The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 07, 1992
Filed:
Jan. 15, 1991
Joseph C Bentz, Columbus, IN (US);
Thomas M Yonushonis, Columbus, IN (US);
Takashi Aoba, Ageo, JP;
Hiroshi Inoue, Kawaguchi, JP;
Cummins Engine Company, Inc., Columbus, IN (US);
Toshiba Corporation, , JP;
Abstract
A ceramic link element suitable for use as a component in the drive train of an internal combustion engine is provided. The link includes a central shaft portion with opposed spherical terminal ends that contact correspondingly configured elements in the drive train. The ceramic link element is formed, preferably by injection molding, to be substantially free from flaws and to have maximum pore diameters, preferably a maximum pore diameter of 150 um or less on the shaft and 40 um or less on the spherical terminal ends, to produce a link with optimum mechanical strength. When these pore dimensions are met and the degree of sphericity of the spherical terminal ends is 20 um or less, the ceramic link exhibits increased mechanical strength, durability and reliability. A method of forming a ceramic link having the aforementioned characteristics is also provided.