Remanufacturing of bearings using isotropic finishing and thin film coatings

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9003663-B2
Application number	US-201213591704-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 22, 2012
Priority date	Aug 22, 2012
Publication date	Apr 14, 2015
Grant date	Apr 14, 2015

Abstract

A method and system for processing a bearing component to extend its useful life include using the component in the bearing assembly for a portion of its initial useful life and then removing the component from the bearing assembly. The surface of the removed component is subjected to isotropic finishing, after which a protective wear coating is applied to the surface of the component. Once processed, the used bearing component is reinstalled for use.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly, the component having an initial useful life, the method comprising:
using the component in an initially non-isotropically finished and uncoated condition in the bearing assembly for less than about 75% of the initial useful life;
removing the component from the bearing assembly;
treating the removed component by
subjecting a surface of the removed component to isotropic finishing, and applying a protective wear coating to the surface of the component after isotropic finishing;

wherein the treated component exhibiting a rate of wear that is lower than a rate of wear exhibited by an initially isotropically finished and coated component; and
installing the treated component into a second bearing assembly.

2. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the component is a rolling element that is one of a ball, roller, and needle.

3. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the component is a bearing race.

4. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein applying a protective wear coating to the surface of the component after isotropic finishing includes applying the protective wear coating via one of vapor deposition and fluid deposition.

5. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly are the same assembly.

6. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein using the component in the bearing assembly for less than about 75% of the initial useful life comprises using the component in the bearing assembly for about 50% of the initial useful life.

7. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein using the component in the bearing assembly for less than about 75% of the initial useful life comprises using the component in the bearing assembly for between about 50% and less than about 75% of the initial useful life.

8. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein subjecting the removed component to isotropic finishing comprises applying a cutting fluid to the surface of the component to yield an isotropic surface finish.

9. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the cutting fluid has a pH of about 5 to about 6.

10. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 8 , wherein subjecting the removed component to isotropic finishing further comprises applying a burnishing solution to the surface of the component.

11. The method for processing a component of a first bearing assembly in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the burnishing solution has a pH of about 7 to about 9.

12. A method for extending a useful life of a partially-used component of a bearing assembly, comprising:
providing the partially-used component in an initially non-isotropically finished and uncoated condition and having an initial useful life that is less than a useful life of an initially isotropically finished and coated component;
treating the partially-used component by
subjecting a surface of the partially-used component to isotropic finishing, and
applying a protective wear coating to the surface of the partially-used component; and

wherein the treated component having an overall useful life that is substantially equal to the useful life of the initially isotropically finished and coated component.

13. The method for extending a useful life of a partially-used component of a bearing assembly in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the partially-used component has been used for more than about 50% of the initial useful life.

14. The method for extending a useful life of a partially-used component in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the component is a rolling element that is one of a ball, roller, and needle.

15. The method for extending a useful life of a partially-used component in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the component is a bearing race.

16. The method for extending a useful life of a partially-used component in accordance with claim 12 , wherein subjecting the removed component to isotropic finishing comprises applying a cutting fluid to the surface of the component to yield an isotropic surface finish, wherein the cutting fluid has a pH of about 5 to about 6.

17. The method for extending a useful life of a partially-used component in accordance with claim 16 , wherein subjecting the removed component to isotropic finishing further comprises applying a burnishing solution to the surface of the component, wherein the burnishing solution has a pH of about 7 to about 9.

Assignees

• Kelsey Eric
• Beardsley M Brad
• Feng Bao
• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Kelsey Eric
• Beardsley M Brad
• Feng Bao

Classifications

• Y10T29/49638

  Repairing · CPC title

• F16C33/34 Primary

  Rollers; Needles · CPC title

• Y10T29/49643

  Rotary bearing · CPC title