(19)

(11)

EP 1 815 212 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.08.2007 Bulletin 2007/32 (21) Application number: 04822624.5 (22) Date of filing: 15.11.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01B 21/20(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/038097 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/054976 (26.05.2006 Gazette 2006/21)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR IT (71) Applicants: Societe de Technologie Michelin STM 63000 Clermont-Ferrand (FR) MICHELIN Recherche et Technique S.A. 1763 Granges-Paccot (CH)	(72) Inventor: TYNDALL, Patrick, Allan Simpsonville, SC 29680 (US) (74) Representative: Schlief, Thomas P.  Patentanwälte Canzler & Bergmeier Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse 84 85055 Ingolstadt 85055 Ingolstadt (DE)