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US 12,007,015 B2Granted
Differential housing
AssigneeHolley Performance Products, Inc.
InventorsKyle G. Tucker, Jeffery D. Horton, Christopher R. Stein-Martin, Rodney M. Sanderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Present embodiments relate to a differential case. More specifically, but without limitation, present embodiments relate to a differential case which will function with differential components of two sizes and a rear axle housing of a different intended size.
Claims16
A rear differential case, comprising:
- a body having a first end and a second end, said first end capable of being oriented toward a drive shaft and said second end capable of being oriented toward a rear axle;
- said first end having an opening configured to receive an input from said drive shaft and defining a first axis through said opening;
- a flange at said second end of said body;
- first and second bearing seats located within said body;
- differential components operably connected to said body, said differential components having 8.8 inch sizing;
- said body sized to receive and locate said differential components and wherein said differential components are configured to be axially aligned for operation by said body within a 9 inch rear axle housing by said first and second bearing seats;
- said differential components supported by bearings within said body, said bearings comprising a bearing axis, wherein said first axis is lower than said bearing axis when said body is mounted to said 9 inch rear axle housing;
- and,
- a bolt pattern formed in said flange, said bolt pattern sized to be coupled to said 9 inch rear axle housing.
6 more elements
A rear axle drivetrain, comprising:
- a rear axle housing of a first intended size;
- a differential case which is configured to be connected to said rear axle housing, said differential case having bearing seats therein configured to seat bearings;
- said differential case having an opening at a first end configured to receive a pinion gear shaft which defines one axis;
- said bearing defining a second axis transverse to said one axis, wherein said second axis is positioned higher than said one axis, when said differential case is oriented for operation;
- differential components comprising a pinion gear and a ring gear of a second intended size operably connected to said differential case of said first intended size, wherein said ring gear and the pinion gear are capable of respective axial alignments, with said rear axle housing and said differential case, when said differential components are connected to said bearing seats and said differential case is connected to said rear axle housing of said second intended size;
- and,
- wherein the differential case is capable of receiving said differential components of said second intended size, and said differential case is configured to be connected to said rear axle housing of said first intended size for operation of said differential components of said second intended size within said rear axle housing of said first intended size.
4 more elements
A method of installing a differential case and rear axle housing, comprising the steps of:
- providing said differential case of a first size and said rear axle housing of a second size differing from the first size, said differential case defining one axis which is extending through a drive shaft opening;
- connecting a differential assembly of a first size at least partially within said differential case, said differential assembly supported by bearings defining a second axis, which is higher than said one axis;
- positioning said differential case and said differential assembly on said rear axle housing of a second size that differs from said first size;
- and,
- connecting said differential case to said rear axle housing wherein said differential assembly is housed within said rear axle housing and operably aligned for operation within said rear axle housing by bearing seats and a flange of said differential case.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.