US 6,543,333 B2 · Enriched cobalt-tin swashplate coating alloy

Abstract

A swashplate type compressor having a swashplate coated with a tin-cobalt alloy is provided. The alloy comprises between about 12 and 28 weight % cobalt, with the balance substantially comprising tin. The swashplate may further include an intermediate layer of about 100 weight % tin underneath the tin-cobalt alloy layer. Methods of coating a swashplate with the coatings according to the present invention are also provided.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims20

Dependent claims

A swashplate type compressor, comprising:

a cylinder block having a cylinder bore and defining a crankshaft chamber;
a crankshaft rotatably mounted within the cylinder block such that one end of the shaft is disposed in the crankshaft chamber;
a piston reciprocally disposed within the cylinder bore;
a swashplate fixedly mounted to the crankshaft and disposed within the crankshaft chamber, the swashplate comprising a matrix composed of aluminum or aluminum alloy and having a sliding region;
shoes which slidably intervene between the piston and the sliding region of the swashplate such that rotational movement of the swashplate translates to linear reciprocating movement of the piston within the cylinder bore;
and
a coating disposed on the sliding region of the swashplate, the coating comprising an alloy layer of 12 to 28 weight % cobalt and the balance substantially comprising tin.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,133 words

Summary525 words

#The present invention relates to a swashplate type compressor for compressing a gas. More specifically, the present invention relates to an enriched cobalt—tin coating alloy that is particularly well suited for providing a coating surface on an aluminum or aluminum alloy swashplate of such a compressor. The present invention also provides a method of coating a swashplate with an enriched cobalt—tin coating alloy.

#Swashplate type compressors are frequently used in refrigeration circuits such as those used in automotive applications. These compressors operate through an engagement between one or more pistons and a swashplate. Rotation of the swashplate; which is oriented at an angle to the axis of rotation of a drive shaft, causes the engaged pistons to reciprocate within individual cylinder bores. This reciprocation allows the pistons to compress the refrigerant as part of the mechanical refrigeration process.

#A pair of shoes are disposed between each piston and swashplate and swivel within concave pockets as the swashplate rotates. The interface between the shoes and swashplate is an area of sliding contact, giving rise to friction and wear. Over time, wear can lead to seizure of the compressor, especially in conditions in which lubricant supply to the swashplate is inadequate. This failure mode is one principal limitation on the useful life of a swashplate type compressor. Problems of maintaining low friction sliding contact between the shoes and swashplate are especially challenging for swashplates made of aluminum and aluminum alloys, because these materials are relatively soft, yet have abrasive qualities.

Brief description of the drawings3 figures

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a swashplate type compressor of the type which may incorporate a swashplate coating in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the swashplate shown in FIG. 1 incorporating a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the swashplate shown in FIG. 1 incorporating a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description2,532 words

#The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention provides examples of the present invention. The embodiments discussed herein are merely exemplary in nature, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. Rather, the description of these preferred embodiments serves to enable a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art to make and use the present invention.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a swashplate type compressor that incorporates the swashplate coating of the present invention. The compressor includes a housing 10 which includes a rear housing part 14 and a front housing part 16, each of which is formed of die cast aluminum alloy. Housing part 14 has a cylindrical interior 18 and an integral end wall 20 that forms a part of the die casting. Mounting bosses 22 and 24 are formed as part of the die casting, and mounting bolts are received in bolt openings formed in the bosses 22 and 24.

#A die cast aluminum cylinder body 26, in which is formed a plurality of cylinder openings, is itself of cylindrical shape and is fitted within the opening 18 with a very small clearance between the inner diameter of the cylindrical opening 26 of the housing 14 and the outer diameter of the cylinder body 26.

Facts

Application

09/873,147Filed 1 Jun 2001

Published

US 2002/0178905 A15 Dec 2002

Granted

8 Apr 2003

Term ended

12 Jun 2021

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 11 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification14 codes

F04B 27/1054
Component parts, details, e.g. sealings, lubrication: actuating elements
F16C 33/12
Sliding surface mainly made of metal: structural composition; Use of special materials or surface treatments, e.g. for rust-proofing
F16C 33/122
Structural composition; Use of special materials or surface treatments, e.g. for rust-proofing: multilayer structures of sleeves, washers or liners
F05C 2201/021
Light metals: aluminium

Timeline

1 Jun 2001Application filedUS 09/873,147
1 Jun 2001Assigned to Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
5 Dec 2002PublishedUS 2002/0178905 A1
8 Apr 2003GrantedUS 6,543,333 B2
7 Feb 2008Assigned to Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A., AS Administrative Agentsecurity agreement
27 Feb 2009Assigned to Jpmorgan Chase Banksecurity interest
21 Apr 2009Assigned to Wilmington Trust Fsb, AS Administrative Agentassignment of security interest in patents
17 Jul 2009Assigned to The Bank of New York Mellon, AS Administrative Agentassignment of patent security interest
6 Oct 2010Assigned to Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.release by secured party against security interest in patents recorded at reel 022974 frame 0057
7 Oct 2010Assigned to Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.release by secured party against security interest in patents recorded at reel 022575 frame 0186
19 Oct 2010Assigned to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., AS Agentsecurity agreement (revolver)
19 Oct 2010Assigned to Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., AS Agentsecurity agreement
26 Apr 2011Assigned to Visteon Corporation, Vc Aviation Services, LLC, Visteon Electronics Corporation, Visteon Global Technologies, Inc., Visteon International Holdings, Inc., Visteon Global Treasury, Inc., Visteon European Holding, Inc., Visteon Systems, LLC, Visteon International Business Development, Inc.release by secured party against security interest in patents on reel 025241 frame 0317
9 Jun 2014Assigned to Visteon Corporation, Vc Aviation Services, LLC, Visteon Electronics Corporation, Visteon Global Technologies, Inc., Visteon International Holdings, Inc., Visteon Global Treasury, Inc., Visteon European Holdings, Inc., Visteon Systems, LLC, Visteon International Business Development, Inc.release of security interest in intellectual property
12 Jun 2021Term endedEstimated, includes 11 days of adjustment

Enriched cobalt-tin swashplate coating alloy

Life of this patent

Enriched cobalt-tin swashplate coating alloy

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims20

Description3,133 words

Drawings

Classification14 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,133 words