Patent ID: 6019145
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
An apparatus for introducing a free-flowing balancing material into a tire through a tire valve stem comprising:(a) a container for confining a predefined amount of free-flowing balancing material; said container having means for introducing the free-flowing balancing material into the container, and an opening through which the free-flowing balancing material is drawn when subjected to pressurized air currents;(b) a source of pressurized air;(c) a flow path for pressurized air extending from said source of pressurized air to an air inlet, from said air inlet to a mixing chamber in communication with said container through said opening, and from the mixing chamber directly to an air outlet; said flow path having a pressure regulator therein;(d) a venturi nozzle within said mixing chamber to accelerate the air flow and lower the air pressure within the mixing chamber to draw the free-flowing balancing material from the container into the mixing chamber and directly to the air outlet; and(e) means for introducing the mixture of free-flowing balancing material and pressurized air from said air outlet and introducing same into a tire through the associated tire valve stem;the volume of said container sufficient to contain an amount of free-flowing balancing material sufficient to effect dynamic balancing of a tire and associated wheel assembly.