Patent US4495044A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4495044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Diamondlike flakes
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1984-03-19
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Granted: 1985-01-22
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Expires: 2004-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A carbon coating (36) is vacuum arc deposited on a smooth surface of a target (10) which is simultaneously ion beam sputtered. The bombarding ions have sufficient energy to create diamond bonds. Spalling occurs as the carbon deposit thickens. The resulting diamondlike carbon flakes (26) have improved thermal, electrical, mechanical, and tribological properties when used in aerospace structures and components.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce A. Banks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:57
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D62/00; H10D62/80; H10D62/83; H10D62/8303; C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/06; C23C14/0605; C01; C01B; C01B32/00; C01B32/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of making diamondlike carbon flakes comprising the steps of depositing carbon on a surface creating diamond bonds in said carbon by subjecting said carbon on said surface to a beam of ions, and removing diamondlike carbon flakes from said surfaces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of making diamondlike carbon flakes comprising the steps of depositing carbon on a surface creating diamond bonds in said carbon by subjecting said carbon on said surface to a beam of ions, and removing diamondlike carbon flakes from said surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carbon is deposited on the surface of a target from an arc between two carbon electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 2 including the step of ion beam sputtering the surface of the target while simultaneously depositing said carbon thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 3 wherein the surface of the target is sputtered by ions from a source forming a beam of argon ions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 4 wherein the ion beam sputtering and the carbon arc depositing are performed in a vacuum environment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 5 wherein the depositing and sputtering are performed at a pressure of about 1×10 -4 torr.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 5 wherein the target is positioned within 50 centimeters of both the source of argon ions and the carbon electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 5 wherein the vacuum carbon arc has a low voltage between about 20 and about 40 volts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 5 wherein the vacuum carbon arc has a high current discharge between about 25 and about 200 amperes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a method of making diamondlike carbon flakes, the improvement comprising depositing carbon on a surface, creating diamond sp 3 bonds in said carbon, and removing diamondlike carbon flakes from said surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a method of making diamondlike carbon flakes, the improvement comprising depositing carbon on a surface, creating diamond sp 3 bonds in said carbon, and removing diamondlike carbon flakes from said surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 10 wherein the carbon is deposited on the surface of a target from an arc between two carbon electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 10 including the step of ion beam sputtering the carbon on the surface with ions having sufficient energy to create the diamond sp 3 bonds therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 12 wherein the energy in the ions is great enough to create diamond sp 3 bonds sufficent to produce a bandgap between about 0.5 eV and about 2.8 eV and an index of refraction between about 1.8 and about 2.3.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 13 wherein the carbon is deposited on the surface simultaneously with the ion beam sputtering.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 14 wherein the ion beam sputtering and carbon depositing are performed in a vacuum environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of making diamondlike flakes as claimed in claim 15 wherein the depositing and sputtering are performed at a pressure of about 1×10 -4 torr or less.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
Diamondlike flakes made in accordance with the method of claim 10.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A diamondlike material having improved electrical and mechanical properties comprising carbon flakes having diamond sp 3 bonds sufficient to produce a high chemical resistance and high mechanical hardness.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A diamondlike material having improved electrical and mechanical properties comprising carbon flakes having diamond sp 3 bonds sufficient to produce a high chemical resistance and high mechanical hardness.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A diamondlike material as claimed in claim 18 wherein the diamondlike carbon flakes have a density between about 1.6 gm/cm 3 and about 2.8 gm/cm 3 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-22 | 1988-07-23 | 1989-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-22 | 1992-07-23 | 1993-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-22 | 1996-07-23 | 1997-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |