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. 01, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 08, 2008
James P Downs, South Lyon, MI (US);
Herbert L Adams, Iii, Waterford, MI (US);
W. Gordon Hunt, Luna Pier, MI (US);
Gregory E Woodside, Troy, MI (US);
James P Downs, South Lyon, MI (US);
Herbert L Adams, III, Waterford, MI (US);
W. Gordon Hunt, Luna Pier, MI (US);
Gregory E Woodside, Troy, MI (US);
American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An axle assembly having an axle assembly with first and second sumps for holding a lubricant. A rotating ring gear associated with a differential can rotate through the lubricant in the first sump to cause a portion of the lubricant to cling to the ring gear. A portion of the lubricant that has clung to the ring gear can be removed from the ring gear and transferred to the second sump. The lubricant in the second sump can be drained to lubricate teeth of a pinion that is in meshing engagement with the ring gear and/or to lubricate bearings that support the pinion. A related method is also provided.