阅读说明：本技术 制动盘组件 (Brake disc assembly ) 是由 威廉·E·帕贾克 瑞恩·布尔利耶 乔纳森·T·比勒 于 2020-10-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明题为“制动盘组件”。在一些示例中,本发明公开了一种制动盘组件,该制动盘组件包括限定该制动盘组件的芯的单个连续芯部分；以及与该芯部分相邻的摩擦部分。该摩擦部分在制动操作期间限定该制动盘组件的该摩擦表面。该摩擦部分包括碳复合材料。该芯部分包括不是碳复合材料的芯材料,并且该芯部分被构造为该制动盘组件的散热器,以用于在该制动操作期间产生的热量。(The present invention is entitled "brake disc assembly". In some examples, a brake disc assembly is disclosed that includes a single continuous core section defining a core of the brake disc assembly; and a friction portion adjacent to the core portion. The friction portion defines the friction surface of the brake disc assembly during braking operations. The friction portion includes a carbon composite. The core portion includes a core material that is not a carbon composite material, and is configured as a heat sink for the brake disc assembly for heat generated during the braking operation.)

1. A brake disc assembly, the brake disc assembly comprising:

a single continuous core portion defining a core of the brake disc assembly; and

a friction portion adjacent to the core portion, the friction portion defining a friction surface of the brake disc assembly during a braking operation, wherein the friction portion comprises a carbon-carbon composite, wherein the core portion comprises a core material that is not a carbon-carbon composite, and wherein the core portion is configured as a heat sink for the brake disc assembly for heat generated during the braking operation.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the core material comprises at least one of steel, tungsten carbide, boron nitride, boron carbide, silicon nitride, or silicon carbide.

3. A method for forming a brake disc assembly, the method comprising:

positioning a single continuous core portion adjacent to the friction portion; and

attaching the core portion to the friction portion, wherein the core portion defines a core of the brake disc assembly, wherein the friction portion defines a friction surface of the brake disc assembly during a braking operation, wherein the friction portion comprises a carbon-carbon composite, wherein the core portion comprises a core material that is not a carbon-carbon composite, and wherein the core portion is configured as a heat sink of the brake disc assembly for heat generated during the braking operation.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to braking systems, such as aircraft braking systems.

Background

Aircraft braking systems may be used for various purposes, such as for slowing or stopping an aircraft while maneuvering over the ground. For example, when a jet powered aircraft lands, an aircraft braking system, various aerodynamic drag sources (e.g., vanes, spoilers, etc.), and an aircraft thrust reverser may be used to slow the aircraft within a desired runway distance. Once the aircraft is sufficiently slowed and taxied from the runway toward its ground destination, the aircraft braking system may be used to slow the aircraft and stop it at its final ground destination.

Disclosure of Invention

In some examples, the present disclosure describes a brake disc assembly including a single continuous core portion and one or more friction portions. When used in a braking operation, the core portion may define a core of the brake disc assembly and the friction portion may define a friction surface of the brake disc assembly. The friction portion may be formed of a carbon composite material, and the core portion may be formed of a core material other than the carbon composite material. For example, the core material may be a material having a relatively high volumetric specific heat capacity, e.g., as compared to the carbon composite material used for the friction portion of the component. The core portion may be configured to act as a heat sink for the brake disc assembly for heat generated during braking operations.

In one example, the brake disc assembly includes a single continuous core portion defining a core of the brake disc assembly; and a friction portion adjacent to the core portion, the friction portion defining a friction surface of the brake disc assembly during a braking operation, wherein the friction portion comprises a carbon-carbon composite, wherein the core portion comprises a core material that is not a carbon-carbon composite, and wherein the core portion is configured as a heat sink for the brake disc assembly for heat generated during the braking operation.

In another example, a method for forming a brake disc assembly is provided, the method comprising: positioning a single continuous core portion adjacent to the friction portion; and attaching a core portion to the friction portion, wherein the core portion defines a core of the brake disc assembly, wherein the friction portion defines a friction surface of the brake disc assembly during a braking operation, wherein the friction portion comprises a carbon-carbon composite, wherein the core portion comprises a core material that is not a carbon-carbon composite, and wherein the core portion is configured as a heat sink for the brake disc assembly for heat generated during the braking operation.

The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an exemplary wheel and brake assembly that may include a brake disc assembly formed in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure.

Fig. 2A and 2B are conceptual schematic diagrams illustrating an example brake disc assembly according to an example of the present disclosure.

3A-3C are conceptual diagrams illustrating another example brake disc assembly according to an example of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4A is a schematic front view of an example brake disc assembly according to an example of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an example brake disc assembly according to an example of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an exemplary core portion according to an example of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4D is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an exemplary friction pad according to an example of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary technique of assembling a brake disc assembly according to an example of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a table listing various characteristics of exemplary materials.

Fig. 7 is a plot of specific heat density versus temperature for different exemplary materials.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example brake disc assembly.

Fig. 9A-9C are photographs of an exemplary brake disc assembly.

Detailed Description

In some examples, the present disclosure describes a brake disc assembly that includes a single continuous core portion and one or more friction portions, such as friction pads. The friction portion may be formed of a carbon-carbon composite material, and the core portion may be formed of a material other than the carbon-carbon composite material, such as another type of ceramic material or a metallic material. The carbon-carbon composite tribological moiety may be a carbon fiber in a carbon matrix.

In an exemplary aircraft braking system, one or more rotatable brake disks ("rotors") may be mechanically connected to one or more wheels of a vehicle, and one or more stationary brake disks ("stators") may be mechanically connected to a body of an aircraft. Rotatable brake disks and stationary brake disks may be alternately splined to a torque tube or wheel edge of an aircraft wheel to define a brake disk stack. To generate the desired braking force, the brake actuator may engage the rotatable brake disc and the stationary brake disc with each other. Friction between the brake disks converts the kinetic energy of the moving aircraft into thermal energy, thereby slowing or stopping the aircraft.

In some examples, such braking systems may use brake discs formed entirely of steel. In other examples, carbon-carbon composite brake discs (e.g., where the brake discs are made entirely of carbon composite material) may be used in place of steel brake discs, e.g., in an attempt to reduce the weight of the brake discs as compared to steel brake discs. However, replacing steel brake discs with carbon-carbon composite brake discs may present one or more problems, for example, in braking systems designed for steel brake discs. For example, the volume available inside the brake assembly to be allocated to the friction material of the disc may be fixed, which may reduce the service life of the carbon composite disc before the disc needs to be replaced. Additionally, the use of a full carbon-carbon composite material within the dispense volume may present a problem with the ability of the brake pad to function as a heat sink, for example, during braking operations, while also functioning as a friction material with a desired service life.

According to some examples of the present disclosure, a brake disc may include a single continuous core portion and a friction portion adjacent to the core portion. For example, a friction portion in the form of one or more friction pads may define a friction surface of a brake disc during operation in a braking system. The core portion may be adjacent to the friction portion to define a heat sink for the brake disc assembly during braking operations. The friction portion may be formed of a carbon-carbon composite material, and the core portion may be formed of a material other than the carbon-carbon composite material.

As such, the carbon-carbon composite may define the friction surface of the brake disc, while the single continuous core portion is defined by a material having a higher volumetric heat capacity (which is equal to the specific heat multiplied by the density (specific heat density)) than the carbon-carbon composite, such as steel or other materials described herein. For example, such a combination may allow the brake disc assembly to have a greater thermal capacity in a smaller volume than a brake disc formed entirely of a carbon-carbon composite material. Thus, more volume within the total dispensed volume of the brake assembly may be dispensed to the wear resistant material, which increases the wear life of the brake disc, while still providing the desired heat capacity within the total volume of the brake disc. In other words, for a given total disc volume, the volume of friction material may be relatively high, as the core portion may have a smaller volume due to the higher specific heat density of the core portion, while providing an adequate heat sink for the brake disc.

For ease of description, "specific heat density" will be used interchangeably with volumetric heat capacity in this disclosure.

In some examples, such a hybrid brake disk including a carbon-carbon composite friction portion and a single continuous core portion defined by a non-carbon composite may provide one or more benefits. For example, in the context of replacing a steel brake disc in an existing braking system, the wear life may be increased compared to all steel brake discs or all carbon-carbon composite brake discs within the volume allocated for brake discs within the braking system. In some examples, the use of a hybrid brake disc may increase the per service Landing (LPO) of the brake disc by a factor of two compared to a carbon-carbon composite brake disc, while still reducing weight compared to a steel brake disc.

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an exemplary wheel and brake assembly 10 that may include one or more of a "hybrid" brake rotor according to an example of the present disclosure. For ease of description, examples of the present disclosure will be described primarily with respect to aircraft brake assemblies. However, the articles of the present disclosure may be used to form brake components other than aircraft brake discs. For example, brake components may be used as friction materials in other types of brake applications and vehicles.

In the example of fig. 1, the wheel and brake assembly 10 includes a wheel 12, an actuator assembly 14, a brake stack 16, and an axle 18. The wheel 12 includes a hub 20, a wheel leg flange 22, bead seats 24A and 24B, lug bolts 26, and lug nuts 28. The actuator assembly 14 includes an actuator housing 30, an actuator housing bolt 32, and a plunger 34. The brake stack 16 includes alternating rotor brake discs 36 and stator brake discs 38; the rotor disk 36 is configured to move relative to the stator disk 38. The rotor brake discs 36 are keyed to the wheel 12, and in particular to the hub 20, by beam keys 40. The stator brake disk 38 is mounted to the shaft 18, and in particular the torque tube 42, by a rack 44. The wheel and brake assembly 10 may support any type of private, commercial, or military aircraft or other type of vehicle.

The wheel and brake assembly 10 includes a wheel 12, and in the example of fig. 1, the wheel 12 is defined by a hub 20 and a wheel leg flange 22. The wheel leg flange 22 may be mechanically secured to the hub 20 by a lug bolt 26 and a lug nut 28. The wheel 12 defines bead seats 24A and 24B. During assembly, an inflatable tire (not shown) may be placed over the hub 20 and secured on the opposite side by the wheel leg flanges 22. Thereafter, the lug nuts 28 may be tightened on the lug bolts 26, and the inflatable tire may be inflated with the bead seats 24A and 24B, thereby providing an airtight seal for the inflatable tire.

The wheel and brake assembly 10 may be mounted to the vehicle via a torque tube 42 and an axle 18. In the example of fig. 1, the torque tube 42 is attached to the shaft 18 by a plurality of bolts 46. The torque tube 42 supports the actuator assembly 14 and the stator brake disk 38. Axle 18 may be mounted on a strut of a landing gear (not shown) or other suitable component of the vehicle to connect wheel and brake assembly 10 to the vehicle.

Braking may need to be applied from time to time during vehicle operation, such as during landing and taxiing procedures of an aircraft. The wheel and brake assembly 10 is configured to provide a braking function to the vehicle via the actuator assembly 14 and the brake stack 16. The actuator assembly 14 includes an actuator housing 30 and a plunger 34. The actuator assembly 14 may include different types of actuators, such as, for example, one or more of an electro-mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and the like. During operation, the plunger 34 may extend away from the actuator housing 30 to axially compress the brake stack 16 against the compression point 48 for braking.

The brake stack 16 includes alternating rotor brake discs 36 and stator brake discs 38. The rotor brake discs 36 are keyed to the hub 20 for common rotation by beam keys 40. The stator brake disk 38 is keyed to the torque tube 42 by key teeth 44. In the example of fig. 1, the brake stack 16 includes four rotors and five stators. However, in other examples, a different number of rotors and/or stators may be included in the brake stack 16.

In some examples, the rotor disk 36 and the stator disk 38 may be mounted in the wheel and brake assembly 10 by a beam key 40 and a rack 44, respectively. In some examples, the beam keys 40 may be spaced circumferentially around an interior portion of the hub 20. For example, the beam key 40 may be shaped to have opposing ends (e.g., opposing sides of a rectangle) and may have one end mechanically secured to an inner portion of the hub 20 and an opposing end mechanically secured to an outer portion of the hub 20. The beam key 40 may be integrally formed with the hub 20 or may be separate from the hub 20 and mechanically secured to the hub 20, for example, to provide a thermal barrier between the rotor brake disk 36 and the hub 20. To this end, in various examples, the wheel and brake assembly 10 may include a heat shield (not shown) that extends radially outward and peripherally around the brake stack 16, e.g., to limit heat transfer between the brake stack 16 and the wheel 12.

In some examples, the key teeth 44 may be spaced circumferentially around an outer portion of the torque tube 42. As such, the stator brake disk 38 may include a plurality of radially inwardly disposed lug slots along an inner diameter of the brake disk that are configured to engage the rack 44. Similarly, the rotor brake disk 36 may include a plurality of radially inwardly disposed lug grooves along the outer diameter of the brake disk that are configured to engage the beam keys 40. As such, the rotor brake disks 36 will rotate with the movement of the wheel, while the stator brake disks 38 remain stationary, allowing the friction surfaces of adjacent stator brake disks 38 and rotor brake disks 36 to engage each other, thereby slowing the rotation of the wheel 12.

The rotor brake disk 36 and the stator brake disk 38 may provide opposing friction surfaces for braking the aircraft. As the kinetic energy of the moving aircraft is converted to thermal energy in the brake stack 16, the temperature in the brake stack 16 may rapidly increase. As such, the rotor brake disks 36 and the stator brake disks 38 forming the brake stack 16 may comprise strong, thermally stable materials capable of operating at very high temperatures and rapidly dissipating heat. As torque is applied to the brake stack 16, stress in the brake stack 16 may increase. As such, the rotor and stator brake discs 36, 38 forming the brake stack 16 may comprise a high strength, corrosion resistant material capable of operating at very high stresses. However, these thermal and structural properties may not be available in a single material. For example, materials with high thermal stability may not transfer heat efficiently or provide high strength.

In some examples, at least one of the rotor brake disks 36 and/or at least one of the stator brake disks 38 is formed from a single continuous core portion and one or more friction pads on one or more sides of the core portion. One or more friction pads may define a friction portion of each of the brake discs 36, 38. As described herein, the one or more friction pads may be formed from a carbon-carbon composite, while the single continuous core portion may be defined by a material other than a carbon-carbon composite, e.g., where the material has a higher specific heat density than the carbon-carbon composite defining the one or more friction pads.

Fig. 2A is a conceptual schematic illustration of an exemplary brake disc assembly 50 according to an example of the present disclosure. Fig. 2B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a view of the brake disc assembly 50 along the cross-section a-a shown in fig. 2A. The brake disc assembly 50 includes a core portion 52 and a plurality of friction pads on one or more sides of the core portion 52. In the example of fig. 2A and 2B, the plurality of friction pads includes a first friction pad 54A and a second friction pad 54B (individually referred to as "friction pads 54" and collectively referred to as "plurality of friction pads 54").

The brake disc assembly 50 may be used with any one or more of the rotor brake discs 36 and/or the stator brake discs 38 of fig. 1. As used herein, "brake disk" and "brake disk assembly" are used interchangeably to describe either a rotor disk or a stator disk. Likewise, the terms "friction pad" and "core portion" are used to describe the friction pad of either the rotor disk or the stator disk and a single continuous core portion that, during operation, defines, for example, a heat sink for the brake disk, and are not intended to impart a geometric configuration specific to one or the other.

The core portion 52 may be a disk or annulus having first and second core surfaces 58A and 58B (individually referred to as "core surfaces 58" and collectively referred to as "core surfaces 58") oriented opposite one another and configured to receive and connect with corresponding friction pads 54A and 54B. Accordingly, each friction pad 54 may be a disk or torus having a corresponding pad surface and corresponding friction surfaces 60A and 60B (individually referred to as "friction surface 60" and collectively "friction surfaces 60") oriented opposite one another at an interface with the core surface 58. Each pad surface 60 of the friction pads 54 is configured to be received by the core portion 52 and to interface with the core surface 58 on the same side of the core portion 52 and a support structure, such as another friction pad 54, on an opposite side of the core portion 52. The exposed friction surface 60 of the friction pad 54 frictionally engages the opposing brake disc during a braking operation.

In another example, the plurality of friction pads are formed from a plurality of radial segments that together form a disc or annulus, rather than being formed from a single component. For example, in the case of an annular ring, the friction pad 54 may be formed of four segments, each segment being approximately 90 degrees of the entire 360 degree ring.

By forming the core portion 52 and the friction pad 54 as separate components, the materials forming the core portion 52 and the friction pad 54 may be tailored to exhibit different mechanical, chemical, and/or thermal properties, such as improved friction properties of the friction pad 54 and improved strength, corrosion resistance, and/or thermal properties of the core portion 52. For example, the core portion 52 may be formed of a material having desired thermal properties to function as a heat sink in a relatively small volume, while the friction pad 54 may be formed of a carbon-carbon composite material having desired friction properties.

In some examples, the core portion 52 and the friction pad 54 may include various structures and surface features configured to relieve stress and/or remove heat from the friction pad 54 to allow further differentiation of material properties between the core portion 52 and the friction pad 54. The resulting brake disc assembly 50 may exhibit both improved strength within the underlying core portion 52 and improved friction characteristics associated with the friction pads 54.

According to some examples of the present disclosure, the friction pad 54 may be formed of a carbon-carbon composite, while the core portion 52 may be formed of a different material, such as a metal or ceramic material other than a carbon-carbon composite. The carbon-carbon composite of the friction pad 54 may exhibit desired friction characteristics, while the core portion 52 may be formed of a material having more desirable characteristics as a heat sink material (e.g., by having a specific heat density greater than the specific heat density of the friction pad 54). In addition, the core portion 52 may be formed from a single continuous piece of material, e.g., rather than a combination of two or more pieces of the same or different materials between the friction pads 54. This may allow the core portion 52 to better act as a heat sink for the brake disc 50, for example, due to better heat transfer characteristics within the core portion 52.

The carbon-carbon composite material forming the friction pad 54 may include carbon fibers in a carbon matrix (e.g., graphite). In some examples, the friction pads 54 may be formed from a carbon-carbon composite made from a dense carbon material. In some examples, the carbon material may include a variety of carbon fibers and dense materials. Carbon fibers may be composed of carbon or a carbon precursor material, such as Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or rayon, which may be converted to carbon by a carbonization process. The carbon fibers used to form the friction pad 54 may be arranged in the woven or nonwoven as any of a single layer or a multi-layer structure. In some examples of both friction pads 54A and 54B, both friction pads 54A and 54B may comprise the same underlying carbon architecture (e.g., both woven) or may comprise different carbon fiber architectures (e.g., woven and non-woven friction pads), depending on the desired mechanical or frictional properties. In some examples, the carbon-carbon composite may include woven carbon fibers and a matrix material (e.g., carbonized pitch or resin). In some examples, the carbon matrix may be pyrolytic graphite. In some examples, the carbon fibers may be pyrolytic carbon fibers. Other matrices and fibers of carbon-carbon composite materials for the friction pad 54 are contemplated.

The carbon-carbon composite of the friction pad 54 may be manufactured using any suitable technique. For example, the friction pad 54 may be formed by densifying a carbon fiber preform that includes a layer of fabric sheet formed of woven or non-woven carbon fibers. Densification of the carbon fiber preform may include infiltrating the preform with liquid pitch using Vacuum Pressure Infiltration (VPI) and/or Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), followed by carbonization of the pitch to obtain a carbon-carbon composite exhibiting a desired final density. Additionally or alternatively, Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) may be used to densify the fabric preform. In some examples, the densified carbon-carbon composite of the pad 54 exhibits a density of greater than or equal to about 1.7 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc), such as between about 1.75g/cc and about 1.90 g/cc.

In some examples of CVD/CVI, the carbonized preforms are heated in retort bottles under a blanket of inert gas, such as at pressures below 100 torr. When the carbonized preform reaches a temperature between about 900 degrees celsius and about 1200 degrees celsius, the inert gas is replaced with a carbon-containing gas such as natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, butane, propylene, or acetylene, or a combination of at least two of these gases. As the carbon-containing gas flows around and through the carbonized preform, a complex set of dehydrogenation, condensation, and polymerization reactions occur, depositing carbon atoms on the interior and surface of the carbonized preform. Over time, the carbonized preform becomes denser as more and more carbon atoms are deposited onto the surface of the pores in the carbonized preform. This process may be referred to as densification because the open spaces in the carbonized preform are eventually filled with a carbon matrix until a substantially solid carbon part is formed. U.S. patent application publication No. 2006/0046059(Arico et al), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, provides an overview of an exemplary CVD/CVI process that may be used with the techniques described herein.

The core portion 52 may serve as a heat sink for the brake disc assembly 50 during braking operations. For example, heat generated during braking due to frictional interaction between adjacent friction pads 54 may be conducted from the friction pads 54 into the core portion 52. As noted above, the core portion 52 constitutes a single continuous component, rather than being formed from a plurality of discrete components. Therefore, heat can be more easily conducted throughout the core portion 52.

To allow the core portion 52 to function as a heat sink, the first and second core surfaces 58 of the core portion 52 may include a high percentage (e.g., greater than 50%, such as about 95% or greater) of the surface area configured to thermally contact the friction pad 54. Adjacent surfaces of the friction pad 54 may be in thermal contact with the core surface 58 by being sufficiently close such that the friction pad 54 transfers heat to the first and second core surfaces 58, such as by direct contact or by intermediate layer contact. Accordingly, the adjacent surface of the friction pad 54 may include a high percentage of surface area configured to thermally contact the core portion 52 along the surface 58. The high percentage surface area of the core portion 52 and the friction pad 54 in thermal contact may provide improved heat removal and dissipation (e.g., higher heat removal rate, lower temperature, and/or more uniform temperature distribution) from the friction pad 54 to the core portion 52. This helps to improve friction performance because the friction pads are less likely to become thermally saturated, which results in reduced friction until heat can be dissipated from the friction surface. While the cross-section of fig. 2B shows core portion 52 as extending from an inner diameter (i.d.) to an outer diameter (o.d.) of the annular disc, in other examples, pad 54 may completely encapsulate core portion 52 or at least extend above core portion 52 at either the i.d. or o.d. of the annular disc, e.g., to increase the surface area of pad 54 in contact with core portion 52.

As described herein, the core portion 52 may be formed of a different material than the carbon-carbon composite of the friction pad 54. For example, core portion 52 may not be formed from a carbon-carbon composite. In some examples, core portion 52 is formed from a metal or ceramic material. Exemplary materials for core portion 52 may include titanium (including titanium alloys, such as titanium nickel and/or titanium aluminum alloys), steel, or ceramic matrix composites containing materials such as tungsten carbide, boron nitride, boron carbide, silicon carbide, or silicon nitride. In some examples, core portion 52 comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of at least one of steel, tungsten carbide, boron nitride, boron carbide, or silicon carbide. In some examples, core portion 52 comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of titanium, a titanium-nickel alloy, or a titanium-aluminum alloy. Examples of steel materials may include steel 17-22A (S) and/or steel 17-22A (V). In some examples, the core portion comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of a nickel-based superalloy (such as superalloy MAR-M-247). Exemplary titanium alloys may include Ti-6Al-6V-2Sn and/or Ti-0.8Ni-0.3 Mo.

The material of the core portion 52 may have a specific heat density greater than that of the carbon-carbon composite of the friction pad 54. In some examples, the core portion 52 has a specific heat density at room temperature of at least about 1.5J/cm ^3K or greater, such as from about 2.3J/cm ^3K to about 2.8J/cm ^3K or from about 2.9J/cm ^3K to about 3.8J/cm ^ 3K. In this way, core portion 52 may serve as a better heat sink for the brake assembly than a brake pad assembly having the same volume as brake pad assembly 50 but formed entirely of the carbon-carbon composite material of friction pad 54. Also, the weight of the brake pad assembly 50 may be lighter than a similarly sized brake pad assembly formed entirely of, for example, steel.

The material of the core portion 52 may have a relatively high heat dissipation rate, for example, greater than that of the carbon-carbon composite of the friction pad 54. In some examples, core portion 52 has a heat dissipation rate at room temperature of at least about 0.54J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K or greater, such as about 0.74J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K to about 1.32J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K or about 1.40J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K to about 1.7J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K. In contrast, carbon-carbon composites have a heat dissipation rate of about 0.54J/s (1/2) -cm 2-K at room temperature. In this way, the core portion 52 may serve as a better heat sink for the brake assembly, as the core portion 52 tends to absorb heat, for example, from the friction pads 54, rather than forming a "bottleneck" for heat transfer at the interface between the friction pads 54 and the core portion 52. In some examples, the steel material used for the core portion 52 may have a heat-dissipation rate of about 1.32J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K at room temperature. In some examples, the titanium alloy material used for the core portion 52 (such as Ti-0.8Ni-0.3Mc) may have a heat-escape rate of about 0.74J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K at room temperature. In some examples, the tungsten carbide material used for core portion 52 may have a heat dissipation rate of about 1.47J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K at room temperature. In some examples, the boron nitride material used for core portion 52 may have a heat-dissipation rate of about 1.41J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K at room temperature. In some examples, the silicon carbide material used for core portion 52 may have a heat dissipation rate of about 1.67J/s ^ (1/2) -cm ^ 2-K at room temperature.

FIG. 6 is a table of various properties of carbon-carbon composites (labeled "carbon") that may be used to form the friction pad 54, as well as other exemplary materials that may be used in the core portion. As shown in fig. 6, the specific heat density (Cp ρ) of the steel alloy (a709Gr50), the titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-6V-2Sn and Ti-0.8Ni-0.3Mo) and the tungsten carbide is greater than that of the carbon-carbon composite.

Fig. 7 is a graph showing specific heat density versus temperature (degrees celsius) for pyrolytic graphite, boron nitride, silicon carbide, carbon steel, and titanium. In the graph, the area under each curve represents the energy capacity per unit volume of each material. Thus, a material with a larger area under its corresponding curve can hold more energy in a smaller volume of space.

The friction pad 54 may be coupled (e.g., permanently or removably coupled) to the core portion 52 using any suitable technique. For example, the friction pads 54 may be riveted or mechanically fastened to the structural core portion 52 in some manner. The rivets may not be intended to bear the load, but merely hold the pieces together when no pressure is applied to the disc. Another form of fastening may be to braze the carbon-carbon composite of the pad to the steel or other core portion material to form a bond at localized locations. In examples where the friction pad 54 is removably coupled to the core portion 52, for example, once the friction pad 54 is worn to some extent due to braking operation, the friction pad 54 may be replaced, while the core portion 52 may be reused.

In some examples, the first and second core surfaces 58 of the core portion 52 may include one or more structural features configured to mate with and connect to the one or more friction pads 54, as described further below. Accordingly, the pad surface of the friction pad 54 adjacent to the core surface 58 may include one or more structural features configured to mate with and connect with one or more structural features of the core portion 52. The structural features of the core portion 52 and the friction pad 54 may provide improved load distribution, better friction pad retention, reduced costs associated with manufacturing and assembly, and other benefits described in further detail below.

As shown in the example of fig. 2B, the brake disc assembly 50 has an overall thickness T (T), the first friction pad 54A has a thickness T (1), the core portion 52 has a thickness T (2), and the second friction pad 54B has a thickness T (3). In some examples, T (T) may be defined by the sum of T (1), T (2), and T (3). In some examples, t (t) may be about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches thick. T (1) and T (3) may each be about 0.125 inches to about 1.00 inches. T (2) may be about 0.100 inches to about 0.50 inches. In some examples, T (1) may be substantially the same as or different from T (3). In some examples, T (1) may be substantially the same as or different from T (2).

By using a material for the core portion 52 that has a higher specific heat density than the carbon-carbon composite of the friction pads 54, the volume of the core portion 52 may be reduced, while also providing the desired heat sink function, as compared to similar brake disc assemblies formed from carbon-carbon composites rather than the exemplary hybrid designs as described herein. In some examples, the ratio of the volume of the core portion 52 made of the metal or ceramic material (or the exemplary materials described herein for the core portion 52) to the volume of the core portion made of the carbon-carbon composite material may be at least about 0.9, such as about 0.88 to about 0.83 or about 0.55 to about 0.5.

Fig. 3A-3C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a brake disc assembly 70. Brake disc assembly 70 may be substantially similar to brake disc assembly 50, and like features are similarly numbered. Fig. 3A shows an assembled view of the brake disc assembly 70 including the core portion 52, the first friction pad 54A, and the second friction pad 54B. Fig. 3B shows an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the brake disc assembly 70. Fig. 3C shows the brake disc assembly 70 without the friction pads 54.

As shown, the core portion 52 is positioned between the friction pads 54A and 54B and is coupled to the friction pads 54 via a plurality of boss assemblies (such as boss assembly 72 labeled in fig. 3B). Each individual boss assembly 72 is positioned within a corresponding bore 74 in the core portion 52 such that the projection portions 64A and 64B project out of the surface plane of the core portion 52. The protruding portions of the boss assemblies mate with corresponding groove-like depressions in the opposing surface of the brake pad 54. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the boss protrusions 64B mate with groove-like dimples 62 formed in the opposing surface of the friction pad 54B. Similarly, the boss protrusions 64A mate with corresponding groove-like depressions (not shown) in the opposing inner surface of the friction pad 54A.

The boss assembly 72 also includes a boss core 66 and a fastener 68. To assemble the boss assembly 72 within the bore 74 in the core portion 52, the boss protrusions 64A and 64B may mate with the boss core 66 within the bore 74 in the core portion 52. The fastener 68 may be inserted through the holes in the boss protrusion 64A, the boss core 66, and the boss protrusion 64B to fasten the boss protrusion 64A, the boss core 66, and the boss protrusion 64B to one another within the hole 74. When fastened, since the boss protrusions 64A and 64B are larger than the hole 74, outer portions of the boss protrusions 64A and 64B overlap with opposite surfaces of the core portion 52 to fix the boss assembly 72 to the core portion 52 within the hole 74.

In the example of fig. 3A-3B, boss assembly 72 may prevent pad 54 from rotating relative to core portion 52 during a braking operation (e.g., when a force is applied into a friction surface of pad 54). In some examples, additional attachment features may be included in assembly 70 to attach pad 54 to core 52, for example, when no braking force is applied. For example, rivets or other mechanical fasteners may be used to attach the pads 54 to the core portion 52. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a brake disc assembly 140, similar to assembly 70. The brake assembly includes a plurality of through-holes 142 extending through the pad 54 and the core portion 52. A rivet or other mechanical fastener may extend through each of the through-holes 142 to attach (e.g., clamp) the pad 54 to the core portion 52.

Fig. 9A is a photograph showing an exemplary friction pad (left side) and a stator core portion (right side) having such through-holes. FIG. 9B is a photograph showing an exemplary rotor core portion having similar through holes. Fig. 9C is a photograph of two brake disc assemblies including a stack of pad and core portions attached to one another with rivets passing through holes in each of the friction pads and core portions. The stack may be used, for example, as the brake stack 16 of the wheel and brake assembly 10 of fig. 1.

Fig. 4A is a schematic front view of another example brake rotor assembly 100 according to an example of the present disclosure, and fig. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the example brake rotor assembly 100 of fig. 4A according to an example of the present disclosure. The brake rotor assembly 100 includes a core portion 102 and a plurality of friction pads on one or more sides of the single continuous core portion 102. In the example of fig. 4A and 4B, the plurality of friction pads includes a first friction pad 104A and a second friction pad 104B (individually referred to as "friction pads 104" and collectively referred to as "plurality of friction pads 104"). The rectangular dashed lines in fig. 4A may represent dimples 110 that transfer torque from the friction pads to the structural core. The friction pad may be one continuous friction pad or any one of a plurality of friction pads, for example, which may be arranged in the shape shown in fig. 4A.

Brake disc assembly 100 may be an example of brake disc assembly 50 described with reference to fig. 2A and 2B. The friction pad 104 may be formed of substantially the same material as described for the friction pad 54. Core portion 102 may be formed of substantially the same materials as described for core portion 52. For example, the friction pad 54 may be formed of a carbon-carbon composite material, and the core portion 102 may be formed of a material other than a carbon-carbon composite material.

The brake rotor assembly 100 may be used with any one or more of the rotor brake rotor 36 and/or the stator brake rotor 38. The brake disc assembly 100 may be used, for example, as the rotor brake disc 36 or the stator brake disc 38 of FIG. 1. The core portion 102 may be a disk or annulus having first and second core surfaces 124A and 124B (individually referred to as "core surfaces 124" and collectively referred to as "core surfaces 124") oriented opposite one another and configured to receive and connect with corresponding friction pads 104A and 104B. Accordingly, each friction pad 104 may be a disk or annulus having corresponding pad surfaces 115A and 115B (individually referred to as "pad surfaces 115" and collectively referred to as "pad surfaces 115") and corresponding friction surfaces 112A and 112B (individually referred to as "friction surfaces 112" and collectively referred to as "friction surfaces 112") oriented opposite one another. Each pad surface 115 of the friction pads 104 is configured to be received by the core portion 102 and to interface with a core surface 124 on the same side of the core portion 102 and a support structure on an opposite side of the core portion 102, such as another friction pad 104.

The first core surface and the second core surface 124 of the core portion 102 may include one or more structural features configured to mate with and connect to the one or more friction pads 104. Accordingly, the first pad surface and the second pad surface 115 of the friction pad 104 can include one or more structural features configured to mate with and connect with one or more structural features of the core portion 102. The structural features of the core portion 102 and the friction pad 104 may provide improved load distribution, better friction pad retention, reduced costs associated with manufacturing and assembly, and other benefits described in further detail below. The structural features of the core portion 102 may include, for example, one or more of geometrically complementary dimples 110 (shown in phantom) and corresponding bosses 116 for mating and distributing torque load forces between the core portion 102 and the respective friction pad 104.

The first and second core surfaces 124 of the core portion 102 may also include a high percentage of surface area configured to thermally contact the pad surface 115 of the friction pad 104. The first and second core surfaces 124 may be in thermal contact with the friction pad 104 by being sufficiently close to the friction pad 104 such that the friction pad 104 transfers heat to the first and second core surfaces 124, such as by direct contact or by intermediate layers or volume contact. Accordingly, the first and second pad surfaces 115 of the friction pad 104 may include a high percentage of surface area configured to thermally contact the core portion 102. The high percentage surface area of the core portion 102 and the friction pad 104 in thermal contact may provide improved heat removal and dissipation (e.g., higher heat removal rate, lower temperature, and/or more uniform temperature distribution) from the friction pad 104 to the core portion 102. The proportion of the surface area of the friction pad 104 that is in thermal contact with the core portion 102 may be, for example, greater than 50% of the total surface area of the pad surface 115 of the respective friction pad 104 facing the core portion 102, such as greater than 70% of the total surface area of the pad surface 115, or greater than 90% of the total surface area of the pad surface 115.

The friction pads 104 may include one or more securing features configured to secure opposing friction pads 104 to one another. The securing features of the friction pad 104 may provide improved ease of installation and manufacture. The securing features of the friction pads 104 can include, for example, one or more apertures 106 for extending between the friction pads 104 and securing a fastener 108.

The core portion 102 includes a first core surface 124A on a first side and a second core surface 124B on a second side. The core portion 102 also includes a plurality of dimples 110 extending between the first core surface 124A and the second core surface 124B. The first friction pad 104A includes a first friction surface 112A, a first planar pad surface 114A, and a first plurality of bosses 116A extending from the first planar pad surface 114A. The second friction pad 104B includes a second friction surface 112B, a second planar pad surface 114B, and a second plurality of bosses 116B extending axially outward (e.g., along an intended axis of rotation of the core portion 102) from the second planar pad surface 114B. Each of the first plurality of bosses 116A includes a first aperture 106A and each of the second plurality of bosses 116B includes a second aperture 106B.

As shown in fig. 4B, when the brake disc assembly 100 is assembled, the first flat pad surface 114A contacts the first core surface 124A and the second flat pad surface 114B contacts the second core surface 124B. The first and second pluralities of bosses 116A, 116B engage the plurality of dimples 110 of the core portion 102 to position the respective first and second friction pads 104A, 104B relative to the core portion 102. An elongated fastener of the plurality of elongated fasteners 108 passes through the first hole 106A of a corresponding one of the first plurality of bosses 116A and the second hole 106B of a corresponding one of the second plurality of bosses 116B to secure the first friction pad 104A and the second friction pad 104B to the core portion 102.

During braking, torque applied against the friction pads 104 and heat generated by the friction pads 104 may be transferred to the core portion 102. For example, the first and second friction surfaces 112A and 112B (individually referred to as "friction surfaces 112" and collectively referred to as "friction surfaces 112") may receive torque from adjacent friction surfaces and transfer at least a portion of that torque to the core portion 102 through the first and second pluralities of bosses 116A and 116B (individually referred to as "plurality of bosses 116" and collectively referred to as "plurality of bosses 116") of the friction pad 104 to the plurality of dimples 110 of the core portion 102. The friction surface 112 may also generate heat during braking and dissipate at least a portion of this heat from the core surface 124 of the core portion 102 to the first and second flat pad surfaces 114A, 114B of the friction pad 104 (referred to individually as "flat pad surfaces 114" and collectively as "flat pad surfaces 114"). The fastener 108 securing the friction pad 104A and the friction pad 104B may receive a tensile force and transfer the tensile force to an opposing one of the friction pads 104 and, correspondingly, to an opposing core surface of the core portion 102. In this manner, torque and heat generated during braking may be transferred from the friction pads 104 to the core portion 102 such that the friction pads 104 may operate at lower stresses and/or at lower or more uniform temperatures than a disc brake assembly that does not include the structural and surface characteristics of the disc brake assembly 100.

Fig. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an exemplary core portion 102, according to an example of the present disclosure. The core portion 102 includes a first core surface 124A, a second core surface 124B, and a plurality of dimples 110 extending between the first and second core surfaces 124A, 124B. The core portion 102 is configured to position the friction pad 104 relative to the core portion 102 using a plurality of dimples 110. Each of the plurality of dimples 110 is configured to engage a boss of the plurality of bosses 116 of at least one friction pad 104 to position the respective friction pad 104 relative to the core portion 102. The plurality of dimples 110 can receive the plurality of bosses 116 of the at least one friction pad 104 during attachment of the friction pad 104 to the core portion 102 such that the friction pad 104 can be quickly and/or easily positioned relative to the core portion 102.

The core portion 102 is configured to receive a braking force or torque from the at least one friction pad 104 through the plurality of dimples 110. Each of the plurality of dimples 110 is configured to receive a land of the plurality of lands 116 of the at least one friction pad 104 and includes a dimple wall 138 that intersects the plane of each core surface 124. During braking, at least a portion of the pocket wall 138 may receive a portion of the braking force from the boss of the corresponding friction pad 104. As such, the braking force may be distributed over the plurality of dimples 110. In some examples, each of the plurality of dimples 110 can be configured to receive a first land (e.g., first land 116A) from a first friction pad (e.g., first friction pad 104A) and a second land (e.g., second land 116B) from a second friction pad (e.g., second friction pad 104B) such that a surface of the first land and a surface of the second land can be in contact.

In addition to supporting the friction pads 104, the core portion 102 is configured to receive thermal energy from at least one friction pad 104 through at least one of the core surfaces 124. Each core surface 124 may be configured to contact the flat pad surface 114 of at least one friction pad 104. The contact between the flat pad surfaces 114 of the respective friction pads 104 and the respective core surfaces 124 may provide thermal conduction of heat generated by the friction pads 104 to the respective core surfaces 124. In some examples, each core surface 124 may be configured such that at least 50% of the pad surface of the respective friction pad or combination of friction pads may contact the respective core surface 124. For example, each core surface 124 may have a shape and/or size such that substantially all of the pad surface of a respective friction pad not positioned in the plurality of pockets 110 may contact the respective core surface 124. In this way, heat may be more quickly and/or uniformly removed from the friction pad 104 such that the friction pad 104 may have a lower and/or more uniform temperature than a friction pad having a high surface area without contacting the structural member.

In some examples, the core portion 102 includes an edge 136 on an outer edge of the core portion 102. The edge 136 defines a first edge surface 126A that extends axially beyond the first core surface 124A and a second edge surface 126B that extends axially beyond the second core surface 124B. Although not shown, the edge 136 may include a drive region for coupling to a beam key. For example, the core portion 102 may be keyed to the beam key by the drive region rather than coupling the friction pad 104 to the beam key, such that the manufacture of the friction pad 104 may be less complex. Additionally or alternatively, the edge 136 may be configured to increase the drive area contacting the beam key, which may more effectively distribute loads to the beam key. In some examples, the edge 136 may be configured such that a gap exists between an outer edge of the respective friction pad and an inner radial surface of the edge 136. The gap may reduce vibration as the friction pads wear by reducing contact of the friction surfaces of the rotor and stator with the outer/inner diameter interface.

The core portion 102 may be a disk or annulus defining an inner diameter (i.d.) and an outer diameter (o.d.) having a first core surface 124A and a second core surface 124B oriented opposite one another and configured to receive the friction pad 104. The core portion 102 may have various dimensions (e.g., outer diameter, inner diameter, thickness, etc.) that may depend on its use (e.g., braking load). The thickness of the core portion 102 may depend on the strength and thermal aspects of the design of the core portion 102, as well as the material properties of the core portion 102. In some examples, the core portion 102 may have a thickness between the first core surface 124A and the second core surface 124B of between about 0.125 inches and about 2 inches.

In some examples, the dimensions of the core portion 102 may be selected to provide improved thermal contact with the friction pad 104. For example, as the contact area between the surface of the core portion 102 and the friction pad 104 increases, the amount of thermal energy that can be transferred from the friction pad 104 to the core portion 102 increases for a given temperature gradient between the core portion 102 and the friction pad 104. In some examples, the core portion 102 may have an inner diameter and an outer diameter such that substantially all (e.g., greater than 95%) of the flat pad surface 114 of the friction pad 104 may be in contact with one of the core surface 124A or the core surface 124B when the friction pad 104 is received on the respective core surface 124.

In some examples, the plurality of dimples 110 and, correspondingly, the plurality of lands 116 may be configured such that the structural integrity of the core portion 102 and the friction pad 104 may be improved. For example, the plurality of lands 116 and the plurality of dimples 110 may be sized to have an area parallel to the friction surface 112 to overcome shear load stresses exerted on the plurality of lands. As another example, the plurality of lands 116 and the plurality of dimples may be sized such that the shear load on the core portion 102 may not exceed the integrity threshold. Thus, the size of the plurality of dimples 110 and the plurality of lands 116 may be balanced between the structural integrity of the core portion 102 and the structural integrity of the friction pad 104. As another example, the plurality of dimples 110 and the plurality of lands 116 may have a thickness sufficient to overcome the bearing load stress.

The plurality of dimples 110 can be configured to have a size, orientation, and distribution based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the surface area of each dimple, the surface area of the plurality of dimples, the ratio of tangential surface area (e.g., the surface area of each dimple in a direction tangential to the direction of rotation of the core portion 102) to axial surface area, and the like. In some examples, the size, shape, and location of the plurality of dimples 110 may be standardized such that various friction pads 104 having different characteristics may be used with the core portion 102. For example, the useful life of the core portion 102 may be significantly longer than the useful life of the friction pad 104, such that the friction pad 104 may be replaced and, in some cases, renewed with other friction pads 104. As another example, a universal friction pad 104 may be used with a variety of core portions 102. For example, the core portion of the rotor having the drive region on the outer diameter may be slightly different from the core portion of the stator having the drive region on the inner diameter, but the same friction pads may be used for both the rotor and the stator. Such cross-compatibility may reduce the number of designs for the friction pads 104 forming the brake.

The plurality of dimples 110 can have a variety of sizes and dimensions. In some examples, each pocket of the plurality of pockets has a circumferential dimension (e.g., measured from a center of each pocket along an arc of rotation parallel to a direction of rotation of the core portion 102) of between about 0.25 inches (such as for a large number of pockets 110 and/or friction pads 104) and about 12 inches (such as for a small number of pockets 110 and/or friction pads 104). In some examples, each dimple of the plurality of dimples has a radial dimension (e.g., measured from the center of each dimple along a radial direction of the center of core portion 102) of between about 0.25 inches and about 8 inches. The plurality of pits 110 may have various numbers. In some examples, the number of the plurality of dimples 110 is between 3 (such as for designs having a small number of friction pads 104 each having a high surface area) and 36 (such as for designs having a large number of friction pads 104 each having a low surface area).

The plurality of dimples 110 may have a variety of shapes in the radial plane including, but not limited to, rectangular, rounded rectangular, circular, wedge-shaped, and the like. In some examples, the plurality of dimples 110 may have a shape and orientation with a high tangential surface area. For example, as shown in fig. 4A, a braking force substantially tangential to the core portion 102 can be applied, the braking force being parallel to a major surface of the core portion (e.g., core surface 124A or core surface 124B). As such, dimples shaped and oriented such that the dimple walls 138 have a high surface area facing in the direction of braking force may distribute the received force over a larger surface area.

The plurality of dimples 110 can have a variety of configurations and patterns. In some examples, the amount and/or tangential surface area corresponds to the amount of force received from a radial distance from the center of the core portion 102. In some examples, the plurality of dimples 110 may be symmetrical in at least one plane. In some examples, each dimple of the plurality of dimples 110 may be located at the same radial distance from the center of the core portion 102 such that each dimple of the plurality of dimples 110 may subsequently receive the same torque. In some examples, the plurality of dimples 110 may be located at different radial distances from the center of the core portion 102.

The core portion 102 may be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, metals such as aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium alloys, among others. In some examples, the core portion 102 may be made of one or more materials that can be refurbished such that the useful life of the core portion 102 may be substantially longer than the friction pad 104.

In some examples, the core portion 102 may be fabricated from a material having high strength, particularly in the circumferential direction. For example, as described above, the core portion 102 may be configured to receive braking forces from the friction pads 104. Accordingly, the core portion 102 may be made of a material having high strength to withstand various forces generated on the core portion due to the braking force received. In some examples, core portion 102 has high strength (tensile, compressive, and/or shear) at the high temperatures experienced during braking.

In some examples, core portion 102 may be fabricated from a material having the ability to receive and/or store a large amount of heat. For example, as described above, the core portion 102 may be configured to receive heat from the friction pad 104. Thus, the core portion 102 may be fabricated from a material having a high specific heat capacity to receive a large amount of heat and/or other thermal characteristics such as a high heat dissipation rate or a high thermal diffusivity. In some examples, the core portion 102 comprises a material having a specific heat capacity greater than 200J/kg-K, such as greater than 475J/kg-K, at room temperature. For example, tungsten carbide may have a specific heat greater than 200J/kg K, steel may have a specific heat greater than 475J/kg K, and boron nitride may have a specific heat greater than 1500J/kg K. In some examples, the core portion 102 includes a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 7W/m K, such as greater than 20W/m K, at room temperature. For example, the titanium alloy may have a thermal conductivity greater than 7W/m K. In some examples, the structural core 102 includes a material having a thermal conductivity greater than carbon (about 23W/m-K).

In some examples, the core portion 102 may be manufactured by relatively simple manufacturing processes such as cutting (e.g., milling, drilling) and casting (e.g., die casting) processes. For example, structural features of the core portion 102, such as the plurality of dimples 110 and the edges 136, can involve relatively simple geometries (e.g., substantially square angles between the core surface 124 and the dimple walls 138) that are relatively simple to manufacture. Accordingly, standard machining and manufacturing processes suitable for these simple geometries may be used to manufacture the core portion 102 more quickly and/or at a lower cost. Additionally or alternatively, such simple geometries may allow for easier refurbishment or repair of the core portion 102 such that the useful life of the core portion 102 may be extended more easily and/or at a lower cost.

Fig. 4D is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an exemplary friction pad 104 according to an example of the present disclosure. The friction pad 104 includes a pad surface 115 and a friction surface 112 opposite the pad surface 115. The pad surface 115 includes a planar pad surface 114 and a boss surface 118 of each of a plurality of bosses 116 extending from the planar pad surface 114. The flat pad surface 114 is configured to contact and thermally interface with one of the core surfaces 124.

Each of the plurality of bosses 116 is configured to engage a recess of the plurality of recesses 110 of the core portion 102 to position the respective friction pad 104 relative to the core portion 102. For example, each land of the plurality of lands 116 may have a size or shape that is complementary to a pit of the plurality of pits 110. During attachment of the friction pad 104 to the core portion 102, the plurality of bosses 116 may fit into the plurality of recesses 110 of the core portion 102 such that the friction pad 104 may be quickly and/or easily positioned relative to the core portion 102.

The friction pads 104 are configured to transfer braking forces or torque to the core portion 102 via the plurality of bosses 116. Each boss of the plurality of bosses 116 is configured to be received by a pocket of the plurality of pockets 110 of the core portion 102 and includes a boss wall 134 that intersects the plane of the planar pad surface 114. During braking, at least a portion of the boss wall 134 is configured to contact at least a portion of the corresponding pocket wall 138 when the plurality of bosses 116 are engaged with the plurality of pockets 110 such that at least a portion of the boss wall 134 may transfer a portion of the braking force to the pockets of the core portion 102. In this way, braking forces may be applied to the core portion 102 by the surface area of the boss walls 134 of the plurality of bosses 116.

In addition to transferring braking forces, the friction pads 104 are configured to convert kinetic energy into thermal energy and transfer at least a portion of the thermal energy to the core portion 102 through the pad surface 114. The flat pad surface 114 is configured to contact a core surface 124 of the core portion 102. The contact between the core surface 124 and the flat pad surface 114 may provide thermal conduction of heat generated by the friction surface 112 of the friction pad 104 to the respective core surface 124. In some examples, the thermal contact between the core portion 102 and the friction pad 104 may be expressed as a fraction (e.g., a percentage) of the total surface area of the friction pad 104 configured to contact the core portion 102 (e.g., the flat pad surface 114). The planar pad surface 114 comprises at least about 50% of the surface area of the pad surface 115. In some examples, the planar pad surface 114 includes at least about 70%, such as at least about 95%, of the surface area of the pad surface 115.

The friction pad 104 is configured to be secured to the core portion 102 using a fastener, such as fastener 108. Each of the plurality of bosses 116 includes a bore 106. The holes 106 are configured to receive fasteners 108 and pass the fasteners 108 through to structures on opposite sides of the core portion 102, such as the other friction pad 104 in a two-sided disc brake in the middle of the brake disc stack 16 or a support structure in a one-sided disc brake at the end of the brake disc stack 16.

In some examples, the friction pad 104 may be configured to have an increased usable depth of the friction surface 112 over the life of the friction pad 104 by recessing the apertures 106. For example, the depth of the friction surface 112 may be limited by the closer core surface 124 of the core portion 102 (e.g., closer to the friction surface 112) or the fastener 108 in the bore 106, such that by recessing the bore 106, the fastener 108 may not limit the depth of the friction surface 112. In some examples, the inner bore surface 122 of each bore 106 extends a recessed distance 128 beyond the plane of the planar pad surface 114. In some examples, the recess distance 128 is greater than the head height of the fastener 108, such as greater than about 0.1 inches. During use, the friction surface 112 of the friction pad 104 may not wear the fastener 108 so that the friction pad 104 may remain secured to the core portion 102. In some examples, the thickness 132 of the edge 136 between the edge surface 126 and the flat core surface 124 is about the thickness 130 of the friction pad 104 between the friction surface 112 and the flat pad surface 114, where the thickness 130 represents the usable depth of the friction surface 112 over the life of the friction pad 104.

The friction pad 104 may be in the shape of a disc or annulus defining a preformed outer diameter (o.d.) and a preformed inner diameter (i.d.). In some examples, the outer diameter (o.d.) of the friction pad 104 may be about 12 inches (e.g., about 37cm) to about 25 inches (e.g., about 64cm), and the preformed inner diameter (i.d.) of the friction pad 104 may be about 4.5 inches (e.g., about 12cm) to about 15 inches (e.g., about 38 cm).

The plurality of lands 116 may be configured to have a size, orientation, and distribution based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, thermal expansion of the lands and/or dimples, bearing area of the lands and/or dimples, shear area of the lands and/or dimples, surface area of each dimple, surface area of the plurality of dimples, ratio of tangential surface area (e.g., surface area of each land in a direction tangential to the direction of rotation of the friction pad 104) to axial surface area, and the like. The plurality of lands 116 may have a size, orientation, or distribution complementary to the plurality of dimples 110.

The plurality of bosses 116 may have a variety of sizes and dimensions. In some examples, each boss of the plurality of bosses 116 has a circumferential dimension (e.g., measured from a center of each boss along an arc of rotation parallel to a direction of rotation of the friction pad 104) of between about 0.25 inches and about 12 inches. In some examples, each boss of the plurality of bosses 116 has a radial dimension (e.g., measured from the center of each dimple in a radial direction along the center of the friction pad 104) of between about 0.25 inches and about 8 inches.

The plurality of lands 116 may have a variety of shapes corresponding to the shape of the plurality of dimples 110 of the core portion 102 including, but not limited to, rectangular, rounded rectangular, circular, wedge-shaped, and the like. In some examples, the plurality of bosses 116 may have a shape and orientation with a high tangential surface area. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a braking force may be applied that is substantially tangential to the core portion 102. As such, a boss shaped and oriented such that the boss wall 134 has a high surface area facing in the direction of braking force may transfer force to a greater surface area. In some examples, each land surface 118 is configured to contact a corresponding land surface 118 of another land of the second plurality of lands of another friction pad when the plurality of lands 116 and the second plurality of lands are engaged with the plurality of dimples 110. As such, the plurality of bosses of two opposing friction pads may extend through the corresponding pocket 110 and contact substantially the entire inner surface of the corresponding pocket 110.

The plurality of bosses 116 may have a variety of configurations and patterns. In some examples, the amount and/or tangential surface area corresponds to the amount of force received from a radial distance from the center of the friction pad 104. In some examples, the plurality of dimples 116 may be symmetrical in at least one plane. In some examples, the plurality of dimples 116 may have the same radial distance from the center of the friction pad 104 such that each of the plurality of lands 116 may transfer substantially the same torque. In some examples, the plurality of bosses 116 may have different radial distances from the center of the friction pad 104.

In some examples, the friction pads 104 may be cross-compatible with both rotor and stator brake disks. For example, the rotor, stator, and end plates may use the same friction pads 104 attached to different styles of core portions 102. As long as the plurality of dimples 110 for each core segment 102 of a stator, rotor or end plate correspond to the plurality of lands 116 of the friction pad 104, such friction pads may be used with the corresponding core segment 102, despite the different design of the other segments of the core segment 102. Such cross-compatibility may reduce the number of parts to be manufactured, which may reduce inventory and allow for cheaper manufacturing.

The friction pad 104 may be fabricated from a carbon-carbon composite. In some examples, the friction pad 104 may be fabricated from a carbon-carbon composite material having high thermal stability, high wear resistance, and/or stable friction characteristics. For example, as described above, the friction pads 104 are configured to convert kinetic energy into thermal energy. Thus, the friction pad 104 may be fabricated from a carbon-carbon composite material having high thermal stability to withstand high temperatures. In some examples, the friction pad 104 includes a material having an operating temperature threshold greater than about 1100 ℃, such as greater than about 1700 ℃. For example, carbon can withstand operating temperatures greater than about 1725 ℃.

As described herein, the friction pad 104 may be formed from a carbon-carbon composite made from a dense carbon material. In some examples, the carbon material may include a variety of carbon fibers and dense materials. Carbon fibers may be composed of carbon or a carbon precursor material, such as Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or rayon, which may be converted to carbon by a carbonization process. The carbon fibers used to form the friction pad 104 may be arranged in the woven or nonwoven as any of a single layer or a multi-layer structure. In some examples, carbon-carbon composites tailored for improved friction aspects may include non-woven carbon fibers and a reinforcing material (e.g., carbonized pitch or resin). The non-woven structure of the carbon fiber matrix may improve the resulting friction characteristics of the friction pad 104 as compared to a woven structure.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example technique of assembling the example brake rotor assembly 100 according to an example of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 will be described with reference to the brake disc assembly 100 of fig. 4A-4D. However, it should be understood that the technique of FIG. 5 may be used to assemble other articles of manufacture, such as brake disc assembly 50 or brake disc assembly 70. The technique of fig. 5 includes positioning a first plurality of bosses 116A of a first friction pad 104A into a plurality of recesses 110 of the core portion 102 to bring a first planar pad surface 114A into contact with a first core surface 124A, and positioning a second plurality of bosses 116B of a second friction pad 104B into the plurality of recesses 110 of the core portion 102 to bring a second planar pad surface 114B into contact with a second core surface 124B. The technique of fig. 5 also includes passing a plurality of elongated fasteners 108 through the first apertures 106A of a respective one of the first plurality of bosses 116A and the second apertures 106B of a respective one of the second plurality of bosses 116B. The technique of fig. 5 also includes securing a plurality of elongated fasteners 108 to secure the first friction pad 104A and the second friction pad 104B to the core portion 102.

Various examples have been described. These embodiments and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.