APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING AIR THROUGH POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLIES

摘要

An apparatus for delivering air through a powered axle assembly for use in automatic tire inflation systems. The apparatus comprises a base attachable to a non-rotating structure within the axle assembly and having the drive axle extend therethrough. A rotor is mountable in the axle assembly for rotation with the drive axle and for forming an air chamber between the rotor and the base and extending about the drive axle. An annular sealing member in sealing engagement with the rotor and the base is disposed within the air chamber and is rotatable with the rotor and with respect to the base. The base includes at least one air inlet for delivering air in a radial direction into the air chamber and the rotor includes at least one air outlet for air flow out of the chamber.

主权项

1. In a powered axle assembly including a drive axle which extends longitudinally through a non-rotating structure and is powered for rotation within said non-rotating structure, a drive axle hub provided at an axial outer end of said drive axle which rotates with said drive axle and is positioned outside of an outer end of said non-rotating structure, a wheel hub secured to said drive axle hub and extending axially rearward, and at least one bearing which supports said wheel hub on an exterior of said non-rotating structure for rotation of said wheel hub around said exterior of said non-rotating structure, the improvement comprising:
a base operatively connected to said non-rotating structure and having said drive axle extending therethrough, said base being positioned within said interior of said wheel hub; a rotor having said drive axle extending therethrough and mounted within said interior of said wheel hub for rotation with said drive axle hub such that said rotor will rotate with respect to said base, said rotor and said base being configured so as to define an annular air chamber therebetween, said air chamber encircling said drive axle and being located within said interior of said wheel hub; said base including at least one air passageway extending therethrough for delivering air to said chamber in a radial direction relative to the drive axle; said rotor including at least one air outlet for air flow out of said air chamber; and an annular sealing member disposed within said air chamber and being rotatable with said rotor and with respect to said base, said sealing member being in sealing engagement with said rotor and said base and defining an annular air channel therein and at least one air passageway extending radially through said sealing member and communicating said at least one air passageway in said base with said air outlet in said rotor as said rotor and sealing member rotate with respect to said base.