Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a bearing shaft having an inboard end and an outboard end, a wheel hub mounted onto the outboard end of the bearing shaft, and a detachable outboard joint mounted onto the inboard end of the bearing shaft. A wheel bearing is mounted onto the bearing shaft between the inboard end and the outboard end. The inboard end of the bearing shaft includes a flange portion to support the wheel bearing on the bearing shaft and to induce a pre-load into the wheel bearing such that the pre-load is maintained on the wheel bearing when the outboard joint is removed from the wheel end assembly. A support hub is positioned between and interconnects the detachable outboard joint and the bearing shaft. The support hub has a shaft portion that engages the bearing shaft and an engagement portion extending axially from the shaft portion.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a bearing shaft having an inboard end and an outboard end. A wheel hub is mounted onto the outboard end of the bearing shaft, and a detachable outboard joint is mounted onto the inboard end of the bearing shaft. A wheel bearing is mounted onto the bearing shaft between the inboard end and the outboard end. The inboard end of the bearing shaft includes a flange portion that provides a support to keep the wheel bearing positioned onto the bearing shaft and induces a pre-load into the wheel bearing such that the pre-load is maintained on the wheel bearing when the outboard joint is removed from the wheel end assembly.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a bearing shaft having a wheel hub mounted onto an outboard end, and a detachable outboard joint mounted onto an inboard end. A wheel bearing is mounted onto the bearing shaft, and includes a knuckle flange having an inner diameter that defines an inboard outer race and an outboard outer race. An inboard inner race and an outboard inner race are supported on the bearing shaft. Bearing elements are positioned between the inner and outer races. An inboard bearing ring is mounted onto the bearing shaft. The inboard bearing ring defines the inboard inner race and includes an engagement portion extending axially inward that engages the detachable outboard joint. The bearing shaft includes a flange portion that supports the inboard bearing ring and the wheel bearing when the outboard joint is removed.

Abstract: A vented disc brake rotor is provided. In one embodiment, the rotor includes a plurality of curved directing walls disposed between first and second braking surfaces to define a plurality of flow channels. A separating wall is disposed in each flow channel to create first and second subchannels. The total cross-sectional area of each flow channel remains substantially constant over the length of the flow channel. The flow channels can be closed to the two braking surfaces. Alternatively, the braking surfaces can be intermittent, defining a plurality of gaps that provide access to the flow channels. A tapered throat region between the braking surfaces and a hat region facilitates dissipation of heat from the braking surfaces. Rotors according to the present invention can be fabricated in a single step using various conventional casting techniques, such as die-, sand- and squeeze-casting.

Abstract: A vented disc brake rotor is provided. In one embodiment, the rotor includes a plurality of curved directing walls disposed between first and second braking surfaces to define a plurality of flow channels. A separating wall is disposed in each flow channel to create first and second subchannels. The total cross-sectional area of each flow channel remains substantially constant over the length of the flow channel. The flow channels can be closed to the two braking surfaces. Alternatively, the braking surfaces can be intermittent, defining a plurality of gaps that provide access to the flow channels. A tapered throat region between the braking surfaces and a hat region facilitates dissipation of heat from the braking surfaces. Rotors according to the present invention can be fabricated in a single step using various conventional casting techniques, such as die-, sand- and squeeze-casting.

Abstract: A vented disc brake rotor is provided. In one embodiment, the rotor includes a plurality of curved directing walls disposed between first and second braking surfaces to define a plurality of flow channels. A separating wall is disposed in each flow channel to create first and second subchannels. The total cross-sectional area of each flow channel remains substantially constant over the length of the flow channel. The flow channels can be closed to the two braking surfaces. Alternatively, the braking surfaces can be intermittent, defining a plurality of gaps that provide access to the flow channels. A tapered throat region between the braking surfaces and a hat region facilitates dissipation of heat from the braking surfaces. Rotors according to the present invention can be fabricated in a single step using various conventional casting techniques, such as die-, sand- and squeeze-casting.