The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 30, 1994
Fred L Goodell, Dublin, OH (US);
Michael J Ellison, West End, NC (US);
AM General Corporation, South Bend, IN (US);
Abstract
A method of making a vehicle wheel end assembly (10) is adaptable for use with an on-board central tire inflation system. The assembly provides a passage for the routing of air between the on-board system and the vehicle tire. The assembly comprises a stationary spindle (12) and a rotational hub (14) mounted thereon. The hub is supported for rotation by first and second axially spaced bearing sets (16, 18), each having an inner race (20, 26) and an outer race (22, 28) associated with the spindle and hub, respectively. The inner race of the inboard bearing set (18) is formed with an axial air passage (46) which communicates with an internal chamber (36) in the hub to form a portion of the air passage between the tire and on-board system. In another feature, rotary seals (60, 62) are seated in opposed faces of the bearing sets and include sealing lips (72) which have a sealed contact with the upper surface of the inner bearing races. An inboard spindle collar (100) may also be employed to facilitate the continuation of the air passage (98) in the bearing race (90) to the on-board system.