Abstract: An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also includes a rotatable and axially slideable slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring is located adjacent the sliding collar. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the sliding collar.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle including a differential carrier having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion including a first engagement surface coupled with a second engagement surface of the second portion. The differential carrier defines a differential area and a clutch area substantially separated by a partition. The differential carrier first engagement surface defines a lubricant channel fluidly connecting the differential area with the clutch area, and at least partially located above the clutch area and at least partially located in an outer wall of the differential carrier. The axle assembly further includes a bearing retainer disposed through the outer wall of the differential carrier. The bearing retainer includes an aperture therethrough, fluidly connecting the lubricant channel with a clutch assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also includes a rotatable and axially slideable slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring is located adjacent the sliding collar. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the sliding collar.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle including a differential carrier having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion including a first engagement surface coupled with a second engagement surface of the second portion. The differential carrier defines a differential area and a clutch area substantially separated by a partition. The differential carrier first engagement surface defines a lubricant channel fluidly connecting the differential area with the clutch area, and at least partially located above the clutch area, and bending such that the lubricant channel is at least partially located in an outer wall of the differential carrier. The axle assembly further includes a bearing retainer disposed through the outer wall of the differential carrier. The bearing retainer includes an aperture therethrough, fluidly connecting the lubricant channel with a clutch assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also including a slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring groove is located radially inward from the sliding collar first portion and houses a return spring. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the first set of teeth.

Abstract: An electromagnetic connect/disconnect system with an electromagnet including a coil and a coil housing. The system also including a slide ring located between the coil housing and a sliding collar. The slide ring has a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The sliding collar has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located radially inward from the slide ring and defines a first set of axially extending teeth. The second portion is located radially inward from the first portion. A return spring groove is located radially inward from the sliding collar first portion and houses a return spring. An output gear is also included which has a second set of axially extending teeth for selective engagement with the first set of teeth.

Abstract: A unitary and integrally formed ring gear shroud having a first end portion, an arc-shaped middle portion, a second end portion, a first side and a second side. The first end portion extends orthogonally from the arc-shaped middle portion. The second end portion extends orthogonally from the arc-shaped middle portion, opposite the first end portion. The first end portion and the second end portions each extend from the arc-shaped middle portion. The first and second sides each have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces of the first side define a first radiused opening. The inner and outer surfaces of the second side also define a second radiused opening, wherein the first opening has a larger radius than the second opening. The outer surfaces of the first side and the second side are non-symmetrical.

Abstract: A power transfer unit for a vehicle is provided having a transfer sleeve, a flanged ring gear, an output shaft, and a clutching assembly. The transfer sleeve, the flanged ring gear, and the clutching assembly are disposed in a housing about an axle shaft connected to a center differential. The transfer sleeve is drivingly engaged with a carrier of the center differential and the flanged ring gear is disposed about the transfer sleeve and drivingly engaged with the output shaft. The clutching assembly includes a locking collar and a clutch. The clutch may be engaged to transfer torque through the transfer sleeve to the output shaft through the flanged ring gear and the locking collar may be engaged to drivingly engage the transfer sleeve with the output shaft through the flanged ring gear.

Abstract: A coupling assembly comprises an input shaft driven by a prime mover, at least one output shaft drivingly coupled to the input shaft, a fluid pump selectively driven by the input shaft through an auxiliary clutch, a friction clutch for selectively frictionally coupling the input shaft with the at least one output shaft, and a fluid clutch actuator for operating the friction clutch between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition. The fluid pump selectively communicates with the fluid clutch actuator for setting the friction clutch assembly in the engaged condition. The fluid pump is mounted to the input shaft.

Abstract: An axle disconnect assembly comprises a shaft extending axially along a central axis, a universal joint including an outer drive member having a substantially annular axial flange extending axially outwardly from the outer drive member coaxially with the central axis so as to form an annular space between the axial flange and the shaft, and a directional roller clutch disposed in the annular space. The directional roller clutch is provided for selectively drivingly coupling the shaft to the outer drive member of the universal joint. The directional roller clutch includes a plurality of rolling elements provided between the outer and inner race members. The rolling elements of the directional roller clutch radially support the outer drive member of the universal joint for rotation about to the shaft.

Abstract: A coupling assembly comprises an input shaft driven by a prime mover, at least one output shaft drivingly coupled to the input shaft, a fluid pump selectively driven by the input shaft through an auxiliary clutch, a friction clutch for selectively frictionally coupling the input shaft with the at least one output shaft, and a fluid clutch actuator for operating the friction clutch between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition. The fluid pump selectively communicates with the fluid clutch actuator for setting the friction clutch assembly in the engaged condition. The fluid pump is mounted to the input shaft.

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: 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 limited slip differential having a modified clutch pack mechanism located outside of the differential case. The mechanism include a planetary gear assembly disposed between a side gear and the clutch pack to facilitate the application of greater torque. A rotatable collar and cup-shape member together with a pair of planetary gear sets establish a driving connection through the differential case between the side gear and the clutch pack. Clutch plates are alternatively splined on the cup-shaped member and differential case to facilitate selectively coupling therebetween. The incorporation of the external clutch pack and planetary gear set facilitate the use of a greater diameter clutch plates resulting in greater torque capability.

Abstract: A vacuum operated speed range shifting mechanism for use in a drivetrain subassembly having input and output shafts, each being rotatably mounted within a support structure. The shifting mechanism comprises an annular shift sleeve surrounding and splined to the output shaft for rotation therewith, with the sleeve being axially moveable between first and second axial positions corresponding to low and high speed modes of operation of the drivetrain subassembly. The mechanism further includes a stationary annular housing disposed coaxially about the shift sleeve within the support structure. The housing is axially restrained by the support structure and defines an interior chamber. A flexible annular diaphragm is attached to the housing and disposed within the housing so as to divide the interior chamber into first and second annular cavities which are substantially hermetically sealed. A shift collar assembly is attached to the diaphragm and is disposed in surrounding relationship with the shift sleeve.

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.