Auburn Gear, Inc.

James L Engle

A hydraulically actuated limited slip differential which can be configured to be either speed and torque sensitive or speed sensitive. The differential includes a hydraulic pump mechanism comprising a plurality of fluid supply passages disposed in a side gear and in fluid communication with a cavity defined by the side gear and a piston. The hydraulic pump mechanism transfers fluid into the cavity in response to meshing rotation between the pinion gears and the side gears. Sufficiently high differentiation between the output shafts increases the pressure in the cavity to increase frictional pressure between a frictional clutch mechanism and the differential casing to provide braking action between the side gears and the differential casing. The angular relationship between the clutch surfaces of the clutch mechanism and the differential casing may be configured such that the side gear separating forces and hydraulic pressure act in either a reinforcing or opposing manner. The side gear may be indirectly engaged with the differential casing to provide a speed and torque sensitive differential or directly contact the differential casing to provide a speed sensitive differential.

Hydraulically operated limited slip differential

A limited slip differential for an axle system of a vehicle is disclosed which includes internal clutches for connecting a slipping wheel to the drive input of the differential. The differential is also responsive to inertia forces on the vehicle during hard cornering to prevent slippage of the inside wheel during cornering.

Automotive differential with reduced slip

An improved quick disengagement apparatus is provided for selectively altering the positioning of an axially translatable member between an axially biased first position and a second position in opposition to said axial bias, and for releasably locking said translatable member in at least said second position. The mechanism is especially adapted for use with power wheel hub assemblies, such as may be commonly employed in vehicles and agricultural implements or the like, in which provisions are to be made for disengaging the hub from an associated power shaft. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a housing, mountable to the hub assembly, which carries an axial plunger, engageable with a distal end of the axially translatable power shaft, and a transverse release plunger, acting under a yieldable bias to interlock with the axial plunger to retain the axial plunger in a position whereat the power shaft is disengaged from the hub assembly. Translation of the transverse release plunger in opposition to its yieldable bias releases the axial plunger so that the power shaft and the axial plunger may translate to the engaged position of the power shaft with respect to the hub.

Quick disengagement apparatus for power wheel mechanisms

Limited slip differential mechanisms and assembly techniques therefore are disclosed providing enhanced strength and durability without increase in over all size. Positioning the parting plane of a two part differential mechanism case outside the chain of elements transmitting the torque through the differential mechanism while at the same time increasing the size of side and pinion gears within the case and modifying both the case interior machining technique and the technique for assembling the components within the case yields the strength and durability advantages.

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Auburn, IN, United States of America

James L Engle