Patent ID: 6260595
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: B60C

Abstract:
A vehicle axle assembly for use with a tire inflation system comprising:an axle housing having an air supply conduit;at least one wheel hub rotatably supported on said axle housing by bearings;a hub cap mounted at one end of said wheel hub and having an inlet and an outlet interconnected by a passageway wherein air flows from said air supply conduit to said inlet, through said passageway, and out said outlet, said hub cap having a face in abutting contact with an outer face of said wheel hub at a first axial location, there being a space between said hub cap and an outer end of said axle housing at a second axial location, and said wheel hub having said air supply extending into a seal within said axle housing, said air supply conduit extending into said seal at a third axial location, said third axial location being intermediate said first and second axial location, such that said hub cap moves the location of said outlet further axially outwardly away from said wheel hub;at least one pneumatic tire mounted for rotation with said wheel hub and having a tire inlet; anda connector assembly connecting said hub cap to said tire and having a conduit for routing air from said outlet to said tire inlet.