Axle assembly with fluid storage tank
AssigneeDana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
InventorsJordan M. Houser, Mark W. Leber, Marcus W. Schmidt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An axle assembly having an axle housing including a differential assembly having a ring gear and a lubrication directing assembly disposed directly adjacent to the ring gear. The lubrication directing assembly having a first lubrication flow surface, a second lubrication flow surface, and a trough. The axle assembly also includes an axle housing cover surrounding the axle housing. A fluid storage tank is attached to the housing cover, wherein the fluid storage tank includes a fill channel directly attached to the rear housing cover; an expandable air bladder disposed in the fluid storage tank; and a first valve disposed below the air bladder and in contact with the air bladder.
Claims18
An axle assembly comprising:
- an axle housing having a center portion defining a sump and one or more axle shaft housings extending from the center portion, wherein the axle housing comprises:
- a differential assembly having a ring gear, wherein the ring gear has a front side and a back side;
- and
- a lubrication directing assembly disposed directly adjacent to the ring gear;
- an axle housing cover surrounding the axle housing;
- and
- a fluid storage tank attached to the housing cover, wherein the fluid storage tank comprises:
- a fill channel directly attached to the housing cover;
- an expandable air bladder disposed in the fluid storage tank;
- and
- a first valve disposed below the air bladder and in contact with the air bladder.
An axle assembly comprising:
- an axle housing having a center portion defining a sump and one or more axle shaft housings extending from the center portion, wherein the axle housing comprises:
- a differential assembly having a ring gear, wherein the ring gear has a front side and a back side;
- and
- a lubrication directing assembly disposed directly adjacent to the ring gear;
- an axle housing cover surrounding the axle housing, wherein the axle housing cover includes a rear housing cover and an opposing front housing cover;
- and
- a fluid storage tank attached to the housing cover, wherein the fluid storage tank comprises:
- a fill channel directly attached to the housing cover;
- an expandable air bladder disposed in the fluid storage tank;
- a first valve disposed below the air bladder and in contact with the air bladder;
- and
- a second valve disposed within the fill channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.