AXLE ASSEMBLY HAVING WHEEL HUBS CONFIGURED FOR USE IN VEHICLE WITH CENTRAL TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM

摘要

An axle assembly, including an axle shaft, annular member, hub, inner and outer hub bearings, abutment ring, first and second seals, and an air inlet port. The annular member is disposed about the axle shaft. The hub is coupled for rotation with the axle shaft and defines an outlet port. The first and second shaft seals form seals between the hub and the annular member. The air inlet port is mounted to one of the annular member and the abutment ring and includes an inlet boss. A first fluid conduit is defined by the abutment ring or both the abutment ring and the inlet port. The first fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the air inlet boss. The second shaft seal is spaced apart from the first shaft seal along the rotational axis to at least partially define a second fluid conduit in fluid communication inlet and outlet ports.

主权项

1. An axle assembly comprising:
an annular member disposed about a rotational axis, the annular member including an inboard end; a hub coupled to the annular member for rotation about the rotational axis and configured to be coupled to a wheel, the hub defining an outlet port; inner and outer hub bearings supporting the hub for rotation on the annular member; an abutment ring fixedly mounted to the annular member; a first shaft seal that forms a seal between the hub and the annular member; a second shaft seal that forms a seal between the hub and the annular member; and an air inlet port mounted to one of the annular member and the abutment ring, the air inlet port having an inlet boss; wherein a first fluid conduit is defined by the abutment ring or both the abutment ring and the inlet port, the first fluid conduit being in fluid communication with the air inlet boss; and wherein the second shaft seal is spaced apart from the first shaft seal along the rotational axis to at least partially define a second fluid conduit, the second fluid conduit coupling the outlet port in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit.