Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle assembly with first and second sumps for holding a lubricant. A rotating ring gear associated with a differential can rotate through the lubricant in the first sump to cause a portion of the lubricant to cling to the ring gear. A portion of the lubricant that has clung to the ring gear can be removed from the ring gear and transferred to the second sump. The lubricant in the second sump can be drained to lubricate teeth of a pinion that is in meshing engagement with the ring gear and/or to lubricate bearings that support the pinion. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A wheel motor can include a stator adapted to be coupled to a vehicle. The stator can include a body portion and a core extending radially outward from the body portion. A rotor can be disposed about the stator and can have a portion positioned radially outboard of and around the stator core. The rotor can include a plurality of magnets aligned with the stator core, and can be adapted to be coupled to a rotatable vehicle component. At least one winding element can be disposed circumferentially around the stator core, and a controller can be positioned in a pocket integrally formed in the stator body portion. The controller can be coupled to the at least one winding element and can be arranged to selectively provide a current supply to the at least one winding element to generate a magnetic flux to rotate the rotor relative to the stator.

Abstract: A wheel motor can include a stator adapted to be coupled to a vehicle. The stator can include a body portion and a core extending radially outward from the body portion. A rotor can be disposed about the stator and can have a portion positioned radially outboard of and around the stator core. The rotor can include a plurality of magnets aligned with the stator core, and can be adapted to be coupled to a rotatable vehicle component. At least one winding element can be disposed circumferentially around the stator core, and a controller can be positioned in a pocket integrally formed in the stator body portion. The controller can be coupled to the at least one winding element and can be arranged to selectively provide a current supply to the at least one winding element to generate a magnetic flux to rotate the rotor relative to the stator.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly for driving a wheel of a vehicle includes a moveable suspension arm and a wheel spindle fixed to the suspension arm. A planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier rotatably supporting a plurality of planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear. The carrier encompasses the wheel spindle and is drivingly connected to the wheel. An electric motor includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor drives the sun gear.

Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle assembly with first and second sumps for holding a lubricant. A rotating ring gear associated with a differential can rotate through the lubricant in the first sump to cause a portion of the lubricant to cling to the ring gear. A portion of the lubricant that has clung to the ring gear can be removed from the ring gear and transferred to the second sump. The lubricant in the second sump can be drained to lubricate teeth of a pinion that is in meshing engagement with the ring gear and/or to lubricate bearings that support the pinion. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a plurality of engagement pins that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle. The axle assembly includes an input shaft, a first and second output shaft, and a differential assembly. The axle assembly also includes a clutch assembly with an input member coupled to the differential assembly, an output member coupled to one of the first output shaft and the second output shaft, and a clutch member that selectively couples the input and output members. The axle assembly also includes a pump that supplies pressurized fluid to the clutch to control coupling of the input and output members. The axle assembly further includes a motor that drives the pump. The speed of the motor is controllable in order to change a fluid pressure supplied by the pump. The change in fluid pressure from the pump actuates the clutch member to thereby vary the torque between the first output shaft and the second output shaft.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly for driving a wheel of a vehicle includes a moveable suspension arm and a wheel spindle fixed to the suspension arm. A planetary gearset includes a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier rotatably supporting a plurality of planet gears in meshed engagement with the sun gear and the ring gear. The carrier encompasses the wheel spindle and is drivingly connected to the wheel. An electric motor includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor drives the sun gear.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar assembly having a pair of stabilizer bar members that are selectively uncoupled via a clutch. The clutch includes a plurality of engagement pins that can be selectively moved via an actuator to effect the uncoupling of the stabilizer bar members. The actuator is configured to apply a force to the moving element concentrically about the axis along which the moving element translates. A method for operating a vehicle stabilizer bar assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An electric wheel motor assembly generally includes a planetary gearset having a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier that rotatably supports a plurality of planet gears. A portion of a wheel spindle includes the ring gear that is maintained in a non-rotating condition. A first wheel bearing and a second wheel bearing rotatably support the planet carrier on the wheel spindle. The first wheel bearing defines a first plane that extends radially therefrom and the second wheel bearing defines a second plane that extends radially therefrom. An electric motor has a stator and a rotor. A portion of the rotor includes the sun gear. The sun gear has a plurality of gear teeth that are meshed with the planet gears. The sun gear is disposed between the first plane and the second plane.

Abstract: A wheel drive assembly that can include a motor having an output shaft, a wheel mount that is adapted to have a wheel mounted thereto, a wheel shaft with a first end drivingly coupled to the wheel mount, and a clutch. The clutch can have a first body, a second body, and a plurality of sliders. The first body of the clutch can be coupled for rotation with the wheel shaft, and the second body of the clutch can be coupled for rotation with the output shaft of the motor. The sliders of the clutch can be movably mounted to the first body and biased into engagement with the second body. At a rotational speed above a predetermined speed, the sliders can move radially outwardly and disengage the second body.

Abstract: An electric wheel motor assembly generally includes a planetary gear set having a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier that rotateably supports a plurality of planet gears. A portion of a wheel spindle includes the ring gear that is maintained in a non-rotating condition. A first wheel bearing and a second wheel bearing rotatably support the planet carrier on the wheel spindle. The first wheel bearing defines a first plane that extends radially therefrom and the second wheel bearing defines a second plane that extends radially therefrom. An electric motor has a stator and a rotor. A portion of the rotor includes the sun gear. The sun gear has a plurality of gear teeth that engages with the planet gears. The plurality of gear teeth on the sun gear is disposed between the first plane and the second plane.

Abstract: An electric supercharger is described comprising a centrifugal blower for compressing air. The blower is mounted on one end of a shaft. A first bearing is provided for supporting the blower on said one end of said shaft in a cantilever fashion. The rotor of an electric motor is mounted on the opposite end of said shaft. A second bearing is provided for supporting the rotor on said opposite end of the shaft in a cantilever fashion. A lubricating fluid container is located between the first and the second bearings for containing a quantity of lubricating fluid. A slinger is also mounted on the shaft, which passes through the lubricating fluid container, for slinging the lubricating fluid against the first and second bearings. The motor, which is a brushless d-c motor, is designed to provide in response to a 50 to 100 volt applied potential, approximately 10 horse power at approximately 60,000 rpm's.

Abstract: A two wheeled, electrically powered vehicle having an outer contour resembling a piece of luggage and including a handlebar controlled steering column which is retractable into the luggage shaped vehicle to facilitate the carrying of the vehicle. The steering column is connected to one of the wheels and is movable to facilitate the steering of the vehicle while, at the same time, an electrically powered motor mounted to the steering column provides the motive force for driving the steered wheel to propel the vehicle.