US4323401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing having an array of microasperities
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1977-05-13
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Granted: 1982-04-06
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Expires: 1997-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A bearing having a generally flat planer surface of pearlite, and an array of microasperities of martensite on the planer surface, each microasperity including a gently sloping front surface in relation to the direction of movement of the bearing and a sharply sloping rear surface in relation to such direction of movement. A pulsed laser beam or other heat source is focussed on the bearing to produce the array with microasperities of controlled size and shape.
Inventors
- 👤 William H. Belke
- 👤 Joseph C. Hafele
- 👤 Ernest W. Landen
- 👤 Thomas J. Richards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:21
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/34; F16J15/3404; F16J15/3408; F16J15/3424; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/0006; B23P; B23P9/00; C; C21; C21D; C21D1/00; C21D1/06; C21D1/09; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/06; F16C33/10; F16C33/1025; F16C33/106; F16C33/1075; F16C33/14; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/50; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/902; Y10S148/903; Y10S148/91; Y10S384/00; Y10S384/90; Y10S384/907; Y10S384/91; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12493; Y10T428/12771; Y10T428/12861; Y10T428/12951; Y10T428/12958; Y10T428/12965; Y10T428/12993
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
34 words
A bearing, comprising: (a) a generally planar surface; and (b) an array of microasperities on said planar surface, each of said microasperities having a gently sloping front surface, and a sharply sloping rear surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
A bearing, comprising: (a) a generally planar surface; and (b) an array of microasperities on said planar surface, each of said microasperities having a gently sloping front surface, and a sharply sloping rear surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bearing according to claim 1 wherein each of said microasperities further comprises a pair of tapered side surfaces extending between said front surface and said rear surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bearing according to claim 1 wherein said planar surface is pearlite and each of said microasperities is martensite.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing according to claim 3 further comprising a transition region of a combination of pearlite and martensite between said pearlite and said martensite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bearing according to claim 1 wherein said microasperities are spaced apart from one another to provide interstices therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bearing according to claim 1 wherein said array includes staggered rows and columns of said microasperities.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-04-05 | 1985-10-05 | 1986-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-05 | 1989-10-05 | 1990-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-05 | 1993-10-05 | 1994-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |