting section, noise eliminating section, and arithmetic processing section. The coil applies a magnetic field to a fluid flowing in a pipe line. The exciting section supplies an exciting current to the coil. The noise eliminating section eliminates noise from a measurement signal detected from the fluid under excitation by using a differential frequency component between a commercial power frequency and an exciting frequency. The arithmetic processing section calculates a measurement flow rate on the basis of the measurement signal output from the noise eliminating section.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for testing the co-efficient-of friction of a road surface (78) of a road (79) including a electronic digital device (22) that senses through its sensor (75) the speed of a toothed sprocket wheel (71) and by which through the dropping of a frame (24) by means of a tripping mechanism (80) that trips upon a rotating motor (34) accelerating and by which a predetermined value in device (22) is reached by the speed of a tire flat (61) that strikes road surface (78).

Abstract: A testing assembly calculates stress levels along a cross section of a pneumatic tire. The cross section of the pneumatic tire includes its tire beads, sidewalls, and tread. The testing assembly includes a base and a plurality of mounts slidably secured to the base. Mounts secure each of the tire beads. The testing assembly also includes a platform that extends parallel across the testing assembly. The platform moves with respect to the base to simulate a tire under load. The platform does this by deforming the cross section of the tire as if it were under a load on a road. The method for using the testing assembly includes taking measurements of the cross section of the tire in an un-deflected state and a deflected state. Calculations between the two states identifies areas in the tire that stresses are damaging.

Abstract: The invention provides a measuring method of a tread wear amount by using a pneumatic tire in which a mark portion is formed on a part of a tread surface, the mark portion changing its surface shape as wear progresses. Image data of the mark portion is detected, the detected data is inputted in processor means, and then the tread wear amount is determined by use of either ratio referential data of the mark portion inputted in advance and corresponding to the wear amounts of the tread surface, or a formula inputted in advance for computing the wear amount, thereby facilitating automatic measurement of the tread wear amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for testing tire compounds, which comprises a road drum (3) and a specimen (5), rotating about respective parallel axes (X, Y) and being in rolling contact with each other. The specimen (5) of rubber to be analysed is mounted at the end of a spindle operated by a motor (6): advantageously the spindle is housed inside a closed casing (63) so as not to be exposed to water or other agents during the tests. This results in an apparatus wherein the spindle driving the specimen may be supported by non-sealed and hence low-friction bearings, thereby not altering the results of the tests carried out.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conducting indoor hydroplaning tests on a tire. A tire is supported by a frame above a test surface and a load is applied to the tire tread against the test surface. A stream of high pressure fluid is discharged from a nozzle against an area of contact of the tire tread and the test surface. A device detects a change in the loaded contact of the tire as the pressure of the fluid stream increases which provides an indication that hydroplaning is beginning to occur in comparison with a previously tested tire under actual driving conditions.