US 2024/0077129 A1 · Drive Belts Including Foamed Undercord Layers and Methods of Manufacturing The Same

Abstract

A drive belt includes a foamed undercord layer having void spaces located throughout the foamed undercord layer. The void spaces extend from a backing layer of the undercord layer to an exterior surface of the backing layer, and may include some void spaces at the exterior surface that are open to the external environment. The foamed undercord layer may exhibit a 20% reduction in specific gravity as compared to an unfoamed version of the undercord layer. The manufacturing process for making the foamed undercord layer can include incorporating foaming agent in the undercord layer such that the undercord layer both foams and cures when heat and pressure are applied to the undercord layer. The foamed drive belt incorporating the foamed undercord layer may exhibit reduced bending stiffness and improved energy efficiency.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A drive belt comprising:

a foamed undercord layer having a thickness extending from a backing layer surface to an exterior surface opposite the backing layer surface, wherein the foamed undercord layer is foamed throughout the entire thickness of the foamed undercord layer;
and
a plurality of void spaces located throughout the thickness of the foamed undercord layer, the plurality of voids being present throughout the thickness of the foamed undercord layer as a result of the foamed undercord layer being foamed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Drive Belts Including Foamed Undercord Layers and Methods of Manufacturing The Same

Life of this patent

Drive Belts Including Foamed Undercord Layers and Methods of Manufacturing The Same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26