Tire deflection sensing method and apparatus
First Claim
1. Apparatus for determining the degree of deflection of a pneumatic tire comprising a light source, means for transmitting the light from said light source to a position internally of the tire to reflect the same off an internal surface of the tire, circuit means for providing an indication of the deflection of the tire, and means for transmitting the reflected light to said circuit means, said circuit means translating the quantity of reflected light into an indication of the deflection of the tire.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting deflection in a pneumatic tire (10) includes a light source which is transmitted by a transmission line (15,17) to a position internally of the tire (10). The light is reflected off an internal surface of the tire (10) and transmitted to an electronic circuit (25) by a second transmission line (19,21). An alarm (29) will alert the operator of the vehicle of undue tire deflection and, in addition, a visual display (31) can provide the operator with an instantaneous indication of tire deflection.
17 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for determining the degree of deflection of a pneumatic tire comprising a light source, means for transmitting the light from said light source to a position internally of the tire to reflect the same off an internal surface of the tire, circuit means for providing an indication of the deflection of the tire, and means for transmitting the reflected light to said circuit means, said circuit means translating the quantity of reflected light into an indication of the deflection of the tire.
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15. Apparatus for detecting the degree of deflection of a pneumatic tire mounted on a rim comprising a light source, a first transmission line transmitting light from said light source, through the rim at a first location and reflecting the light off the inside of the tire opposite the tread area thereof, a second transmission line receiving the reflected light and transmitting the same through the rim at a second location, and electronic means receiving the reflected light from said second transmission line and providing an output signal proportional to the amount of reflected light received and means receiving the output signal of said electronic means and providing a visual display of the deflection of the tire.
- 16. A method of detecting deflection in a pneumatic tire comprising the steps of providing a source of light, transmitting the light to a position internally of the tire, reflecting the light off an internal surface of the tire, the quantity of the reflected light being indicative of the deflection of the tire, and transmitting the reflected light to a circuit for indicating the deflection of the tire.
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22. A method of detecting deflection in a pneumatic tire mounted on a rim comprising the steps of providing a source of light, transmitting the light through the rim at a first location, reflecting the light off an internal surface of the tire opposite the thread area thereof, transmitting the reflected light through the rim at a second location, translating the amount of reflected light into an indication of tire deflection, and displaying the indication of tire deflection.
Specification