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: The present invention provides an improved inter-axle differential assembly to limit axle tire slip by limiting the excessive inter-axle differentiation between front and rear axles in a tandem axle set. The present invention provides an inter-axle differential assembly comprising a differential case including a cylindrical housing, an annular axial end surface connected to the cylindrical housing, an end cover plate wherein the annular axial end surface and the end cover plate include openings for receiving coaxial input and output shafts, a hollow chamber defined by the cylindrical housing, the annular axial end surface, and the end cover plate which houses differential gear assembly, and an unitary gear set extending continuously in the radial direction from the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing. The hub is disposed adjacent the sealing ring and has a conduit formed therethrough which is in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a fastener engaged with the hub. The tire inflation system also includes an inner rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub and an outer rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The conduit formed through the hub is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the hub and the axle housing and outboard of the outer rotary seal.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing. The hub is disposed adjacent the sealing ring and has a conduit formed therethrough which is in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a fastener engaged with the hub. The tire inflation system also includes an inner rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub and an outer rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The conduit formed through the hub is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the hub and the axle housing and outboard of the outer rotary seal.

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 comprises one or more vent conduits which extend from the inner surface to an outer surface of the hub.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing. The hub is disposed adjacent the sealing ring and has a conduit formed therethrough which is in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a fastener engaged with the hub. The tire inflation system also includes an inner rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub and an outer rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The conduit formed through the hub is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the hub and the axle housing and outboard of the outer rotary seal.

Abstract: A method for decreasing tire pressure includes providing a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is provided in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position and includes an area having a first flow capacity. A variable area valve assembly is provided and is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The variable area valve assembly includes an area formed in a perforation that has a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is less than the first flow capacity. A target tire pressure is selected. If a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is greater than the target tire pressure, then the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is decreased.

Abstract: An assembly includes a rotary joint spindle and a rotary joint body rotatably disposed on and in fluid communication with the rotary joint spindle. The rotary joint body is housed by a hub cap and provided adjacent an end of a spindle. A pressure relief valve is disposed between the hub cap and the rotary joint body. The pressure relief valve selectively provides a seal between the hub cap and the rotary joint body.

Abstract: A method for decreasing tire pressure includes providing a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is provided in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position and includes an area having a first flow capacity. A variable area valve assembly is provided and is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The variable area valve assembly includes an area formed in a perforation that has a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is less than the first flow capacity. A target tire pressure is selected. If a pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is greater than the target tire pressure, then the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the chamber is decreased.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is disposed on the axle housing and adjacent the sealing ring. A hub ring is disposed on the hub and adjacent the sealing ring. The hub ring has a conduit formed therethrough. An inner seal member and an outer seal member are disposed between sealing ring and the hub ring. The conduit formed through the hub ring is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner seal member and the outer seal member.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is attached to the wheel assembly and is in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position. The wheel valve assembly includes an area having a first flow capacity. A valve assembly is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The valve assembly includes an area formed in a perforation that has a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is less than the first flow capacity.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is disposed on the axle housing and adjacent the sealing ring. A hub ring is disposed on the hub and adjacent the sealing ring. The hub ring has a conduit formed therethrough. An inner seal member and an outer seal member are disposed between sealing ring and the hub ring. The conduit formed through the hub ring is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner seal member and the outer seal member.

Abstract: A tire inflation system for a vehicle includes an axle spindle having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, a sleeve having a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface, an inboard end portion and an outboard end portion with a flared end. A cavity is located between the radially inner surface of the axle spindle and the radially outer surface of the sleeve. The cavity being in fluid communication on an inboard end portion with a first rotary seal and in communication on an outboard end portion with a second rotary seal, wherein the flared end of the sleeve closes the cavity on the outboard end portion.

Abstract: A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing. The hub is disposed adjacent the sealing ring and has a conduit formed therethrough which is in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a fastener engaged with the hub. The tire inflation system also includes an inner rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub and an outer rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The conduit formed through the hub is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the hub and the axle housing and outboard of the outer rotary seal.

Abstract: An assembly includes a rotary joint spindle and a rotary joint body rotatably disposed on and in fluid communication with the rotary joint spindle. The rotary joint body is housed by a hub cap and provided adjacent an end of a spindle. A pressure relief valve is disposed between the hub cap and the rotary joint body. The pressure relief valve selectively provides a seal between the hub cap and the rotary joint body.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a wheel assembly which defines a chamber that houses a pressurized fluid. A wheel valve assembly is attached to the wheel assembly and is in fluid communication with the chamber. The wheel valve assembly is operable between an open position and a closed position. The wheel valve assembly includes an area having a first flow capacity. A valve assembly is selectively in fluid communication with the wheel valve assembly. The valve assembly includes an area formed in a perforation that has a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is less than the first flow capacity.

Abstract: A rotary union is provided. The rotary union includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a sealing member. The first housing portion has a first fluid passage formed therein and the second housing portion has a second fluid passage formed therein. The second fluid passage is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage. The sealing member is disposed on one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion and is sealingly engaged with a remaining one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion in a substantially similar direction to an axis of rotation of one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The rotary union permits axial deviation between a rotating component and a non-rotating component, reduces friction generated within the rotary union, and permits an increased flow rate of a fluid through the rotary union.

Abstract: A tire inflation system for a vehicle includes an axle spindle having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, a sleeve having a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface, an inboard end portion and an outboard end portion with a flared end. A cavity is located between the radially inner surface of the axle spindle and the radially outer surface of the sleeve. The cavity being in fluid communication on an inboard end portion with a first rotary seal and in communication on an outboard end portion with a second rotary seal, wherein the flared end of the sleeve closes the cavity on the outboard end portion.