Patent GB-1420527-A (GB)
Title: X-ray tyre inspection machine
IPC: G01N23/18
Filed: 1973-08-30
Abstract: 1420527 Tyre-inspection machines USS ENGS & CONSULTANTS Inc 30 Aug 1973 [1 Sept 1972] 40933/73 Heading B7C An X-ray tyre inspection machine (shown in plan view in Fig. 1 and in elevation in Fig. 6), comprises an input conveyer including rollers 110 and 140, Fig. 1, for conveying a succession of tyres to an inspection station, continuously driven belts 142, 143, 144, and 145 for removing the tyres from the inspection station, horizontally movable spindles 171, 172, 173 for supporting a tyre while at the inspection station, the spindles being rotatable about their axes for rotation of a supported tyre, an X-ray tube 151, an X-ray imaging means 150, and means for moving the X-ray tube into and out of an operative position. In the form shown in Fig. 6, the X-ray imaging means 150 comprises a fluorescent screen 152 and a TV camera 153 coupled to a monitor. In an alternative form the image on the screen 152 may be focused by an optical lens on to the target of an integrating TV camera, and the image thus produced may be transferred to a storage device. The spindles 171, 172, 173 are driven intermittently to effect the stepwise rotation of a tyre being inspected. The X-ray imaging means 150 and X-ray tube 151 (see Fig. 6), are supported on a carriage 155 mounted for movement on semi-circular tracks 157 to enable the screen 152 to be positioned at a position 165 or a position 166. The X-ray tube 151 is supported by a pivotably mounted arm 162 so as to enable retraction of the X-ray tube. The X-ray imaging means 150 is provided with slides 161 which are movable in guides 160 of carriage 155 to enable movement of the imaging means relative to the centres of semicircular tracks 157. Measuring tyre dimensions.-The machine is provided with measuring devices 115, Figs. 1 and 3, which automatically measure the over-all external diameter, the section width, and the section height of a tyre. A tyre proceeding towards the inspection station is urged by skewed rollers 110, Fig. 1, into abutment with a fixed fence 111, and a retractable stop 112. The measuring devices 115 include a slide 118 movably supported by rods 116, 117. The position of a plate 123 brought into contact with the tyre tread is determined by a pulse generator 122 giving an indication of tyre external diameter. The position of a sensing plate 130 brought into contact with the tyre sidewall is determined by a pulse generator 129 to give an indication of tyre section width. The position of a vertically-movable sensing rod 135 brought into contact with a tyre bead is determined by a pulse generator 138 for use in determining the tyre section height. The above-mentioned measurements of the tyre are used to determine the movement of the X-ray imaging means 150 on the slides 161. Supporting tyre.-The spindles 171, 172, 173 are moved horizontally on arms 174, Fig. 6, in accordance with the measured tyre external diameter so that shafts 177 of the spindles engage the tread of the tyre. Vertically movable flanges 180 of the spindles are positioned in accordance with the measured tyre section width to engage a tyre sidewall and support the tyre at the correct height. Vertically-movable flanges 183 of the spindles are brought into engagement with the other sidewall of the tyre. Spreading tyre beads.-The beads of the tyre are spread in the zone of inspection of the tyre by bead spreaders 200, (see Figs. 6 and 11). The spreaders comprise two pairs of freelyrotatable fingers 201. The fingers 201 of each pair may be forced apart by means of a cylinder 214, Fig. 11, to an amount in accordance with the measured tyre section width. A cylinder 218 is operable to lift the fingers 201 clear of a supported tyre. The fingers 201 are swivellable in a horizontal plane, to engage within the tyre sidewalls, by means of cylinders 213 acting through arms 212. The inspection machine includes a radiationshielding chamber 101, Fig. 1, and a viewing window 104 adjacent an operator's console 106. A cooling system 107 is provided for the X-ray tube. Defective tyres may be marked by means of an ink spray 225, Fig. 1, and diverted from the exit conveyer by lowering a panel 231. In alternative forms of inspection machine multiple fluorescent screens may be provided to eliminate the need for angular movement of the X-ray imaging means.