The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 16, 1996
James A Popio, Mogadore, OH (US);
John L Turner, Akron, OH (US);
Richard J Macioce, Massillon, OH (US);
Wayne A Indorf, Canton, OH (US);
Fu-Min Chen, Tallmadge, OH (US);
Stanley J Olesky, Akron, OH (US);
Vladimir Roth, Akron, OH (US);
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Akron, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and related methods for capturing a digital foot print image of a tire and for extrapolating load-deflection curves of the tire is presented. A frame carries a test pod that is coupled to a tire to perform various tests. In one application, a loading plate couples the tire to a transparent plate on the test pod where a camera captures a digital gray-scale image of the tire foot print. A processor converts the gray-scale image into a pressure map wherein each pixel of the digital image is correlated to a pressure value. In another application, the loading plate couples the tire to a sliding cover plate on the test pod, wherein the loading plate is incremented through a plurality of load values at predetermined inflation pressures. By using two inflation pressures, the processor extrapolates further load-deflection curves for the tire at other inflation pressures. The apparatus also provides a unique way for imparting camber on the tire during the above tests. The data collected from the foot print image and load-deflection curves may be used to analyze the construction, operation, noise generation characteristics and performance of the tire.