Dual level inverted portal axle lubrication configuration
AssigneeArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
InventorsBrian David Hayes, Tomaz Dopico Varela, William C. Sullivan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An axle system includes an axle lubrication level within an axle housing which is lower than a wheel end lubrication level within the wheel end assemblies. An opening through the wheel end assembly housing provides a fluid communication path between the wheel end assembly and the axle housing. A differential assembly rotates adjacent an opening such that lubrication at the wheel end lubrication level is rotated into the opening. The lubricant within the wheel end assemblies is maintained at the wheel end lubrication level. The shaft enters the wheel end assembly housing through a shaft opening which provides a communication path for the lubricant from the wheel end assembly back into the axle housing.
Claims19
An axle assembly comprising:
- a first wheel end assembly containing a lubricant, said lubricant maintained at a first wheel end lubrication level;
- a second wheel end assembly, said second wheel end assembly maintaining said lubricant at a second wheel end lubrication level;
- and
- an axle housing connected to said first and second wheel end assembly, said axle housing containing said lubricant at an axle lubrication level, said axle lubrication level different than said first wheel end lubrication level and said second wheel end lubrication level.
An axle assembly comprising:
- a wheel end assembly housing containing a lubricant, said lubricant maintained at a first wheel end lubrication level;
- an axle housing connected to said wheel end housing, said axle housing maintaining said lubricant at an axle lubrication level;
- a differential assembly rotationally mounted adjacent an opening through said wheel end assembly housing, said differential assembly communicating lubricant from said axle lubrication level to said opening;
- and
- a shaft extending from said differential support case through a shaft opening within said wheel end assembly, said shaft opening communicating said lubricant from said wheel end assembly housing into said axle housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.