A high-pressure cell is designed to test the sealing capability of tire sealant. The cell primarily consists of a glass cylinder, a circular piece of tire cut from the tread area, and provisions for mounting nails of various sizes.
Figure 1. Schematic of the apparatus used to test the sealant efficiency (Legend: 1- Pressure gauge; 2- Sealant; 3- Safety valve; 4- Air inlet; 5- Cylindrical glass tube; 6- tire; 7- mount for nails)
The efficiency of tire sealants has usually been tested on inflated tires, requiring large quantities of sealant for the entire tire. The inflated tire containing the sealant is mounted on a wheel, and a puncture is induced. The change in tire pressure is then measured. This method is cumbersome and slow, as testing each new formulation requires removing the tire from the wheel and replacing it with an unpunctured tire.
- This innovation requires only a small amount of sealant for testing.
- The apparatus is easy to use.
- Instant testing of tire sealant efficacy is possible under the same conditions as an inflated tire.
- Measurement of loss of pressure is inversely correlated with the sealing capability of the sealant.
- Vessel is made of sheet metal or from a material such as hard plastic or toughened glass.
- It has a jacketed vessel for controlling the test temperature.
The high-pressure cell consists of a cylindrical glass tube, with one end sealed by a circular piece cut from a puncture-free tire. The other end of the tube is closed with a metal lid that includes separate inlets for air, sealant, and a pressure gauge, which features a safety valve. Beneath the pressure cell, there is an assembly with six slots for mounting nails of different sizes. The cylinder is made up of borosilicate glass that can sustain pressure up to 5 bar. The rest of the body of the apparatus is made up of mild steel.
An apparatus has been set up and tested. The invention is at the stage of process qualification through test and demonstration. A method for testing the efficacy of the tire sealant has also been given. The patent has been granted and the technology is ready for licensing.
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It addresses the need of tire/tire sealant manufacturing industry to accurately and easily test the efficacy of the tire sealant.
Tire/tire sealant manufacturing industry
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