Drive axle with air passage for tire inflation system

摘要

A drive axle assembly includes a non-rotating spindle (20) having a cylindrical body (40) defining an internal cavity (46) and an axle shaft assembly (16) mounted within the internal cavity (46) for rotation about an axis (A). A seal assembly (64) is positioned within the internal cavity (46) to provide a sealed chamber (66) between the axle shaft assembly (16) and the non-rotating spindle (20). A first air passage (58) is formed within the cylindrical body (40) and includes an air inlet (60) to be in fluid communication with an air supply and an air outlet (62) in fluid communication with the sealed chamber (66). A second air passage (70) is formed within the axle shaft assembly (16) and receives air input (72) from the sealed chamber (66) and includes an air output (74) to be associated with at least one tire.