Constant velocity joint vent valve

• US 6,988,949 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GKN Driveline North America Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: GKN Driveline North America Incorporated (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Wang, Shen-Ling Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US10/703,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20050101390A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 464/15, 464/17, 464139-146, 464/902, 464/906, 464/185, 137/512, 137/512.1, 137/512.15, 137/854, 137/855
• US Class Current: 464/17
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2003/2232 Elements arranged in the hollow space between the end of the inner shaft and the outer joint member
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2003/846 Venting arrangements for flexible seals, e.g. ventilation holes
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2300/0212 Air cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/223 the rolling members being guided in grooves in both coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 3/843 enclosed covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 464/902 Particular material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/784 Integral resilient member forms plural valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/789 Central mount

Abstract

A vent valve for use in a constant velocity joint having a vent aperture in communication with a joint chamber comprises a body having a first end and a second end and at least one flat extending therebetween; and an umbrella shaped flexible retention cap disposed adjacent the first end of the body and the at least one flat. The retention cap is operative in a normally closed position to cover the at least one flat and seal the joint from external contaminants, and in response to internal pressure created in the joint cavity, functions to bellow outward and expose the at least one flat to permit air to escape from the chamber. The at least one flat includes a straight-line vent to clean the grease off and away from the vent valve. The vent valve can be made from single or multiple materials, having porous and non-porous properties.

Claims

1. A vent valve comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end and at least one straight-line vent extending therebetween; and

a flexible retention cap disposed adjacent the first end of the body and the at least one straight-line vent, the straight-line vent being adapted to self clean the vent valve under the influence of rotational forces;

wherein the body and the flexible retention cap are made from a combination of gas permeable and non-permeable materials.

2. The vent valve of claim 1, wherein the body and the flexible retention cap are made from a pliable material.

3. The vent valve of claim 1, wherein the body and the flexible retention cap are made from a fluoro silicone material.

4. The vent valve of claim 1, wherein the body and the flexible retention cap are gas permeable.

5. The vent valve of claim 1, wherein the at least one straight-line vent is one flat.

6. The vent valve of claim 1, wherein the at least one straight-line vent has a tilt extending along the body.

7. The vent valve of claim 1, wherein the flexible retention cap has an umbrella or a mushroom shape.

8. The vent valve of claim 4, wherein the body and the flexible retention cap are made from a polytetrafluoroethylene polymer.

9. The vent valve of claim 5 comprising two flats which intersect one another.

10. A constant velocity joint venting system comprising:

a constant velocity joint having an internal chamber and a vent plate defining a vent aperture in communication with the joint chamber; and

a vent valve receivable in the vent aperture, the vent valve comprising;

a body having a first end and a second end and at least one straight-line vent extending therebetween; and

a flexible retention cap disposed adjacent the first end of the body and the at least one straight-line vent, the straight-line vent being adapted to self clean the vent valve under the influence of rotational forces.

11. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 10, wherein the flexible retention cap has a surface area greater than the vent aperture.

12. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 10, wherein the vent plate has an offset or a recessed portion.

13. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 10, wherein the body and the flexible retention cap are made from a fluoro silicone material.

14. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 10, wherein the body and the flexible retention cap are gas permeable.

15. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 10, wherein the body and the flexible retention cap are made from a combination of gas permeable and non-permeable materials.

16. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one straight-line vent is one flat.

17. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 10, wherein the at least one straight-line vent is inclined axially extending along the body.

18. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 10, wherein the flexible retention cap has an umbrella or a mushroom shape.

19. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 10, wherein the vent plate is formed such that the flexible retention cap is recessed in the axial direction with respect to an outermost surface of said vent plate.

20. The constant velocity Joint venting system of claim 12, wherein the recess or offset defines a first distance (D₁) between an outermost surface of the vent plate and an end face of the vent plate which includes the vent aperture, such that an outermost surface of said flexible retention cap sits at or below said outermost surface of said vent plate.

21. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 12, wherein the recess or offset extends greater radially from said vent aperture than an outermost radial edge of said flexible retention cap.

22. The constant velocity joint venting system of claim 20, wherein the recess or offset extends greater radially from said vent aperture than an outermost radial edge of said flexible retention cap.

23. A vent valve for use in a constant velocity joint, comprising:

a body having a cylindrical outer surface, a first end and a second end;

at least one straight-line vent formed in the outer surface, and extends from the first end to the second end, the outer surface having an annular lip located adjacent the first end, an annular channel located between the annular lip and the second end, and an annular engagement surface located on the annular lip toward the annular channel, wherein a vent pathway is formed by the at least one straight-line vent and the annular channel; and

a flexible retention cap disposed between the annular channel and the second end of the body, wherein the flexible retention cap is umbrella shaped covering the annular channel and has a greater circumference than the annular lip which has a greater circumference than the annular channel,

wherein the at least one straight-line vent is adapted to self clean the vent valve under the influence of rotational forces.