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:
Aug. 21, 2007
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2005
Michael Green, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Gary Turner, Three Rivers, MI (US);
Brad Cornell, Augusta, MI (US);
Michael Green, Kalamazoo, MI (US);
Gary Turner, Three Rivers, MI (US);
Brad Cornell, Augusta, MI (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A drive axle assembly is provided that improves lubrication of the bearing surfaces of the inter-axle differential gears, the side gears meshed with the differential gears, and the input and output shafts. Lubricant splashed from the ring gear is collected and is then distributed by a bearing supporting the output side gear for rotation within the housing for the assembly. The bearing directs lubricant to the differential gears where seals and/or close tolerances retain the lubricant an allow it to flow to the surfaces of the input shaft and the helical side gear disposed about the input shaft. The output side gear disposed about the output shaft may also include a passage allowing lubricant to flow through the gear to the bearing surfaces of the output shaft and output side gear.