Seal for an axle shaft assembly
AssigneeAllison Transmission, Inc.
InventorAustin Morris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seal for an axle shaft assembly which may be found in an automotive transmission or drive axle, is provided. The seal may accommodate significant axle deflection, while retaining a fluid-tight seal between multiple sealing surfaces. The seal may include dynamic flanges configured to seal against surfaces which are angled or orthogonal with respect to one another. The seal may also include one or more holes extending from an outer surface to an inner surface of the seal, such that a body of the seal forms a conduit which allows fluid, such as lubricating fluid, to flow through the seal.
Claims20
A seal, the seal comprising:
- a body defining an axis of rotation, a first plane extending parallel to the axis of rotation, and coincident with the axis of rotation;
- a first dynamic flange protruding outward from the body, a face of the first dynamic flange forming an annular surface configured to abut against an axle shaft, when assembled therewith;
- and
- a second dynamic flange protruding outward from the body, a face of the second dynamic flange forming a second plane against an output shaft, when assembled therewith, the second plane intersecting the first plane,
- wherein tangent planes defined by the annular surface are substantially orthogonal to the second plane, and the first plane.
A seal, the seal comprising:
- a body defining an axis of rotation, the body comprises an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface;
- a first dynamic flange protruding outward from the body;
- and
- a second dynamic flange protruding outward from the body,
- wherein one or more holes extend from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface, whereby the body forms a conduit for fluid to pass therethrough, via the one or more holes.
An axle shaft assembly, the assembly comprising:
- an output shaft, the output shaft forming a hole extending therethrough;
- an axle shaft, the axle shaft extending through the hole;
- a seal, the seal being in contact with the output shaft and the axle shaft;
- a shaft guard, the shaft guard being in contact with the seal;
- and
- a housing cover, the housing cover being press fit against the seal and configured to hold the seal against the axle shaft.
The axle shaft assembly of 17, wherein the seal further includes a second dynamic flange that contacts the axle shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.