System and method for controlling interaction between surfaces

Abstract

A system and method for reducing interaction between surfaces ( 10,12 ) moving relative to each other. The system includes a first surface ( 10 ) having a first number of repetitive surface asperities ( 14 ), e.g., 11, per unit length of surface, and a second surface ( 12 ) having a second number of repetitive surface asperities ( 16 ), e.g., 13, per unit length of surface, with the first and second numbers being in relative prime ratio, i.e., having no common divisor other than 1. The ratio of repetitive surface asperities may be controlled as a function of component particle size, grain size; groove size; or relative angular orientation of the surfaces ( 110,112 ).

1 . A system comprising:
 a first surface having a first number of repetitive surface asperities per unit length of surface; and   a second surface having a second number of repetitive surface asperities per unit length of surface,   wherein the first and second numbers are in relative prime ratio, and   wherein the first and second surfaces move relative to each other.   
   
   
       2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first number is approximately 11 and the second number is approximately 13. 
   
   
       3 . A system comprising:
 a first surface having a first number of repetitive surface asperities per unit length of surface; and   a second surface having a second number of repetitive surface asperities per unit length of surface,   wherein the first and second numbers have no common divisors other than 1, and   wherein the first and second surfaces move relative to each other.   
   
   
       4 . The system as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the first number is approximately 11 and the second number is approximately 13. 
   
   
       5 . A method of reducing interaction between first and second surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing the first surface with a first number of repetitive surface asperities per unit length of surface; and   providing the second surface with a second number of repetitive surface asperities per unit length of surface,   wherein the first and second numbers are in relative prime ratio.   
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the first number is approximately 11 and the second number is approximately 13. 
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the number of repetitive surface asperities is controlled as a function of component particle or grain size. 
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the number of repetitive surface asperities is controlled as a function of groove size. 
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the ratio of the first number to the second number is controlled as a function of the angular orientation of the first surface relative to the second surface. 
   
   
       10 . A method of reducing interaction between first and second surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing the first surface with a first number of repetitive surface asperities per unit length of surface; and   providing the second surface with a second number of repetitive surface asperities per unit length of surface,   wherein the first and second numbers have no common divisors other than 1.   
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the first number is approximately 11 and the second number is approximately 13. 
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the number of repetitive surface asperities is controlled as a function of component particle or grain size. 
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the number of repetitive surface asperities is controlled as a function of groove size. 
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the ratio of the first number to the second number is controlled as a function of the angular orientation of the first surface relative to the second surface.