Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an electric axle assembly. In one example an assembly is provided comprising, a first axle, an electric motor directly mounted to the first axle, a transmission gear train coupling the electric motor to an interaxle output shaft, and a plurality of clutches for selectively coupling the electric motor and the interaxle output shaft, the interaxle output shaft selectively driving one of a second axle and an auxiliary device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electric propulsion are provided. An electric propulsion system, in one example, includes a first electric machine coupled to a first gear set with a first gear ratio, a second electric machine coupled to a second gear set with a second gear ratio different from the first gear ratio, and an axle including an axle interface. In the system, at least a first output gear of the first gear set and a second output gear of the second gear set are coupled in parallel to the axle interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electric axle assembly. In one example, a system, includes a cover plate for a head assembly, wherein a cross-member is integrated into the cover plate and configured to attach to a vehicle frame.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to electric propulsion. An electric propulsion system, in one example, includes a first electric machine coupled to a first gear set with a first gear ratio, a second electric machine coupled to a second gear set with a second gear ratio different from the first gear ratio, and an axle including an axle interface. In the system, at least a first output gear of the first gear set and a second output gear of the second gear set are coupled in parallel to the axle interface.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a first axle shaft. The first axle shaft includes a first conduit. A second axle shaft includes a second conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit are in fluid communication through a chamber. A differential is operatively connected to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft. The chamber is at least partially disposed within the differential.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a tire pressure management system including an axle having an axle end portion and a rotary joint assembly disposed outboard of the axle end portion. The rotary joint has a rotary hub, a non-rotating tube spindle at least partially disposed within the rotary hub, the tube spindle having a tube spindle hollow central chamber, an air seal provided between the rotary hub and the tube spindle, and a bearing assembly provided between the rotary hub and the tube spindle. The bearing assembly is positioned outboard of the air seal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electric axle assembly. In one example, a system, includes a cover plate for a head assembly, wherein a cross-member is integrated into the cover plate and configured to attach to a vehicle frame.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for a vehicle including an axle assembly having a carrier housing. A sump defined by the carrier housing contains a fluid lubricant. The heat transfer system further includes a heat exchanger within the sump. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with a battery cooling unit.

Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle, including a gear assembly including a gear assembly housing defining a hollow portion therein, a first gear shaft having a first gear, a second gear shaft having a second gear and a third gear, wherein at least a portion of the second gear is drivingly connected to the first gear and the third gear, and at least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within the hollow portion of the gear assembly housing; a motor assembly having an output shaft that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of the gear assembly; and a first mounting assembly including a portion integrally connected to the modular electric head assembly and a portion integrally connected to a support member of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the third gear is drivingly connected to a pair of drive shafts.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid supply apparatus and method of supplying pressurized fluid is provided. The pressurized fluid supply apparatus includes a housing configured to rotate about an axis, at least one fluid pump coupled to the housing and configured to pressurize a fluid therein, and at least one movable element disposed within the housing. The at least one movable element is configured to move within the housing when the housing rotates about the axis, which causes the at least one movable element to be in periodic driving engagement with the at least one fluid pump to cause the fluid to be pressurized.

Abstract: A modular electric axle head assembly for a vehicle, including a gear assembly including a gear assembly housing defining a hollow portion therein, a first gear shaft having a first gear, a second gear shaft having a second gear and a third gear, wherein at least a portion of the second gear is drivingly connected to the first gear and the third gear, and at least a portion of the gear assembly is disposed within the hollow portion of the gear assembly housing; a motor assembly having an output shaft that is drivingly connected to at least a portion of the gear assembly; and a first mounting assembly including a portion integrally connected to the modular electric head assembly and a portion integrally connected to a support member of the vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the third gear is drivingly connected to a pair of drive shafts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electric propulsion are provided. An electric propulsion system, in one example, includes a first electric machine coupled to a first gear set with a first gear ratio, a second electric machine coupled to a second gear set with a second gear ratio different from the first gear ratio, and an axle including an axle interface. In the system, at least a first output gear of the first gear set and a second output gear of the second gear set are coupled in parallel to the axle interface.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for a vehicle including an axle assembly having a carrier housing. A sump defined by the carrier housing contains a fluid lubricant. The heat transfer system further includes a heat exchanger within the sump. The heat exchanger is in fluid communication with a battery cooling unit.

Abstract: A king-pin joint assembly used in a vehicle. The king-pin joint assembly includes a king-pin, an axle beam and a steering knuckle. At least a portion of an intermediate portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of an axle beam king-pin receiving aperture in a connector portion of the axle beam. The steering knuckle has a yoke portion with a first yoke arm and a second yoke arm. At least a portion of a first bearing assembly and a first end portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of a first yoke arm king-pin aperture in the first yoke arm. Additionally, least a portion of a second bearing assembly and a second end portion of the king-pin is received and/or retained within at least a portion of a second yoke arm king-pin aperture in the second yoke arm.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for a vehicle including an axle assembly having a carrier housing. A sump defined by the carrier housing contains a fluid lubricant. The heat transfer system further includes a heat exchanger having one or more electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements are at least partially disposed within the carrier housing. Additionally, an electrical power source is in electrical connection with the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A gear box having a gear set therein for mounting to the outside of a housing of an axle assembly and connected to the input shaft of the differential of the axle assembly can allow high speed electric motor(s) to connect to the differential via the gear box for driving the axle assembly. The gear box can be mounted using existing bolt hole pattern on the axle assembly housing such as the input cover of the axle head assembly housing the differential. The gear set can be a planetary gear set where the rotor of the electric motor can be rotationally connected to the sun gear and the carrier gear can be connected to the input pinion shaft. In another embodiment an axle assembly having a differential can also have a gear box mounted to the outside of the axle housing and connected to the input pinion shaft to allow use of a high speed electric motor by providing an appropriate gear ratio conversion.

Abstract: A mechanical device lubrication level control system operates within a mechanical housing having a sump cavity and a lubricant director, where the lubricant director is located at the bottom of the housing. A mechanical gear set is located in the sump cavity and a lube tank is located in the lubricant director. There is located within in lube tank either a motor with a pump or an expandable air bladder that is inflatable by an air source. For the lube tank having the motor with the pump, the pump controls the lubricant within the sump cavity. For the lube tank having the expandable air bladder, the air source controls the lubricant within the sump cavity.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a first axle shaft. The first axle shaft includes a first conduit. A second axle shaft includes a second conduit. The first conduit and the second conduit are in fluid communication through a chamber. A differential is operatively connected to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft. The chamber is at least partially disposed within the differential.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a tire pressure management system including an axle having an axle end portion and a rotary joint assembly disposed outboard of the axle end portion. The rotary joint has a rotary hub, a non-rotating tube spindle at least partially disposed within the rotary hub, the tube spindle having a tube spindle hollow central chamber, an air seal provided between the rotary hub and the tube spindle, and a bearing assembly provided between the rotary hub and the tube spindle. The bearing assembly is positioned outboard of the air seal.

Abstract: A mechanical device lubrication level control system operates within a mechanical housing having a sump cavity and a lubricant director, where the lubricant director is located at the bottom of the housing. A mechanical gear set is located in the sump cavity and a lube tank is located in the lubricant director. There is located within in lube tank either a motor with a pump or an expandable air bladder that is inflatable by an air source. For the lube tank having the motor with the pump, the pump controls the lubricant within the sump cavity. For the lube tank having the expandable air bladder, the air source controls the lubricant within the sump cavity.