FAN DISC CORP. RECEIVES SECOND U.S. PATENT ON A BELLEVILLE WASHER IN 40 YEARS

 Fan Disc Corp receives second U.S. Patent on a Belleville Washer in 40 YearsFan Disc Corp receives second U.S. Patent on a Belleville Washer in 40 Years
​For Immediate Release

Fan Disc Corp. receives second U.S. Patent on a Belleville Washer in 40 Years.

U.S. PATENT OFFICE

SUN VALLEY, CA - Fan Disc Corporation (Fan Disc), one of the nations oldest and largest manufacturers of Belleville and Disc Springs, has announced that it has received a patent form the United States Patent Office (#7,198,445) for a conical washer with crush zone - making it only the second patent issued for a Belleville washer in 40 years, both were issued to Fan Disc. 

Noting that the Sun Valley CA based manufacturer was extremely proud of this accomplishment as it reflects on the quality of its innovation and technology, Fan Disc President Frederic P. Kramer said the new washer is unique in three ways:
  • It provides a tight engagement of fastener to the bearing surface, one that eliminates looseness in the fastener upon thermal expansion of the metal of the elements and improves the prior art by allowing for a crush zone.
  • It contains teeth on the underside of the washer that can bite or pierce an insulated wire and cut through the insulation to make a better electrical connection.
  • It results in a more positive hold of fastener or nut with the washer to a bearing surface - never achieved before in this type washer - because the inner annual projection forms the crush zone and lies at an approximate 100 degree angle. This affords a sufficient thickness so that it does not crush or break down without applied force, yet has a designed thinness to permit deformation to occur.
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In developing the new product, Kramer said Fan Disc wanted to create a more improved washer, with a crush zone, which would permit greater flexing of the washer and also secure tightening thereof by preventing a bolt or a nut from loosening. In applications requiring heavy bolted sections (or bus bar applications), he said washers having a spring characteristic are used, including the Belleville spring washer. Therefore, he emphasized, the primary objective was to create a novel Belleville spring washer to meet needs not satisfied by the prior art. In its application for the U.S. Patent, Fan Disc claimed the new conical washer would offer the following four improvements over existing washers of that type:
  1. An improvement in the Belleville-type washer having an annular body including an upper portion having a top surface and a circumferential all forming a centrally disposed opening for the washer, and serrations circumferentially mounted upon the top surface of the annular body. Also, an improvement comprising a crush zone formed in the upper portion of the annular body adjacent its circumferential wall. The crush zone in its formation having a limited depth extending from the top surface and which does not cause the circumferential wall to frictionally engage the shank of a fastener to which the washer is to be torqued.
  2. Related to the improvement above, the washer is heat-treated.
  3. In the improvement above, the crush zone comprises a first wall extending from the top surface into the annular body of the washer and a second wall extending from the first wall to the circumferential wall.
  4. Contains teeth on the underside to provide for an electrical connection.

Kramer reported that the new conical washer can be utilized in a variety of applications/environments, including: power generators, turbines, petrochemical pumps, sonar detection systems, pipe support systems, automatic actuators and a variety of other engineering applications. 

Founded in 1969, Fan Disc manufactures and distributes a wide range of Belleville and Disc Spring products, including: EN 16983 (DIN 2093) Standards, AI for bolted assemblies, SP for heavy bolted sections (e.g. bus bars) and Contact(R) for electrical applications. A free design and application engineering guide can be obtained from Fan Disc by: accessing its website at www.fandisc.com; telephone at (818) 767-1886; fax transmission to (818) 767-7415; or by mail to 8127 Clybourn Avenue, Sun Valley, CA 91352.
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  • FAN DISC CORP WINS PATENT U.S. Patent office grants first patent in U.S. on Belleville washer in 30 years to Fan Disc Corp! (March 1999)
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