Mcneil

Mcneil Akron Inc.

Thomas W Smith

Jeffrey N Bibbee

Christopher C Heisig

Nancy-Hope E Kaiser

The present apparatus is intended for use with a timer for controlling a process having an operating cycle including a plurality of sequential operational steps and for providing at least one preselectable output signal for each such step. The apparatus includes an activator for initiating the execution of a test cycle by the timer, and a test cycle step incrementor for selectively incrementing the timer so as to permit the rapid verification of both the operation of the timer and the accuracy of the output signal for each step.

Apparatus for rapid data verification of a programmable timer

A thermistor temperature sensor having non-linear electrical response characteristics with temperature, a material constant, beta, that varies with temperature, and providing an output signal indicative of the temperature desired to be measured is utilized herein. A time dependent signal having a configuration that offsets the non-linear temperature dependence of the sensor output signal is generated and compared to the sensor output signal. Whenever the sensor output at least equals that of the offsetting signal, a comparator generates an output signal that, after appropriate delay, is indicative of the actual temperature. The material 'constant' of the sensor is maintained substantially constant over at least a substantial range of temperatures. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor is energized in such manner as to substantially eliminate self-heating induced variations in the sensor output signal.

Apparatus and method for stabilization of a thermistor temperature sensor

A method and apparatus is disclosed for injecting a temperature sensitive probe into a tire to be cured in a mold which is at least in part heated by a steam cavity. The probe is utilized to monitor cure conditions and provides an electronic input signal to control the cure. The probe is carried by a movable member in a housing mounted in the mold with one side of the movable member being exposed to, and thereby worked on, the steam in the cavity so that the steam pressure itself is utilized to inject the probe.

Probe injection system for a tire curing process

An apparatus for controlling sequence and duration of the operational steps in processes such as vulcanization of a pneumatic tire is capable of operating under two basic modes or parameters. In one mode the operational steps are dictated by elapsed real time, while in the other mode, the operation can be dictated by elapsed cure equivalent factors. The desired length of each step or the cure, whether in time or cure equivalents, is set into an input program means. In the time mode, time generating circuitry provides an output proportonal to elapsed time which output is displayed on a counter and electrically compared with the information in the input program means. When a match occurs, the time generating circuitry and displays are reset and the input program means directs the tire vulcanization press to perform the next sequential function. Also disclosed is circuitry which is capable of performing secondary functions such as extending the length of a step, as necessary. If it is desired to operate in the cure equivalent mode, a signal proportional to elapsed cure equivalents is developed by a cure equivalent generating circuitry which performs digital integration of the Arrhenius function. The input to cure equivalent generating circuitry can be a signal proportional to tire temperature developed by internal thermocouples or can be a signal which is directly proportional to the Arrhenius function as generated by a thermistor sensor.

Tire cure programmer and function generator

A system for controlling sequence and duration of the operational steps in processes such as vulcanization of a pneumatic tire is capable of operating under two basic modes or parameters. In one mode the operational steps are dictated by elapsed real time, while in the other mode, the operation can be dictated by elapsed cure equivalent factors. The desired length of each step or the cure, whether in time or cure equivalents, is set into an input program means. In the time mode, time generating circuitry provides an output proportional to elapsed time which output is displayed on a counter and electrically compared with the information in the input program means. When a match occurs, the time generating circuitry and displays are reset and the input program means directs the tire vulcanization press to perform the next sequential function. Also disclosed is circuitry which is capable of performing secondary functions such as extending the length of a step, as necessary. If it is desired to operate in the cure equivalent mode, a signal proportional to elapsed cure equivalents is developed by a cure equivalent generating circuitry which performs digital integration of the Arrhenius function. The input to cure equivalent generating circuitry can be a signal proportional to tire temperature developed by internal thermocouples or can be a signal which is directly proportional to the Arrhenius function as generated by a thermistor sensor.

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Fort Myers Beach, FL, United States of America

Thomas W Smith