| 摘要 |
<p>A slip joint (10) includes a structure that prevents a negative pressure situation from occurring within a sealed lubricant chamber during operation thereof. The slip joint includes a male splined member having a plurality of external splines (20) formed thereon that cooperate with a plurality of internal splines formed on a female splined member. The cooperating splines are disposed within a lubricant chamber (74) defined at one end by a seal assembly (60) and at the other end by a pressure regulator assembly (80). The pressure regulator assembly includes a housing having an open end that faces toward the lubricant chamber. A pressure plate (90) is disposed within the housing of the pressure regulator assembly and is supported for sliding movement relative thereto. A spring (94) urges the pressure plate toward the open end of the housing and the lubricant chamber. As a result, the pressure plate maintains a positive pressure situation within the lubricant chamber, thereby deterring contaminants from passing through the seal assembly into the region of the cooperating splines. <IMAGE></p> |
