Abstract: An axle assembly for use in a vehicle includes an axle housing extending along an axle axis. The vehicle includes a first wheel and a second wheel spaced from the first wheel, and a chassis extending along a chassis axis. The axle housing is configured to pivot with respect to the chassis about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is configured to be obliquely oriented with respect to the chassis axis such that the axle housing is configured to be a tilted axle housing. The axle assembly also includes an electric motor coupled to the axle housing and configured to be rotatably coupled to at least one of the first and second wheels. The electric motor is disposed in the axle cavity such that the electric motor is surrounded by the axle housing.

Abstract: An axle assembly for use in a vehicle includes an axle housing extending along an axle axis. The vehicle includes a first wheel and a second wheel spaced from the first wheel, and a chassis extending along a chassis axis. The axle housing is configured to pivot with respect to the chassis about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is configured to be obliquely oriented with respect to the chassis axis such that the axle housing is configured to be a tilted axle housing. The axle assembly also includes an electric motor coupled to the axle housing and configured to be rotatably coupled to at least one of the first and second wheels. The electric motor is disposed in the axle cavity such that the electric motor is surrounded by the axle housing.

Abstract: A controlled differential actuator particularly adapted for differential applications for motor vehicle powertrains. The differential operator incorporates an electromagnetically applied first or primary clutch coupled to a second multi-disc clutch pack through a ball ramp operator. Energization of the solenoid coil selectively applies the main clutch pack which is coupled to a differential carrier and one of the axle half shafts connected with the differential assembly. Modulation of current applied to the solenoid coil allows a selective frictional coupling between the differential axle half shafts which provides desirable traction features for the associated motor vehicle.

Abstract: A controlled differential actuator particularly adapted for differential applications for motor vehicle powertrains. The differential operator incorporates an electromagnetically applied first or primary clutch coupled to a second multi-disc clutch pack through a ball ramp operator. Energization of the solenoid coil selectively applies the main clutch pack which is coupled to a differential carrier and one of the axle half shafts connected with the differential assembly. Modulation of current applied to the solenoid coil allows a selective frictional coupling between the differential axle half shafts which provides desirable traction features for the associated motor vehicle.

Abstract: Pump pressure output can be controlled as temperature changes by a temperature compensation element. The present invention provides a shear channel constructed out of two or more materials enabling a pump to have a pressure profile as a function of temperature for a viscous fluid. The channel height varies as a function of temperature when the channel walls and temperature compensation element are constructed from materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. By selecting a combination of materials, the channel height can increase, decrease, or remain constant as the temperature is changed. Ignoring the effects of viscosity, channel length, and relative speed the effect of channel height on pump output pressure is assessed: by increasing channel height as temperature increases, the pressure will decrease; by keeping the channel height constant as temperature increases, the pressure will remain constant; and by decreasing channel height as temperature increases, the pressure will increase.

Abstract: Pump pressure output can be controlled as temperature changes by a temperature compensation element. The present invention provides a shear channel constructed out of two or more materials enabling a pump to have a pressure profile as a function of temperature for a viscous fluid. The channel height varies as a function of temperature when the channel walls and temperature compensation element are constructed from materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. By selecting a combination of materials, the channel height can increase, decrease, or remain constant as the temperature is changed. Ignoring the effects of viscosity, channel length, and relative speed the effect of channel height on pump output pressure is assessed: by increasing channel height as temperature increases, the pressure will decrease; by keeping the channel height constant as temperature increases, the pressure will remain constant; and by decreasing channel height as temperature increases, the pressure will increase.

Abstract: An all wheel drive system for a motor vehicle comprising a front differential, a pair of front halfshaft assemblies operatively connected to the front differential whereby the front differential supplies torque to the pair of front half shaft assemblies, each of the pair of front half shaft assemblies connected to a respective front wheel, a power takeoff unit operatively connected to the front differential, a constant velocity joint connected to the power takeoff unit whereby the front differential supplies torque to the constant velocity joint through the power takeoff unit, a first propshaft having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the constant velocity joint, a plunging constant velocity joint connected to the second end of the first propshaft, a second propshaft having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the plunging constant velocity joint, a universal joint having a first end and a second end, the first end of the universal joint connected to the second end o

Abstract: An all wheel drive system for a motor vehicle comprising a front differential, a pair of front halfshaft assemblies operatively connected to the front differential whereby the front differential supplies torque to the pair of front half shaft assemblies, each of the pair of front half shaft assemblies connected to a respective front wheel, a power takeoff unit operatively connected to the front differential, a constant velocity joint connected to the power takeoff unit whereby the front differential supplies torque to the constant velocity joint through the power takeoff unit, a first propshaft having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the constant velocity joint, a plunging constant velocity joint connected to the second end of the first propshaft, a second propshaft having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the plunging constant velocity joint, a universal joint having a first end and a second end, the first end of the universal joint connected to the second end o