Wear resistant chain

• US 20030177752A1
• Filed: 03/06/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Company
• Original Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Company
• Inventors: Tamura, Shigeo, Nakagawa, Takerou
• Granted Patent: US 6,666,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 59/5
• CPC Class Codes: B21L 9/065 Assembling or disassembling
• CPC Class Codes: B21L 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/38 Chains or like traction elements drive chains F16G13/00; Connections between traction elements and load-carriers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/48 Wear protection or indication features
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 13/04 Toothed chains
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 13/06 with links connected by parallel driving-pins with or without rollers so called open links if the parallel coupling pins have only a joining function - so called closed links - F16G13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 13/07 the links being of identical shape, e.g. cranked
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 13/16 with arrangements for holding electric cables, hoses, or the like

Abstract

A chain which does not generate hydrogen brittleness is formed with components having improved wear resistance. At least one part of the chain, for example a surface, is covered with a diamond-like amorphous carbon coating (DLC). Further, metallic particles are dispersed into the diamond-like amorphous carbon coating.

Claims

1. A wear resistant chain having components which engage other components wherein a surface of at least one of said components is coated with a diamond-like amorphous carbon coating.

2. A wear resistant chain according to claim 1 including metallic particles dispersed in said diamond-like amorphous carbon coating.

3. A wear resistant chain according to claim 2 wherein said metallic particles are tungsten.

4. A wear resistant chain according to claim 2 wherein said metallic particles are chromium.

5. A wear resistant chain according to claim 2 wherein said metallic particles are titanium.

6. A wear resistant chain according to claim 1 wherein said coating is applied to a localized surface of at least one of said components, said localized surface being one which is subject to the greatest wear.

7. A wear resistant chain according to claim 1 wherein said chain has plates with a bifurcated flank operable to engage a sprocket, and said coating is applied to localized surface areas of said flank which are subject to the greatest wear.

8. A wear resistant chain according to claim 7, wherein said plates have pin holes and said coating is applied to inner surfaces of said pin holes.

9. A wear resistant chain according to claim 1 wherein said chain has plates, rollers, bushings and pins, and said coating is applied to localized surface areas of said plates, rollers, bushings and pins which are subject to the greatest wear.

10. A wear resistant chain according to claim 1, wherein said chain has plastic link bodies having loading surfaces, and said coating is applied to said loading surfaces which are subject to the greatest wear.

11. A wear resistant chain according to claim 10, wherein said chain includes a pin and a bushing with an outer surface, wherein said coating is applied to said outer surface of the bushing.