Passive buffer brush air cooling

• US 9,227,287 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2013
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag LLC (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Kost, Troy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GUIDOTTI, LAURA COLE
• Application Number:
  US13/788,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20130180645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 156 94- 97
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/003 made up of a series of annular brush rings; Annular brush rings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/19 Parts or details of the brushing tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 1/00 Processes of grinding or polishing; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such processes
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 29/005 using brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 5/366 for grinding tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 55/02 Equipment for cooling the grinding surfaces, e.g. devices for feeding coolant cooling or lubricating during dressing operation B24B53/095; incorporated in grinding wheels B24D
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 55/06 Dust extraction equipment on grinding or polishing machines B24B31/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 13/10 comprising assemblies of brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B24D 13/18 with cooling provisions
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/541 Abrading the tyre, e.g. buffing, to remove tread and/or sidewalls rubber, to prepare it for retreading
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 30/56 Retreading with prevulcanised tread B29D30/542 takes precedence

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a buffer brush. When rotating, the buffer brush acts as a centrifugal pump. The buffer brush contains a core having a first side and a second side and the brush extends racially from the surface of the core. The first and second sides have at least one opening configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core. Vents on the surface of the cure are configured to allow air flowing laterally through the core to also flow radially through the vents into the brush.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a retreaded tire comprising:

providing at least one buffer brush comprising;

a first end plate having a plurality of openings and a second end plate having a plurality of openings;

at least one brush segment comprising a brush segment core, the at least one brush segment core forming therein openings that allow air to traverse the brush segment core in a lateral direction and disposed at a radial distance from a rotational axis of the at least one brush segment, vents communicating with the openings and configured for radial air flow, each of the vents being in communication with at least two of the openings formed in the brush segment core, and brush bristles extending radially from the brush segment core;

the at least one brush segment mounted between the first end plate and the second end plate and configured such that air can flow through the openings in the first end plate and through the openings in the second end plate and through the openings formed in the brush segment core, the openings in the brush segment core configured for lateral air flow and the vents configured for radial air flow;

cooling the buffer brush by rotating the buffer brush such that air flows laterally through the openings in the brush segment core and radially through the vents;

processing a tread section through the at least one buffer brush such that the processed tread section has a texturized surface;

buffing a tire casing such that a worn tread is removed from the casing; and

applying the tread section to the tire casing.

2. The method of manufacturing according to claim 1 wherein the brush segment cores of a plurality brush segments comprise a brush assembly core.

3. The method of manufacturing according to claim 1 wherein the step of buffing a tire casing further comprises using the at least one buffer brush to buff the tire casing.

4. The method of manufacturing according to claim 1 wherein the buffer brush is a wire brush.

5. The method of manufacturing according to claim 1 wherein the step of rotating further comprises rotating the buffer brush with an electric motor.