Method for controlling flow of lubrication in axle assembly and axle assembly with selectively adjustable drain-back spacer

Claim 3

The method for controlling flow of a lubricant in an axle assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of selectively positioning said drain-back spacer relative to the bearing cap, includes the step of rotating said spacer to a predetermined angular position, thereby positioning said drain-back channel to predetermined position relative to said bearing cap.

Claim 4

The method for controlling flow of a lubricant in an axle assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of locking said drain-back spacer in place relative to the bearing cap, comprises the steps of: forming at least one tab portion on one of said drain-back spacer and said bearing cap; forming at least one notch on one of said bearing cup and said drain-back spacer; and locking said tab portion in said notch.

Claim 5

The method for controlling flow of the lubricant in an axle assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of selectively positioning said drain-back spacer relative to the bearing cap comprises the step of positioning said drain-back spacer in a position when said lubricant drain-back channel is disposed in a lowermost position providing a lower drain-back that allows the lubricant to return to the differential carrier when wheel ends do not require lubrication.

Claim 6

The method for controlling flow of the lubricant in an axle assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said step of selectively positioning said drain-back spacer relative to the bearing cap comprises the step of positioning said oil drain-back channel in an uppermost position providing an upper drain-back that allows the lubricant to be trapped in an axle tube bores when wheel ends require lubrication.

Claim 7

An axle assembly comprising an axle rotatably disposed within a side bearing assembly, said bearing assembly including a bearing cap and a roller bearing secured within a bearing cup; an annular drain-back spacer adjacent and connected to said bearing assembly, said drain-back spacer including a lubricant drain-back channel extending through said spacer and adapted to communicate lubricant therethrough; a means for selectively positioning said lubricant drain-back channel in any of a plurality of predetermined angular positions relative to said bearing cap and locking said drain-back spacer in place relative a differential carrier.

Claim 8

An axle assembly comprising an axle rotatably disposed within a side bearing assembly, said bearing assembly including a bearing cap and a roller bearing secured within a bearing cup; an annular drain-back spacer adjacent and connected to said bearing assembly, said drain-back spacer including a lubricant drain-back channel extending through said spacer and adapted to communicate lubricant therethrough; a means for selectively positioning said lubricant drain-back channel in any of a plurality of predetermined angular positions relative to said bearing cap and locking said drain-back spacer in place relative a differential carrier.

Claim 9

The axle assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for selectively positioning said drain-back spacer relative to said bearing cap includes a tab portion formed on one of said drain-back spacer and said bearing cap, and a corresponding notch formed on one of said bearing cap and said drain-back spacer, wherein said notch receives said tab portion to maintain the relative position between said drain-back spacer and said bearing cap.

Claim 10

The axle assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for selectively positioning said drain-back spacer relative to said bearing cap includes a pin member formed on said drain-back spacer, and a corresponding recess formed on said bearing cap, wherein said recess receives said pin member to maintain the relative position between said drain-back spacer and said bearing cup.

Claim 11

The axle assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for selectively positioning said drain-back spacer relative to said bearing cap includes a tab portion formed on said bearing cap, and a corresponding notch formed on said drain-back spacer, wherein said notch receives said tab portion to maintain the relative position between said drain-back spacer and said bearing cap.

Claim 12

The axle assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for selectively positioning said drain-back spacer relative to said bearing cap includes a tab portion formed on said bearing cap, and at least two notches formed on said drain-back spacer, wherein one of said notches receives said tab portion to maintain the relative position between said drain-back spacer and said bearing cap.

Claim 13

An axle assembly comprising an axle rotatably disposed within a side bearing assembly, said bearing assembly including a bearing cap and a roller bearing secured within a bearing cup; an annular drain-back spacer adjacent and connected to said bearing assembly; said drain-back spacer having an outer peripheral surface, and inner peripheral surface, and two annular side surfaces; said drain-back spacer further including a lubricant drain-back channel extending through said spacer and adapted to communicate lubricant therethrough; said drain-back spacer further including at least one tab portion or at least one notch formed on said outer peripheral surface of said drain-back spacer; said bearing cap including a notch or a tab portion formed on the side surface of said bearing cap facing said drain-back spacer; wherein said notch on the bearing cap receives said corresponding tab portion on said drain-back spacer, or said at least one notch on said drain-back spacer receives said corresponding tab portion on the bearing cap to maintain the relative position between said drain-back spacer and said bearing cap.

Claim 14

An axle assembly comprising an axle rotatably disposed within a side bearing assembly, said bearing assembly including a bearing cap and a roller bearing secured within a bearing cup; an annular drain-back spacer adjacent and connected to said bearing assembly; said drain-back spacer having an outer peripheral surface, and inner peripheral surface, and two annular side surfaces; said drain-back spacer further including a lubricant drain-back channel extending through said spacer and adapted to communicate lubricant therethrough; said drain-back spacer further including at least one tab portion or at least one notch formed on said outer peripheral surface of said drain-back spacer; said bearing cap including a notch or a tab portion formed on the side surface of said bearing cap facing said drain-back spacer; wherein said notch on the bearing cap receives said corresponding tab portion on said drain-back spacer, or said at least one notch on said drain-back spacer receives said corresponding tab portion on the bearing cap to maintain the relative position between said drain-back spacer and said bearing cap.