Patent ID: 7040475

Claim:
A friction member for engagement in a torque-transmitting mechanism, said friction member comprising: a friction surface having a contact area for sliding contact with an opposing reaction member in the torque-transmitting mechanism, wherein said sliding contact is characterized by a coefficient of friction, said sliding contact acting to engage the friction member with said reaction member in the torque-transmitting mechanism; wherein the friction member is characterized by a first modulus of elasticity in a first direction with respect to said sliding contact; wherein the friction member is further characterized by a second modulus of elasticity in a second direction with respect to said sliding contact, wherein said second modulus of elasticity is greater than said first modulus of elasticity; wherein the friction member is formed with channels disposed in said first direction for transporting lubricant through the friction member to said contact area, said first modulus of elasticity being at least partially affected by lubricant transport through said channels to thereby at least partially increase said coefficient of friction; and wherein said first and second moduli of elasticity cooperate to at least partially establish said coefficient of friction and control vibrational shudder of the torque-transmitting mechanism resulting from said sliding contact.