Abstract: A rotary joint assembly for a tire inflation system includes a rotating portion. The rotating portion is attached to a wheel rim for rotation therewith. The rotating portion includes a center portion which has an air passageway formed therein. 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 rotating portion via a chamber. A pair of annular sealing members are attached to the rotating portion and sealingly contact a sealing surface of the non-rotating portion. The annular sealing members define an inboard end and an outboard end of the chamber.

Abstract: Provided herein is an axle assembly, including: a carrier housing defining an interior cavity; a pinion shaft rotatably supported in the carrier housing by at least one bearing; a lubricant channel disposed in the carrier housing, the lubricant channel having a first end in fluid communication with the at least one bearing and a second end in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and a lubricant controller at least partially disposed in the lubricant channel, wherein the lubricant controller includes a lubricant capture portion.

Abstract: Methods of controlling a tandem axle assembly in a vehicle, the tandem axle assembly including an inter-axle differential (IAD), one or more side gears, and a front tandem axle assembly having a pair of front tandem axle half shafts selectively connected to a pair of front tandem axle wheel hub assemblies. When a determined speed of the vehicle is greater or equal to a predetermined speed, the IAD may be locked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be disconnected from their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be moved out of engagement with the one or more side gears. When a determined speed of the vehicle is less than a predetermined speed, the IAD may be unlocked, the tandem axle wheel hub assemblies may be connected to their respective tandem axle shafts, and/or the IAD may be engaged with the one or more side gears.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electric powertrain including a differential assembly operably coupled to a drive axle having a set of wheel coupled to the ends thereof; a planetary gear set connected to the differential, the planetary gear set having a sun gear, a planet carrier supporting a plurality of planet gears, and a ring gear, wherein the planet carrier is drivingly engaged with the differential assembly; a first electric motor/generator; a second electric motor/generator; a first gear pass drivingly connected the first electric motor/generator and the ring gear; and a second gear pass drivingly connected the first electric motor/generator and the sun gear.

Abstract: A vehicle drive unit assembly having a ring gear with a plurality of ring gear teeth extending from an outer surface thereof. At least a portion of a lubricant collector having a body portion with a first side, a second side, a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion is disposed proximate to and directly adjacent at least a portion of the ring gear. The lubricant collector has one or more first receiving portions and/or one or more second receiving portions defining a collector reservoir therein. The one or more first receiving portions and/or one or more second receiving portions of the collector reservoir receive an amount of lubricating fluid that is expelled or thrown from the ring gear.

Abstract: An assembly for a tire inflation system includes a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a housing. The housing includes a base portion (56) and a cap portion (58). The base portion has a base perforation (90). The base perforation (90) is in fluid communication with a base cavity. The cap portion (58) is attached to the base portion (56). The cap portion (58) has a cap perforation (54) formed therein. The cap perforation (54) is in selective fluid communication with the base cavity. A piston (62) is disposed in the base cavity. A first area (A1) is defined by the base perforation (90), a second area (A2) is defined by the lateral area of a cylindrical space between the piston (62) and the cap portion (58), and a third area (A3) is defined by the cap perforation (54). The second area (A2) is greater than the first area (A1) and the third area (A3).

Abstract: Provided herein is an electric tandem axle having a first drive axle assembly having a first differential assembly drivingly engaged with a first drive axle; a second axle drive assembly having a second drive axle drivingly engaged with a second differential assembly having a first axle output shaft and a second axle output shaft and an axle disconnect clutch; an inter-axle assembly is drivingly connected to the first axle drive assembly and the second axle drive assembly; a motor-generator in driving engagement with the first and second drive axle assemblies; a planetary drive unit including a selection clutch in driving engagement with the first differential assembly, the inter-axle assembly and the motor-generator; and a controller connected to the motor-generator, selection clutch and axle disconnect clutch. The controller is configured to selectively engage and disengage the selection clutch and axle disconnect clutch to facilitate different modes of operation.

Abstract: A vehicle driveline including a first axle assembly having a first drive ratio. A second axle assembly in selective driving engagement with the first axle assembly, the first and second axle assemblies having a second drive ratio when in driving engagement. A control system in electrical communication with the first and second axle assemblies, wherein the control system selectively engages the second axle assembly with the first axle assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve assembly system including channel valve assemblies. More particularly, the invention relates to a valve assembly system including channel valve assemblies and connecting modules and the tire pressure management system made therewith.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system having an I-beam and a steering gear housing coupled therewith. An input shaft assembly may be at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing. A steering knuckle having a kingpin boss and an output shaft having a first end at least partially disposed within the kingpin boss. A second end of the output shaft at least partially disposed within the steering gear housing.

Abstract: A valve assembly system including a supply valve assembly, a control valve assembly and a connecting module and the tire pressure management system made therewith.

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: An electric drivetrain having a primary motor-generator assembly, an electric axle drive unit and a power source. The primary motor-generator assembly includes a primary mover, a first gearbox in driving engagement with the primary mover and a first clutch. The first gearbox is in driving engagement with the primary mover. The electric axle drive unit includes a differential assembly, a second motor-generator assembly in driving engagement with a wheel assembly and a third motor-generator assembly in driving engagement with another wheel assembly. The differential assembly is in selective engagement with the first clutch, the second motor-generator assembly via a first axle clutch, and the third motor-generator assembly via a second axle clutch. The electric axle drive unit is selectively engaged with the primary motor-generator assembly via the first clutch. The second and third motor-generator assemblies include a motor-generator and a reducing gearbox portion.

Abstract: An electric drivetrain having a primary motor-generator assembly, an electric axle drive unit and a power source. The primary motor-generator assembly includes a primary mover, a first gearbox in driving engagement with the primary mover and a first clutch. The first gearbox is in driving engagement with the primary mover. The electric axle drive unit includes a differential assembly, a second motor-generator assembly in driving engagement with a wheel assembly and a third motor-generator assembly in driving engagement with another wheel assembly. The differential assembly is in selective engagement with the first clutch, the second motor-generator assembly via a first axle clutch, and the third motor-generator assembly via a second axle clutch. The electric axle drive unit is selectively engaged with the primary motor-generator assembly via the first clutch. The second and third motor-generator assemblies include a motor-generator and a reducing gearbox portion.

Abstract: An axle assembly having an axle housing including a differential assembly having a ring gear and a lubrication directing assembly disposed directly adjacent to the ring gear. The lubrication directing assembly having a first lubrication flow surface, a second lubrication flow surface, and a trough. The axle assembly also includes an axle housing cover surrounding the axle housing. A fluid storage tank is attached to the housing cover, wherein the fluid storage tank includes a fill channel directly attached to the rear housing cover; an expandable air bladder disposed in the fluid storage tank; and a first valve disposed below the air bladder and in contact with the air bladder.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a spindle yoke defining at least one fluid conduit therethrough. A collector ring disposed about the spindle yoke. A seal housing coupled with a knuckle, and the seal housing disposed coaxially with the collector ring. First and second rotary seals disposed radially between the collector ring and the seal housing. Additionally, a port disposed in the knuckle, wherein the port is in fluid communication with the spindle yoke at least one fluid conduit via the seal housing and the collector ring.

Abstract: A method of determining tire pressure includes providing a control unit having a first pressure transducer. The control unit is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir via an air supply circuit. A second pressure transducer is disposed at least partially within the fluid reservoir. The method also includes measuring a pressure of air in the air supply circuit utilizing the first pressure transducer and measuring a pressure of air in the reservoir utilizing the second pressure transducer. The method additionally includes determining a difference in the measurements of the first pressure transducer and the second pressure transducer and calibrating the second pressure transducer pressure measurement to agree with the first pressure transducer pressure measurement where the pressure difference is less than a predetermined value. The method further includes measuring a pressure in one or more tires.

Abstract: A king-pin joint assembly used in a vehicle. The king-pin joint assembly includes a king-pin, an axle beam and a steering knuckle. At least a portion of an intermediate portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of an axle beam king-pin receiving aperture in a connector portion of the axle beam. The steering knuckle has a yoke portion with a first yoke arm and a second yoke arm. At least a portion of a first bearing assembly and a first end portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of a first yoke arm king-pin aperture in the first yoke arm. Additionally, least a portion of a second bearing assembly and a second end portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of a second yoke arm king-pin aperture in the second yoke arm.

Abstract: An electric drive axle for a motor vehicle including an axle housing, an electric motor having an output shaft directly driven by a bevel pinion gear coupled thereto, a fixed ratio planetary gear arrangement, a differential unit including a differential gear arrangement housed within a differential case and a first clutch selectively operable to connect a portion of the planetary gear set to a stationary member of the drive axle so that the drive axle operates in a first gear ratio.

Abstract: A wheel speed sensor system for determining the rotational speed of the wheels mounted at the opposite ends of an axle without requiring wheel speed sensor assemblies for each wheel shaft axle. As a result, the speed sensor system of the present disclosure can be housed in small sized or small capacity axle housing such as banjo type housings. In one embodiment, a wheel speed sensor assembly is positioned in the axle housing to determine the speed of one of the wheel axle shafts and a differential speed sensor assembly is positioned in the axle housing to determine the rotational speed of the differential. With these two speed measurements the rotational speed of the other wheel axle shaft can be calculated by a control unit. The wheel and differential speed sensor assemblies can each include a toothed or slotted ring or disk and sensor for sensing the teeth.