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US 2009/0264243 A1Published application
Annular actuator having plunger configured to translate through a viscous liquid
AssigneeAmerican Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsTodd Michael York, Andrew Frank Pinkos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator having a linear motor and a plunger that is movable by the linear motor along an axis. The plunger includes an annular flange and a rim that is coupled to an outer periphery of the flange. The annular flange is oriented generally perpendicular to the axis. A plurality of apertures is formed through at least one of the flange and the rim. A locking differential and an axle assembly are also provided.
Claims20
An actuator comprising:
- a linear motor;
- and
- a plunger that is movable by the linear motor along an axis, the plunger comprising an annular flange and a rim that is coupled to an outer periphery of the flange, the flange being oriented generally perpendicular to the axis, and wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through at least one of the flange and the rim.
A locking differential comprising:
- a differential case;
- a gearset received in the differential case, the gearset comprising a side gear;
- a locking element received in the differential case, the locking element being movable between a first position and a second position, the locking element not inhibiting rotation of the side gear relative to the differential case when positioned in the first position, the locking element inhibiting rotation of the side gear relative to the differential when positioned in the second position;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the differential case, the actuator having a linear motor and a plunger that is movable by the linear motor along an axis, the plunger comprising an annular flange and a rim that is coupled to an outer periphery of the flange, the flange being oriented generally perpendicular to the axis, and wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through at least one of the flange and the rim.
2 more elements
An axle assembly comprising:
- an axle housing;
- a differential rotatably mounted in the axle housing, the differential including a differential case, a gearset, a locking element and an actuator, the gearset being received in the differential case and comprising a side gear, the locking element being received in the differential case and being movable between a first position and a second position, the locking element not inhibiting rotation of the side gear relative to the differential case when positioned in the first position, the locking element inhibiting rotation of the side gear relative to the differential when positioned in the second position, the actuator being coupled to the differential case, the actuator having a linear motor and a plunger that is movable by the linear motor along an axis, the plunger comprising an annular flange and a rim that is coupled to an outer periphery of the flange, the flange being oriented generally perpendicular to the axis, and wherein a plurality of apertures are formed through at least one of the flange and the rim.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.