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:
Mar. 21, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2002
Mark Shuster, Houston, TX (US);
Donald K. Cohen, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Dana M. Combs, Maumee, OH (US);
Ralph W. Larson, Olivet, MI (US);
Robert R. Binoniemi, Sturgis, MI (US);
Mark Shuster, Houston, TX (US);
Donald K. Cohen, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Dana M. Combs, Maumee, OH (US);
Ralph W. Larson, Olivet, MI (US);
Robert R. Binoniemi, Sturgis, MI (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A surface capacity parameter is determined for a surface of an article having irregularities therein that can be characterized by peaks and valleys relative to a reference point. Initially, an area of interest on the surface of the article and a lateral resolution of that area of interest are determined. An apparatus generates a visual representation of the area of interest on the surface of the article. A deflection contact part factor for the article is calculated, and a bearing ratio curve level is determined based upon the calculated deflection contact part factor and the magnitude of the height or distance between the tallest peak and the lowest valley on the surface of the article. The volume of the material comprising the peaks in the surface of the article and the volume of the space in the surface of the article that is available for the retention of a fluid, such as a lubricant, are determined. Lastly, a surface capacity parameter is calculated as the ratio of the volume of the material comprising the peaks in the surface of the article to the volume of the volume of the space comprising the valleys in the surface of the article.