# US 8,784,254 B2 · Power transmitting component > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,254 B2 - Document ID: US8784254B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/832,341 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2013-11-14 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-14 - Assignees: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Applicants: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. - Inventors: Frederick E. Zink; Kevin R. Beutler; James P. Downs; Paul J. Valente - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784254B2 ## CPC - F16H 57/037: Gearboxes for accommodating differential gearings (rotating cases for differential gearings F16H48/40) - B60K 17/34: for driving both front and rear wheels, e.g. four wheel drive vehicles - B60K 17/344: having a transfer gear - B60K 23/08: for changing number of driven wheels {, for switching from driving one axle to driving two or more axles (B60K17/3515 takes precedence)} - F16H 57/029: characterised by means for sealing the gearboxes, e.g. to improve airtightness - F16J 15/54: Other sealings for rotating shafts - Y10T 74/2186: Gear casings - Y10T 74/2188: Axle and torque tubes - F16H: GEARING - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A power transmitting component with a housing, a shaft and a seal. The housing has a wall member, a shaft bore, and a shield wall. The shaft bore is formed through the wall member. The shield wall is coupled to and extends outwardly from the wall member. The shield wall is formed about the shaft bore and defines a drain spout. The shaft is received through the shaft bore. The seal is received in the shaft bore and sealingly engages the housing and the shaft. The drain spout is configured to drain liquid from a space that is radially inward of the shield wall when the power transmitting component is disposed in a predetermined orientation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power transmitting component comprising: a housing having a wall member, a shaft bore, and a shield wall, the shaft bore being formed through the wall member, the shield wall being coupled to and extending outwardly from the wall member, the shield wall being formed about the shaft bore and defining a drain spout; a shaft received through the shaft bore; and a seal received in the shaft bore and sealingly engaging the housing and the shaft; wherein the drain spout is configured to drain liquid from a space that is radially inward of the shield wall when the power transmitting component is disposed in a predetermined orientation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power transmitting component of claim 1, further comprising a slinger coupled to the shaft, the slinger extending radially outwardly from the shaft and into the space. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The power transmitting component of claim 2, wherein an end of the slinger tapers outwardly toward the shield wall with decreasing distance to the wall member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The power transmitting component of claim 2, wherein the drain spout terminates at a pocket located axially between the slinger and the shield wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The power transmitting component of claim 1, wherein the wall member comprises an annular projection to which the seal is mounted. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The power transmitting component of claim 5, wherein a radially outward side of the annular projection has a frusto-conical shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The power transmitting component of claim 1, wherein the drain spout is located vertically below a remaining portion of the shield wall when the power transmitting component is disposed in the predetermined orientation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The power transmitting component of claim 1, further comprising a friction clutch and a differential assembly, the friction clutch being mounted in the housing coaxially with the differential assembly. ### Claim 9 A power transmitting component comprising: a housing having a wall member, a shaft bore, and a shield wall, the shaft bore being formed through the wall member, the shield wall being coupled to and extending outwardly from the wall member, the shield wall defining a lip member and a drain spout, the lip member being disposed concentrically about the shaft bore, the drain spout having a spout member that is coupled to ends of the lip member, the spout member having a V or U-shaped profile that tapers outwardly from the wall member; a shaft received through the shaft bore; and a seal received in the shaft bore and sealingly engaging the housing and the shaft; wherein the drain spout is configured to drain liquid from a space that is radially inward of the shield wall when the power transmitting component is disposed in a predetermined orientation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The power transmitting component of claim 9, further comprising a slinger coupled to the shaft, the slinger extending radially outwardly from the shaft and into the space. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The power transmitting component of claim 10, wherein an end of the slinger tapers outwardly toward the shield wall with decreasing distance to the wall member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The power transmitting component of claim 10, wherein the drain spout terminates at a pocket located axially between the slinger and the shield wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The power transmitting component of claim 9, wherein the wall member comprises an annular projection to which the seal is mounted. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The power transmitting component of claim 13, wherein a radially outward side of the annular projection has a frusto-conical shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The power transmitting component of claim 9, wherein the drain spout is located vertically below a remaining portion of the shield wall when the power transmitting component is disposed in the predetermined orientation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The power transmitting component of claim 9, further comprising a friction clutch and a differential assembly, the friction clutch being mounted in the housing coaxially with the differential assembly.