Process and apparatus for improving and controlling the vulcanization of natural and synthetic rubber compounds

US6855791B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Signature Control Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John C. Van Doren · Bailey, US
• Richard Magill · Broomfield, US
• Bruce Sellers · Fort Collins, US
• Tim Erickson · Clearwater, US
• Scott Schnieder · Aurora, US
• Steve Courington · Lone Tree, US
• Lance Bethel · Westminster, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 8, 2002
• Grant date: Feb 15, 2005
• Expiry date: Oct 8, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29L2031/265
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A process for curing a natural or synthetic rubber includes the measuring of curing conditions by dielectric or impedance means to produce a process curve (impedance property data versus time) followed by analyzing the process curve with a software algorithm which defines and statistically quantifies the correlation between the process curve and the desired part properties. The correlation relationship is applied in real time to end the curing process at the optimum time and to produce rubber parts of uniform quality and with reduced process cycle time.