# US 2014/0191525 A1 · Use of carbon nanofiber composite materials in the manufacture of railcar components

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- Number: US 2014/0191525 A1
- Document ID: US20140191525A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/738,422
- Filed: 2013-01-10
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-10
- Inventors: Richard Ruebusch; Joseph PATTERSON
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191525A1

## CPC

- B60B 17/0003: {Wheel bodies characterised by use of non-metallic material (B60B17/0034 takes precedence)}
- B60B 17/0055: {with non-elastic tyres (e.g. of particular profile or composition)}
- B60B 2360/3416: Carbone fibres
- B60B 2360/368: Coproduced material combinations, e.g. By over-molding, co-extrusion, co-curing or vulcanizing
- B60B 2900/311: Rigidity or stiffness
- B60B 2900/321: Lifetime
- B60B 2900/513: Cooling, e.g. of brakes
- B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION

## Abstract

Systems and processes for manufacturing railcar components, such as railcar wheels, using carbon nanofiber composite materials.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A railcar wheel comprising:
a hub portion for connecting the wheel to an axle; and
a flange portion connected to the hub portion;
wherein at least a portion of the wheel is constructed from a carbon nanofiber composite material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The railcar wheel of claim 1, wherein the carbon nanofiber composite material is comprised of carbon nanofibers dispersed within a metal-based host material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The railcar wheel of claim 2, wherein the metal-based host material is a steel alloy.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The railcar wheel of claim 2, wherein the carbon nanofibers are dispersed within the metal-based host material in a substantially homogeneous manner.