Sintered ceramic ball and socket joint assembly
US4966108A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 1989 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32631
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ceramic-metallic interfacing joint assembly is disclosed. The joint assembly includes a pair of interfaced components in a highly loaded, sliding contact in which the contact stresses can be as high as 250,000 psi. Preferably, the pair of interfaced components includes a ball member and a complementarily shaped, mating socket member and is used in a diesel type internal combustion engine. One of the components is formed of a ceramic material having a density of at least 3.18 g/cm.sup.3 and the other component is formed of a metallic material. Preferably, the density of the ceramic material ranges from 3.18 g/cm.sup.3 to 3.25 g/cm.sup.3. This arrangement reduces the wear of the joint assembly in conjunction with the use of a lubricant which lubricates the components. Specifically, the metallic material is an iron based material while the ceramic material is a sintered silicon nitride. The ceramic material may be sintered with rare-earth metal oxides such as yttrium oxide. Alternately, the ceramic material may be sintered using aluminum oxides.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.