Leak repair method

Abstract

The present invention is a novel method for the repair of cast aluminum wheels that leak air due to porosity caused during the casting process. It involves deep roller burnishing the surface of the wheel under controlled operating parameters to effectively seal the porosity so that the wheel no longer leaks air.

1 . A method of repair for porosity induced leaks of cast aluminum wheels using a burnishing tool with controlled operating parameters to deep roll the surface of the wheel to effectively seal the porosity.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the burnishing tool operating parameters are predetermined to control the induced amount of cold work and residual stress.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the burnishing tool operating parameters are predetermined to produce the greatest ability to seal porosity in the wheel.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said burnishing operation is performed on a CNC lathe, mill, or machining center.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said burnishing tool has a single point burnishing means.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said burnishing tool has a spherical ball burnishing means located in a socket incorporating a ball seat creating a fluid bearing.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  where the spherical ball can be of ceramic, tungsten carbide, or steel material.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the burnishing tool contains a single roller burnishing means that is axially symmetrical.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said burnishing tool contains more than one spherical ball or roller that is axially symmetrical as a burnishing means.  
   
   
       10 . A method of repair for porosity induced leaks of cast aluminum wheels using a hydrostatic ball point burnishing tool with controlled operating parameters on a lathe, mill, or machining center to roller burnish the surface of the wheel to effectively seal the porosity where said burnishing tool has a spherical ball burnishing means located in a socket incorporating a ball seat creating a fluid bearing that permits the ball to freely rotate.