US 11,718,127 B2
Axle assembly with internal lubrication system
Deval H. Shah, Novi, MI (US); Stephen A. Federighe, Washington, MI (US); and Jeffrey C. Audet, Chesterfield, MI (US)
Assigned to ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Troy, MI (US)
Filed by ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC, Troy, MI (US)
Filed on May 20, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/878,702.
Prior Publication US 2021/0364039 A1, Nov. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. B60B 19/08 (2006.01); B60B 35/12 (2006.01); B60B 27/00 (2006.01); B60C 23/00 (2006.01); F16N 9/02 (2006.01)
CPC B60B 19/08 (2013.01) [B60B 27/0047 (2013.01); B60B 35/122 (2013.01); B60C 23/00327 (2020.05); B60C 23/00363 (2020.05); F16N 9/02 (2013.01); B60B 2900/561 (2013.01); B60B 2900/731 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An axle assembly comprising:
a spindle defining an axis;
a wheel hub that is rotatable about the axis with respect to the spindle, wherein the wheel hub is rotatably supported by a first wheel bearing and a second wheel bearing that are disposed on the spindle, the first wheel bearing being disposed axially outboard from the second wheel bearing;
a tire inflation system including:
first and second sealing elements that extend from the spindle to the wheel hub and cooperate to define a seal chamber therebetween that is arranged to transfer gas from the spindle to the wheel hub; and
a lubrication system including:
a reservoir located axially outboard of the seal chamber, and
a hub lubricant passage arranged to route lubricant between the reservoir and the second wheel bearing, wherein the hub lubricant passage is disposed radially outward from the seal chamber and is in fluid isolation from the seal chamber, the hub lubricant passage having a first end that is disposed adjacent to the reservoir and a second end disposed opposite the first end, wherein the second end is positioned closer to the second wheel bearing than to the first wheel bearing and the second end is positioned closer to the second wheel bearing than to the seal chamber.