# US 10,309,512 B2 · Axle assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,512 B2 - Document ID: US10309512B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/467,657 - Filed: 2017-03-23 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-29 - Assignees: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Cameri SpA - Applicants: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Cameri SpA - Inventors: Fabio Santinato; Cesare Bonfa; Maurizio Lupi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309512B2 ## CPC - F16H 48/40: characterised by features of the rotating cases - B60B 35/14: composite or split, e.g. half- axles; Couplings between axle parts or sections - B60B 35/16: Axle housings - B60B 35/163: {characterised by specific shape of the housing, e.g. adaptations to give space for other vehicle elements like chassis or exhaust system} - F16H 48/08: comprising bevel gears - F16H 57/031: characterised by covers or lids for gearboxes - F16H 57/037: Gearboxes for accommodating differential gearings (rotating cases for differential gearings F16H48/40) - B60B 2310/20: Shaping - B60B 2320/10: Assembling; disassembling - B60B 2900/511: Sealing - B60K 17/165: {provided between independent half axles (B60K17/18, B60K17/20 take precedence)} - F16H 2048/382: {Methods for manufacturing differential gearings} - F16H: GEARING - B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract An axle assembly and method of reworking an axle assembly. The axle assembly has an axle housing and a differential carrier assembly. A central portion of the axle housing has an opening that is defined by an axle flange that has a first mating surface. The differential carrier assembly has a differential mounted on a carrier. The carrier has a carrier flange that has a second mating surface. The first mating surface is sealed to the second mating surface by seal. At least one of the first and second mating surfaces includes a groove. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An axle assembly comprising: an axle housing having a central portion for receiving a differential, the central portion having an opening defined by an axle flange that has a first mating surface, a first axle tube extending from the central portion, and a second axle tube extending from the central portion, wherein the axle flange has a plurality of fastener holes that are spaced circumferentially around the axle flange and are threaded to receive a threaded stud or a threaded bolt; and a differential carrier assembly having a carrier to which the differential is mounted, the carrier having a carrier flange that has a second mating surface; wherein the first mating surface is sealed to the second mating surface by a seal and the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the first mating surface and the second mating surface include a groove, wherein the groove has a first end that is adjacent to a first fastener hole and a second end that is adjacent to a second fastener hole, wherein the first fastener hole and second fastener hole are contiguous around a circumference of the axle flange. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The axle assembly of claim 1 wherein the groove is elongate, circumferentially oriented, and extends around less than 30 degrees of the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the first mating surface and the second mating surface. ### Claim 3 An axle assembly comprising: an axle housing having a central portion for receiving a differential, the central portion having an opening defined by an axle flange that has a first mating surface, a first axle tube extending from the central portion, and a second axle tube extending from the central portion; and a differential carrier assembly having a carrier to which the differential is mounted, the carrier having a carrier flange that has a second mating surface; wherein the first mating surface is sealed to the second mating surface by a seal and the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the first mating surface and the second mating surface include a groove, wherein the groove is elongate, circumferentially oriented, and extends around less than 30 degrees of the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the first mating surface and the second mating surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The axle assembly of claim 3 wherein the differential carrier assembly includes a crown wheel in driving engagement with a pinion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The axle assembly of claim 4 wherein the axle flange includes a first notch and a second notch to accommodate the crown wheel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The axle assembly of claim 5 wherein the groove is located on the first mating surface adjacent to the first notch or the second notch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The axle assembly of claim 6 wherein the first mating surface includes a second groove located adjacent to the first notch or the second notch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The axle assembly of claim 3 wherein the seal is a gasket or a sealant. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The axle assembly of claim 3 wherein the seal is a mechanical seal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The axle assembly of claim 9 wherein the mechanical seal includes a ductile material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The axle assembly of claim 10 wherein the ductile material includes a polymer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The axle assembly of claim 3 wherein the groove extends around less than 20 degrees of the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the first mating surface and the second mating surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3) The axle assembly of claim 3 wherein the groove has a length that is less than 200 millimeters. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) The axle assembly of claim 3 wherein the groove has a length that is less than 100 millimeters. ### Claim 15 (depends on 3) The axle assembly of claim 3 wherein the groove has a depth of less than 2 millimeters. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The axle assembly of claim 3 wherein the groove has a depth that is less than or equal to 1 millimeter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 3) The axle assembly of claim 3 wherein the axle flange has a plurality of fastener holes that are spaced circumferentially around the axle flange and are threaded to receive a threaded stud or a threaded bolt. ### Claim 18 A method of reworking an axle assembly comprising: a) providing the axle assembly that includes: an axle housing that has a central portion for receiving a differential, a first axle tube extending from the central portion, and a second axle tube extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion has an opening defined by an axle flange that has a first mating surface, a differential carrier assembly having the differential mounted on a carrier, the carrier having a carrier flange having a second mating surface, wherein the differential carrier assembly is mounted on the axle housing with the first mating surface engaged with the second mating surface; b) removing the differential carrier assembly from the axle housing; c) forming a groove on the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the first mating surface and the second mating surface, wherein the groove is elongate, circumferentially oriented, and extends around less than 30 degrees of the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the first mating surface and the second mating surface; d) applying a seal to the first mating surface, the second mating surface, or the first mating surface and the second mating surface; and e) re-mounting the differential carrier assembly on the axle housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the groove is formed on the second mating surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the groove is formed on a second mating surface of a second differential carrier assembly and, in step e) the second differential carrier assembly is mounted on the axle housing.