Composite material compliant bearing element
US4277113A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 1, 1979 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 1, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S384/905
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A compliant fluid film bearing includes a thin, flexible bearing sheet supported on a resilient bump-form support member which is divided into multiple adjacent strips. The bearing sheet and support member are each formed of a composite material made of Inconel X-750 and copper. The Inconel sheet, in annealed condition, is cut and formed in the desired shape and is coated with copper. The sheet is heat treated in an oxygen-free atmosphere to give the Inconel the small grain size for the desired properties of strength and hardness. During the heat treatment, the copper diffuses into the Inconel, producing at the end a composite material of Inconel X-750 having a diffusion of copper into its top portion such that the top surface is about 100% copper, and the copper fraction decreases exponentially with the depth into the Inconel sheet. The bearing elements formed of this composite material provide improved coulomb and viscous damping and improved bearing load capacity and stability at high temperature and speed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.