US3770931A - Dielectric heating apparatus for tires - Google Patents

Dielectric heating apparatus for tires Download PDF

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US3770931A
US3770931A US00277463A US3770931DA US3770931A US 3770931 A US3770931 A US 3770931A US 00277463 A US00277463 A US 00277463A US 3770931D A US3770931D A US 3770931DA US 3770931 A US3770931 A US 3770931A
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conductive fluid
article
fluid
electrically conductive
bladder
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C Gilliatt
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Raytheon Co
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Raytheon Co
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D30/00—Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
    • B29D30/06—Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
    • B29D30/0601—Vulcanising tyres; Vulcanising presses for tyres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/12—Dielectric heating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C43/00—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C43/02—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C43/10—Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non-rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts or dies
    • B29C43/102—Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non-rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts or dies using rigid mould parts specially adapted for moulding articles having an axis of symmetry
    • B29C43/104—Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non-rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts or dies using rigid mould parts specially adapted for moulding articles having an axis of symmetry the mould cavity lying totally outside the axis of symmetry, e.g. toroidal moulds
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/80—Apparatus for specific applications
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2030/00—Pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A method of and apparatus for heating moldable articles, such as pneumatic rubber tires, is disclosed utilizing an inner expandable bladder having an electrically conductive fluid, such as mercury, salt water, or woods metal.
  • a source of high frequency energy in the range of, illustratively, from 1 to 60 megahertz is coupled between the conductive fluid and the metallic tire vulcanizing apparatus to rapidly heat the inner casing wall surfaces to the desired curing temperatures.
  • a second outer bladder conforming to the casing walls contains a high dielectric constant low thermal loss fluid, such as silicone oil.
  • the inner bladder is contoured to provide a greater volume of such fluid adjacent to the thinner sidewalls and thereby expose the heated conductive fluid closer to the thicker tire tread region.
  • the heating field strengths are thereby distributed substantially uniformly in all parts of a moldable article having a nonsymmetrical cross-sectional configuration and it is maintained in the desired shape during heating.
  • Dielectric heating utilizing high frequency altemating fields has found wide acceptance in the treatment of inherently poor thermal conductors, such as paper, wood, leather and rubber articles.
  • high frequency is defined as electromagnetic energy in that portion of the spectrum having frequencies of under 60 megahertz.
  • Numerous sources are known in the art including vacuum tubes and the energy is typically coupled to the article by conductive electrodes.
  • a nonsymmetrical and nonhomogenous mass is presented to the oscillating fields.
  • the distribution of the electromagnetic energy within the product therefore, becomes a function of the varied dielectric constants of the load as well as the power factor. This latter characteristic represents the amount of current which will flow through the mass and produce a heat loss.
  • the dielectric constant value and power factor are multiplied to obtain a measure of total loss. It is evident, therefore, that the physical properties of the materials as well as distribution of the oscillating fields is of primary consideration in dielectric heating applications.
  • One product which is an inherent poor thermal conductor is the pneumatic tire which is typically cured at elevated temperatures by steam or other means at temperatures of above 300 F.
  • the mold is heated and steam under pressure is generally applied within the tire casing walls by such means as a bladder of rubber or the like.
  • the tire vulcanization process is time consuming and involves expensive and cumbersome apparatus.
  • Such moldable article has a nonsymmetrical cross-sectional configuration with thin sidewalls and a thick tire tread region defining a sub stantially hollow interior.
  • the variation in crosssectional dimensions leads to problems with uniform heat distribution during the curing cycle. The search, therefore, for new and improved methods and apparatus for the heat treatment of moldable articles continues in industry.
  • a method and apparatus for dielectrically heating moldable articles is provided with uniform distribution of the high frequency electromagnetic energy in all parts involving the use of expandable bladder members with two types of fluids.
  • An inner expandable member contains an electrically conductive fluid and an electrode from the high frequency energy source is connected directly to the fluid.
  • Surrounding the inner bladder member is a second outer expandable bladder member containing a high dielectric constant low loss fluid.
  • the inner member is contoured to provide a greater volume of low loss fluid and thereby space the conductive fluid further away from the thinner sidewalls, for example, a pneumatic tire.
  • the greater concentration of heat is, therefore, directed toward the thicker tire tread portions where the wall thickness is substantial.
  • the fluids may also be heated to assist in curing times. The distribution of heating energy fields is maintained uniform throughout the curing cycle.
  • the invention is readily adaptable to existing tire vulcanizing mold apparatus using steam heat to raise the temperature of the mold cavity-defining members and platens. After curing the fluids are drained from the bladder members to reservoir means and the upper cavity member is pivoted away by hydraulic means to permit removal of the tire for cooling and post cure inflation. While rubber articles are described herein the invention is equally applicable to any moldable article of an inherently poor thermally conductive material including articles of any number of thermoplastic material.
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment.
  • the apparatus 10 embodying the invention comprises upper and lower mold annular cavity-defining members 12 and 14 supported by legs 22.
  • a lid I6 controlled by a hydraulic mechanism 18 is provided with a connecting bracket 20 for pivotal movement thereof after the curing cycle has been completed.
  • a shaft 24 disposed within a concentric tubular holder 26 is internally connected to the means for movement of the bladder members, to be hereinafter described, to provide for removal and insertion of such bladder members in the interior of the tire casing at the commencement and termination of the curing cycle.
  • the shaft moves upwardly and is controlled by means of a gear box 28 having an eccentric sheave 30 coupled to a rod 32 with a lever arm assembly 34 pivotally secured to bracket 36 on the underside of the lower cavity member 14.
  • a motor is also provided and is not illustrated for the sake of clarity.
  • upper and lower mold cavity-defining members 12 and 14 comprise top and bot- I tom half sections 38 and 40 adapted to mate and define the shaping and tread vulcanizing walls within which an annular moldable article, such as an uncured tire 50 having a substantially hollow interior, is disposed.
  • a lip portion 42 and 44 provides mating surfaces for the joined mold members 12 and 14 during the curing cycle.
  • Each of the half sections 38 and 40 have abutting top and bottom steam-heated platen members 46 and 48 secured thereto.
  • steam is continuously introduced into the platens to elevate the mold temperatures to approximately 310 to 350 F which is the normal curing temperature for passenger tires.
  • bladder members 52 and 62 are disposed within the casing of the uncured or green tire 50.
  • Bladder member 52 which is referred to herein as the outer bladder member conforms to the tire casing walls.
  • the ends of outer bladder 52 are provided with enlarged feet 54 and 56 to form an annular bead disposed within anchoring channels in lower fixed clamping ring 58 and upper movable clamping ring 60.
  • This arrangement provides a fluid-tight structure when a fluid is pumped within the bladder 52 during operation.
  • a similar arrangement provides enlarged feet 64 and 66 for securing the inner bladder member 62 to the clamping rings 58 and 60.
  • a piston rod member 68 is joined to the vertically displaced shaft 24 and is secured by a clamp 70 to the upper clamping ring 60.
  • the rod extends within a hub 72 having cylindrical cap 74 joined by bolts 76 to the lower clamping ring member 58. Upward movement of the rod 68 results in the drained bladders assuming a shape which will permit ready removal and insertion of the tire casing.
  • Clamping ring member 58 defines inner passageways 78 at a number of points around the annulus of the tirecasing to permit the introduction of a fluid 79 within the outer bladder member 52.
  • Line 80 threadably engages the passageways and is connected by a check valve 82 and regulator valve 84 to a reservoir tank 86 containing fluid l.
  • the fluids in the practice of the invention are desirably heated by any suitable source designated by the numeral 88 and all the electrical controls for the operation of the apparatus are designated by the box 90.
  • Fluid 1 is of a high dielectric constant low thermal loss characteristic, such as silicone oil, and is utilized for spacing of the heat source, to be hereinafter described, with relation to the nonuniform walls of the tire being cured.
  • electrically conductive fluid 92 is introduced within the inner bladder member 62 by passageways 94 which are electrically insulated from the clamping ring 58 by a nonconductive line 96 forming a conduit for the introduction of the fluid ll.
  • Line 96 incorporating a check valve 98 and regulator valve 160 is coupled to tank 102 which is also connected to the controls 90.
  • An illustrative fluid having the desired electrically conductive characteristics comprises mercury, salt water or woods metal. The latter material woods metal describes a low temperature alloy containing bismuth, antimony and tin of the type often employed in automatic sprinkler heads.
  • a suitable high frequency electromagnetic energy source 104 having an operating frequency of around 40 megahertz is controlled by a relay 16 having contacts 108 coupled to electrical controls 90.
  • Coaxial electrode 110 is connected to a metallic sleeve 112 surrounding the insulated line 96 which is connected to the ring 114 of the grounded tire molding apparatus.
  • Center electrode 116 has inner end 113 disposed directly in the conductive fluid 92 to complete the circuit for the raising of the temperature of the conductive fluid to the temperature required to heat the inner casing walls.
  • a diaphragm 120 is coaxially disposed as indicated to prevent backup of the electrically conductive fluid 92 to the high frequency source.
  • the uncured tire casing is placed in the cavity around the bladders members 52 and 62.
  • the apparatus and filling bladder 52 containing the low loss material having a high dielectric constant assumes the shape conforming to the inner casing walls.
  • the inner bladder 62 is contoured so as to be closer to bladder 52 at the point adjacent to the thick tread of the tire casing 50. 6
  • a greater volume of the heating conductive fluid 92 is thereby concentrated adjacent to the thicker tread region.
  • the thinner sidewall portions are protected from excessive heating by the intervening fluid-79 to provide a more uniform heat distribution arrangement responsive to a nonsymmetrical article.
  • apparatus adapted to support and mold an article having a substantially hollow interior
  • expandable bladder members including an outer member conforming to the contour of said interior wall surfaces and an inner member disposed within said outer member;
  • means for dielectrically heating said article including a source of high frequency electromagnetic energy coupled to said electrically conductive fluid.
  • said moldable article comprises an annular nonsymmetrical cross-sectional configuration and the wall surface contouring of said inner bladder member is such that said electrically conductive fluid is closer to the thicker cross-sectional region than the thinner regions.
  • said conductive fluid is selected from the group including mercury, salt water and a low temperature alloy composed of bismuth, antimony and tin.
  • Apparatus for dielectrically heating moldable articles comprising:
  • an enclosure defining an annular cavity adapted to receive and shape an article having a substantially hollow interior
  • expandable means including outer and inner bladder members disposed within said interior wall surfaces and means for filling said outer member with a fluid having a high dielectric constant low thermal loss characteristic and said inner member with an electrically conductive fluid to maintain pressure against and heat said article within said cavity during operation;
  • said inner member wall surfaces being contoured to provide for a closer spacing of said conductive fluid to selected regions of said article
  • conductive fluid is selected from the group including 9.

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for heating moldable articles, such as pneumatic rubber tires, is disclosed utilizing an inner expandable bladder having an electrically conductive fluid, such as mercury, salt water, or woods metal. A source of high frequency energy in the range of, illustratively, from 1 to 60 megahertz is coupled between the conductive fluid and the metallic tire vulcanizing apparatus to rapidly heat the inner casing wall surfaces to the desired curing temperatures. A second outer bladder conforming to the casing walls contains a high dielectric constant low thermal loss fluid, such as silicone oil. The inner bladder is contoured to provide a greater volume of such fluid adjacent to the thinner sidewalls and thereby expose the heated conductive fluid closer to the thicker tire tread region. The heating field strengths are thereby distributed substantially uniformly in all parts of a moldable article having a nonsymmetrical cross-sectional configuration and it is maintained in the desired shape during heating.

Description

United States Patent 1 Gilliatt DIELECTRIC HEATING APPARATUS FOR TIRES [75] Inventor: Charles L. Gilliatt, Andover, Mass.
[73] Assignee: Raytheon Company, Lexington,
Mass.
[22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1972 [2]] Appl, No.: 277,463
[52] US. Cl 219/1057, 219/1049, 219/1065, 425/41, 425/174.8
[51] Int. Cl. H05b 5/00, H05b 9/00, B29h 5/26 [58] Field 01' Search 2l9/l0.81, 10.49, 219/1055, 10.57, 10.65; 425/41, 50,174.8
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,451,992 /1948 Te Grotenhui's 425/41 2,797,440 7/1957 Bauermeister 425/l74.8 X 2,782,460 2/1957 Krug et a1. 425/174.8 X
Primary Examiner-C. L. Albritton Assistant Examiner-Hugh D. Jaeger Attorney-Harold A. Murphy et al.
TANK
I TO
TANK
HIGH FREQUENCY ENERGY SOURCE Nov. 6, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A method of and apparatus for heating moldable articles, such as pneumatic rubber tires, is disclosed utilizing an inner expandable bladder having an electrically conductive fluid, such as mercury, salt water, or woods metal. A source of high frequency energy in the range of, illustratively, from 1 to 60 megahertz is coupled between the conductive fluid and the metallic tire vulcanizing apparatus to rapidly heat the inner casing wall surfaces to the desired curing temperatures. A second outer bladder conforming to the casing walls contains a high dielectric constant low thermal loss fluid, such as silicone oil. The inner bladder is contoured to provide a greater volume of such fluid adjacent to the thinner sidewalls and thereby expose the heated conductive fluid closer to the thicker tire tread region. The heating field strengths are thereby distributed substantially uniformly in all parts of a moldable article having a nonsymmetrical cross-sectional configuration and it is maintained in the desired shape during heating.
10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures CONDUCTIVE FLUID HIGH DIELECTRIC LOW LOSS FLUID HEAT SOURCE CONTROLS PAIENIEDnuv sum 3.770.931
SHEET 10F 2 HIGH FREQUENCY ENERGY SOURCE PAIENIEDunv ems 3770.931
SHEET 2 0F 2 62 CONDUCTIVE FLUID HIGH DIELECTRIC LOW LOSS FLUID TANK TO TANK FREg L E NcY HEAT ENERGY SOURCE CONTROLS DIELECTRIC HEATING APPARATUS FOR TIRES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to the heating of moldable articles by high frequency electromagnetic energy.
2. Description of the Prior Art Dielectric heating utilizing high frequency altemating fields has found wide acceptance in the treatment of inherently poor thermal conductors, such as paper, wood, leather and rubber articles. For the purposes of the present application the term high frequency is defined as electromagnetic energy in that portion of the spectrum having frequencies of under 60 megahertz. Numerous sources are known in the art including vacuum tubes and the energy is typically coupled to the article by conductive electrodes. In the utilization of such energy typically a nonsymmetrical and nonhomogenous mass is presented to the oscillating fields. The distribution of the electromagnetic energy within the product, therefore, becomes a function of the varied dielectric constants of the load as well as the power factor. This latter characteristic represents the amount of current which will flow through the mass and produce a heat loss. In the dielectric heating art the dielectric constant value and power factor are multiplied to obtain a measure of total loss. It is evident, therefore, that the physical properties of the materials as well as distribution of the oscillating fields is of primary consideration in dielectric heating applications.
One product which is an inherent poor thermal conductor is the pneumatic tire which is typically cured at elevated temperatures by steam or other means at temperatures of above 300 F. During the curing cycle the mold is heated and steam under pressure is generally applied within the tire casing walls by such means as a bladder of rubber or the like. The tire vulcanization process is time consuming and involves expensive and cumbersome apparatus. Such moldable article has a nonsymmetrical cross-sectional configuration with thin sidewalls and a thick tire tread region defining a sub stantially hollow interior. The variation in crosssectional dimensions leads to problems with uniform heat distribution during the curing cycle. The search, therefore, for new and improved methods and apparatus for the heat treatment of moldable articles continues in industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a method and apparatus for dielectrically heating moldable articles is provided with uniform distribution of the high frequency electromagnetic energy in all parts involving the use of expandable bladder members with two types of fluids. An inner expandable member contains an electrically conductive fluid and an electrode from the high frequency energy source is connected directly to the fluid. Surrounding the inner bladder member is a second outer expandable bladder member containing a high dielectric constant low loss fluid. The inner member is contoured to provide a greater volume of low loss fluid and thereby space the conductive fluid further away from the thinner sidewalls, for example, a pneumatic tire. The greater concentration of heat is, therefore, directed toward the thicker tire tread portions where the wall thickness is substantial. The fluids may also be heated to assist in curing times. The distribution of heating energy fields is maintained uniform throughout the curing cycle.
The invention is readily adaptable to existing tire vulcanizing mold apparatus using steam heat to raise the temperature of the mold cavity-defining members and platens. After curing the fluids are drained from the bladder members to reservoir means and the upper cavity member is pivoted away by hydraulic means to permit removal of the tire for cooling and post cure inflation. While rubber articles are described herein the invention is equally applicable to any moldable article of an inherently poor thermally conductive material including articles of any number of thermoplastic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Details of the invention will be readily understood after consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiment and reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus 10 embodying the invention comprises upper and lower mold annular cavity-defining members 12 and 14 supported by legs 22. A lid I6 controlled by a hydraulic mechanism 18 is provided with a connecting bracket 20 for pivotal movement thereof after the curing cycle has been completed. A shaft 24 disposed within a concentric tubular holder 26 is internally connected to the means for movement of the bladder members, to be hereinafter described, to provide for removal and insertion of such bladder members in the interior of the tire casing at the commencement and termination of the curing cycle. The shaft moves upwardly and is controlled by means of a gear box 28 having an eccentric sheave 30 coupled to a rod 32 with a lever arm assembly 34 pivotally secured to bracket 36 on the underside of the lower cavity member 14. A motor is also provided and is not illustrated for the sake of clarity.
Referring now to FIG. 2, upper and lower mold cavity-defining members 12 and 14 comprise top and bot- I tom half sections 38 and 40 adapted to mate and define the shaping and tread vulcanizing walls within which an annular moldable article, such as an uncured tire 50 having a substantially hollow interior, is disposed. A lip portion 42 and 44 provides mating surfaces for the joined mold members 12 and 14 during the curing cycle. Each of the half sections 38 and 40 have abutting top and bottom steam-heated platen members 46 and 48 secured thereto. Typically, in such apparatus, steam is continuously introduced into the platens to elevate the mold temperatures to approximately 310 to 350 F which is the normal curing temperature for passenger tires.
Within the casing of the uncured or green tire 50 bladder members 52 and 62 are disposed. Bladder member 52 which is referred to herein as the outer bladder member conforms to the tire casing walls. The ends of outer bladder 52 are provided with enlarged feet 54 and 56 to form an annular bead disposed within anchoring channels in lower fixed clamping ring 58 and upper movable clamping ring 60. This arrangement provides a fluid-tight structure when a fluid is pumped within the bladder 52 during operation. A similar arrangement provides enlarged feet 64 and 66 for securing the inner bladder member 62 to the clamping rings 58 and 60. A piston rod member 68 is joined to the vertically displaced shaft 24 and is secured by a clamp 70 to the upper clamping ring 60. The rod extends within a hub 72 having cylindrical cap 74 joined by bolts 76 to the lower clamping ring member 58. Upward movement of the rod 68 results in the drained bladders assuming a shape which will permit ready removal and insertion of the tire casing.
Clamping ring member 58 defines inner passageways 78 at a number of points around the annulus of the tirecasing to permit the introduction of a fluid 79 within the outer bladder member 52. Line 80 threadably engages the passageways and is connected by a check valve 82 and regulator valve 84 to a reservoir tank 86 containing fluid l. The fluids in the practice of the invention are desirably heated by any suitable source designated by the numeral 88 and all the electrical controls for the operation of the apparatus are designated by the box 90. Fluid 1 is of a high dielectric constant low thermal loss characteristic, such as silicone oil, and is utilized for spacing of the heat source, to be hereinafter described, with relation to the nonuniform walls of the tire being cured.
As electrically conductive fluid 92 is introduced within the inner bladder member 62 by passageways 94 which are electrically insulated from the clamping ring 58 by a nonconductive line 96 forming a conduit for the introduction of the fluid ll. Line 96 incorporating a check valve 98 and regulator valve 160 is coupled to tank 102 which is also connected to the controls 90. An illustrative fluid having the desired electrically conductive characteristics comprises mercury, salt water or woods metal. The latter material woods metal describes a low temperature alloy containing bismuth, antimony and tin of the type often employed in automatic sprinkler heads.
A suitable high frequency electromagnetic energy source 104 having an operating frequency of around 40 megahertz is controlled by a relay 16 having contacts 108 coupled to electrical controls 90. Coaxial electrode 110 is connected to a metallic sleeve 112 surrounding the insulated line 96 which is connected to the ring 114 of the grounded tire molding apparatus. Center electrode 116 has inner end 113 disposed directly in the conductive fluid 92 to complete the circuit for the raising of the temperature of the conductive fluid to the temperature required to heat the inner casing walls. A diaphragm 120 is coaxially disposed as indicated to prevent backup of the electrically conductive fluid 92 to the high frequency source.
At the beginning of the curing cycle with the upper mold member 12 raised the uncured tire casing is placed in the cavity around the bladders members 52 and 62. Upon the closing of the apparatus and filling bladder 52 containing the low loss material having a high dielectric constant assumes the shape conforming to the inner casing walls. The inner bladder 62, however, is contoured so as to be closer to bladder 52 at the point adjacent to the thick tread of the tire casing 50. 6
A greater volume of the heating conductive fluid 92 is thereby concentrated adjacent to the thicker tread region. The thinner sidewall portions are protected from excessive heating by the intervening fluid-79 to provide a more uniform heat distribution arrangement responsive to a nonsymmetrical article. After the curing, the lines with both fluids are drained and the upper mold member 12 is again raised and pivoted to permit removal of the treated product for cooling and postcure inflation.
Since numerous modifications in the preferred embodiment disclosed herein as well as alternative materials, such as those of the thermoplastic composition will become apparent to those skilled in the art, a broad interpretation of the invention as defined in the appended claims is intended.
I claim:
1. In combination:
apparatus adapted to support and mold an article having a substantially hollow interior;
expandable bladder members including an outer member conforming to the contour of said interior wall surfaces and an inner member disposed within said outer member;
means for filling said outer member with a fluid having a high dielectric constant low thermal loss characteristic and means for filling said inner member with an electrically conductive fluid; and
means for dielectrically heating said article including a source of high frequency electromagnetic energy coupled to said electrically conductive fluid.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the wall surface contouring of said inner bladder member is such that the electrically conductive fluid is closer to selected regions of said article than other regions.
3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus and fluids are heated.
4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said moldable article comprises an annular nonsymmetrical cross-sectional configuration and the wall surface contouring of said inner bladder member is such that said electrically conductive fluid is closer to the thicker cross-sectional region than the thinner regions.
5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said moldable article comprises a pneumatic tire.
6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said conductive fluid is selected from the group including mercury, salt water and a low temperature alloy composed of bismuth, antimony and tin.
7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said high frequency energy source has a range of from 1 to 60 megahertz.
8. Apparatus for dielectrically heating moldable articles comprising:
an enclosure defining an annular cavity adapted to receive and shape an article having a substantially hollow interior;
means for heating said enclosure walls to a desired elevated temperature;
expandable means including outer and inner bladder members disposed within said interior wall surfaces and means for filling said outer member with a fluid having a high dielectric constant low thermal loss characteristic and said inner member with an electrically conductive fluid to maintain pressure against and heat said article within said cavity during operation;
said inner member wall surfaces being contoured to provide for a closer spacing of said conductive fluid to selected regions of said article; and
3,770,931 6 a high frequency electromagnetic-energy source cou- 10. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said pled to said electrically conductive fluid. conductive fluid is selected from the group including 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 and means for mercury, salt water and a low temperature alloy comraising a portion of said enclosure to permit insertion posed of bismuth, antimony and tin. and removal of said article. 5

Claims (10)

1. In combination: apparatus adapted to support and mold an article having a substantially hollow interior; expandable bladder members including an outer member conforming to the contour of said interior wall surfaces and an inner member disposed within said outer member; means for filling said outer member with a fluid having a high dielectric constant low thermal loss characteristic and means for filling said inner member with an electrically conductive fluid; and means for dielectrically heating said article including a source of high frequency electromagnetic energy coupled to said electrically conductive fluid.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the wall surface contouring of said inner bladder member is such that the electrically conductive fluid is closer to selected regions of said article than other regions.
3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus and fluids are heated.
4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said moldable article comprises an annular nonsymmetrical cross-sectional configuration and the wall surface contouring of said inner bladder member is such that said electrically conductive fluid is closer to the thicker cross-sectional region than the thinner regions.
5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said moldable article comprises a pneumatic tire.
6. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said conductive fluid is selected from the group including mercury, salt water and a low temperature alloy composed of bismuth, antimony and tin.
7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said high frequency energy source has a range of from 1 to 60 megahertz.
8. Apparatus for dielectrically heating moldable articles comprising: an enclosure defining an annular cavity adapted to receive and shape an article having a substantially hollow interior; means for heating said enclosure walls to a desired elevated temperature; expandable means including outer and inner bladder members disposed within said interior wall surfaces and means for filling said outer member with a fluid having a high dielectric constant low thermal loss characteristic and said inner member with an electrically conductive fluid to maintain pressure against and heat said article within said cavity during operation; said inner member wall surfaces being contoured to provide for a closer spacing of said conductive fluid to selected regions of said article; and a high frequency electromagnetic-energy source coupled to said electrically conductive fluid.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 and means for raising a portion of said enclosure to permit insertion and removal of said article.
10. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said conductive fluid is selected from the group including mercury, salt water and a low temperature alloy composed of bismuth, antimony and tin.
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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3915774A (en) * 1974-02-04 1975-10-28 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Method of building a non-deflatable tire
US4017229A (en) * 1972-06-26 1977-04-12 Michio Sudo Apparatus for uniting concentrically extruded tubular films of thermoplastic synthetic resin
US4544339A (en) * 1982-01-20 1985-10-01 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Apparatus for vulcanization of rubber by dielectric heating
US4747765A (en) * 1986-05-20 1988-05-31 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Mobile tire curing unit
EP2065151A1 (en) * 2006-09-21 2009-06-03 Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho Heating unit, tire heating device, and tire mold modifying method
WO2017087444A1 (en) * 2015-11-17 2017-05-26 Novation Iq Llc System and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles
US20180009183A1 (en) * 2016-07-05 2018-01-11 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Tire vulcanizing apparatus and tire vulcanizing method

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US2451992A (en) * 1944-04-20 1948-10-19 Gen Tire & Rubber Co Apparatus for curing pneumatic tires
US2782460A (en) * 1952-07-19 1957-02-26 Continental Gummi Werke A G Fa Arrangement for dielectric heating
US2797440A (en) * 1953-05-02 1957-07-02 Continental Gummi Werke Ag Device for heating of molded bodies, especially tires, in an electric highfrequency alternating field

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US2451992A (en) * 1944-04-20 1948-10-19 Gen Tire & Rubber Co Apparatus for curing pneumatic tires
US2782460A (en) * 1952-07-19 1957-02-26 Continental Gummi Werke A G Fa Arrangement for dielectric heating
US2797440A (en) * 1953-05-02 1957-07-02 Continental Gummi Werke Ag Device for heating of molded bodies, especially tires, in an electric highfrequency alternating field

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4017229A (en) * 1972-06-26 1977-04-12 Michio Sudo Apparatus for uniting concentrically extruded tubular films of thermoplastic synthetic resin
US3915774A (en) * 1974-02-04 1975-10-28 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Method of building a non-deflatable tire
US4544339A (en) * 1982-01-20 1985-10-01 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Apparatus for vulcanization of rubber by dielectric heating
US4747765A (en) * 1986-05-20 1988-05-31 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Mobile tire curing unit
EP2065151A1 (en) * 2006-09-21 2009-06-03 Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho Heating unit, tire heating device, and tire mold modifying method
US20090308861A1 (en) * 2006-09-21 2009-12-17 Kazuto Okada Heating Unit, Tire Heating Apparatus, and Method for Remodeling Tire Mold
EP2065151A4 (en) * 2006-09-21 2011-04-06 Kobe Steel Ltd Heating unit, tire heating device, and tire mold modifying method
US8941036B2 (en) 2006-09-21 2015-01-27 Kobe Steel, Ltd. Heating unit, tire heating apparatus, and method for remodeling tire mold
WO2017087444A1 (en) * 2015-11-17 2017-05-26 Novation Iq Llc System and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles
US10272627B2 (en) 2015-11-17 2019-04-30 Novation Iq Llc System and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles
EP3377337A4 (en) * 2015-11-17 2019-10-16 Novation iQ LLC System and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles
US20180009183A1 (en) * 2016-07-05 2018-01-11 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Tire vulcanizing apparatus and tire vulcanizing method

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