Sensing device with proximity detection for tire inspection
First Claim
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1. A sensor device for tire inspection that is removably positionable along an inner surface of a tire, the tire defining radial, axial, and circumferential directions, the device comprising:
- a body comprising an outermost inspection surface configured for removable positioning along a surface of the tire;
a plurality of tire inspection sensors positioned at the outermost inspection surface, the tire inspection sensors displaced from each other along the radial direction of the tire when the device is positioned along the surface of the tire; and
a plurality of tire proximity sensors positioned at the outermost inspection surface of the device, the tire proximity sensors displaced from each other along the radial direction of the tire when the device is positioned along the surface of the tire, each tire proximity sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of the distance between the tire proximity sensor and the surface of the tire or a component within the tire.
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Abstract
A sensor device for tire inspection is provided. The sensor device is configured for removable placement upon or near the surface of the tire. The sensor device includes one or more tire inspection sensors configured to inspect e.g., the condition of one or more components or portions of the tire. The sensor device also includes one or more proximity sensors configured to detect whether the sensor device is in proper proximity of the tire such that the one or more tire inspection sensors can operate correctly.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sensor device for tire inspection that is removably positionable along an inner surface of a tire, the tire defining radial, axial, and circumferential directions, the device comprising:
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a body comprising an outermost inspection surface configured for removable positioning along a surface of the tire; a plurality of tire inspection sensors positioned at the outermost inspection surface, the tire inspection sensors displaced from each other along the radial direction of the tire when the device is positioned along the surface of the tire; and a plurality of tire proximity sensors positioned at the outermost inspection surface of the device, the tire proximity sensors displaced from each other along the radial direction of the tire when the device is positioned along the surface of the tire, each tire proximity sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of the distance between the tire proximity sensor and the surface of the tire or a component within the tire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for inspecting a tire using a sensor device, the sensor device comprising a plurality of tire inspection sensors and a plurality of tire proximity sensors spaced apart along a radial direction of the tire when the sensor device is positioned adjacent to the tire, the method comprising:
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positioning the sensor device adjacent to a surface of the tire, determining whether at least a predetermined number, NMIN, of a total number, NTOT, of tire proximity sensors are detecting the presence of the tire and, if not, then repositioning the sensor device adjacent to the surface of the tire, and repeating the determining. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification