US 12,241,809 B2
Tire defect detection system that images localized cooling at a defect
Gary William Box, Golden Valley, MN (US); Brian B. Brasch, Fargo, ND (US); and Anthony S. Rike, Ramsey, MN (US)
Assigned to Paul E. Hawkinson Company, St. Michael, MN (US)
Filed by Paul E. Hawkinson Company, St. Michael, MN (US)
Filed on Aug. 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/450,904.
Application 18/450,904 is a continuation of application No. 17/369,347, filed on Jul. 7, 2021, granted, now 11,733,126.
Prior Publication US 2023/0400388 A1, Dec. 14, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01M 17/02 (2006.01); B60C 25/00 (2006.01); B60C 25/05 (2006.01)
CPC G01M 17/027 (2013.01) [B60C 25/002 (2013.01); B60C 25/0554 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for inspecting a tire, the method comprising:
(a) inflating the tire with an expanding gas;
(b) capturing a reference frame of a section of the tire using an infrared camera;
(c) pausing capture of the infrared camera for a period of time enabling air to escape through the tire in the presence of a defect in the tire, wherein escaping air cools an area of the tire around the defect;
(d) after pausing, capturing a subsequent frame of the section;
(e) comparing the reference frame to the subsequent frame to identify a difference in temperature;
(f) comparing the difference in temperature to a threshold temperature;
(g) if the difference in temperature is greater than the threshold temperature, determining that a defect exists and storing defect data;
(h) if the difference in temperature is less than the threshold temperature:
determining that the amount of time, as measured from the start of the pause, has exceeded the threshold amount of time indicating the absence of the defect; or
determining that an amount of time, as measured from a start of the pause, has not exceeded a threshold amount of time, repeating steps (c)-(h).