John D Strand

US Patent:

46638890, May 12, 1987

Filed:

Jul 14, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/885104

Inventors:

John Strand - Ann Arbor MI
David P. Krause - Hartville OH
Christopher D. Erickson - Saline MI

Assignee:

The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

B24B 100

US Classification:

51106R

Abstract:

A grinder for removing a predetermined amount of rubber at a predetermined angle from a raised or recessed area on the sidewall of an inflated tire as the tire rotates. A pair of spaced sensors engage the sidewall area of the tire at predetermined radial spaced locations on opposite sides of the area to be worked. The sensors generate a pair of electrical signals in relationship to the profiles of the sidewall areas engaged thereby. The signals are fed to a microprocessor which calculates the average angle of the raised or recessed area by the difference between the outputs from the two sensors along with the known spacing therebetween and generates a third signal. This third signal is supplied to a servo mechanism which automatically adjusts the grind angle of the grinding wheel to match the average angle of the area to be ground. A fourth signal is supplied by the microprocessor to another servo mechanism which dynamically controls the depth of grind of the grinding wheel in relationship to the profile of the sidewall represented by the signal generated by one of the sensors. In an alternate embodiment the signal generated by the microprocessor representing the average angle of the area to be worked controls the spacing between the tire beads by adjusting the tire mounting chuck to place the sidewall area in a relatively flat plane for perpendicular contact by the grinding wheel eliminating angle adjustment of the grinding wheel.

US Patent:

56620454, Sep 2, 1997

Filed:

Sep 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/524401

Inventors:

Charles E. Miller - Ann Arbor MI
John Strand - Ann Arbor MI
James J. Gould - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Symorex, Ltd. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

B61C 1100

US Classification:

105 30

Abstract:

An automated material handling system including one or more train assemblies moving along a rail with each train assembly including a locomotive pulling a plurality of trolley cars. The locomotive includes a front truck adapted for movement along the rail; a rear truck adapted for movement along the rail in spaced trailing relation to the front truck; a body structure mounted on and extending between the front and rear trucks; a tractor positioned between the front and rear trucks, disassociated from the body structure, and including a motor and a traction drive wheel driven by the motor and adapted to drivingly engage the rail; and a link pivotally interconnecting the tractor and the rear truck. The body structure defines a central downwardly opening compartment between the front and rear trucks and the tractor is positioned in the compartment. The tractor is thus free to essentially independently perform the pulling function for the train without concern for the carrying function of the locomotive.