Front axle rotary joint assembly and the tire inflation system made therewith

An axle assembly, comprising:

• a bearing hub assembly;
• a constant shaft disposed at least partially through said bearing hub assembly, wherein said constant shaft defines a first fluid conduit therethrough, and wherein said constant shaft includes:
• a spindle portion;
• a spacer portion disposed axially adjacent to said spindle portion;
• and
• a yoke portion disposed axially adjacent to said spacer portion, wherein said spacer portion comprises a greater diameter than said spindle portion;
• a steering knuckle disposed at least partially about said constant shaft;
• a bearing spacer disposed about said constant shaft, wherein said bearing spacer is disposed at least partially axially between said bearing hub assembly and said steering knuckle;
• a sleeve disposed at least partially about said constant shaft spacer portion, wherein a first and a second rotary seal is in sealing engagement with said sleeve, and wherein said sleeve includes:
• a radially inner surface at least partially coupled with said constant shaft spacer portion;
• and
• an annular recess defined by said radially inner surface, wherein said annular recess and said constant shaft spacer portion define a first fluid chamber in fluid communication with said first fluid conduit;
• the first rotary seal disposed radially between said bearing spacer and said constant shaft;
• the second rotary seal disposed radially between said bearing spacer and said constant shaft, wherein said first and second rotary seals at least partially define a second fluid chamber influid communication with said first fluid conduit;
• and
• a port disposed through said bearing spacer, wherein said port is in fluid communication with said second fluid chamber.