Axle with variable volume sump
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An axle comprising:
- an axle housing defining a gear chamber and a reservoir, the gear chamber and the reservoir being in fluid communication with each other via at least one opening; and
a regulator adjacent the at least one opening, the regulator configured to assume a closed position that obstructs the at least one opening when a temperature is below a predetermined value, and configured to assume an open position that places the gear chamber and the reservoir in fluid communication via the at least one opening when the temperature is above the predetermined value such that the gear chamber contains less lubrication when the temperature is below the predetermined value as compared to when the temperature is above the predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An axle having a variable volume sump. The axle includes an axle housing that defines a gear chamber and a separate reservoir. The gear chamber and the reservoir are in fluid communication with each other via an opening. A regulator is located adjacent the opening. The regulator is operable to assume a first closed position that obstructs the opening when a temperature in the axle is below a predetermined value, and is also operable to assume a second open position that places the gear chamber and the reservoir in fluid communication via the opening when the temperature is above the predetermined value.
25 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An axle comprising:
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an axle housing defining a gear chamber and a reservoir, the gear chamber and the reservoir being in fluid communication with each other via at least one opening; and a regulator adjacent the at least one opening, the regulator configured to assume a closed position that obstructs the at least one opening when a temperature is below a predetermined value, and configured to assume an open position that places the gear chamber and the reservoir in fluid communication via the at least one opening when the temperature is above the predetermined value such that the gear chamber contains less lubrication when the temperature is below the predetermined value as compared to when the temperature is above the predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An axle comprising:
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an axle housing defining a gear chamber and a reservoir, the reservoir having an open top and at least one opening is in a lower portion of the reservoir below the open top, the gear chamber and the reservoir being in fluid communication with each other via the at least one opening and the open top; and a bi-metal valve adjacent the at least one opening, the bi-metal valve configured to assume a closed position that obstructs the at least one opening when a temperature is below a predetermined value, and configured to assume an open position that places the gear chamber and the reservoir in fluid communication via the at least one opening when the temperature is above the predetermined value such that the gear chamber contains less lubrication when the temperature is below the predetermined value as compared to when the temperature is above the predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification