# US 2009/0260932 A1 · Chamber with 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 2009/0260932 A1 - Document ID: US20090260932A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/105,483 - Filed: 2008-04-18 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-18 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Michael D. Hanna; Mark A. Golden; John C. Ulicny - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260932A1 ## CPC - F16F 7/01: using friction between loose particles, e.g. sand - F16F 15/145: {Masses mounted with play with respect to driving means thus enabling free movement over a limited range} - F16F 15/16: using a fluid {or pasty material}(F16F9/53, F16F15/13157 take precedence; devices connecting input and output members F16D) - F16F 15/366: {using fluid or powder means, i.e. non-discrete material} - F16F 2222/04: Friction - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A component defines at least one chamber that is confined by the component. The chamber has an inner surface. A filler material is disposed inside the chamber. Relative movement between the inner surface and the filler material helps dampen vibrations and other oscillations if and when the component is vibrated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A product comprising: a component defining at least one chamber confined by the component, the at least one chamber defined at least in part by an inner surface, a filler material being disposed within the at least one chamber, wherein relative movement between the inner surface 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 the filler material completely fills the at least one chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the component defines more than one chamber, each being confined by the component and each having the filler material disposed therein. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one chamber is formed by cutting a cavity having an open end in the component, and closing the open end by welding at the open end to form the at least one chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one chamber is formed by casting the component in a first portion defining a first cavity having a first open end with a first periphery, and in a second portion defining a second cavity having a second open end with a second periphery, and by closing the first and second cavities by boding, welding, fusing, or adhering the first and second open ends together at the first and second peripheries such that the first and second cavities form the at least one chamber. ### 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 at least one chamber being defined within the cheek portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A product as set forth in claim 6 wherein the at least one chamber is formed by cutting a slot having an open end in the cheek portion, and closing the open end by welding at the open end to form the at least one chamber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A product as set forth in claim 6 wherein the at least one chamber is formed by casting the brake rotor in a first portion defining a first cavity having a first open end with a first periphery, and in a second portion defining a second cavity having a second open end with a second periphery, and by closing the first and second cavities by bonding, welding, fusing, or adhering the first and second open ends together at the first and second peripheries such that the first and second cavities form the at least one chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the component comprises a first material and the filler material comprises a second material, the second material having a lower melting temperature than the first material. ### Claim 10 A product comprising: a brake rotor comprising: a hub portion; and a cheek portion extending from the hub portion and defining a chamber confined by the cheek portion, the chamber defined at least in part by an inner surface, a filler material being disposed within the chamber, wherein relative movement between the inner surface and the filler material helps dampen vibrations in the brake rotor when the brake rotor is vibrated. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A product as set forth in claim 10 wherein the filler material completely fills the chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A product as set forth in claim 10 wherein the brake rotor comprises a first material and the filler material comprises a second material, the second material having a lower melting temperature than the first material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A product as set forth in claim 10 wherein the chamber is formed by cutting a slot having an open end in the cheek portion, and closing the open end by welding at the open end to form the chamber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A product as set forth in claim 10 wherein the chamber is formed by casting the brake rotor in a first portion defining a first cavity having a first open end with a first periphery, and in a second portion defining a second cavity having a second open end with a second periphery, and by closing the first and second cavities by bonding, welding, fusing, or adhering the first and second open ends together at the first and second peripheries such that the first and second cavities form the chamber. ### Claim 15 A method of making a product, the method comprising: providing a component; forming at least one cavity in the component defined at least in part by an inner surface; filling the at least one cavity at least partially with a filler material that contacts the inner surface; and closing the at least one cavity to form at least one chamber that is confined by the component and that holds the filler material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method as set forth in claim 15 further comprising providing the component comprising a first material, and providing the filler material comprising a second material, the second material having a lower melting temperature than the first material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein forming the at least one cavity comprises cutting the at least one cavity in the component so that the at least one cavity has an open end, and wherein closing the at least one cavity comprises welding at the open end to form the at least one chamber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein forming the at least one cavity comprises casting the component in a first portion defining a first cavity having a first open end with a first periphery, and in a second portion defining a second cavity having a second open end with a second periphery, and wherein closing the at least one cavity comprises bonding, welding, fusing, or adhering the first and second open ends at the first and second peripheries such that the first and second cavities form the at least one chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein providing the component comprises providing a brake rotor having a cheek portion, wherein forming the at least one cavity comprises cutting a slot having an open end in the cheek portion, and wherein closing the at least one cavity comprises welding at the open end to form a single chamber. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein providing the component comprises providing a brake rotor having a cheek portion, wherein forming the at least one cavity comprises casting the brake rotor in a first portion defining a first cavity having a first open end with a first periphery, and in a second portion defining a second cavity having a second open end with a second periphery, and wherein closing the at least one cavity comprises bonding, welding, fusing, or adhering the first and second open ends at the first and second peripheries such that the first and second cavities form a single chamber.