Abstract: Pressurized fluid is often times communicated from its source to the brakes associated with a remotely located axle by conduits that are exposed to the environment. In some instances, depending upon the vehicle and its usage, the conduits, especially around the axle housing, are subject to damage from debris over which the vehicle traverses. This is particularly a problem at a location where the conduits are connected to the respective brake assemblies. In the present invention, a fluid conduit assembly is provided that is positioned within the internal cavity defined by the axle housing. Further, a fluid connecting device utilized to communicate the pressurized fluid to the respective brake assemblies. The fluid connecting device is configured such that removal from outside the axle housing is precluded. This in turn protects the fluid conduit assembly that is connected to the fluid connecting device within the axle housing.

Abstract: In present day construction equipment, it is common practice to provide braking capability for each driven axle. The conduits that deliver the pressurized actuating fluid to the brake assemblies are normally mounted in close proximity to existing framework to protect them from contact with debris and other structure common to the environment in which a construction vehicle operates. In some of the more severe environments, this type of mounting does not afford the conduits adequate protection, and they have been known to suffer damage. The area most prone to damage in this situation is the area around the axle assembly where the conduits split to communicate the pressurized fluid to each brake assembly associated with each end of the axle. In the present invention, a fluid conduit assembly is provided that is mounted entirely within the internal cavity defined by the axle housing.

Abstract: In modern day construction equipment it is common to provide braking capabilities for each driven axle. In order to communicate pressurized fluid to the remotely mounted axle assembly, fluid conduits are normally mounted in close proximity to existing frame members to protect them from contact with debris or other structures that may be encountered in the environment in which a vehicle must operate. In some instances, the environment is so harsh that this type of mounting is not adequate to protect the conduits from damage. The present invention utilizes a fluid conduit assembly that is mounted within an internal cavity of an axle assembly to provide protection from such damage. The conduit assembly includes lengths of tubular conduit sections that extend from a fluid inlet to a pair of brake assemblies that are mounted on the respective ends of the axle housing.

Abstract: High-pressure hydraulic hoses are employed in hydrostatic drive systems to interconnect the transmission and motors thereof. It is imperative that fluid leakage be held to a minimum, or preferably eliminated, particularly where a vehicle employing the drive system is operated in a high-temperature environment, such as a foundry. The hose assembly (13) of this invention provides a high degree of system reliability, relative to hydraulic leaks, and shields a high-pressure hose thereof (14) against damage and heat conduction to hydraulic fluid therein. The hose assembly (13) comprises a flexible high-pressure hose (14), an impervious flexible jacket (17) surrounding the hose in out-of-contact relationship therewith to define a fluid chamber (18) therebetween, and a mounting assembly (22) for mounting the hose (14) and the jacket (17) on a support member (23) to maintain them in out-of-contact relationship relative to each other.