Patent ID: 6966396

Claim:
A drive axle assembly for use in a motor vehicle to transfer drive torque from a powertrain to a pair of wheels, comprising: a housing defining a pump chamber, a gear chamber, and first and second clutch chambers located on opposite sides of said gear chamber; an input shaft adapted to receive drive torque from the powertrain and which extends through said pump chamber into said gear chamber; a drive assembly rotatably supported in said gear chamber and which is driven by said input shaft; a first output shaft adapted for connection to one of the wheels; a second output shaft adapted for connection to the other of the wheels; a first hydraulic coupling located within said first clutch chamber and including a first transfer clutch operably disposed between said drive assembly and said first output shaft, a first piston for engaging said first transfer clutch in response to fluid pressure exerted thereon, and a first control valve for controlling the fluid pressure exerted on said first piston; a second hydraulic coupling located within said second clutch chamber and including a second transfer clutch operably disposed between said drive assembly and said second output shaft, a second piston for engaging said second transfer clutch in response to fluid pressure exerted thereon, and a second control valve for controlling the fluid pressure exerted on said second piston; and a pump disposed in said pump chamber and which is driven by said input shaft for supplying pressurized fluid to said first and second control valves.