Integrated rotary union and hub cap

An integrated check valve and hub cap for a wheel end assembly of a vehicle, said wheel end assembly including a wheel hub having an outboard end, said integrated check valve and hub cap comprising:

• a hub cap portion, said hub cap portion including:
• at least one wall being formed with a bore, said bore extending from an exterior of said wall radially inwardly and being in fluid communication with a rotary union and with tires of said vehicle;
• and
• means for mounting said hub cap portion on said outboard end of said wheel hub;
• a check valve portion, said check valve portion including a valve assembly disposed in said bore, thereby providing a tire inflation system check valve that is integrated into said hub cap portion;
• and
• a rotary union portion, said rotary union portion being mounted in a housing, said housing being formed with a flange, said flange being rigidly attached to an interior surface of said hub cap wall, the housing protruding inboardly from the wall into an interior compartment of said hub cap portion, the rotary union portion providing fluid communication from a tire inflation system to tires of said vehicle when the hub cap portion is mounted on said outboard end of said wheel hub.

An integrated rotary union and hub cap for a wheel end assembly of a vehicle, said wheel end assembly including a wheel hub having an outboard end, said integrated rotary union and hub cap comprising:

• a hub cap portion, said hub cap portion including:
• at least one wall forming an interior compartment in the hub cap portion;
• and
• means for mounting said hub cap portion on said outboard end of said wheel hub;
• a rotary union portion, said rotary union portion mounted in a housing, said housing being attached to an interior surface of said wall and protruding inboardly from the wall into said hub cap portion interior compartment, the rotary union portion providing fluid communication from a tire inflation system to tires of said vehicle when the hub cap portion is mounted on said outboard end of said wheel hub;
• a shoulder formed on one of said housing and said interior surface of said wall;
• and
• a cavity formed in the other of said housing and said interior surface of said wall, whereby said shoulder engages said cavity to provide alignment of said rotary union portion with a centerline of an axle spindle.