Abstract: An axle assembly includes a central tube and an axle spindle. The axle spindle is fixed to the central tube. The axle spindle has a tubular first section and a tubular second section extending from the first section. The second section has an outer diameter. The second section has a bearing support surface. A tubular transition section is located between the first section and the second section. An annular shoulder portion is formed in an axial end segment of the tubular transition section adjacent the second section. The shoulder portion has at least one annular profile located in the shoulder portion between the annular shoulder surface and the bearing support surface. The annular profile is defined by a surface with a diameter not less than the outer diameter of the second section. An antilock braking system sensor bracket locator nub is integrally formed in the tubular transition section.

Abstract: A spring seat attachment assembly for use with an axle/suspension system having at least one leaf spring and an axle, said attachment assembly including a band and a spring seat. The band may include a locator structure and is fixed to the axle and extends around a portion of the axle between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. The spring seat receives the leaf spring and is fixed to the band.

Abstract: A brake system component axle mount for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle so that the axle depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve. A method of forming the brake system component axle mount includes providing an axle and disposing a sleeve about the axle. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle and the sleeve. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve.

Abstract: A wheel hub for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a first and second tubular hub segment. The first tubular hub segment has a first annular end surface. The second tubular hub segment has a second annular end surface and a radially extending flange. A continuous, circumferential joint is formed at the interface of the first annular end surface and second annular end surface.

Abstract: A brake component mounting structure for a thin-wall axle of a heavy-duty vehicle including a mounting plate and a brake component bracket. The brake component bracket is attached to and extends from the mounting plate. The mounting plate has at least one continuous edge attached by a continuous weld to the axle.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a central tube and an axle spindle. The axle spindle is fixed to the central tube. The axle spindle has a tubular first section and a tubular second section extending from the first section. The second section has an outer diameter. The second section has a bearing support surface. A tubular transition section is located between the first section and the second section. An annular shoulder portion is formed in an axial end segment of the tubular transition section adjacent the second section. The shoulder portion has at least one annular profile located in the shoulder portion between the annular shoulder surface and the bearing support surface. The annular profile is defined by a surface with a diameter not less than the outer diameter of the second section. An antilock braking system sensor bracket locator nub is integrally formed in the tubular transition section.

Abstract: A spring seat attachment assembly for use with an axle/suspension system having at least one leaf spring and an axle, said attachment assembly including a band and a spring seat. The band may include a locator structure and is fixed to the axle and extends around a portion of the axle between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. The spring seat receives the leaf spring and is fixed to the band.

Abstract: An axle and wheel end assembly includes a tubular axle housing with an annular end surface. The axle and wheel end assembly also includes a spindle with an annular end surface welded to the annular end surface of the tubular axle housing at an attachment periphery. The axle and wheel end assembly further includes reinforcing structure fixed to the tubular axle housing and spindle. The reinforcing structure is located to encompass at least a portion of the attachment periphery.

Abstract: A central tire pressure monitoring system interfaces with a tire inflation system to check the pressure in all of the tires of a trailer of a heavy-duty vehicle at a single interface location on the trailer, without the need to provide power to the trailer. The tire inflation system includes a source of pressurized air, at least one tire, a pneumatic conduit extending between and fluidly connecting the source of pressurized air to the tire, and a controller fluidly connected to the conduit. The monitoring system includes a monitoring valve fluidly connected to the conduit between the controller and the tire. The monitoring valve includes a port, and a test tool selectively fluidly connects to the monitoring valve port to enable air flow from the tire to the test tool. An indicator fluidly connects to the test tool and provides a reading of a pneumatic pressure in the tire.

Abstract: A wheel hub for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a first and second tubular hub segment. The first tubular hub segment has a first annular end surface. The second tubular hub segment has a second annular end surface and a radially extending flange. A continuous, circumferential joint is formed at the interface of the first annular end surface and second annular end surface.

Abstract: An axle and wheel end assembly includes a tubular axle housing with an annular end surface. The axle and wheel end assembly also includes a spindle with an annular end surface welded to the annular end surface of the tubular axle housing at an attachment periphery. The axle and wheel end assembly further includes reinforcing structure fixed to the tubular axle housing and spindle. The reinforcing structure is located to encompass at least a portion of the attachment periphery.

Abstract: An integrated brake component mounting bracket for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes an axle seat that is disposed on and is rigidly connected to an axle of the vehicle. An air chamber mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat, and a cam shaft assembly mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat. A brake air chamber of a brake system is attached to the air chamber mounting bracket, and a cam shaft assembly of the brake system is mounted to the cam shaft assembly mounting bracket. The integrated brake component mounting bracket thus provides mounting of the brake air chamber and the cam shaft assembly on the axle seat, which reduces the number of components that are welded to the axle and enables the use of a thinner-wall axle, desirably reducing the weight and cost associated with the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring seat for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system that includes continuous window welds and facilitates the use of a thin-wall axle, thereby saving weight and cost. The seat secures at least one mechanical spring of the axle/suspension system to an axle of the axle/suspension system. The spring seat comprises at least one body configured to seat on the axle, and the body forms at least one window when disposed on the axle. The body is rigidly attached to the axle by a continuous weld formed in the window. The spring seat is free of a line weld between the body and the axle.

Abstract: An integrated brake component mounting bracket for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes an axle seat that is disposed on and is rigidly connected to an axle of the vehicle. An air chamber mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat, and a cam shaft assembly mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat. A brake air chamber of a brake system is attached to the air chamber mounting bracket, and a cam shaft assembly of the brake system is mounted to the cam shaft assembly mounting bracket. The integrated brake component mounting bracket thus provides mounting of the brake air chamber and the cam shaft assembly on the axle seat, which reduces the number of components that are welded to the axle and enables the use of a thinner-wall axle, desirably reducing the weight and cost associated with the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: An integrated brake component mounting bracket for a mechanical spring axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes an axle seat that is disposed on and is rigidly connected to an axle of the vehicle. An air chamber mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat, and a cam shaft assembly mounting bracket is rigidly connected to the axle seat. A brake air chamber of a brake system is attached to the air chamber mounting bracket, and a cam shaft assembly of the brake system is mounted to the cam shaft assembly mounting bracket. The integrated brake component mounting bracket thus provides mounting of the brake air chamber and the cam shaft assembly on the axle seat, which reduces the number of components that are welded to the axle and enables the use of a thinner-wall axle, desirably reducing the weight and cost associated with the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle or crossbrace having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle or crossbrace so that the axle or crossbrace depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection includes providing an axle or crossbrace and disposing a sleeve about the axle or crossbrace. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle or crossbrace and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle or crossbrace having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle or crossbrace so that the axle or crossbrace depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection includes providing an axle or crossbrace and disposing a sleeve about the axle or crossbrace. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle or crossbrace and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle or crossbrace having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle or crossbrace so that the axle or crossbrace depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection includes providing an axle or crossbrace and disposing a sleeve about the axle or crossbrace. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle or crossbrace and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.

Abstract: A central tire pressure monitoring system interfaces with a tire inflation system to check the pressure in all of the tires of a trailer of a heavy-duty vehicle at a single interface location on the trailer, without the need to provide power to the trailer. The tire inflation system includes a source of pressurized air, at least one tire, a pneumatic conduit extending between and fluidly connecting the source of pressurized air to the tire, and a controller fluidly connected to the conduit. The monitoring system includes a monitoring valve fluidly connected to the conduit between the controller and the tire. The monitoring valve includes a port, and a test tool selectively fluidly connects to the monitoring valve port to enable air flow from the tire to the test tool. An indicator fluidly connects to the test tool and provides a reading of a pneumatic pressure in the tire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake component mounting bracket for an axle/suspension system that includes a continuous window weld to join the bracket to the axle, which enables the use of a thin-wall axle, desirably reducing the weight and the cost associated with the axle/suspension system. The axle brake bracket secures a cam shaft assembly and a brake assembly to an axle of the axle/suspension system. The bracket comprises an axle portion configured to seat on the axle. At least one window is formed in the axle portion, and the axle portion is rigidly connected to the axle by a continuous weld formed in the window. The axle brake bracket is free of a line weld between the axle portion and the axle.