Abstract: A non-driven axle for a vehicle or a trailer is provided. The non-driven axle includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a central portion. The first arm portion is for rotatably mounting a first wheel hub. The second arm portion is for rotatably mounting a second wheel hub. The second arm portion is on an axial end of the central portion opposite the first arm portion. The central portion is between the first arm portion and the second arm portion and may be substantially arch-shaped or substantially ring-shaped. The substantially arch-shaped central portion includes a main portion and a radially inner portion. The substantially ring-shaped central portion includes a main portion and an inner portion. The non-driven axle reduces a weight of a vehicle or trailer while capable of being lifted without interfering with an operation of a drive axle.

Abstract: A tire pressure management system includes a control valve assembly. The control valve assembly directs pressurized air from a first fluid conduit when in a first position and provides fluid communication between a source of pressurized air and the first fluid conduit when in a second position. A deflate member is in fluid communication with the control valve assembly or the first fluid conduit. The deflate member includes an orifice having a constant cross-sectional area which is sized to maintain a predetermined pressure in a fluid control circuit.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a central tire inflation system is provided. The valve assembly includes a first housing having a first port connected to a second port via a cavity. The second port is in fluid communication with a wheel assembly. A biasing member is disposed in the cavity adjacent a first perforation formed in the first housing. A valve member is contacted by the biasing member. The valve member includes a first frustoconical portion having a continuous outer surface connected to a second portion having a continuous outer surface, a first end connected to the second portion and a second end connected to the first frustoconical portion wherein the continuous outer surfaces of the first frustoconical portion and the second portion allow a pressurized fluid to flow between the housing and the outer surfaces of the valve member.

Abstract: A vehicle spindle and a method of attaching the spindle to a portion of an axle half shaft housing. The spindle has an inner surface, an outer surface, one or more bearing journals on the outer surface of the spindle and a radially protruding portion circumferentially extending from at least a portion of the outer surface of an axially inboard end portion of the spindle. Prior to attaching the spindle to the axle half shaft housing, the one or more bearing journals are ground, a clocking angle for the radially protruding portion of the spindle is determined and the spindle is aligned to the determined clocking angle. Once the spindle is aligned to the determined clocking angle, the axially inboard end portion of the spindle is attached to an axially outboard end portion of the axle half shaft housing using one or more welds.

Abstract: A rotary joint assembly including a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes an annular body and a pair of annular sealing members. Each annular sealing member of the pair of annular sealing members is attached to a side of the annular body. An air passageway is formed in the annular body. The rotary joint assembly also includes a non-rotating portion. The non-rotating portion has a non-rotating portion air passageway formed therein. The non-rotating portion air passageway is in fluid communication with the air passageway formed in the annular body. A pair of annular air seal members are provided between the rotating portion and the non-rotating portion. Each annular air seal member of the pair of annular air seal members contacts a sealing surface of one of the annular seal members to provide a seal around an interface between the air passageway formed in the annular body and the non-rotating portion air passageway.

Abstract: A differential assembly having a torque coupling unit and an axle disconnect. A first end portion of an intermediate portion of a differential case is integrally connected to a ring gear. Integrally connected to an inner surface of the intermediate portion of the case is a first plurality of clutch plates. Disposed within a hollow portion of the intermediate portion is a first and a second differential side gear that are meshing with one or more pinion gears. Drivingly connected to the first side gear is a first output shaft. A clutch can having a second plurality of clutch plates is drivingly connected to the first output shaft. Within the hollow portion of the intermediate portion of the case is a clutching assembly that selectively engages the second side gear. A first clutch actuator selectively engages the plurality of plates and a second clutch actuator selectively engages the clutching assembly.

Abstract: A hub cap assembly with a retaining device (100), and at least one housing portion (34) with an annular recess (98) in an inner surface with a sight glass (12) disposed in the annular recess and positioned axially between the retaining device and the housing portion. The hub cap assembly can be part of a wheel end assembly for use with a central tire inflation system (CTIS).

Abstract: A valve assembly for a tire pressure management system includes a housing. A first chamber (32) is provided in the housing. A second chamber (38) is provided in the housing. The second chamber is selectively in fluid communication with the first chamber. A third chamber (44) is provided in the housing. The third chamber is selectively in fluid communication with the second chamber. A deflate piston (120) is at least partially provided in the third chamber and the second chamber. The deflate piston (120) selectively permits or prevents fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber. An inflate piston (72) is attached to the deflate piston (120). The inflate piston (72) is at least partially provided in the second chamber and the first chamber. The inflate piston (72) selectively permits or prevents fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid drivetrain (100) is provided. The hybrid drivetrain comprises a power source (102), a first motor generator assembly (104), and an electric axle drive unit (106). The first motor generator assembly includes a primary clutch (114) for drivingly engaging the power source with a first motor-generator (116). The electric axle drive unit comprises at least a second motor generator (140) drivingly engaged with the first motor generator and a pair of wheel assemblies (112). The power source, the first motor generator assembly, and the electric axle drive unit facilitate operating the hybrid drivetrain as a series-parallel hybrid drivetrain in a plurality of operating modes. The hybrid drivetrain meets the exacting needs of commercial vehicles while providing fuel efficiency improvements for vehicles incorporating the hybrid drivetrain.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a carrier housing, a ring gear disposed within the carrier housing, and a pinion meshed with the ring gear. The pinion is coupled with a pinion shaft rotatably supported in the carrier housing by at least one bearing. A sump and a fluid catch are disposed in the carrier housing. A conduit having a regulator is in fluid communication with the fluid catch and the at least one bearing.

Abstract: A method of providing road and vehicle diagnostics, includes providing a vehicle axle system having a first axle half shaft housing, a second axle half shaft housing and a differential housing. Attached to one or more of the housings is one or more tri-axis accelerometers. In communication with the accelerometers is one or more data processors configured to receive and analyze data from the accelerometers. An occurrence of one or more road events is determined by one or more spikes in the Z-direction of the data collected from the accelerometers. A depth of the road event is determined by a magnitude of the positive and negative changes in acceleration of the spike in the Z-direction and a length of road event is determined by an amount of time between two spikes of opposite magnitudes in said Z-direction. Once identified, the time and geographic location of the road event is identified.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a tire inflation system includes a sealing ring disposed on an axle housing. The sealing ring includes a conduit formed therethrough in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a hub. The hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing adjacent the sealing ring. An inner rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. An outer rotary seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The hub conduit is in fluid communication with the sealing ring conduit via an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The bearing seal is disposed outboard of the outer rotary seal. The inner rotary seal, the outer rotary seal, and the bearing seal are each in sealing contact with the sealing ring.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a tire inflation system includes a hub configured to hold a wheel assembly. The hub has a hub conduit formed therethrough. The hub conduit has an inlet formed in an inner surface of the hub and an outlet formed adjacent an outboard end of the hub. A vent is formed in the hub. The vent includes one or more vent conduits which extend from the inner surface to an outer surface of the hub.

Abstract: An exhaust stem for use with a valve assembly is provided. The exhaust stem is a hollow body which comprises an inner surface, a distal end, and an outer surface. The inner surface forms a portion of a fluid conduit through the exhaust stem. The distal end is shaped to sealingly engage a valve of the valve assembly. The outer surface defines a plurality of turbulence reducing protuberances. The plurality of turbulence reducing protuberances distributes a fluid within a valve housing of the valve assembly to facilitate operation of the valve assembly. The valve assembly decreases an amount of fluid turbulence in a tire inflation system, provides greater flexibility in configuring the tire inflation system, and facilitates accurate control of a pressure within individual tires of a vehicle.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a tire pressure management system. The valve assembly including a housing. The housing includes a valve cavity. A cage member is positioned within the valve cavity. The cage member is in a sealed relationship with the housing. A piston is moveable within the cage member. A biasing member is provided in a biasing member cavity portion of the valve cavity. The biasing member contacts a stem portion of the piston to urge the piston away from the biasing member cavity portion.

Abstract: A drive axle system including a first axle assembly having an input shaft in driving engagement with an under-drive arrangement, an inter-axle differential in driving engagement with the under-drive arrangement, a through drive shaft in driving engagement with the inter-axle differential, a first axle drive pinion in driving engagement with the inter-axle differential, and a first axle differential arrangement including a first axle ring gear in driving engagement with the inter-axle differential through the first axle drive pinion. The drive axle system further includes the second axle assembly in driving engagement with the through drive shaft. The second axle assembly includes a second axle drive pinion drivingly engaged with the through drive shaft and meshingly engaged with a second axle ring gear of a second axle differential arrangement. The under-drive arrangement is configured to reduce a drive ratio of the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including a wheel rim having an aperture through the radially exterior and interior surfaces thereof. A wheel valve assembly including a mounting portion coupled with the wheel rim interior surface. The mounting portion having an opening in fluid communication with the wheel rim aperture. A cap portion coupled with the mounting portion, defining a fluid inlet and a perforation in fluid communication. A valve at least partially disposed within the cap portion, and disposed parallel with the longitudinal axis of the wheel rim. A base portion coupled with the cap portion, and at least partially surrounding the valve. A fluid outlet defined by the base portion, and in selective fluid communication with the fluid inlet via the valve. A biasing member disposed at least partially around the valve, whereby the biasing member is compressed in the wheel valve assembly closed position.

Abstract: A method of decreasing tire pressure includes opening a wheel valve (22) to allow pressurized air from a tire (10) to be directed to a first valve assembly (14) and to atmosphere. A target pressure is selected for a fluid control conduit (28). The fluid conduit (28) is in fluid communication with the first valve assembly (14) and a second or control valve assembly (30). The pressure in the fluid conduit (28) is measured. If the measured pressure is greater than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is de-energized. If the measured pressure is less than the target pressure, then the second valve assembly (30) is energized. A valve (42) prone to leak under very low temperatures may be subjected to repeated cycles of pressure application and pressure release in order to form a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A tire pressure management system includes a wheel valve in fluid communication with a wheel assembly. A supply valve assembly is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve via a fluid control circuit. The supply valve assembly permits fluid communication between a source of pressurized air and the fluid control circuit. A control valve assembly is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve via the fluid control circuit. The control valve assembly permits fluid communication between the source of pressurized air and the fluid control circuit or between the fluid control circuit and atmosphere.

Abstract: An assembly for a tire pressure management system includes a housing. The housing includes a first branch and a second branch. The second branch is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the first branch. The first branch and the second branch are in fluid communication with each other and a main branch. The main branch is rotatable with respect to the first branch. A valve assembly is housed within the first branch. The valve assembly provides selective fluid communication between a portion of the tire pressure management system and the main branch. A pressure relief valve assembly is housed within the second branch. The pressure relief valve assembly provides selective fluid communication between the assembly and the atmosphere.