Abstract: A torque transfer device can include a housing and a clutch. The housing can define a clutch cavity and a pocket. The pocket can be formed at an axial end of the clutch cavity and have a generally arcuate shape that extends circumferentially about the clutch cavity above a static lubrication level. The clutch can include an outer carrier, an inner carrier, a plurality of first and second interleaved friction plates. One of an outer and an inner plate carrier of the clutch can be coupled to an input member for common rotation. The other of the carriers can be coupled to a differential case for common rotation. Rotation of the outer carrier relative to the housing through a fluid in the clutch cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward an inner surface of the housing to cause the portion of the fluid to collect in the pocket.

Abstract: Mating bevel gears generally include a pinion gear having a body that rotates about an axis and a side gear having a body that rotates about an axis that intersects the axis of the pinion gear. Pinion gear teeth of the pinion gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the pinion gear teeth. Side gear teeth of the side gear have a side that defines a curvature with an involute section through which a pitch line extends and a parabolic shape between the side gear teeth. The curvatures on the pinion and the side gear teeth cooperatively define a controlled relative radius of curvature section except where the involute sections are located. The controlled relative radius of curvature section defines a sum of values of radius of curvature at a point of contact between the curvatures of the pinion gear teeth and the side gear teeth. The sum has a constant or decreasing value.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a pair of axle tubes, a differential case, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of bearing adjusters. The carrier housing includes a cavity, which is configured to receive the differential case, and a pair of axle tubes that are mounted to the carrier housing. The differential case includes bearing bores into which the outer races of the differential bearings are received. The bearing adjusters are threaded to the carrier housing and support the differential bearings on a side opposite the differential case.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a housing, a ring gear received in the housing, a ring gear bearing, a pair of shafts, a differential mechanism and a pair of inboard bearings. The ring gear bearing contacts the housing and the ring gear to support the ring gear for rotation about an axis. The shafts are received in the housing and rotate about the axis. Each of the shafts has a bearing mount and a male splined segment. The differential mechanism has a pair of output members, each of which having a splined internal aperture into which the male splined segment of one of the shafts is slidably received. Each shaft bearing is disposed on the bearing mount of one of the axle shafts and supports the shafts for rotation on the housing. The differential mechanism is supported for rotation about the axis by the ring gear bearing and the inboard bearings.

Abstract: An axle assembly that includes a housing, an input pinion, a ring gear, an angular contact bearing, and a differential assembly. The input pinion has a plurality of pinion teeth and is received in the housing for rotation about a first axis. The ring gear, which is received in the housing, is a bevel gear having ring gear teeth that define a pitch angle and are meshingly engaged with the pinion teeth. The angular contact bearing supports the ring gear for rotation on the housing about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The angular contact bearing has a first race, which is integrally formed into the ring gear, a second race, and a plurality of bearing balls disposed between the first and second races. The differential assembly has a differential case that is mounted to the ring gear for rotation therewith.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a housing, a clutch, a vent, and a dam. The vent can fluidly couple a first and second cavity. The dam can include a door member. Rotation of the outer carrier through a fluid in the second cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward the vent to cause the portion of the fluid to be transferred from the second cavity, through the vent, and to the first cavity. When the piston is in a first position, the door member can be in a closed position to limit fluid flow from the first cavity to the second cavity. When the piston is in a second position, the door member can be in an open position to allow fluid to flow from the first cavity to the second cavity.

Abstract: An actuator with an indexing guide, first and second indexing rings, an actuator output, a spring and a motor. The indexing guide has a first cam. The first indexing ring is slidably mounted to the indexing guide and includes a second cam. The second indexing ring is slidably and rotatably disposed on the indexing guide and has spline teeth, which engage the first cam, and a third cam that engages the second cam. The spring exerts a force onto the second indexing ring that drives the second indexing ring toward the first indexing ring. The motor is configured to reciprocate the first indexing ring so that cooperation between the second and third cams and between the spline teeth and the first cam causes axial and rotational movement of the second indexing ring about an actuation axis.

Abstract: A variable flow valve having an externally threaded valve body, a valve element and an actuator that includes coil and a plunger assembly. The coil can be operated to move the plunger assembly to drive the valve element into engagement with a seat surface on a valve seat in the valve body.

Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a dog clutch disconnect mechanism that is configured to selectively couple an input spindle and a spool on which a ring gear is mounted.

Abstract: A damped propshaft assembly with a hollow shaft and a tuned damper, which is received in the hollow shaft and includes a liner and a damping member. The liner's mass and stiffness are tuned to attenuate one or more of a bending mode vibration and a torsion mode vibration that occurs at a first predetermined frequency. The liner is not configured to substantially damp shell mode vibration that occurs at a frequency that is not equal to the first predetermined frequency. The damping member is coupled to the liner and is configured to primarily attenuate shell mode vibration in the hollow shaft at one or more desired frequencies. The tuned damper attenuates the at least one of the bending moment vibration and the torsion mode vibration at the first predetermined frequency and also attenuates shell mode vibration. A method for forming a damped propshaft assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a friction clutch, a reservoir, a hydraulic ram to actuate the clutch, a motor, and first and second pumps simultaneously driven by the motor. The first pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the ram. The first pump is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the ram when the motor rotates in a first direction. The second pump is coupled to the reservoir and provides hydraulic fluid to the ram when the output shaft rotates in the first direction and a pressure differential between the ram and the second pump is less than or equal to a predetermined pressure differential. The second pump has a displacement greater than the first pump and is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the ram at a lower pressure and higher flow rate than the first pump.

Abstract: A sensor assembly having a pair of sensors and a pair of sensor targets. Each of the sensors is an eddy current sensor that defines X, Y and Z axes that are orthogonal to one another such that the X-axes are aligned to a movement axis along which a structure is to be moved. The sensor targets are coupled to one another for common movement and are formed of an electrically conductive material that is configured to interact with a respective one of the eddy current sensors to cause the sensors to produce sensor signals that each vary in a distinct manner with movement of the targets parallel to the movement axis. The targets are configured such that their coordinated movement in a direction parallel to the Z-axes as they are moved along the movement axis has no effect on the determined location of the structure. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An actuator device having a motor driven cam, a follower coupled to an output member and driven by the cam, and a controller for controlling operation of the motor. The cam has a first cam surface, a second cam surface and a lift portion between the first and second cam surfaces. The controller is configured to identify a predetermined point on the lift portion as the follower is moved relative to the cam along the lift portion toward the second cam surface. The controller identifies the predetermined point based on a rate of change in the position of the output member along an output member axis as a function of the rotational position of the cam about a cam axis. The controller controls operation of the motor based on the predetermined point to position the follower on the second cam surface.

Abstract: A power transmitting device can include a clutch, filter and housing defining first and second sumps spaced apart by a first wall. First and second members can meshingly engage and rotate through the first sump. The clutch plates can rotate through the second sump. A third member can be drivingly coupled to the second member and clutch plates. An outer surface of the third member and the first wall can define an annular cavity that fluidly couples the sumps. The filter can be received in the annular cavity about the third member and can include a second wall, outer portion, inner portion, and a filter element. The second wall can define an aperture. The outer portion can seal with the first wall. The inner portion can seal with the outer surface. The filter element can span the aperture to permit fluid communication between the sumps and inhibit passage of solids.

Abstract: A driveline component with a housing, a pinion mounted in the housing for rotation about a first axis, a ring gear and a pair of output members. The ring gear is meshed with the pinion and is rotatable about a second axis. The ring gear is supported for rotation relative to the housing by a pair of tapered roller bearings that are disposed along the second axis on a common lateral side of the ring gear. The output members are drivingly coupled to the ring gear.

Abstract: An axle assembly, including an axle shaft, annular member, hub, inner and outer hub bearings, abutment ring, first and second seals, and an air inlet port. The annular member is disposed about the axle shaft. The hub is coupled for rotation with the axle shaft and defines an outlet port. The first and second shaft seals form seals between the hub and the annular member. The air inlet port is mounted to one of the annular member and the abutment ring and includes an inlet boss. A first fluid conduit is defined by the abutment ring or both the abutment ring and the inlet port. The first fluid conduit is in fluid communication with the air inlet boss. The second shaft seal is spaced apart from the first shaft seal along the rotational axis to at least partially define a second fluid conduit in fluid communication inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: A weldment in which a first component defines a bore, a second component is received in the bore and a weld is employed to couple the second component to the first component. The first component has an isolation pocket formed about the bore such that an annular projection having an annular collar portion is formed. The isolation pocket is sized and positioned relative to the weld such that the annular collar portion is deflected about the base into a position that is radially inwardly from a position of the annular collar portion prior to the formation of the weld such that the isolation pocket controls axial shrinkage associated with the formation and cooling of the weld.

Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing, an input pinion, a ring gear, a ring gear bearing, a differential assembly and a pair of axle shafts. The input pinion is mounted to the axle housing for rotation about a first axis. The ring gear is received in the axle housing and meshed with the input pinion. The ring gear bearing supports the ring gear on the axle housing for rotation about a second axis. The ring gear bearing has a bearing race, which is integrally formed with the ring gear, and a plurality of first bearing element that contact the first bearing race. The differential assembly has a differential case, which is coupled to the ring gear for rotation therewith, and a pair of output members. Each axle shaft being coupled for rotation with a corresponding one of the output members.