Abstract: An endless track for use in propelling a snowmobile. The endless track extends between a first lateral side and a second lateral side and includes an inner drive surface and an outer ground-engaging surface. The inner drive surface includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced inner drive lugs used to drive and rotate the endless track. The outer ground-engaging surface includes a plurality of treads, where each tread extends continuous and uninterrupted along a constant height from the first lateral side to the second lateral side a full width of the endless track.

Abstract: A snowmobile assembly including a chassis and suspension system. The suspension system configured to allow a selected suspension travel. The snowmobile further including a cooling system assembly.

Abstract: A snowmobile assembly including a chassis and suspension system. The suspension system configured to allow a selected suspension travel. The snowmobile further including a cooling system assembly.

Abstract: A tracked ATV includes a frame, a track coupled to the frame, and a power source supported by the frame and drivingly coupled to the track. The tracked ATV further includes a steering and drive assembly, which has a first hydraulic pump coupled to the tracks for large radius turns. The steering and drive assembly also has a second hydraulic pump coupled to the tracks for small radius turns.

Abstract: An endless track for use in propelling a snowmobile. The endless track extends between a first lateral side and a second lateral side and includes an inner drive surface and an outer ground-engaging surface. The inner drive surface includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced inner drive lugs used to drive and rotate the endless track. The outer ground-engaging surface includes a plurality of treads, where each tread extends continuous and uninterrupted along a constant height from the first lateral side to the second lateral side a full width of the endless track.

Abstract: A snowmobile assembly including a chassis and suspension system. The suspension system configured to allow a selected suspension travel. The snowmobile further including a cooling system assembly.

Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension is shown comprised of a linear force element (LFE) positioned outside the envelope of the snowmobile endless track. The LFE is attached at one end to the frame and at the other end to a bell crank. The bell crank is operatively connected to the slide rails, and carrier rollers extend from the bell crank. When the slide rails collapse in normal operation, the bell crank strokes the LFE, and the suspension is progressive throughout the range.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to snowmobiles. More particularly, the present invention relates to the components of a snowmobile such as the frame, skis, motor, and endless belt assembly.

Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension is shown comprised of a linear force element (LFE) positioned outside the envelope of the snowmobile endless track. The LFE is attached at one end to the frame and at the other end to a bell crank. The bell crank is operatively connected to the slide rails, and carrier rollers extend from the bell crank. When the slide rails collapse in normal operation, the bell crank strokes the LFE, and the suspension is progressive throughout the range.

Abstract: An integrated heat exchanger and engine mount for a snowmobile that reinforces the snowmobile chassis is disclosed. The heat exchanger is formed with an internal passage through which a vehicle fluid may be circulated and cooled. The heat exchanger is also formed with increased rigidity to strengthen the chassis and support an engine mount.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a seat having a rear end with a rear end face. The rear end face is inclined upwardly and rearwardly from an upper surface of a tunnel of a frame so that a cavity is defined beneath the seat between the inclined rear end face of the seat and the upper surface of the tunnel.

Abstract: An integrated heat exchanger and engine mount for a snowmobile that reinforces the snowmobile chassis is disclosed. The heat exchanger is formed with an internal passage through which a vehicle fluid may be circulated and cooled. The heat exchanger is also formed with increased rigidity to strengthen the chassis and support an engine mount.

Abstract: A snowmobile including a chassis, shell, and an engine. The shell may be fixed to a front portion of the chassis and extend away from the chassis in a forward direction. The shell may be disposed forward of the steering axis. The shell may define a chamber that fluidly communicates with the engine via a flexible coupling interposed between the shell and the engine.

Abstract: A snowmobile including a frame, drive track, and an engine. The engine extends in a first direction from a cylinder bore axis of the engine and a back side extends in a second direction from the cylinder bore axis. Air may enter a cylinder bore of the engine from the front side and exhaust gases may exit the engine from the front side.

Abstract: A vehicle with a two-stroke engine includes a system for rapidly heating an exhaust pipe. The system may include a heating mode signal generator, a sensor, and a controller. Activation of the signal generator signals the controller, which, in turn, determines whether the engine RPM falls in a range such that the vehicle remains stationary. The controller may then set the engine ignition timing to a heating mode range that rapidly heats the exhaust pipe system. The ignition timing may be after top dead center in the heating mode. A method of rapidly heating an exhaust pipe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile comprising a frame defining a tunnel and a track rotatably supported by the frame is disclosed. An engine is connected to the frame and operatively coupled to the track by a drivetrain. The engine has a front side extending in a first direction from a cylinder bore axis of the engine and a back side extending in a second direction from the cylinder bore axis. Air enters a cylinder bore of the engine from the front side of the engine. Exhaust gases exit from the front side of the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle with a two-stroke engine includes a system for rapidly heating an exhaust pipe. The system may include a heating mode signal generator, a sensor, and a controller. Activation of the signal generator signals the controller, which, in turn, determines whether the engine RPM falls in a range such that the vehicle remains stationary. The controller may then set the engine ignition timing to a heating mode range that rapidly heats the exhaust pipe system. The ignition timing may be after top dead center in the heating mode. A method of rapidly heating an exhaust pipe is also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation slide is presented that includes an aerodynamic spoiler to kill the lift caused by air flowing laterally over the slide. The slide preferably comprises a fabric sliding surface stretched between two longitudinal main side members. The spoiler comprises a fabric panel, supported by a plurality of fabric gussets, that extends outward from each of the main side members. When the main side member of the slide is exposed to a lateral wind load, the spoiler creates a flow separation that kills the lift generated by the airflow. By killing the lift induced by the airflow over the top of the inflatable evacuation slide, zero or negative lift is generated by the airflow over the inflatable evacuation slide, which causes the slide to deploy downward firmly contacting the ground even in high wind conditions.

Abstract: A front snowmobile suspension of the type having a ski carried at the front end of a trailing arm. The front end of the trailing arm is pivotably secured to the chassis by a pair of generally transversely mounted radius rods. The rear end of the trailing arm is pivotably secured to the chassis at a position sufficiently closer to the chassis centerline than the front end of the trailing arm that the trailing arm is oriented at an angle of at least about 8°, and preferably at least about 10°, with respect to the chassis centerline. In this location the rear end of the trailing arm may be positioned inboard of at least a portion of a body panel (typically the side panel)—i.e. the rear end of the trailing arm is disposed between the body panel and the centerline of the chassis.

Abstract: A snowmobile having a liquid-cooled engine with an improved cooling system is disclosed. The snowmobile has a chassis with a drive tunnel. Horizontal footrests extend laterally from opposite sides of the chassis. The snowmobile also has left and right elongate side coolers that dissipate heat generated by the engine. The side coolers have a hollow interior that is in fluid communication with liquid coolant passages in the engine. Each cooler extends longitudinally and is mounted at an outer edge of a respective footrest to form a footwell. The snowmobile has a pump that circulates coolant throughout the coolant circuit formed by the side coolers and the internal passages of the engine. The side coolers may also contain heat exchanging anti-skid studs that extend outward from the surface of each side cooler. The snowmobile may also contain front and rear heat exchangers connected within the coolant circuit and positioned at the front and rear ends of the tunnel, respectively.