Abstract: A vehicle powertrain has an engine, a driving shaft having a passage defined therein, a driven shaft, a pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a CVT. A driving pulley of the CVT includes a fixed sheave and a movable sheave disposed on the driving shaft for rotation therewith, a spring biasing a movable sheave away from the fixed sheave, and a CVT chamber fluidly communicating with the passage of the driving shaft. The pump supplies hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the passage in the driving shaft. The hydraulic fluid flows from the passage to the CVT chamber to create a hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber. The hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber biases the movable sheave toward the fixed sheave.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain has an engine, a driving shaft having a passage defined therein, a driven shaft, a pump, a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and a CVT. A driving pulley of the CVT includes a fixed sheave and a movable sheave disposed on the driving shaft for rotation therewith, a spring biasing a movable sheave away from the fixed sheave, and a CVT chamber fluidly communicating with the passage of the driving shaft. The pump supplies hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the passage in the driving shaft. The hydraulic fluid flows from the passage to the CVT chamber to create a hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber. The hydraulic pressure in the CVT chamber biases the movable sheave toward the fixed sheave.

Abstract: An endless belt system for a vehicle having a negative trail steering geometry is provided. The endless belt system replaces the wheels that steer a vehicle, particularly an all-terrain vehicle, to provide increased steerability and floatation over soft terrain.

Abstract: An endless belt system for a vehicle having a negative trail steering geometry is provided. The endless belt system replaces the wheels that steer a vehicle, particularly an all-terrain vehicle, to provide increased steerability and floatation over soft terrain.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for selectively preventing fluid from flowing through a fluid path when a vehicle is in a predetermined orientation. When an orientation sensor signals to a controller that the vehicle is inverted, the controller closes a valve to prevent fluid from flowing therethrough. If the fluid path is part of an open-loop oil system, closing the valve may prevent oil in the oil system from leaking into the ambient environment when the vehicle flips over. Similarly, if the fluid path is part of an exhaust system for an engine of a watercraft, closing the valve may prevent water from entering the exhaust system and/or the engine when the watercraft flips over. Alternatively, the controller may alert an operator that a vehicle has been uprighted in an incorrect direction.

Abstract: A valve in the flow aperture of a removable coolant reservoir enables coolant to flow between the reservoir and a coolant system while preventing the coolant in the reservoir from spilling when the reservoir is disconnected from the coolant system. A filling tube with a lower end and an air escape passage discourage users from overfilling the reservoir. Once the coolant level reaches the lower end, fluid accumulates in the filling tube, thereby indicating to the user that the reservoir is full. The air escape passage then gradually allows displaced air to escape and coolant in the filling tube to enter the reservoir. An overflow port and tube attached to the filling tube divert excess coolant away from the reservoir. A bleed tube, a bleed port, and a barrier in the reservoir remove bubbles from the coolant system and prevent the removed bubbles from reentering the coolant system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for selectively preventing fluid from flowing through a fluid path when a vehicle is in a predetermined orientation. When an orientation sensor signals to a controller that the vehicle is inverted, the controller closes a valve to prevent fluid from flowing therethrough. If the fluid path is part of an open-loop oil system, closing the valve may prevent oil in the oil system from leaking into the ambient environment when the vehicle flips over. Similarly, if the fluid path is part of an exhaust system for an engine of a watercraft, closing the valve may prevent water from entering the exhaust system and/or the engine when the watercraft flips over. Alternatively, the controller may alert an operator that a vehicle has been uprighted in an incorrect direction.

Abstract: A valve in the flow aperture of a removable coolant reservoir enables coolant to flow between the reservoir and a coolant system while preventing the coolant in the reservoir from spilling when the reservoir is disconnected from the coolant system. A filling tube with a lower end and an air escape passage discourage users from overfilling the reservoir. Once the coolant level reaches the lower end, fluid accumulates in the filling tube, thereby indicating to the user that the reservoir is full. The air escape passage then gradually allows displaced air to escape and coolant in the filling tube to enter the reservoir. An overflow port and tube attached to the filling tube divert excess coolant away from the reservoir. A bleed tube, a bleed port, and a barrier in the reservoir remove bubbles from the coolant system and prevent the removed bubbles from reentering the coolant system.