Patent US4437962A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4437962A
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Diamondlike flake composites
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1983-05-17
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Granted: 1984-03-20
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Expires: 2003-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A carbon coating (36) is vacuum arc deposited on a smooth surface of a target (10) which is simultaneously ion beam sputtered. The bombarding ions have sufficient energy to create diamond bonds. Spalling occurs as the carbon deposit thickens. The resulting diamondlike carbon flakes (26) are mixed with a binder or matrix material (40) to form a composite material (42) having improved thermal, electrical, mechanical, and tribological properties when used in aerospace structures and components.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce A. Banks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:52
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D62/00; H10D62/80; H10D62/83; H10D62/8303; C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/06; C23C14/0605; C01; C01B; C01B32/00; C01B32/05; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S423/00; Y10S423/09; Y10S423/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A method of making a composite material comprising the steps of depositing carbon on a surface, removing flakes of said carbon from said surface, and mixing said flakes with a matrix material to form the composite material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
37 words
A method of making a composite material comprising the steps of depositing carbon on a surface, removing flakes of said carbon from said surface, and mixing said flakes with a matrix material to form the composite material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carbon is deposited on the surface of a target from an arc between two carbon electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 2 including the step of ion beam sputtering the surface of the target having the carbon deposited therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 3 wherein the carbon arc deposition and the ion beam sputtering are performed simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 3 wherein the bombarding ions have sufficient energy to create diamond bonds so that diamondlike carbon flakes spall from the carbon deposit on the surface of the target.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 3 wherein the surface of the target is sputtered by ions from a source forming a beam of argon ions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 6 wherein the ion beam sputtering and the carbon arc depositing are performed in a vacuum environment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 7 wherein the depositing and sputtering are performed at a pressure of about 1×10 -4 torr.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 7 the target is positioned within 50 centimeters of both the source of argon ions and the carbon electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 7 wherein the vacuum carbon arc has a low voltage between about 20 and 40 volts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 7 wherein the vacuum carbon arc has a high current discharge between about 25 and 200 amperes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a method of making a composite material of the type where a filler material is mixed with a matrix material, the improvement comprising depositing carbon on a surface, creating diamond bonds in said carbon, and removing diamondlike flakes from said surface, said flakes forming said filler material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a method of making a composite material of the type where a filler material is mixed with a matrix material, the improvement comprising depositing carbon on a surface, creating diamond bonds in said carbon, and removing diamondlike flakes from said surface, said flakes forming said filler material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 12 wherein the carbon is deposited on the surface of a target from an arc between two carbon electrodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 12 including the step of ion beam sputtering the carbon on the surface with ions having sufficient energy to create the diamond bonds therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 14 wherin the carbon is deposited on the surface simultaneously with the ion beam sputtering.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 15 wherein the ion beam sputtering and carbon depositing are performed in a vacuum environment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of making a composite material as claimed in claim 16 wherein the depositing and sputtering are performed at a pressure of about 1×10 -4 torr or less.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
A composite material made in accordance with the method of claim 1.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-20 | 1987-09-19 | 1988-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-20 | 1991-09-19 | 1992-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-20 | 1995-09-19 | 1996-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |