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:
Feb. 12, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 10, 2000
Larry W. Bowman, Troy, MI (US);
Raji S. El-Kassouf, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Richard M. Clisch, Canton, MI (US);
Patrick D. Laper, Rochester, MI (US);
Michael G. Semke, Novi, MI (US);
Gary P. Ford, Rochester, MI (US);
Joseph B. Saxon, Cookeville, TN (US);
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A dual wheel axle assembly for a vehicle is provided for reducing tire wear caused by scrubbing during vehicle turns. The assembly includes an axle housing having an axle shaft arranged within the axle housing. The axle shaft defines a rotational axis. A first wheel hub is supported on an end portion of the axle housing and is mechanically coupled to the axle shaft. A second wheel hub is supported on the end portion adjacent to the first wheel hub. A fluid coupling is interconnected between the axle shaft and the second wheel hub. The fluid coupling has fluid for fluidly driving the second wheel hub through the axle shaft and permitting the second wheel hub to rotate about the rotational axis relative to the first wheel hub during the vehicle turn.