Dana Corporation

Ralph W Baxter

Randy L Sommer

A clam-shell shaped differential housing including a lower portion for receiving the input shaft and the differential gearing, and an upper portion for enclosing the same within the differential housing. The clam-shell shaped differential housing allows for easy insertion and adjustment of the differential components. In addition, a lubricant reservoir may be formed in the area of the input shaft and pinion bearings to retain the majority of differential lubricant. The clam-shell shaped housing allows a pump to be easily positioned in the reservoir between the inner and outer pinion bearings to pump the lubricant from the reservoir to the differential components through channels formed in the housing. In this manner, the sump of the differential housing remains substantially dry. The pump may also be used to provide hydraulic pressure to a limited slip clutch assembly for the actuation thereof in conjunction with a valve control assembly.

Clam-shell shaped differential housing and lubrication system therefor

A hydromechanical system for limiting differentiation between a first rotating member and a second rotating member in a drivetrain subassembly. The hydromechanical system comprises a clutch assembly for selectively coupling the first rotating member to rotate with the second rotating member and a hydraulically actuated piston assembly for applying force on the clutch assembly to actuate the clutch assembly in response to hydraulic pressure such that the first rotatable member is selectively coupled to rotate with the second rotatable member. A clutch actuating pump, including a reservoir, is provided for supplying hydraulic pressure to the piston assembly to actuate the piston assembly, wherein the clutch actuating pump communicates hydraulic fluid under pressure to the piston assembly in response to differential rotation between the first and second rotating members. A second pump is also provided in fluid communication with the reservoir of the clutch actuating pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to the reservoir of the clutch actuating pump. The hydromechanical system is well suited for use in a four-wheel drive transfer case to control differentiation between the front and rear output shafts thereof.

Hydromechanical system for limiting differential speed between

The invention is directed to a four-wheel drive system for a vehicle having front and rear drive wheels driven by an engine and transmission assembly, and including a transfer case having a torque input shaft for receiving output torque from the vehicle engine and transmission assembly. A transfer gear assembly of the transfer case provides low and high speed power paths, and a shift mechanism is provided to shift between the low and high speed power paths. The system further includes an engine control module for controlling the engine fuel system and shifting of the transmission assembly between a plurality of vehicle gear ratios. A transfer case control module controls the shift mechanism for shifting between the low and high speed power paths. The transfer case control module is connected to the engine control module, and controls shifting between the low and high speed power paths by selectively controlling the engine fuel system to modify torque supplied to the transfer case, and/or shifting of the transmission assembly. The transfer case control module will thereafter shift the transfer case to a selected high or low speed power path when the output speed of the transmission assembly matches the output speed of the transfer case. The system allows the transfer case to be shifted from low range to high range or vice versa on-the-fly, while the vehicle is still moving and under power. The invention also provides a method of shifting a four-wheel drive system between low range and high range drive modes on-the-fly.

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Ft. Wayne, IN, United States of America

Ralph W Baxter