MULTILAYERED CANTED COIL SPRINGS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
First Claim
1. A method of forming a multilayered canted coil spring, comprising:
- forming an inner core of a material having a first electrical conductivity;
cladding or plating an outer layer of a material having a second electrical conductivity around the core to form a spring wire, the second electrical conductivity being less than the first electrical conductivity;
forming the spring wire into a plurality of helical coils; and
canting the coils to form the canted coil spring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Multilayered canted coil springs and methods that improve mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of canted coil springs. In some embodiments, properties of dissimilar materials are combined into the spring using various material layers. For example, in one embodiment a protective or high strength outer layer material shields a more sensitive inner core material from harsh environments and conditions. The inner core material may be a highly electrically conductive material, with the outer layer material having an electrical conductivity lower than the core. In various embodiments the following characteristics of the spring are improved: electrical and/or thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, temperature resistance, stress relaxation, variable frictional force, and wear resistance in harsh environments and conditions.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of forming a multilayered canted coil spring, comprising:
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forming an inner core of a material having a first electrical conductivity; cladding or plating an outer layer of a material having a second electrical conductivity around the core to form a spring wire, the second electrical conductivity being less than the first electrical conductivity; forming the spring wire into a plurality of helical coils; and canting the coils to form the canted coil spring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of forming a multilayered canted coil spring, comprising:
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forming an inner core of a material having a first electrical conductivity, the core being hollow; cladding or plating a secondary layer of a material having a second electrical conductivity around the core to form a spring wire, the second electrical conductivity being less than the first electrical conductivity; forming the spring wire into a plurality of helical coils; and canting the coils to form the canted coil spring. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A canted coil spring, comprising:
a spring wire including a tubular shell surrounding a hollow core, the spring wire defining a plurality of helical coils, each coil surrounding a spring axis that passes through a center of each coil, each coil being tilted to lean at an angle relative to a line that is perpendicular to the spring axis. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A multilayered canted coil spring, comprising:
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a spring wire including an inner core and an outer layer at least partially surrounding the core; wherein the outer layer comprises two different and unmixed materials, a first one of the materials disposed along a first portion of arc of a cross-section of the core, a second one of the materials disposed along a second portion of arc of the core cross-section; and wherein the spring wire defines a plurality of helical coils, each coil surrounding a spring axis that passes through a center of each coil, each coil being tilted to lean at an angle relative to a line that is perpendicular to the spring axis. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification