X-ray machine for rapid and precise inspection of mixed sizes of pneumatic tires

An X-ray tire inspection machine is presented for rapid and precise determination of accuracy of placement of internal elements, by visual or automated sensing of dimensions and of uniformity, precisely places each of a random succession of pneumatic tires for highway vehicles from the smallest to the larget sizes, scans the entirety of bead-to-bead sectors or any part of each sector, without gaps or significant overlaps, and displays all or any desired portions of the X-ray shadow pictures as a succession of still pictures, or senses automatically the presence of irregularities of various kinds in any desired locations. Precise placement of tires is accomplished by gripping of the tread of a horizontal tire by four spools having upper and lower flanges positively moved toward one another at a fixed speed until they grip the shoulders of the tread. Precise location of internal elements is accomplished by simultaneous introduction into the bead circle, exactly midway between the upper and lower supporting flanges, of a bead spreading device and an X-ray source directed toward the tire. (Auth.)