Composite articles, wear plates and methods
AssigneeRel, Inc.
InventorsAdam R. Loukus, Josh E. Loukus, Steven C. Dupay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A metal matrix composite article is described that includes a metal component, a ceramic component, and a lubricious component. The metal matrix composite article has a first surface and a second surface. The lubricious component is present in an amount that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface. The ceramic component is present in an amount that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface. The metal component is present in an amount that is highest at the second surface and is lowest at the first surface. In some cases, the metal matrix composite article is a wear plate for a fifth wheel hitch.
Claims28
A fifth wheel hitch, comprising:
- a hitch bearing plate having an upper surface;
- and
- a wear plate secured to the upper surface of the hitch bearing plate;
- wherein the wear plate consists essentially of a metal matrix composite that comprises a metal component, a ceramic component and a lubricious component, wherein the wear plate has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is an exposed surface and the second surface faces the upper surface of the hitch bearing plate, wherein the lubricious component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface, wherein the ceramic component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface, and wherein the metal component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the second surface and is lowest at the first surface.
A fifth wheel hitch, comprising:
- a hitch bearing plate having an upper surface;
- and
- a wear plate secured to the upper surface;
- wherein the wear plate comprises a metal component, a ceramic component and a lubricious component, wherein the wear plate has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is an exposed surface and the second surface faces the upper surface of the hitch bearing plate, wherein the lubricious component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface, wherein the ceramic component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface, wherein the metal component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the second surface and is lowest at the first surface, wherein the wear plate comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises the metal component, the ceramic component and the lubricious component, and wherein the second region consists essentially of the metal component.
A wear plate for a fifth wheel hitch, comprising:
- a metal component, a ceramic component and a lubricious component, wherein the wear plate has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is an exposed surface and the second surface is opposite the first surface, wherein the lubricious component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface, wherein the ceramic component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface, wherein the metal component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the second surface and is lowest at the first surface, and wherein at least one of the ceramic component, the lubricious component, and the metal component comprises a volume fraction gradient extending at least partially between the first surface and the second surface.
A wear plate for a fifth wheel hitch, comprising:
- a metal component, a ceramic component and a lubricious component, wherein the wear plate has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is an exposed surface and the second surface is opposite the first surface, wherein the lubricious component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface, wherein the ceramic component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface, and wherein the metal component has a total volume fraction that is highest at the second surface and is lowest at the first surface, wherein the wear plate comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises the metal component, the ceramic component and the lubricious component, and wherein the second region consists essentially of the metal component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.