Passive buffer brush air cooling

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.

1 . A buffer brush comprising:
 a core having a first side and a second side, wherein a brush extends radially from the surface of the core;   at least one opening in the first side and at least one opening in the second side, wherein the opening in the first side and the opening in the second side are configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core;   a plurality of vents on the surface of the core configured to allow air flowing laterally through the core to also flow radially through the vents and into the brush.   
     
     
         2 . The buffer brush according to  claim 1  wherein the core comprises a plurality of brush segments. 
     
     
         3 . The buffer brush according to  claim 1  wherein a first endplate forms the first side. 
     
     
         4 . The buffer brush according to  claim 3  wherein a second endplate forms the second side. 
     
     
         5 . The buffer brush of according to  claim 1  where the brush contains gaps configured to facilitate air flow through the brush. 
     
     
         6 . The buffer brush according to  claim 1  further comprising a vacuum pump adjacent to the brush, wherein the vacuum pump collects dust from an object being buffed. 
     
     
         7 . The buffer brush according to  claim 1  wherein the brush is a wire brush. 
     
     
         8 . The buffer brush according to  claim 1  further comprising an axel supporting the core. 
     
     
         9 . 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 core having openings configured for lateral air flow and vents configured for radial air flow and brush bristles extending radially from the 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 the second end plate and through the openings configured for lateral air flow and vents configured for radial air flow; 
   rotating the buffer brush such that air flows laterally through the 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;   applying the tread section to the tire casing.   
     
     
         10 . The method of manufacturing according to  claim 9  wherein a plurality brush segments comprise the core. 
     
     
         11 . The method of manufacturing according to  claim 9  wherein the step of buffing a tire casing further comprises using the at least one buffer brush to buff the tire casing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of manufacturing according to  claim 9  further comprising the step of collecting dust using a vacuum pump adjacent to the buffer brush. 
     
     
         13 . The method of manufacturing according to  claim 9  wherein the buffer brush is a wire brush. 
     
     
         14 . The method of manufacturing according to  claim 9  wherein the step of rotating further comprises rotating the buffer brush with an electric motor. 
     
     
         15 . A method of buffing comprising:
 providing a buffer brush comprising
 a core having a first side and a second side, wherein a brush extends radially from the surface of the core; 
 at least one opening in the first side and at least one opening in the second side, wherein the opening in the first side and the opening in the second side are configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core; 
 a plurality of vents on the surface of the core; 
   rotating the buffer brush such that air flows laterally through the core and radially through the vents.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of buffing a tire with the buffer brush. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of vacuuming dust generated by buffing the tire with a vacuum adjacent to the buffer brush. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein a plurality brush segments comprise the core. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  the brush is a wire brush. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  the brush contains gaps configured to facilitate air flow through the brush.