# US 11,994,216 B2 · Sliding component

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- Number: US 11,994,216 B2
- Document ID: US11994216B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/908,699
- Filed: 2020-04-07
- Published: 2023-05-25
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2020-04-07
- Assignees: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki; Yuichiro Tokunaga
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994216B2

## CPC

- F16J 15/3412: {with cavities (F16J15/3424 takes precedence)}
- F16C 17/045: {with grooves in the bearing surface to generate hydrodynamic pressure, e.g. spiral groove thrust bearings}
- F16C 33/1065: {Grooves on a bearing surface for distributing or collecting the liquid}
- F16C 33/107: {Grooves for generating pressure}
- F16C 33/74: of sliding-contact bearings
- F16J 15/3416: {with at least one continuous groove}
- F16J 15/3424: {with microcavities}
- F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

A sliding component includes a pair of sliding members being slidable relative to each other on sliding surfaces of the sliding members. In the sliding component, one of the sliding surfaces includes a dimple group in which a plurality of dimples is arranged. Each of the dimple has an opening portion whose shape has a long axis and a short axis orthogonal to the long axis. In the dimple group, the dimples are arranged along a curve having a curvature different from a curvature of a circumference of the one of the sliding surfaces.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A sliding component comprising a pair of sliding members being slidable relative to each other on sliding surfaces of the sliding members,
wherein at least one of the sliding surfaces includes a dimple group in which a plurality of dimples is arranged, each of the plurality of dimples having an opening portion a shape of which has a long axis and a short axis orthogonal to the long axis, and
in the dimple group, the dimples are arranged so that a curve formed by connecting end points of long axes of the dimples or a curve formed by connecting end points of short axes of the dimples has a curvature different from a curvature of a circumference of the at least one of the sliding surfaces in which the dimple group is included, and
wherein the curve has a radius and the radius remains constant.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The sliding component according to claim 1, wherein the dimple group includes a first dimple group in which the dimples are arranged along a curve that is convex toward a sealed fluid side of the sliding component.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The sliding component according to claim 2, wherein the first dimple group is arranged on a leakage side of the at least one of the sliding surfaces in which the first dimple group is included.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The sliding component according to claim 1, wherein the dimple group includes a second dimple group in which the dimples are arranged along a curve that is convex toward a leakage side of the sliding component.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The sliding component according to claim 4, wherein the second dimple group is arranged on a sealed fluid side of the at least one of the sliding surfaces in which the second dimple group is included.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The sliding component according to claim 1, wherein the dimple group includes:
a first dimple group in which the dimples are arranged along a curve that is convex toward a sealed fluid side of the sliding component; and
a second dimple group in which the dimples are arranged along a curve that is convex toward a leakage side of the sliding component.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The sliding component according to claim 6, wherein the first dimple group is arranged on the leakage side of the at least one of the sliding surfaces in which the second dimple group is included, and the second dimple group is arranged on the sealed fluid side of the at least one of the sliding surfaces in which the second dimple group is included.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The sliding component according to claim 6, further comprising:
a circumferential groove extending in a circumferential direction and being disposed between the first dimple group and the second dimple group.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The sliding component according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the sliding surfaces includes a plurality of regions partitioned by land portions each extending in a corresponding radial direction, and
the dimple group is disposed in one of the plurality of regions.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The sliding component according to claim 1, wherein the opening portion of the dimple is elliptical.