Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC

Spicer Technology Inc.

Dana Corporation

Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.

Spice Technology, Inc.

Peter Alfred Beesley

Kenneth E Cooper

Perry M Paielli

Randy L Sommer

Michael Z Creech

Andy Perakes

Steven Gray Goddard

Anne M Mitzel

Gerald L Kinsey

Darren Fugett

An axle including a housing having a first cavity and a second cavity formed therein. The first cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of an axle assembly therein, and the second cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of a power source assembly therein.

Integrated power source and housing

An axle disconnect apparatus having a cam cylinder including a ramp disposed in a radially outer surface thereof. A first clutch element disposed at least partially inside the cam cylinder and an intermediate shaft disposed at least partially within the first clutch element. The intermediate shaft includes a splined portion in constant mesh with the first clutch element. A half shaft may be disposed coaxially with the intermediate shaft, and a second clutch element may be coupled with the half shaft. The first clutch element selectively engages the second clutch element. The axle disconnect apparatus further comprises a latching mechanism whereby the cam cylinder maintains an axial position. The latching mechanism including a radial depression in the cam cylinder ramp, and a cam follower selectively disposed at least partially in the radial depression.

Bi-stable latching mechanism and the driveline rapid disconnect apparatus made therewith

An axle disconnect system for drive axles that utilizes an engagement spring, an electric motor and a slidable gear. The motor is connected to the slidable gear which moves along threads thereby engaging or disengaging clutch teeth on a first side gear which selectively engages a second side gear. The engagement spring is located between a bearing and the first side gear wherein when engagement is desired, but blocked by misalignment of the teeth, the engagement spring can apply a load to allow for engagement once alignment of the teeth is achieved. The use of a second engagement spring allows for the disengagement of the system when disengagement is typically blocked due to high driveline torques without having to reapply current to the motor.

Disconnect system for an axle

An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also includes a rotatable and axially slideable slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring is located adjacent the sliding collar. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the sliding collar.

Electromagnetic connect/disconnect system for a vehicle

A method of sensing an internal temperature of a differential carrier includes providing a differential carrier temperature sensing package with an electronic circuit board having a first temperature sensor that is in thermally conductive contact with a thermal conductor, where the thermal resistance of the package and thermal conductor is given and known as R. The package is extended through an opening in a differential carrier that has a fluid in it. The first temperature sensor senses a differential fluid temperature T. The electronic circuit board further has a second temperature sensor, whereby the thermal resistance of the circuit board is a given known resistance R. The second temperature sensor senses an internal package temperature Twithin the package. Consequently, an internal temperature of the differential is calculated from the equation:()&#x2212;().

Differential carrier temperature sensing method

A method of sensing an internal temperature of a differential carrier includes providing a differential carrier temperature sensing package with an electronic circuit board having a first temperature sensor that is in thermally conductive contact with a thermal conductor, where the thermal resistance of the package and thermal conductor is given and known as R. The package is extended through an opening in a differential carrier that has a fluid in it. The first temperature sensor senses a differential fluid temperature T. The electronic circuit board further has a second temperature sensor, whereby the thermal resistance of the circuit board is a given known resistance R. The second temperature sensor senses an internal package temperature Twithin the package. Consequently, an internal temperature of the differential is calculated from the equation: T=T(1+R/R)&#x2212;T(R/R).

An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also including a slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring groove is located radially inward from the sliding collar first portion and houses a return spring. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the first set of teeth.

A central tire inflation system for live spindle wheel ends comprising a steering knuckle secured to a vehicle, and a spindle assembly rotatably mounted about the steering knuckle. A drive shaft is rotatably disposed through the steering knuckle and is in driving connection with the spindle assembly. A rubbing slip-ring seal is mounted into a flange of the steering knuckle and defines a seal chamber between the knuckle flange on one side and the drive shaft and the spindle assembly on the other side. An inlet passageway is formed directly through the steering knuckle in communication with the seal chamber. The inlet passageway transmits pressurized air from a pressurized air source directly to the seal chamber. An outlet passageway is formed directly through the spindle assembly and is also in direct communication with the seal chamber to establish communication between the seal chamber and a pneumatic tire.

Central tire inflation system for steering drive axle

A differential assembly having a preload or biased differential case. A beveled thrust washer is disposed between each side gear and the differential case. The beveled thrust washer induces a preload between the side gear and differential case to help ensure that each differential side gear and output half shaft are running at the same speed as the differential case is rotated. The preload or bias is set to be slightly greater than the difference in drag forces acting on each output half shaft. Thus, when the transfer case is engaged to bring the differential case up to speed, the differential gears will be prevented from spinning and the output half shafts will rotate at the same speed coincident with the vehicle road speed. The preload facilitates more desirable engagement of the wheeled hublocks in front wheel steerable wheel axle assemblies in selectable four-wheel drive trains.

Differential assembly with synchronizing preload

An integrated wheel end system for a vehicle including a clutch adapted to provide driving engagement/disengagement of a wheel to convert between driven and non-driven modes of wheel movement. A vehicle is provided with both 4&times;2 and 4&times;4 capabilities and, when 4&times;4 capability is required, a negative pressure is applied to a vacuum cavity thus causing a piston, shift fork and spline collar to move inboard. The spline collar is splined to the constant velocity joint and as it moves inboard it locks on the spline plate locking the wheelend to the axle shaft. The invention also provides a default 4&times;4 embodiment, the spline collar is splined to the joint and as the piston fork and spline collar move inboard, they unlock the wheelend from the axle shaft. A selectively activated actuator is provided for moving the clutch member between its driving and non-driving positions.

Wheel end disconnect system

The present invention is directed to a rotary air coupling that distributes air to tires mounted on a rotating hub of a driven axle. The coupling is positioned adjacent the parking brake of a rear disk brake configuration. In the preferred design, the rotary member is connected to the hub and rotor assembly via rotor mounting bolts and a stationary component is disposed on the axle tube to provide a rotary air coupling that minimizes change to existing wheel assemblies.

Rotary air coupling for tire inflation system

The present invention is directed to a rotary air coupling that distributes air to tires mounted on a rotating hub of a driven axle. The coupling is positioned outside of the axle and hub bearings avoiding interference with the wheel assembly. And the rotary coupling is connected to the brake mounting plate and the wheel hub to take advantage of existing space between these members with minimal change to existing wheel assemblies.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Peter Alfred Beesley