1. The Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to processes for refurbishing components, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to methods for refurbishing brake rotors and drums using a cryogenic treatment process.
2. Description of Related Art
Mechanical components are commonly subject to wear after repeated use. For example, automobile parts, including brake rotors and drums, commonly require repair or replacement after a specified amount of wear. A brake rotor is a round metal disc which rotates with an automobile's wheel. In order to generate a braking force, the brake rotor is clamped by a caliper holding two friction linings or pads. Similarly, a brake drum is a cylindrical metal component that rotates with the automobile's wheel. A set of brake shoes may be provided to act on the drum by expanding to provide a braking force.
Wear of brake rotors and drums caused by use of the vehicle, whether excessive or routine wear or other wear, may cause the braking surface of the rotors and drums to wear unevenly due to heat generated during routine braking. This may also possibly cause warping of the braking surface. In such cases, the braking surface must be resurfaced or replaced, if the wear is beyond specified tolerances. Current art dictates that such parts be scrapped. This invention provides for the reclaiming of these parts.
Resurfacing components such as brake rotors and drums has previously been difficult to accomplish mainly due to expense. Similarly, replacing components such as brake rotors or drums has various drawbacks. For example, the worn brake rotors or drums are commonly wasted, thereby incurring disposal costs and adding to waste accumulation at storage and disposal sites. Also, the accumulation of wasted components may add to environmental pollution. Moreover, additional material usage may be required to manufacture replacement rotors or drums. This may add to environmental problems by increasing the required amount of mining of raw materials, for example, and by increasing the pollution generated by converting the raw materials to the finished components through the manufacturing process.
The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that are addressed by the present disclosure. In addition to providing the capability to reclaim worn out components, the present disclosure minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein.
The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.