Patent ID: 7234580
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A method for making a wet-type friction engaging element comprising an annular friction disk having an inner edge having an inner diameter, an outer edge having an outer diameter, and radial grooves extending from the inner edge to the outer edge and open to both edges, wherein each of said radial grooves has an inner section extending from the inner edge of the disk to an intermediate location between the inner edge and the outer edge, and an outer section extending from said intermediate location to the outer edge, wherein the inner section is defined by two opposed sides disposed at an angle θ relative to each other such that the groove is tapered and the circumferential width the groove at said inner edge is greater than the circumferential width of the groove at said intermediate location, and wherein w is the full radial length of each groove measured radially from the inner edge of the disk to the outer edge, and h is the radial length of the inner section measured radially from the inner edge of the disk to said intermediate location, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a desired value for the minimum outgoing flow per groove area; calculating, for a friction disk having said inner and outer diameters, a two-dimensional region, where one dimension is h/w and the other dimension is θ, within which the outgoing flow per groove area is at least as great as the selected desired value; and forming the radial grooves in said friction disk so that the values of h/w and θ fall within said two-dimensional region; whereby said disk has an optimized groove structure.