Abstract: A motor vehicle drive-axle includes a drive-axle housing defining a gear-set cavity and a shaft bore having first and second bearing pockets and an oil cavity arranged between the first and second bearing pockets. The housing also defines a supply channel and a return passage configured to respectively supply oil from the gear-set cavity to the oil cavity and return oil from the oil cavity to the gear-set cavity. The housing also includes an input shaft extending through the shaft bore into the differential gear-set cavity. The housing additionally includes first and second bearings arranged within respective first and second bearing pockets for supporting the input shaft. The housing additionally includes a lubrication regulating insert arranged inside the oil cavity. The insert defines first and second lubrication channels configured to direct oil from the supply passage to respective first and second bearings.

Abstract: A system for retaining and redistributing a fluid includes a capture member including a recessed surface defining a reservoir and a sealing surface extending around a perimeter of the recessed surface, the sealing surface including a plurality of fastener openings, a sealing member adjacent to and coupled with the sealing surface of the capture member, the sealing member encircling the plurality of fastener openings, a cover member coupled to the capture member, and at least one fastener coupling the cover member to the capture member. The cover member and the capture member compressively secure the sealing member therebetween to retain the fluid between the cover member and the capture member.

Abstract: Friction clutch assemblies with low-drag clutch packs having cone-clutch synchronizers and dog-clutch bypass devices are presented. A friction clutch assembly includes a housing that drivingly couples to an output (or input) member, and a disc hub rotatably mounted inside the housing that drivingly couples to the input (or output) member. A disc carrier is rotatably and slidably mounted inside the housing coaxial with the disc hub. A clutch pack includes reaction plates secured to the housing (or disc carrier) for common rotation therewith, and friction plates interleaved with the reaction plates and secured to the disc carrier (or housing) for common rotation therewith. A cone clutch is interposed between the clutch pack and disc hub such that frictional engagement of the cone clutch with the disc hub allows for compression of the pack to carry torque from the input member, through the disc hub and housing, to the output member.

Abstract: Products and methods are provided for controlling thermal expansion. In various exemplary embodiments, a structure includes a body constructed of a material exhibiting a first coefficient of linear thermal expansion. A component is disposed inside the body and exhibits a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion that is lower than the first coefficient of linear thermal expansion. A layer is wrapped around the body and constrains thermal expansion of the body. The layer includes a composite containing fibers that are aligned with one another to constrain expansion in a desired direction or in multiple directions. The layer is independently useful to provide a retention function for the body.

Abstract: Products and methods are provided for controlling thermal expansion. In various exemplary embodiments, a structure includes a body constructed of a material exhibiting a first coefficient of linear thermal expansion. A component is disposed inside the body and exhibits a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion that is lower than the first coefficient of linear thermal expansion. A layer is wrapped around the body and constrains thermal expansion of the body. The layer includes a composite containing fibers that are aligned with one another to constrain expansion in a desired direction or in multiple directions. The layer is independently useful to provide a retention function for the body.

Abstract: An axle housing for an axle assembly of a vehicle includes a pinion portion and a differential portion. The differential portion rotatably supports a differential gear assembly. A pinion insert has a first and second bearing pockets and is disposed in the pinion portion of the axle housing at least partially forming a bore through which a pinion shaft rotates. A first bearing is disposed in the first bearing pocket of the pinion insert and a second bearing is disposed in the second bearing pocket of the pinion insert. The pinion insert is manufactured from a material having a higher stiffness than the cast metal alloy of the axle housing.

Abstract: An axle carrier housing includes a center housing defining an internal chamber, a pinion nose extending from the center housing to a housing front end, the pinion nose defining a pinion chamber configured to house a pinion shaft assembly, the housing front end defining a shaft opening having a central axis, and a first axle tube extending from the center housing to a housing first side defining a first axle tube opening having a first axle axis that is generally perpendicular to the central axis. A second axle tube extends from the center housing to a housing second side that is opposite the housing first side, the second axle tube defining a second axle tube opening having a second axle axis that is concentric with the first axle axis. First and second transverse webs extend angularly from the pinion nose and the center housing.

Abstract: An axle carrier housing includes a center housing defining an internal chamber, a pinion nose extending from the center housing to a housing front end, the pinion nose defining a pinion chamber configured to house a pinion shaft assembly, the housing front end defining a shaft opening having a central axis, and a first axle tube extending from the center housing to a housing first side defining a first axle tube opening having a first axle axis that is generally perpendicular to the central axis. A second axle tube extends from the center housing to a housing second side that is opposite the housing first side, the second axle tube defining a second axle tube opening having a second axle axis that is concentric with the first axle axis. First and second transverse webs extend angularly from the pinion nose and the center housing.