Power transmission and energy absorbing systems

Claim 2

A friction power absorption or power transmission assembly of the type having means for changing the relative position between a friction material and an opposing surface material from a position of complete engagement to a position of complete disengagement, said assembly comprising: (a) a first member; (b) a second opposing member; (c) a carbon composite membrane affixed to one of said first and second members, said membrane comprising: (1) a carbon fibrous substrate having an open porosity; and (2) a coating of pyrolytic carbon extending substantially over each of said fibers of said substrate; (d) means for introducing a liquid cooling medium between said first and second members.

Claim 3

An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said carbon composite membrane has been heat treated to a temperature of on the order of 2500° F.

Claim 4

An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said carbon fibrous substrate is in the form of a multiplicity of randomly oriented carbon fibers.

Claim 5

An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said carbon fibrous substrate is in the form of a single layer of a fabric material having a multiplicity of interwoven carbon fibers.

Claim 6

An assembly as defined in claim 4 in which said carbon fibers are woven in an open square weave configuration.

Claim 7

An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said carbon fibrous substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of wool, rayon, polyacrylonitrile and pitch.

Claim 8

A wet friction clutch or brake assembly comprising: (a) a first member having a first surface; (b) a second opposing member having a second surface; (c) a carbon composite membrane supported by at least one of said first and second surfaces of said members said membrane comprising: (1) a thin carbon fibrous substrate having a predetermined degree of open porosity; and (2) a coating of pyrolytic carbon of predetermined thickness extending substantially over each of said fibers of said substrate; (d) means for exposing said membrane to a liquid medium; (e) means for changing the relative position between said first and second members from a first position wherein said membrane is spaced apart from said surface of said opposing member to a second position wherein said membrane is in engagement with said surface of said opposing member.

Claim 9

A wet friction clutch or brake assembly comprising: (a) a first member having a first surface; (b) a second opposing member having a second surface; (c) a carbon composite membrane supported by at least one of said first and second surfaces of said members said membrane comprising: (1) a thin carbon fibrous substrate having a predetermined degree of open porosity; and (2) a coating of pyrolytic carbon of predetermined thickness extending substantially over each of said fibers of said substrate; (d) means for exposing said membrane to a liquid medium; (e) means for changing the relative position between said first and second members from a first position wherein said membrane is spaced apart from said surface of said opposing member to a second position wherein said membrane is in engagement with said surface of said opposing member.

Claim 10

An assembly as defined in claim 7 in which said carbon composite membrane is bonded to one of said first and second members by a nitrile-phenolic adhesive.

Claim 11

An assembly as defined in claim 8 in which said exposed surface of said carbon composite membrane is cut in a manner to produce a multiplicity of substantially flat contiguous surfaces.

Claim 12

A friction facing material for use in power absorption-transmission assemblies of the type adapted to be operated either in air or with a liquid cooling medium having at least one set of cooperating friction members, means for moving the friction members into and out of operable engagement and means for selectively introducing a liquid cooling medium between said cooperating friction members, said facing material comprising a carbon composite membrane adapted to be affixed to at least one of said cooperating members said membrane comprising: (a) a thin carbon fibrous substrate having a predetermined degree of open porosity; and (b) a coating of pyrolytic carbon of predetermined thickness extending substantially over each of said fibers of said substrate.

Claim 13

A friction facing material for use in power absorption-transmission assemblies of the type adapted to be operated either in air or with a liquid cooling medium having at least one set of cooperating friction members, means for moving the friction members into and out of operable engagement and means for selectively introducing a liquid cooling medium between said cooperating friction members, said facing material comprising a carbon composite membrane adapted to be affixed to at least one of said cooperating members said membrane comprising: (a) a thin carbon fibrous substrate having a predetermined degree of open porosity; and (b) a coating of pyrolytic carbon of predetermined thickness extending substantially over each of said fibers of said substrate.

Claim 14

A friction facing material as defined in claim 10 in which said carbon fibrous substrate is in the form of a multiplicity of randomly oriented carbon fibers.

Claim 15

A friction facing material as defined in claim 10 in which said carbon fibrous substrate is in the form of a single layer of a fabric material having a multiplicity of interwoven carbon fibers.

Claim 16

A friction facing material as defined in claim 12 in which said carbon fibers are woven in an open weave configuration.

Claim 17

A friction facing material as defined in claim 10 in which said carbon fibrous substrate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of wool, rayon, polyacrylonitrile and pitch.

Claim 18

A friction facing material as defined in claim 10 in which said carbon composite membrane has a weight per unit area of between approximately 650 to approximately 800 gms/square meter.

Claim 19

A friction power absorption or power transmission assembly of the type having means for changing the relative position between a friction material and an opposing surface material from a position of complete engagement to a position of complete disengagement and of the type adapted to run either in air without a liquid coolant or in the alternative in conjunction with a liquid coolant, said assembly comprising: (a) a first member; (b) a second opposing member; (c) a carbon composite membrane affixed to one of said first and second members, said membrane comprising: (1) a carbon fibrous substrate having an open porosity; and (2) a coating of pyrolytic carbon extending substantially over each of said fibers of said substrate; (d) means for selectively introducing a liquid cooling medium between said first and second members.

Claim 20

A friction power absorption or power transmission assembly of the type having means for changing the relative position between a friction material and an opposing surface material from a position of complete engagement to a position of complete disengagement and of the type adapted to run either in air without a liquid coolant or in the alternative in conjunction with a liquid coolant, said assembly comprising: (a) a first member; (b) a second opposing member; (c) a carbon composite membrane affixed to one of said first and second members, said membrane comprising: (1) a carbon fibrous substrate having an open porosity; and (2) a coating of pyrolytic carbon extending substantially over each of said fibers of said substrate; (d) means for selectively introducing a liquid cooling medium between said first and second members.