Abstract: A process for manufacturing a sliding contact piece for medium to high current densities including a step of warm premixing of graphite and plastic binder, a step of cold mixing of the resulting premixture with copper, a step of pressing of the resulting main mixture into the sliding contact piece, and finally a step of sintering of it; and so as to improve the operating characteristics of the sliding contact piece, which is free of any environmentally harmful additives, a metal such as zinc, tin, bismuth or an alloy of such metals is added during the premixing of the graphite and plastic binder.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a sliding contact piece for medium to high current densities including a step of warm premixing of graphite and plastic binder, a step of cold mixing of the resulting premixture with copper, a step of pressing of the resulting main mixture into the sliding contact piece, and finally a step of sintering of it; and so as to improve the operating characteristics of the sliding contact piece, which is free of any environmentally harmful additives, a metal such as zinc, tin, bismuth or an alloy of such metals is added during the premixing of the graphite and plastic binder.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a sliding contact piece for medium to high current densities including a step of warm premixing of graphite and plastic binder, a step of cold mixing of the resulting premixture with copper, a step of pressing of the resulting main mixture into the sliding contact piece, and finally a step of sintering of it; and so as to improve the operating characteristics of the sliding contact piece, which is free of any environmentally harmful additives, a metal such as zinc, tin, bismuth or an alloy of such metals is added during the premixing of the graphite and plastic binder.

Abstract: An improvement to an electric fuel pump which includes an electric motor with a rotating commutator defining an axial direction, a radial direction and a tangential direction, and having a circumferential surface, and a carbon brush having a contact surface contacting the circumferential surface of the commutator. The brush includes a gap extending from the contact surface in a radial direction and further extending through the brush in the axial direction, the gap reducing flotation of the carbon brush caused by a layer of fuel drawn between the carbon brush and the commutator. In an alternate embodiment, the brush includes a pressure relief hole extending from the contact surface completely through the brush in the radial direction.

Abstract: A sliding contact member substantially free of the toxic metals lead and antimony, includes copper, carbon, and at least one added material which is selected from the group consisting of a metal and a metal alloy having a melting temperature which is substantially below that of copper. The sliding contact member contains less than 10 percent by weight of the at least one added material. The sliding contact member is electrically conductive and capable of carrying high current densities, and the at least one added material provides a good cleaning effect, promotes cooling of the sliding contact member during operation, and provides good slidability against a mating contact member. This is achieved by keeping the at least one added material separate from the copper so that alloy formation is inhibited and, preferably, prevented.