Dana Corporation

Mickey L Love

Douglas Von Massey

Edward N Campbell

Douglas V Massey

A polymeric based composite bearing is injected molded of a thermoplastic material reinforced with a high strength fiber and reinforcing beads. Typically, the high strength fiber is selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyamide fiber, high strength/high purity glass fiber, carbon fiber, boron fiber, and metallic fibers. The reinforcing spheres are selected from the group consisting of glass beads, boron nitride beads, silicon carbide beads and silicon nitride beads. The thermoplastic matrix material may consist of polyamide, polyacetal, polyphenylene sulfide, polyester and polyimide. Preferably, the composite bearing comprises between about 5 to about 35 percent weight of the high strength fiber, between about 5 to about 15 percent weight percent of the reinforcing spheres, and between about 50 to about 90 weight percent of the thermoplastic matrix material. The bearing may be injection molded by blending the composite material, heating the composite material to a temperature above its melting temperature, injecting the composite material into a mold cavity, and demolding the bearing after the temperature of the bearing drops substantially below the melting temperature.

Polymeric based composite bearing

An engine is attached to a vehicle frame with at least one synthetic engine mount strut mounted generally axially in the principal directions of displacement resulting from engine torque. The strut provides isolation of noise and vibration from the engine and drive train, and reduces engine rotation resulting from the same. A one-piece strut member provides rigid engine-to-frame fixation, while at the same time accommodating small displacement flexing of the structure to isolate and damp high frequency vibration and noise through the use of selected material and structural geometry. The generally one-piece strut, which is pivotally fixed at one end to the engine and at the other end to the frame, can provide for insertion of a bushing surface about each hole provided for pivotal fixation.

Synthetic engine mount strut

An improved bearing for use in a ball and socket joint is disclosed. The bearing is generally cylindrical in shape, having a recess formed in one end thereof. The recess defines a semi-spherical bearing surface adapted to engage and support a head portion of a ball member of the joint. A plurality of lubricant passageways are formed through the bearing. Each of the passageways extends axially from the semi-spherical bearing surface to an annular channel formed in the opposite end of the bearing. A plurality of grooves are also formed in the opposite end of the bearing. The grooves extend radially inwardly from the channel to a central recess formed in the opposite end of the bearing. The channel functions as a reservoir for lubricant, thereby permitting the joint to be used without frequently re-injecting lubricant therein. An annular bead is formed about the circumference of the channel to provide a seal which prevents lubricant from escaping from the joint.

Bearing for a ball and socket joint

A socket bearing for use in a ball and socket joint includes a plurality of lubrication grooves, some having annular, others having helical, orientations over the interior surface thereof. In a preferred form, the socket is cup-shaped having a spherical interior surface, and includes three parallel radially oriented annular grooves intersected by three longitudinally oriented helical grooves. Each groove defines a radius, and each pair of adjacent grooves defines a land between the grooves. An interface boundary is defined by one side of one groove and the land associated with the side of that particular groove. The interface boundary is radiused, wherein the radius thereof has a value of at least fifty percent of that of the radius of the groove.

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Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America

Mickey L Love