Bearing tools and process

A method for manufacturing a bearing, the method comprising the steps of

• providing a bearing housing comprising an inner surface;
• providing a mandrel comprising an outer surface;
• providing a first bearing layer mounted over the outer surface of the mandrel;
• providing a second bearing layer disposed over the first bearing layer, wherein the second bearing layer is mounted in association with the inner surface of the bearing housing;
• inserting a laser device into the bearing housing;
• applying a fusible powder to the first bearing layer and the second bearing layer;
• projecting a laser into the bearing housing using the laser device and maintaining the laser in a stationary angular relationship relative to the second bearing layer while rotating the bearing housing, the second bearing layer, or combinations thereof, thereby using the laser to connect the fusible powder to the first bearing layer and to the second bearing layer to form a first hard facing layer on the first bearing layer and to form a second hard facing layer on the second bearing layer, and wherein the step of projecting the laser additionally comprises maintaining the bearing housing and the mandrel at a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit or less throughout the hard facing process;
• and
• machining the first hard facing layer, the second hard facing layer, or combinations thereof, to form opposing hard facing surfaces.

A method for manufacturing a bearing, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a bearing housing comprising an inner surface and a mandrel comprising an outer surface;
• providing a first bearing layer mounted over the outer surface of the mandrel;
• providing a second bearing layer over the first bearing layer, wherein the second bearing layer is mounted within the inner surface of the bearing housing;
• inserting into the bearing housing a plasma transferred arc device configured for insertion into the bearing housing;
• applying a fusible powder to the first bearing layer and the second bearing layer;
• using the plasma transferred arc device to heat the fusible powder and maintaining the plasma transferred arc device in a stationary angular relationship relative to the second bearing layer while rotating the bearing housing, the second bearing layer, or combinations thereof, thereby using the plasma transferred arc device to connect the fusible powder to the first bearing layer and to the second bearing layer to form a first hard facing layer on the first bearing layer and to form a second hard facing layer on the second bearing layer, and wherein the step of projecting the plasma transferred arc device additionally comprises maintaining the bearing housing and the mandrel at a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit or less, throughout the hard facing process;
• and
• machining the first hard facing layer and the second hard facing layer to form opposing hard facing surfaces.

A method for manufacturing wear resistant surfaces, the method comprising the steps of

• providing a housing comprising an inner surface;
• providing a matching member comprising an outer surface within the housing;
• inserting a laser device into the housing;
• applying a fusible material to the inner surface and the outer surface;
• projecting a laser to contact the fusible material using the laser device and maintaining the laser device in a stationary angular relationship relative to the housing while rotating the housing, thereby using the laser to connect the fusible material to the inner surface and to the outer surface to form a first wear resistant surface disposed over the outer surface of the matching member and a second wear resistant surface disposed over the inner surface of the housing, and wherein the step of projecting the laser additionally comprises maintaining bearing housing and the mandrel at a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit or less throughout the hard facing process.

A method for manufacturing interior wear resistant surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a structure comprising an inner surface;
• inserting a laser device into the structure;
• applying a fusible material to the inner surface;
• and
• projecting a laser to contact the fusible material using the laser device and maintaining the laser device in a stationary angular relationship relative to the structure while rotating the structure, thereby using the laser to connect the fusible material to the inner surface to form a wear resistant surface disposed over the inner surface of the structure, and wherein the step of projecting the laser additionally comprises maintaining bearing housing and the mandrel at a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit or less throughout the hard facing process.