Patent ID: 6502991
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: C23C,F16C,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for improving the durability of a fluid bearing having first and second members, each member having a tapered surface, one of which rotates relative to the other about an axis such that a gap normally exists between the members, but such that on occasion the members contact each other, said process comprising: bonding to the first member, in the region of the gap between the members, a coating which isolates the first member from the second member in that region, the coating having both coefficient of friction and chemical reactivity lower than that of the substance of the first member as to the substance of the second member, and wherein the step of applying the coating comprises applying an adhesion layer to the substance of the first member and applying a final layer over the adhesion layer; wherein the adhesion layer essentially comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: (a) titanium; (b) tungsten; and (c) chromium; and wherein the final layer essentially comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: (a) amorphous carbon; (b) hydrogenated amorphous carbon; (c) amorphous carbon and titanium; (d) hydrogenated amorphous carbon and titanium; (e) amorphous carbon and tungsten; (e and hydrogenated amorphous carbon and tungsten.