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US 2011/0212805 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for lubricating a differential in an axle assembly
AssigneeAmerican Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsGregory J. Hilker, Gregory E. Woodside
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power transmitting assembly having a differential case and a differential gearset that is received in an interior chamber in the differential case. The power transmitting assembly is configured to provide improved lubrication into an interior of the differential case.
Claims20
A power transmitting assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity;
- a differential assembly having a differential case and a mechanism that is received in the differential case, the mechanism having a pair of output members and being configured to operate in a mode that permits speed and torque differentiation between the output members;
- a pair of rolling element bearings mounted to the differential case, the rolling element bearings being configured to support the differential assembly in the cavity of the housing for rotation about a differential axis;
- and
- a lubricant received in the cavity;
- wherein a first one of the rolling element bearings is oriented to generate a flow of lubricant that is directed toward the differential case when the differential case is rotated about the differential axis;
- and
- wherein an oil gallery is formed through the differential case to direct the flow of lubricant into the differential case.
5 more elements
A power transmitting assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity with a lubricant sump;
- a differential assembly having a differential case and a mechanism that is received in the differential case, the mechanism having a pair of output members and being configured to operate in a mode that permits speed and torque differentiation between the output members;
- a pair of bearings mounted to the differential case, the bearings being configured to support the differential assembly in the cavity of the housing for rotation about a differential axis;
- a lubricant at least partially received in the lubricant sump;
- a lubricant reservoir adjacent to a first one of the bearings on a side of the first one of the bearings opposite the differential case, the lubricant reservoir being separate from the lubricant sump;
- and
- means for introducing lubricant from the lubricant reservoir into the differential case.
4 more elements
A power transmitting assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity;
- a differential assembly received in the cavity and rotatably disposed about a differential axis, the differential assembly having a differential case and a mechanism received in the differential case, the mechanism having a pair of output members and being configured to operate in a mode that permits speed and torque differentiation between the output members;
- a lubricant received in the cavity;
- and
- a pump having a portion coupled to the differential case for rotation therewith, the pump being disposed radially between the differential case and the housing;
- wherein the pump is configured to generate a flow of lubricant during rotation of the differential case, and wherein the flow of lubricant is directed into the differential case.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.