Abstract: An active differential assembly provides speed control of an associated output shaft. A differential case is rotatably mounted within a housing to drive a pair of output shafts extending from the differential case in opposite directions for distributing driving force from the engine to wheels. A pair of planetary gear sets are one each disposed about a corresponding output shaft and includes a planetary ring gear, a sun gear fixed to the output shaft, and a planetary carrier rotatably supporting a plurality of planet gears operatively coupling the planetary ring gear with the sun gear. A brake mechanism is disposed between the planetary ring gear and the housing for selectively braking the planetary ring gear to thereby cause an associated increase in speed of the axle shaft.

Abstract: A driveline system for a motor vehicle includes at least two propeller shafts and a driveline angle reducer disposed therebetween for drivingly interconnecting the propeller shafts at a fixed operating angle. The driveline angle reducer includes a housing rotatably supporting therewithin a fixed-angle constant-velocity joint. The housing of the driveline angle reducer is mounted to a vehicle body and contains a supply of a lubricant for lubrication of the constant-velocity joint. The driveline angle reducer allows propeller shaft operating angles to be in a range where conventional Cardan joints can be used in the driveline systems without causing excessive cyclic vibrations.

Abstract: A motor vehicle torque transfer case pump drive which is mounted in the front of a torque transfer case where it mounts to a motor vehicle transmission and includes a drive arrangement, such as a chain drive, a belt drive or a gear drive. This permits an auxiliary hydraulic pump to be driven directly from the torque transfer case, thus eliminating the need for a power take-off (PTO) adapter to drive the auxiliary hydraulic pump.

Abstract: A clam-shell shaped differential housing including a lower portion for receiving the input shaft and the differential gearing, and an upper portion for enclosing the same within the differential housing. The clam-shell shaped differential housing allows for easy insertion and adjustment of the differential components. In addition, a lubricant reservoir may be formed in the area of the input shaft and pinion bearings to retain the majority of differential lubricant. The clam-shell shaped housing allows a pump to be easily positioned in the reservoir between the inner and outer pinion bearings to pump the lubricant from the reservoir to the differential components through channels formed in the housing. In this manner, the sump of the differential housing remains substantially dry. The pump may also be used to provide hydraulic pressure to a limited slip clutch assembly for the actuation thereof in conjunction with a valve control assembly.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a four-wheel drive system for a vehicle having front and rear drive wheels driven by an engine and transmission assembly, and including a transfer case having a torque input shaft for receiving output torque from the vehicle engine and transmission assembly. A transfer gear assembly of the transfer case provides low and high speed power paths, and a shift mechanism is provided to shift between the low and high speed power paths. The system further includes an engine control module for controlling the engine fuel system and shifting of the transmission assembly between a plurality of vehicle gear ratios. A transfer case control module controls the shift mechanism for shifting between the low and high speed power paths.