Patent ID: 7294086
Filing Date: 2007-11-13
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A drive axle assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a powertrain and first and second wheels, comprising: an input shaft driven by the powertrain; a first axleshaft driving the first wheel; a second axleshaft driving the second wheel; a differential having an input component driven by said input shaft, a first output component driving said first axleshaft and a second output component driving said second axleshaft; a first gearset having a first ring gear driven by said input component, a first sun gear, a first planet carrier driven by said first output component, and a set of first planet gears supported by said first planet carrier and meshed with said first sun gear and said first ring gear; a second gearset having a second ring gear driven by said input component, a second sun gear, a second planet carrier driven by said second output component, and a set of second planet gears supported by said second planet carrier and meshed with said second sun gear and said second ring gear; a first clutch selectively engageable to brake rotation of said first sun gear; a first clutch actuator operable to control engagement of said first clutch; a second clutch selectively engageable to brake rotation of said second sun gear; a second clutch actuator operable to control engagement of said second clutch; and a hydraulic clutch actuation system having a primary fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit interconnected by a pressure intensifier unit, said second fluid circuit operable to independently control actuation of said first and second clutch actuators.