Charles L Rasmer

US Patent:

55403000, Jul 30, 1996

Filed:

Jan 9, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/370203

Inventors:

James P. Downs - Saginaw MI
Dale A. Frank - Fenton MI
Douglas B. Lutz - Shelby Township MI
Charles L. Rasmer - Bay City MI
Norman E. Schultz - Saginaw MI

Assignee:

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

F01M 906

US Classification:

184 112

Abstract:

A drive axle assembly has a gear housing, two axle tubes extending outwardly of the gear housing, a lubricant reservoir in the gear housing and a gear assembly rotatably mounted in the gear housing that has a rotatable member that is partially disposed in lubricant in the lubricant reservoir. The drive axle assembly also has a lubricant cooling system that includes a lubricant passage in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir via an inlet that is juxtaposed the rotatable member so that the level of lubricant in the lubricant passage is raised when the rotatable member rotates. The lubricant passage has elevated outlets that deliver lubricant to lubricant ducts disposed in the respective axle tubes when the lubricant in the lubricant passage rises above a predetermined level. The lubricant flows away from the gear housing in the lubricant ducts and returns to the reservoir along the interior of the axle tubes which cools the lubricant as it returns to the reservoir.

US Patent:

49709135, Nov 20, 1990

Filed:

Jul 21, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/383902

Inventors:

Stanley J. Kielar - Saginaw MI
Charles L. Rasmer - Bay City MI
Flave F. Stimpson - Saginaw MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B65D 4104

US Classification:

74606R

Abstract:

A venting mechanism for a drive axle assembly is mounted on a side wall of a housing for a differential. The venting mechanism includes a deflector vane which is pivotally mounted on a vent tube inside the housing. The deflector vane allows air to be vented from the housing through the vent tube without lubricant being able to escape.