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US 2005/0239554 A1Published application
Constant velocity joint vent
AssigneeGKN Driveline North America, Inc.
InventorShen-Ling Wang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vent valve for use in a constant velocity joint having a vent aperture in communication with a joint cavity comprises a body portion having a first end and a second end and a plurality of escape pathways extending therebetween. An umbrella shaped flexible retention cap is disposed adjacent the first end of the body portion and the plurality of escape pathways, wherein the retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the plurality of escape pathways and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity functions to bellow outward and expose the plurality of escape pathways to permit air to escape from the cavity.
Claims20
A venting constant velocity joint system, comprising:
- a constant velocity joint having an internal cavity and a vent plate defining a vent aperture in communication with the joint cavity;
- and
- a vent valve receivable in the vent aperture, the vent valve comprising:
- a body portion having a first end and a second end and at least one escape pathway extending therebetween;
- and
- a flexible retention cap extending from the body portion;
- wherein the retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the at least one escape pathway and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity functions to open and expose the at least one pathway to permit air to escape from the cavity.
4 more elements
A venting constant velocity joint system, comprising:
- a constant velocity joint having an internal cavity and a vent plate defining a vent aperture in communication with the joint cavity;
- and
- a vent valve receivable in the vent aperture, the vent valve comprising:
- a body portion having a first end and a second end and a plurality of circumferentially distributed pathways extending therebetween;
- and
- a flexible umbrella-shaped retention cap extending from the body portion;
- wherein the retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the plurality of escape pathways and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity functions to bellow outward and expose the escape pathways to permit air to escape from the cavity.
4 more elements
A venting constant velocity joint system, comprising:
- a constant velocity joint having an internal cavity and a grease cap defining a vent aperture in communication with the joint cavity;
- and
- a vent valve receivable in the vent aperture, the vent valve comprising:
- a body portion having a first end and a second end and at least one escape pathway extending therebetween;
- and
- a flexible retention cap disposed adjacent the first end of the body portion and the at least one escape pathway;
- wherein the retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the at least one escape pathway and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity functions to open and expose the at least one pathway to permit air to escape from the cavity.
4 more elements
A venting constant velocity joint system, comprising:
- a constant velocity joint having an internal cavity and a grease cap defining a vent aperture in communication with the joint cavity;
- and
- a vent valve receivable in the vent aperture, the vent valve comprising:
- a body portion having a first end and a second end and a plurality of circumferentially distributed pathways extending therebetween;
- and
- a flexible umbrella-shaped retention cap extending from the body portion;
- wherein the retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the at least one escape pathway and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity functions to open and expose the at least one pathway to permit air to escape from the cavity.
4 more elements
A vent valve for use in a constant velocity joint having a vent aperture in communication with a joint cavity, the valve comprising:
- a body portion having a first end and a second end and at least one escape pathway extending therebetween;
- and
- a flexible retention cap extending from the body portion;
- wherein the retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the at least one escape pathway and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity functions to open and expose the at least one pathway to permit air to escape from the cavity.
1 more element
A vent valve for use in a constant velocity joint having a vent aperture in communication with a joint cavity, the valve comprising:
- a body portion having a first end and a second end and a plurality of escape pathways extending therebetween;
- and
- an umbrella shaped flexible retention cap disposed adjacent the first end of the body portion and the plurality of escape pathways;
- wherein the retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the at least one escape pathway and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity functions to open and expose the at least one pathway to permit air to escape from the cavity.
1 more element
A constant velocity joint and shaft assembly, comprising:
- a shaft;
- a first joint part connected to the shaft;
- a second joint part cooperable with the first joint part to transmit torque therebetween and defining a joint cavity;
- a vent aperture in communication with the joint cavity;
- and
- a vent valve receivable in the vent aperture, the vent valve comprising:
- a body portion having a first end and a second end and at least one escape pathway extending therebetween;
- and
- a flexible retention cap extending from the body portion;
- wherein the retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the at least one escape pathway and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity functions to open and expose the at least one pathway to permit air to escape from the cavity.
7 more elements
A constant velocity joint and shaft assembly, comprising:
- a shaft;
- a first joint part connected to the shaft;
- a second joint part cooperable with the first joint part to transmit torque therebetween and defining a joint cavity;
- a vent plate defining a vent aperture in communication with the joint cavity;
- and
- a vent valve receivable in the vent aperture, the vent valve comprising:
- a body portion having a first end and a second end and at least one escape pathway extending therebetween;
- and
- a flexible retention cap disposed adjacent the first end of the body portion and the at least one escape pathway;
- wherein the retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the at least one escape pathway and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity functions to open and expose the at least one pathway to permit air to escape from the cavity.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.