US4700823A — Clutch with pyrolytic carbon friction material

Claim 1

Independent Claim 59 words

A friction material comprising: a meshed cloth substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers; and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the discernible surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 59 words

A friction material comprising: a meshed cloth substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers; and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the discernible surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The material of claim 1, wherein said carbon fibers are woven into a single layer of cloth.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

The material claims 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of said material is less than 0.080 inches.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 1, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The friction material of claim 1, wherein many of said coated fibers defining the texture of the coated material have relatively large video therebetween.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 5, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 124 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two members mounted for relative rotation, each member having a friction surface rotatable therewith and confronting each other, means to frictionally engage said confronting surfaces to retard said relative rotation, and a cooling liquid in contact with said confronting surfaces, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining at least one of said confronting surfaces, said friction material including a meshed cloth substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 124 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two members mounted for relative rotation, each member having a friction surface rotatable therewith and confronting each other, means to frictionally engage said confronting surfaces to retard said relative rotation, and a cooling liquid in contact with said confronting surfaces, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining at least one of said confronting surfaces, said friction material including a meshed cloth substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 7, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 24 words

The friction material of claim 7, wherein many of said coated fibers defining the texture of the coated material have relatively large voids therebetween.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 9, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 131 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two members mounted for relative rotation, each member having a friction surface rotatable therewith and confronting each other, means to frictionally engage said confronting surfaces to retard said relative rotation, and a cooling liquid in contact with said confronting surfaces, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining at least one of said confronting surfaces, said friction material including a meshed cloth substrate formed of carbon fibers woven into a single layer of cloth having a discernible surface texture, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said weave being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 131 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two members mounted for relative rotation, each member having a friction surface rotatable therewith and confronting each other, means to frictionally engage said confronting surfaces to retard said relative rotation, and a cooling liquid in contact with said confronting surfaces, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining at least one of said confronting surfaces, said friction material including a meshed cloth substrate formed of carbon fibers woven into a single layer of cloth having a discernible surface texture, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said weave being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 11, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

The friction material of claim 11, wherein many of said coated fibers defining the texture of the coated material have relatively large voids therebetween.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 13, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 115 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two members mounted for relative rotation, each member having a friction surface rotatable therewith and confronting each other, and means to frictionally engage said confronting surfaces to retard said relative rotation, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining at least one of said confronting surfaces, said friction material including a meshed circuit substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 115 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two members mounted for relative rotation, each member having a friction surface rotatable therewith and confronting each other, and means to frictionally engage said confronting surfaces to retard said relative rotation, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining at least one of said confronting surfaces, said friction material including a meshed circuit substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 15, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 24 words

The friction material of claim 15, wherein many of said coated fibers defining the texture of the coated material have relatively large voids therebetween.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 17, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 122 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two members mounted for relative rotation, each member having a friction surface rotatable therewith and confronting each other, and means to frictionally engage said confronting surfaces to retard said relative rotation, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining at least one of said confronting surfaces, said friction material including a meshed cloth substrate formed of carbon fibers woven into a single layer of cloth having a discernible surface texture, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical, vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said weave being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 122 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two members mounted for relative rotation, each member having a friction surface rotatable therewith and confronting each other, and means to frictionally engage said confronting surfaces to retard said relative rotation, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining at least one of said confronting surfaces, said friction material including a meshed cloth substrate formed of carbon fibers woven into a single layer of cloth having a discernible surface texture, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical, vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said weave being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 19, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 24 words

The friction material of claim 19, wherein many of said coated fibers defining the texture of the coated material have relatively large voids therebetween.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 21, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 20 words

The device of claims 7, 11, 15, or 19, wherein the thickness of said material is less than 0.080 inches.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 42 words

The device of claims 7, 11, 15, or 19, wherein said material, after said chemical vapor deposition, is bonded to said at least one member by an adhesive which penetrates said mesh to improve the bond between said material and said member.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 32 words

The device of claims 7, 11, 15 or 19, wherein said members are formed of a metallic material and wherein the other of said confronting surfaces is defined by said metallic material.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 43 words

The device of claim 23, wherein said carbon material, after said chemical vapor deposition, is bonded to said at least one member by an adhesive which penetrates said mesh to improve the bond between said carbon material and said at least one member.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device of claim 23, wherein said members are formed of a metallic material and the other of said confronting surfaces is defined by said metallic material.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 169 words

In a differential including a casing mounted for rotation in a liquid lubricant bath, first and second side gears mounted for rotation in the casing for rotation relative to each other and relative to the casing, first and second sets of interleaved metal discs respectively rotatable with the casing and at least one of said gears and having mutually facing friction surfaces lubricated by said liquid, means for frictionally engaging said mutually facing surfaces to retard said relative rotation, one of each mutually facing friction surfaces defined by the metal defining its respective disc, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining the other of each mutually facing friction surfaces, said material including: a meshed clutch substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 169 words

In a differential including a casing mounted for rotation in a liquid lubricant bath, first and second side gears mounted for rotation in the casing for rotation relative to each other and relative to the casing, first and second sets of interleaved metal discs respectively rotatable with the casing and at least one of said gears and having mutually facing friction surfaces lubricated by said liquid, means for frictionally engaging said mutually facing surfaces to retard said relative rotation, one of each mutually facing friction surfaces defined by the metal defining its respective disc, the improvement comprising: a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material defining the other of each mutually facing friction surfaces, said material including: a meshed clutch substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers, and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

The differential of claim 28, wherein said carbon fibers are woven into a single layer of cloth.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 29 words

The differential of claim 28, wherein said carbon fibers are woven into a single layer of cloth and wherein the thickness of said material is less than 0.080 inches.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 40 words

The differential of claims 28, 29, or 30, wherein said material, after said chemical vapor deposition, is bonded to its respective discs by an adhesive which penetrates said mesh to improve the bond between said material and the respective discs.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 28, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 24 words

The friction material of claim 28, wherein many of said coated fibers defining the texture of the coated material have relatively large voids therebetween.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 14 words

The friction material of claim 33, wherein said coated friction material is relatively flexible.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 110 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two relatively rotatable members with confronting surfaces functionally engagable to retard the relative rotation therebetween; a cooling liquid in communication with the surfaces; and at least one of said surfaces being defined by a friction material formed from a carbon fiber substrate having a porous surface, the substrate having a given mesh and being coated with carbon deposited thereon by chemical vapor deposition; the improvement characterized by said friction material retaining a substrate amount of said surface porosity and mesh after said chemical vapor deposition, and said friction material being bonded to one of said members after said chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 110 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two relatively rotatable members with confronting surfaces functionally engagable to retard the relative rotation therebetween; a cooling liquid in communication with the surfaces; and at least one of said surfaces being defined by a friction material formed from a carbon fiber substrate having a porous surface, the substrate having a given mesh and being coated with carbon deposited thereon by chemical vapor deposition; the improvement characterized by said friction material retaining a substrate amount of said surface porosity and mesh after said chemical vapor deposition, and said friction material being bonded to one of said members after said chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device of claim 35, characterized by said substrate having a surface texture discernable to the naked eye before and after said chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 35, characterized by said substrate having a given flexibility and compressibility prior to said chemical vapor deposition and retaining a substantial amount of said flexibility and compressibility after said chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 113 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two relatively rotatable members with confronting surfaces frictionally engageable to retard the relative rotation therebetween; a cooling liquid in communication with the surfaces; and at least one of said surfaces being defined by a friction material formed from a woven carbon fiber substrate having a given surface porosity and mesh and being coated with carbon deposited thereon by chemical vapor deposition; the improvement characterized by said substrate being a single woven layer retaining a substantial amount of said given surface porosity and mesh after said chemical vapor deposition; and said friction material being bonded to one of said members after said chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 113 words

In a clutch or brake device including at least two relatively rotatable members with confronting surfaces frictionally engageable to retard the relative rotation therebetween; a cooling liquid in communication with the surfaces; and at least one of said surfaces being defined by a friction material formed from a woven carbon fiber substrate having a given surface porosity and mesh and being coated with carbon deposited thereon by chemical vapor deposition; the improvement characterized by said substrate being a single woven layer retaining a substantial amount of said given surface porosity and mesh after said chemical vapor deposition; and said friction material being bonded to one of said members after said chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 38, characterized by said substrate having a surface texture defined by said weave and discernible to the naked eye before and after said chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 38, characterized by said substrate having a given flexibility and compressibility prior to said chemical vapor deposition and retaining a substantial amount of said flexibility and compressibility after said chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 86 words

A clutch or brake device including at least two relatively moveable members frictionally engaged through a friction material interposed between the members for retarding the relative movement, the friction material comprising: a meshed cloth substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers; and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the discernible surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 86 words

A clutch or brake device including at least two relatively moveable members frictionally engaged through a friction material interposed between the members for retarding the relative movement, the friction material comprising: a meshed cloth substrate having a discernible surface texture formed of carbon fibers; and a coating of carbon deposited on said fibers by chemical vapor deposition to a level forming a friction material having a relatively open mesh with the discernible surface texture of said substrate being substantially the same after said coating is applied.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device of claim 41, wherein said friction material is affixed to one of the members.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 41, wherein said carbon fibers are woven into a single layer of cloth.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device of claim 43, wherein said friction material is affixed to one of the members.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-10-19	1991-04-20	1991-10-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-10-19	1995-04-20	1995-10-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-10-19	1999-04-20	1999-10-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Clutch with pyrolytic carbon friction material

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag