2342results about "Tyre repairing" patented technology

Described is an anomaly detector apparatus 10 for detecting an anomaly in a tire comprising: a source of coherent light 18 to shine the light 27 directly onto the tire surface 24 and the light being reflected 32 from the tire; a stressing apparatus 12 which can stress the tire; a reflected light receiving apparatus 40 for receiving the light 32 reflected directly from the tire surface 24 when the tire is in a stressed and unstressed condition; a processor 44 which compares images of reflected light from the reflected light receiving apparatus 40 when the tire is stressed and unstressed thereby ascertaining an anomaly in the tire and generates an output from the comparison; and a display apparatus 46 electronically connected to the processor for displaying the output from the processor.

An early warning system for a tractor operator engaged in towing or pushing an aircraft includes two ultrasonic sensors that are used to create a detection area in which the aircraft should be present when the steering angle is well within a safe range. When one of the detectors fails to detect the presence of the aircraft, then the operator is alerted, before over steering can occur, in order that corrective action can be undertaken. Accordingly, complex distance-measuring algorithms can be avoided as can the requirement that an aircraft fuselage have a specially modified detection region.

A method and an apparatus for automatically removing pieces of luggage that have different surface properties and dimensions and getting the pieces of luggage ready for further transport by means of a gripper that is hingedly connected to a robot arm is described. The method includes: a) moving the gripper and the container that is to be emptied close together; b) determining the first piece of luggage to be removed; (c) gripping the piece of luggage using a horizontal suction elements (3) and withdrawing the luggage horizontally; d) if the vertical suction elements (4) are not yet able to sufficiently grip the luggage, the vertical suction elements (4) are repositioned and turned off, the vertical suction elements (5) are repositioned, and then turned on to re-grip the piece of luggage.

Method and apparatus for mounting a pneumatic tire Method for mounting a pneumatic tire (5) on a well base rim (26) of a motor vehicle wheel, in which the pneumatic tire (5) is grasped by means of a manipulator (1), brought up to a rim (26) held in a clamping device (27) and slipped with at least the one tire bead (20) facing the rim over a rim flange (28) by controlled movement of the manipulator (1). The apparatus suitable for this purpose comprises a manipulator (1) with an articulated arm (3) movable in three directions, which bears at its free end a gripper (2) for gripping and holding pneumatic tires (5), and a first mounting station (25) with clamping means (27) for releasably holding a rim (26), wherein the mounting station (25) is arranged within the working range of the manipulator (1).

An apparatus for assembling a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a single-cell workstation including a device that retains a wheel, and a plurality of sub-stations. The device moves the wheel to each of the plurality of sub-stations, without releasing the wheel, to assemble a tire-wheel assembly. A method is also disclosed.

A wheel pulling apparatus and method for removing vehicle wheels by pushing against the mounting studs of a motor vehicle wheel assembly. The invention is designed to remove or break uni-mount wheels from large wheel assemblies. A push plate is positioned onto the wheel by at least one receiver. At least two threaded grappling hooks are affixed to the wheel, and the threaded portion of the grappling hooks are slid through slots in the push plate. Washers are inserted and nuts are tightened onto the threaded portion. The nuts are then alternately tightened causing the push plate to snug onto mounting studs and to pull the wheel from the wheel assembly.

A tire buffer for buffing a tire casing as part of a retread operation can include a rasp pedestal having a rasp head and a texturing device. A moving assembly can be connected to the rasp pedestal for selectively moving the rasp pedestal along a pair of perpendicular axes. The rasp pedestal can rotate about a vertical axis. A tire hub assembly can be included for rotating the tire casing. The tire buffer can be operated at an operator station by interfacing with a control unit. The tire buffer can automatically buff a tire casing to achieve a predetermined tire casing profile and impart a texture thereto. The tire buffer includes a tire location mechanism and a tire measurement mechanism mounted to the rasp pedestal. The control unit can monitor an operating parameter of the rasp pedestal or the tire hub assembly during the buffing sequence, compare the actual value of the operating parameter to a predetermined target value of the parameter, and adjust an operating characteristic of the rasp pedestal, the tire hub assembly, or both such that the actual value of the operating parameter is urged toward the calculated target value of the operating parameter.

A lift apparatus for conveying, lifting and at least partially inverting a refuse container for emptying into a dumpster or a refuse receptacle. The apparatus preferably has a base with wheels and a handle to facilitate transport. In one embodiment, the handle telescopes vertically and is hook shaped and adapted for engaging the lip of a dumpster or garbage chute. A pair of offset pivot arms is pivotally mounted to the frame and to a bin carriage, into which a refuse receptacle may be received. Application of a pivoting force to the pivot arms lifts and at least partially inverts the bin carriage for emptying the refuse container. Preferably a damper is provided on bin carriage movement as well as a locking mechanism to prevent bin carriage movement while being conveyed. The device may be operated manually, or adapted with mechanical power output devices to simplify lifting.

An aircraft handler (10) for use with an undercarriage of an aircraft, the handler being self-propelled and comprising a generally “U” shaped body (11) having arms (12 &13) linked by a bridge (14) at one end thereof with a pair of drive wheels (16 &17) located one at the free end of each arm, with at least one wheel(15) located adjacent the bridge(14). A pair of clamping jaws (51) are mounted on the body (11) between the drive wheels (16 &17) and the bridge (14)and jaws (51) have a lower profile than the arms (12 &17). The drive wheel (16 &17) are driven by DC electric motors powered by batteries stored in the arms.

A tire rim for a non-pneumatic tire. The tire rim has an outer hoop that slideably engages a mounting ring disposed on the non-pneumatic tire. The mounting ring is slideably engaged in a lateral direction on the outer hoop. The rim and mounting ring can be secured using one or more mounting plates. The rim allows for the non-pneumatic tire to be easily mounted and removed.

A cushion tire is formed from a rubber material without being provided with an airspace inside the tire. An aspect ratio, which is a ratio of a sectional height of a tire with respect to a width of the tire, is set to 15 to 80%. And a number of holes are formed in both bilateral side surfaces of the tire along a circumferential direction thereof.

An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an automotive vehicle wheel includes rims being supplied in series by a conveyor to a gauging station where the type and/or size of the rim and the location and alignment of an aperture for receiving the valve stem is determined by a machine vision system. An electronic control system directs a robotic manipulator to grasp either the valve stem or the rim, move the valve stem or the rim to a mounting station, position the valve stem or the rim with respect to the other such that the aperture in the rim is in coaxial alignment with the valve stem, and insert the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner, mounted on the robotic manipulator or adjacent the mounting station, is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem. As an alternative to the machine vision system, the gauging station can use a rotating table which rotates the wheel about a central axis, and an “electric eye” optical sensor directing a beam of infrared light onto the rim. As the rim rotates through the beam, the presence or lack of a reflection of the light beam is used to detect the location of the aperture, and rotation of the table is stopped when the aperture is in alignment with the beam. A probe mounted on the gauging station can be extended to project into the aperture to confirm that the aperture is at the desired position and reposition the rim slightly to provide a precise positioning of the aperture.

A dolly is particularly adapted to lift, support and maneuver a four-wheel vehicle. The dolly comprises an adjustable, generally U-shaped frame assembly for each vehicle tire. The frame assembly has pairs of reciprocally opposed first and second frame members adapted to be positioned adjacent opposite sides of a tire and to lift the vehicle by way of the tires. A castering wheel assembly supports the vehicle on a ground surface. The frame assembly is pivotably mounted on a tractor.

A structure subjected to stresses that can lead to structural failure. The structure includes first and second conductive layers and an intermediate layer therebetween formed of a dielectric, semiconductive, or resistive material, such that the first, second, and intermediate layers form in combination an electrical element, namely, a capacitive or resistive element. The electrical element is located within the structure so as to be physically responsive to transitory and permanent distortions of the structure resulting from extrinsic and intrinsic sources. The structure further includes applying an electrical potential to at least one of the first and second conductive layers so as to generate an electrical signal from the electrical element, sensing changes in the electrical signal generated by the electrical element in response to the electrical element physically responding to the transitory and permanent distortions, and transmitting the changes in the electrical signal to a location remote from the structure.

An automatic device for mounting and removing a tire (6) onto and from the relative wheel rim (5), comprising, for supporting the wheel rim (5) complete with tire (6), rotary means associated with a frame (7) which supports an operating head (16), positionable in level and horizontally translatable, provided with at least one demounting tool (25) which can rotate about an axis perpendicular to the main axis of said operating head (16) to be positioned between a first position for seeking and gripping the bead of the tire (6), in which the tool (25) is orientated towards the center of the wheel rim, and a second position for extracting said bead of the tire (6) from the wheel rim, in which the tool (25) is perpendicular to the axis or is orientated in the opposite direction.

A wheel dolly is disclosed that is suited to serve as both an automobile jack, capable of holding large loads aloft for extended periods, relying on only mechanical systems and eliminating hydraulic systems. In a further aspect, the wheel dolly of the present invention does not include extended arms, handles, or levers for pumping or rotating the lifting mechanisms. Each lifting element terminates in only a single nut exposed to the user. Preferably, each nut of each lifting system has the same plan dimensions as the other, thus providing the advantage of allowing the user to operate the dolly with a driver and only one socket.

Pneumatic tires adapted to use on bicycles have a number of criteria that need to be evaluated. For high performance bicycle riding, such as in mountain bike races, it is advantageous to optimize performance. Standard tires with tubes have ease of repair in the replacement of a punctured tube, have the ability to maintain pressure for long periods, and do not require special adaptation of the rim for sealing.

An improved vehicle wheel service system for servicing a vehicle wheel assembly, configured with one or more imaging sensors to accurately measure distances, dimensions, and characteristics of features associated with a vehicle wheel assembly undergoing a service.