Low-friction moving interfaces in micromachines and nanomachines

a micro-machine and low-friction technology, applied in the direction of sliding contact bearings, mechanical devices, devices, etc., can solve problems such as problems, failure of devices, and relatively small silicon gears, and achieve the effects of avoiding splintering and fusing between them

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-07-06
GEN NANOTECH L L C
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is about creating low-friction interfaces in small machines. This can be done by using low-friction sliding interfaces or by using a toothed member and a tooth-engaging member that are both made of diamond. The dimensions of these components are very small, about 100 μm or less between any two points. The technical effect of this invention is that it reduces friction and wear between the components, which can improve the performance and lifespan of the machines."

Problems solved by technology

Such machines may solve problems in environments were other devices, such as electronic devices, fail.
However, at smaller scale, such problems can arise.
However, such relatively small silicon gears have a tendency to stick and fuse to each other.
If such gears are in mechanical motion when stiction between the gears occurs, the gears may gall each other or worse tear each other apart.
However, like solid bits of matter of relatively small scale, liquids at relatively small scale also exhibit problematic behavior that would be of little consequence at relatively larger scale.
For example, surface tension causes relatively small quantities of liquid to form small droplets that tend not to flow across a surface, thus limiting a lubricant's effectiveness.

Method used

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  • Low-friction moving interfaces in micromachines and nanomachines
  • Low-friction moving interfaces in micromachines and nanomachines
  • Low-friction moving interfaces in micromachines and nanomachines

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

Introduction

[0031] The following description sets forth embodiments of low-friction moving interfaces in micromachines and nanomachines according to the invention. Embodiments of the invention can be applied to sliding and / or meshing mechanical contacts.

[0032] Diamond is a very slippery crystal. Diamond in mechanical contact with crystals such as diamond itself or silicon exhibits relatively low-frictional heating and has a tendency not to fuse with itself or silicon. Further, the flash temperature of diamond-silicon interfaces is relatively high. The flash temperature is that at which bodies in frictional contact tend to gall each other. The flash temperature of various interfaces can be estimated by taking into account, for example, the speed at which surfaces move with respect to each other and the forces at the interface. For example, see “Tribology and Mechanics of Magnetic Storage Devices,” publisher Springer, pp. 366-411, by Bhushan in which a general formalism is develope...

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PUM

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Abstract

A low-friction device having a moving interface comprising first and second members. Each of the members has a maximum dimension of about 100 μm or less between any two points. At least the first member is formed of diamond and the first and second members are in sliding contact or meshing contact.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 925,866 filed Aug. 24, 2004, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 094,149 filed Mar. 7, 2002, which claims priority from the following provisional application, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes: [0002] U.S. Application No. 60 / 287,677, filed Apr. 30, 2001 by Victor B. Kley for “Scanning Probe Microscopy and Nanomachining.”[0003] The following six U.S. patent applications, were filed concurrently with U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 094,149 and the disclosure of each other application is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes: [0004] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 093,842, filed Mar. 7, 2002 by Victor B. Kley for “Nanomachining Method and Apparatus”; [0005] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 094,411, filed Mar. 7, 2002 by Victor B. Kley for “Met...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F16C33/00F16C17/00F16H37/08
CPCB81B5/00F16C11/0619F16C33/043Y10S977/724Y10T74/18736Y10S977/902
InventorKLEY, VICTOR B.
OwnerGEN NANOTECH L L C