Wheel assembly with integral electric motor

An electric drive wheel assembly (20) for a vehicle, said assembly (20) comprising;

• a non-rotating spindle (26) having a first end (28) for attachment to the vehicle and a second end (30) spaced from said first end (28) along a rotational axis (R),
• an electric motor (22) concentric with said spindle (26) and including a stator (34) surrounding and secured to said spindle (26) and a rotor (36) concentric with said stator (34) and rotatable about said rotational axis (R) relative to said stator (34),
• said stator (34) and said rotor (36) extending a predetermined axial distance (D) along said rotational axis (R),
• a carrier (54) rotatably connected to said spindle (26) for rotation about said rotational axis (R),
• a wheel drive (52) attached to said carrier (54) for rotation therewith about said rotational axis (R),
• a planetary gear system (62) disposed adjacent said carrier (54) and said wheel drive (52) for transmitting rotational movement of said rotor (36) to said carrier (54),
• a rear cover (90) attached to said carrier (54) and defining a port (98), and
• a flexible member (92) disposed between said rear cover (90) and said carrier (54) in fluid communication with said port for expanding and contracting in response to an internal pressure.