Apparatus and method for measuring tire thickness

• US 20080168833A1
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adam Awad
• Original Assignee: Adam Awad
• Inventors: Awad, Adam
• Granted Patent: US 7,775,094 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/243 Tread wear sensors, e.g. electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/02 Tyres

Abstract

A reusable patch adhesively bondable to the inside of a tire. Disposed within the patch is at least one sensor that generates a radially outwardly directed signal and senses a reflection thereof from the tire'"'"'s outer surface. Circuitry means is connected to the receiver for receiving data representative of the original and reflected signal and calculating a distance measurement representative of the distance between the sensor and the reflection point. Communication means then transmit the appropriate data to indicator means, which triggers a indicator to alert the driver of a tire failure or potential tire failure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring tire thickness comprising:

a patch securable to a tire inner wall;

at least one sensor disposed within said patch for generating a signal directed radially outwardly from the tire and sensing a reflection of said signal;

circuitry means electrically connected to said at least one sensor for receiving a representation of the time difference between the generated signal and the reflected signal and for generating data representative of said time difference; and

communication means for accepting said data from said circuitry means and communicating said data to a predetermined location.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising indication means for receiving said data from said communication means and presenting said data in a form from which said tire thickness can be determined.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tab positioned at the perimeter of said patch for aiding with the removal of said patch from said tire inner wall.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said patch is adhesively securable to said tire inner wall.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said communication means comprises a transmitter and a receiver.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said transmitter is electrically connected to said circuitry means and said receiver is electrically connected to said indication means.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said transmitter and said receiver are wireless.

8. A method for measuring tire thickness comprising:

providing a system comprising

a patch securable to a tire inner wall;

at least one sensor disposed within said patch for generating a signal directed radially outwardly from said tire and sensing a reflection of said signal;

circuitry means electrically connected to said at least one sensor for receiving a representation of the time difference between the generated signal and the reflected signal and for generating data representative of said time difference; and

communication means for accepting said data from said circuitry means and communicating said data to a predetermined location;

generating a signal from inside said tire, said signal directed radially outwardly from said tire;

sensing a reflection of said signal; and

generating data representative of said time difference between said signal and said reflected signal.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

transmitting said data to a receiver; and

presenting said data in a form from which said tire thickness can be determined.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising indicating said tire thickness.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising indicating usable tire thickness.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising indicating a potential tire failure.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising indicating a tire failure.