Dana Corporation

Eaton Corporation

Lawrence Paul Wagle

James Foltan Ziech

Dale L Kwasniewski

Timothy J Morscheck

Mark Edward Rodgers

Leo J Wenstrup

Robert E Crepas

Dale J Kubicek

Edward H Gervais, Iii

Anthony Militello

An inter-axle differential assembly comprises an input shaft, an output shaft arranged coaxially with respect to each other, differential gearing and a dedicated reversible lubrication pump disposed between the input and output shafts. The reversible gerotor type lubrication pump includes a rotor driven by the input shaft, and an impeller, both disposed within a pump body coupled to a side gear drivingly connected to the output shaft. Thus, the lubrication pump generates lubricant flow only during the differential action between the input shaft and the output shaft, i.e. only when needed and at a flow rate proportional to the speed difference across the differential assembly. An oil flow generated by the lubrication pump is supplied to various components of the inter-axle differential assembly through a gallery of fluid passages.

Lubrication pump for inter-axle differential

An interaxle differential is provided which includes a side gear, a clutch gear torsionally locked on a first input shaft and axially slidably mounted thereon and an annular piston mounted in a differential casing for urging the clutch gear into engagement with a side gear and a spring to urge the clutch gear to an unlocked position.

Concentric shift system for engaging an interaxle differential lock

An inter-axle differential assembly comprises an input shaft, an output shaft arranged coaxially with respect to each other, a differential gearing and a dedicated reversible lubrication pump disposed between the input and output shafts. The reversible gerotor type lubrication pump includes a rotor driven by the input shaft, and an impeller, both disposed within a pump body coupled to a side gear drivingly connected to the output shaft. Thus, the lubrication pump generates lubricant flow only during the differential action between the input shaft and the output shaft, i.e. when needed. An oil flow generated by the lubrication pump is supplied to various components of the inter-axle differential gearing through a gallery of fluid passages.

An inter-axle differential assembly having a lubrication pump is provided. The pump is disposed between the input and output shafts of the differential within a bore defined by a side gear coupled to or integral with the output shaft. The pump includes a housing that defines first and second ports and includes an arcuate groove in a radially outer surface. A pin extends radially inwardly from the side gear and is received within the groove. The groove and pin cooperate to enable rotation of the entire pump relative to the side gear and to thereby exchange the positions of the two ports. In this manner, the assembly provides a reversible pump that provides lubricant only during relative rotation between the input and output shafts of the differential.

A breather assembly (100) for a vehicular drive axle (10). The breather assembly includes a body member (102) having a vertically extending drainback tube portion (114) and a horizontally extending connecting portion (120), and a curved formed hose member (104) to minimize leakage of lubricant (S) from the drive axle axle housing (26) and ingestion of exterior water into the housing.

Growing community of inventors

Fulton, MI, United States of America

Lawrence Paul Wagle