Active hydraulically actuated on-demand wheel end assembly
US6817434B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60K17/3515
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The vehicular axle assembly includes an input shaft, a drive gear assembly connecting the input shaft to a pair of output shafts, pair of opposite wheel ends mounted to the outboard ends of the output shafts, a pair of wheel end disconnect assembly disposed between and selectively connecting each of the pair of the output shafts to the corresponding one of the wheel ends, and a control system controlling the wheel end disconnect assemblies to selectively transfer torque from the input shaft to either the wheel ends. Each of the wheel end disconnect assemblies has a hydraulically actuated friction clutch assembly integrated with the corresponding wheel ends for facilitating both selective torque coupling and limited slip between the wheel ends and the corresponding output shafts. The friction clutch assemblies are actuated by a hydraulic actuator, also adapted to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to a vehicle wheel brake system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.