Brake rotor assembly

Abstract

A brake rotor assembly, and method for forming a brake rotor assembly, that includes an integrally formed first disc member coupled to an integrally formed second disc member, wherein a first portion of the outer surface of the first disc member and the second disc member is formed from a metal matrix composite and the remainder of the first disc member and second disc member is formed from the support element used in the first portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brake rotor assembly comprising:
 (a) a first disc member having an inner disc surface and an outer disc surface and comprising:   a first preform comprising ceramic particles and ceramic fibers with said first preform having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface and defining a plurality of voids;   a first support element comprising a metal, a first portion of said first support element disposed within said plurality of voids of said first perform between said inner surface and said opposing outer surface of said first preform for forming a metal matrix composite with said first support element terminating at said outer surface of said first preform such that said opposing outer surface of said first preform remains exposed;   said first support element further comprising a backing portion extending from said inner surface of said first preform, said backing portion of said first support element defining at least a portion of said outer disc surface of said first disc member;   a first wear surface defined by said exposed outer surface and by said first portion of said first support element, said first wear surface defining a portion of said outer disc surface of said first disc member; and   (b) a second disc member coupled to said first disc member, said second disc member having an inner disc surface and an outer disc surface and comprising:   a second preform comprising ceramic particles and ceramic fibers with said second preform having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface and defining a plurality of voids;   a second support element comprising said metal, a first portion of said second support element disposed within said plurality of voids of said second perform between said inner surface and said opposing outer surface of said second preform for forming a metal matrix composite with said second support element terminating at said opposing outer surface of said second preform such that said opposing outer surface of said second preform remains exposed;   said second support element further comprising a backing portion extending from said inner surface of said first preform, said backing portion of said second support element defining at least a portion of said outer disc surface of said second disc member;   a second wear surface defined by said exposed outer surface and by said first portion of said second support element, said second wear surface defining a portion of said outer disc surface of said second disc member;   wherein said backing portion of each of said first support element and said second support element are located between said first wear surface and said second wear surface when said first disc member is coupled to said second disc member and   wherein said inner disc surface of said first disc member is spaced apart from said second disc member when said first disc member is coupled to said second disc member.   
     
     
         2 . The brake rotor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first support element of said first disc member further comprises a radially inward portion extending radially inwardly from an inner periphery of said first preform and from said outer portion, said radially inward portion of said first support element defining another portion of said outer disc surface of said first disc member and defining another portion of said inner disc surface of said first disc member. 
     
     
         3 . The brake rotor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said second support element of said second disc member further comprises a radially inward portion extending radially inwardly from an inner periphery of said first preform and from said second portion, said radially inward portion of said second support element defining another portion of said outer disc surface of said second disc member and defining another portion of said inner disc surface of said second disc member. 
     
     
         4 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said backing portion of said first support element includes a plurality of fins extending in a direction towards said second disc member along said central axis. 
     
     
         5 . The brake rotor assembly of  claim 4 , wherein an end portion of each of said plurality of fins abuts said inner disc surface of said second disc member. 
     
     
         6 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said backing portion of said second support element further comprises a flange extending transverse from said central axis from said outer disc surface and in a direction outwardly away from said second disc member. 
     
     
         7 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said backing portion of said first support element includes a plurality of fingers extending in a direction along said central axis towards said second disc member to engage a plurality of recesses contained within said backing portion of said second support element. 
     
     
         8 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said backing portion of said first support element includes a plurality of fins extending in a direction along said central axis towards said second disc member; and
 wherein said radially inward portion of said first support element includes a plurality of fingers extending in a direction along said central axis towards said second disc member to engage a plurality of recesses contained within said radially inward portion of said second support element.   
     
     
         9 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner disc surface of said backing portion of said first support element includes at least one block portion and wherein said inner disc surface of said backing portion of said second support element includes a corresponding at least one base portion including a post, wherein said post of a respective one of said at least one base portion is coupled within a slot portion of a corresponding one of said plurality of base portions to couple said first disc member to said second disc member. 
     
     
         10 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 9 , further comprising a nut coupled to an end of said post to secure said first disc member to said second disc member. 
     
     
         11 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said first preform is present at said first wear surface in an amount of from about 10 to 60 percent based on a surface area of said first wear surface. 
     
     
         12 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said first preform is present at said first wear surface in an amount of from about 20 to 50 percent based on a surface area of said first wear surface. 
     
     
         13 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said first preform is present at said at said first wear surface in an amount of from about 32 to 38 percent based on a surface area of said first wear surface. 
     
     
         14 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said ceramic fibers of said first preform and said second preform have an aspect ratio of greater than 3:1. 
     
     
         15 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein greater than 90 percent of the ceramic fibers of said first preform and said second preform are randomly orientated in three dimensions. 
     
     
         16 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said ceramic fibers of said first preform and said second preform are selected from the group of alumina-silica fibers, alumina-silica-zirconia fibers, carbon-graphite fibers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal is selected from the group of aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The brake rotor assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said ceramic particles of said first preform and said second preform are selected from the group of elements from period 2, 3, or 4 of the periodic table of the elements.