Thrust washer
AssigneesMahle International GmbH, Mahle Engine Systems UK Ltd
InventorsJames George, Mike Kirk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thrust washer may include a metallic substrate layer having an axial substrate face. The thrust washer may also include a polymer layer on the axial substrate face. The polymer layer may have an axial polymer face opposed to the axial substrate face. The axial polymer face may be profiled and may have at least one oil distribution groove. At least one of the substrate layer and the polymer layer may be a machined layer having a thickness that may vary in correspondence with the at least one distribution groove.
Claims20
A thrust washer comprising:
- a metallic substrate layer having an axial substrate face,
- a polymer layer on the axial substrate face and having an axial polymer face opposed to the axial substrate face,
- wherein the axial polymer face is profiled and has at least one oil distribution groove, and at least the substrate layer is a machined layer having a thickness that varies in correspondence with the at least one oil distribution groove.
A flange bearing comprising a bearing shell and a thrust washer, the thrust washer including:
- a metallic substrate layer having an axial substrate face,
- a polymer layer on the axial substrate face and having an axial polymer face opposed to the axial substrate face,
- wherein the axial polymer face is profiled and has at least one oil distribution groove, and at least the substrate layer is a machined layer having a thickness that varies in correspondence with the at least one oil distribution groove.
A method of forming a thrust washer including a metallic substrate layer having an axial substrate face, and a polymer layer on the axial substrate face and having an axial polymer face opposed to the axial substrate face, the method comprising one of:
- (i) depositing the polymer layer onto the metallic substrate layer and then machining the axial polymer face, or
- (ii) machining the axial substrate face and then depositing the polymer layer onto the machined substrate layer;
- wherein the axial polymer face is profiled and has at least one oil distribution groove, and at least the substrate layer is a machined layer having a thickness that varies in correspondence with the at least one oil distribution groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.