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:
May. 15, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 23, 1998
Dennis Cook, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Craig B. Fowler, Maumee, OH (US);
Dan J Showalter, Plymouth, MI (US);
T. Mark Joslin, Howell, MI (US);
Joseph W. Beckerman, Livonia, MI (US);
BorgWarner Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A transfer case adapted for installation on a front-wheel drive vehicle having a transversely oriented engine and transaxle receives drive torque on a transferse axis and provides it to the rear differential on a longitudinal axis. The transfer case is driven through the front axle center differential cage. A drive chain delivers power through sprockets to a modulating or viscous clutch disposed behind and parallel to the front stub axles. The output of the clutch is provided to a bevel gear set which drives the rear prop shaft, rear differential and rear axles. The transfer case and rear prop shaft are preferably disposed along the longitudinal center line of the vehicle. Alternatively, the transfer case and the rear prop shaft may be disposed along an axis laterally offset but parallel to the longitudinal center line of the vehicle.