# US 2009/0260931 A1 · Filler material to dampen vibrating components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260931 A1 - Document ID: US20090260931A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/105,438 - Filed: 2008-04-18 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-18 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: John C. Ulicny; Michael D. Hanna; Mark A. Golden - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260931A1 ## CPC - F16D 65/12: Discs; Drums for disc brakes - F16D 65/0006: {Noise or vibration control} - F16D 2069/005: {having a layered structure} - F16D 2069/0491: {Tools, machines, processes} - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A component that carries a filler material. The filler material can convert from a solid state and into a molten state when the filler material is heated. Relative movement between the component and the filler material helps dampen vibrations and other oscillations in the component if and when the component is vibrated or otherwise oscillated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A product comprising: a component carrying a filler material, the filler material converting from a solid state and into a molten state with the application of heat during operation of the component, wherein relative movement between the component and the filler material helps dampen vibrations in the component when the component is vibrated. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein, when the filler material is in the molten state, the filler material helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of at least about 6 to 21 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the filler material comprises gallium that, when in a molten state, helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 26 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the filler material comprises wax that, when in a molten state, helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 21 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the filler material is carried by the component such that the filler material is completely confined by and sealed within the component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the component is a brake rotor comprising a cheek portion and a hub portion extending from the cheek portion, the filler material being carried within the cheek portion, and wherein the filler material converts from the solid state and into the molten state when the brake rotor is heated by being subjected to a braking operation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A product as set forth in claim 6 wherein the filler material is gallium that, when in a molten state, helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating brake rotor when the brake rotor is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 26 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A product as set forth in claim 6 wherein the filler material comprises a paraffin wax that, when in a molten state, helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating brake rotor when the brake rotor is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 21 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 9 A method of making a product, the method comprising: providing a component carrying a filler material that is in a solid state when the component is not operating for a period of time; and melting the filler material to a molten state when the component is operating to help dampen vibrations in the component when the component is vibrated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein melting the filler material helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of at least about 6 to 21 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein providing the filler material further comprises providing the filler material comprising gallium, and wherein melting the filler material helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 26 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein providing the filler material further comprises providing the filler material comprising a wax, and wherein melting the filler material helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 21 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein melting the filler material further comprises generating heat in the component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein generating heat further comprises generating heat during operation of the component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein providing the component further comprises providing the component being a brake rotor having a cheek portion and a hub portion extending from the cheek portion, and the filler material being carried within the cheek portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein providing the filler material further comprises providing the filler material comprising gallium, and wherein melting the filler material helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 26 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein providing the filler material further comprises providing the filler material comprising a paraffin wax, and wherein melting the filler material helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 21 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 18 A product comprising: a brake rotor comprising: a hub portion; and a cheek portion extending from the hub portion and carrying a filler material, the filler material converting from a solid state and into a molten state by heat generated when the brake rotor is operated. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A product as set forth in claim 18 wherein, when the filler material is in the molten state, the filler material helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of at least about 6 to 21 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A product as set forth in claim 18 wherein the filler material comprises gallium that, when in a molten state, helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 26 kilohertz (kHz). ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) A product as set forth in claim 18 wherein the filler material comprises a paraffin wax that, when in a molten state, helps reduce the intensity of sound that is emitted by the vibrating component when the component is subjected to frequencies in a range of about 6 to 21 kilohertz (kHz).