Granted Patent B2

US 7,040,471 · App. 10/833,911 · Granted May 9, 2006

Abstract

Claims (45)

1. A friction member for engagement in a torque-transmitting mechanism, the friction member comprising:

an outer layer comprising a first material of pressed carbon having a friction surface for sliding contact with an opposing reaction member in the torque-transmitting mechanism;

an inner layer operatively connected to said outer layer opposite said friction surface and comprising a second material;

wherein said inner layer is characterized by a first modulus of elasticity and said outer layer is characterized by a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity.

2. The friction member of claim 1 , wherein said sliding contact is characterized by a coefficient of friction;

wherein said first modulus of elasticity is in a first direction with respect to said sliding contact, wherein said second modulus of elasticity is in a second direction with respect to said of sliding contact; and

wherein said first and second moduli of elasticity cooperate to at least partially establish said coefficient of friction and control vibrational shudder of the torque-transmitting mechanism resulting from said sliding contact.

3. The friction member of claim 2 , wherein said inner and outer layers are formed with first and second channels operable for transporting lubricant through the friction member in substantially said first and second directions, respectively;

wherein the friction member is characterized by an inner diameter and an outer diameter; and

wherein said first and second channels are operable for transporting lubricant from one of said inner diameter and said outer diameter.

4. The friction member of claim 2 , wherein said inner and outer layers are each formed with channels disposed in said first direction for transporting lubricant through said friction member in said first direction, said first modulus of elasticity being at least partially affected by lubricant transport through said channels to thereby at least partially increase said coefficient of friction.

5. The friction member of claim 2 , wherein said inner and outer layers are each formed with channels disposed in said second direction for transporting lubricant through said friction member in said second direction, said second modulus of elasticity being at least partially affected by lubricant transport through said channels to thereby at least partially decrease vibrational shudder of the torque-transmitting mechanism.

6. The friction member of claim 2 , wherein said first direction is substantially normal to said sliding contact; and wherein said second direction is substantially parallel to said sliding contact.

7. The friction member of claim 1 , wherein said inner layer includes cellulose.

8. The friction member of claim 7 , wherein said inner layer further includes chopped poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide fibers disposed through said cellulose.

9. The friction member of claim 1 , wherein said inner layer includes poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide fibers.

10. The friction member of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sublayer operatively connected to said inner layer opposite said outer layer and including a third material; and

wherein said sublayer is characterized by a third modulus of elasticity that is less than said second modulus of elasticity.

11. The friction member of claim 10 , wherein said sublayer is formed with at least one of first channels disposed in said first direction and second channels disposed in said second direction for transporting lubricant through said friction member in said first and second directions, respectively, said third modulus of elasticity being at least partially affected by lubricant transport through said at least one of first channels and second channels.

12. A power transmission comprising:

a torque-transmitting mechanism including:

a friction member;

an opposing reaction member, said friction member and reaction member being selectively engageable for transmitting power;

said friction member having a friction surface for sliding contact with said reaction member, wherein said sliding contact is characterized by a coefficient of friction, said sliding contact acting to engage said torque-transmitting mechanism;

said friction member having:

an outer layer comprising a first material that forms said a friction surface for sliding contact with said reaction member;

an inner layer operatively connected to said outer layer opposite said friction surface and comprising a second material; wherein said first material is carbon pressed to said inner layer for sufficient securement thereto such that said friction member is characterized by an absence of adhesive between said inner layer and said outer layer;

wherein said inner layer is characterized by a first modulus of elasticity and said outer layer is characterized by a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity.

13. The power transmission of claim 12 , wherein said sliding contact is characterized by a coefficient of friction;

wherein said first modulus of elasticity is in a first direction with respect to said sliding contact, wherein said second modulus of elasticity is in a second direction with respect to said direction of sliding contact; and

wherein said first and second moduli of elasticity cooperate to at least partially establish said coefficient of friction and control vibrational shudder of the torque-transmitting mechanism resulting from said sliding contact.

14. The power transmission of claim 13 , wherein said first direction is substantially normal to said sliding contact; and wherein said second direction is substantially parallel to said sliding contact.

15. The power transmission of claim 12 , wherein said inner and outer layers are formed with channels operable for transporting fluid through said friction member in substantially said first and second directions;

wherein said friction member is characterized by an inner diameter and an outer diameter; and

wherein said channels are operable for transporting lubricant from one of said inner diameter and said outer diameter.

16. A friction member for engagement in a torque-transmitting mechanism, said friction member comprising:

an outer layer comprising a first material that forms a friction surface for sliding contact with an opposing reaction member in the torque-transmitting mechanism;

an inner layer operatively connected to said outer layer opposite said friction surface and comprising a second material; wherein said first material is carbon pressed to said inner layer for sufficient securement thereto such that said friction member is characterized by absence of adhesive between said inner layer and said outer layer;

wherein said inner layer is characterized by a first modulus of elasticity and said outer layer is characterized by a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity;

wherein said first modulus of elasticity is in a first direction substantially normal to said sliding contact; wherein said second modulus of elasticity is in a second direction substantially parallel to said sliding contact;

wherein said first and second moduli of elasticity cooperate to at least partially establish said coefficient of friction and control vibrational shudder of the torque-transmitting mechanism resulting from said sliding contact;

wherein the friction member is characterized by an inner diameter and an outer diameter; and

wherein said inner and outer layers are formed with channels operable for transporting fluid through said friction member in substantially said first and second directions; and

wherein said channels are operable for transporting lubricant from one of said inner diameter and said outer diameter.

Assignments (12)