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US 2007/0178726 A1Published application
Brittle fracture resistant spring
AssigneePalo Alto Research Center Incorporated
InventorsDavid Fork, Thomas Hantschel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spring contact has a post-release outer upper surface in compression and a post-release outer lower surface in compression. A compressive lower layer of spring material may be formed at a thickness that is three-eighths or less of a tensile upper layer of spring material. A low modulus of elasticity cladding material may also be applied to the outer surface of the spring contact with a lower surface of the cladding material being formed with a compressive stress.
Claims12
A released spring comprising:
- an upper tensile layer having an upper surface in compression;
- and a lower compressive layer having a lower surface in compression, such that the lower compressive layer has a thickness less than or equal to half a thickness of the tensile layer.
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-13. (canceled)
A released spring comprising:
- an upper surface of spring metal in compression;
- a lower surface of spring metal in tension;
- an upper, outer layer of cladding material on the upper surface of the spring metal;
- a lower, outer layer of cladding material on the lower surface of the spring metal,
- wherein the upper and lower outer cladding layers are in compression and comprise a material having a modulus of elasticity lower than a modulus of elasticity of the spring metal;
- and a neutral axis of the spring metal located between the upper surface and the lower surface where no change in strain occurs before and after release of the spring.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.