With Means For Cooling Motor Patents (Class 180/229)
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Patent number: 7743868Abstract: A motorcycle includes a front wheel defining a forward direction, a rear wheel defining a rotational axis, an engine for driving at least one of the wheels, coolant positioned at least partially in the engine, and a radiator assembly containing at least a portion of the coolant. The radiator assembly includes a radiator and an inlet guide. The radiator is positioned forward of the rotational axis and has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is positioned forward of the lower portion. The inlet guide is positioned adjacent the radiator and includes an inlet opening. At least a portion of the inlet guide extends upwardly from the inlet opening of the radiator, and the inlet opening is positioned closer to the rear wheel than to the front wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Buell Motorcycle CompanyInventor: Erik F. Buell
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Patent number: 7743862Abstract: A reserve tank structure for enhancing the degree of freedom in the layout of the filling portion of the reserve tank and the mounting bracket and the degree of freedom in the layout of parts around the reserve tank. A reserve tank structure includes a reserve hose for connecting a reserve tank to a radiator. The reserve tank includes a tank body portion for reserving a cooling water with a filling portion that extends upwardly from the tank body portion and includes a water supply port on an upper end thereof. A hose plug is connected to an end portion of the reserve hose. Mounting brackets support an intermediate portion of the reserve hose wherein the mounting bracket is mounted on the filling portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Taeko Togawa, Takahiro Yanagisawa, Makoto Hotozuka, Masayuki Hirukawa
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Patent number: 7708099Abstract: A motorcycle that secures engine cooling efficiency while reducing exposure of a radiator. A reserve tank disposed below the seat and inward of an exhaust pipe in the vehicle width direction exchanges cooling water with the radiator. A first heat blocking cover is disposed between the exhaust pipe and the reserve tank. The first heat blocking cover has an access hole formed therein. A second heat blocking cover covers the access hole of the first heat blocking cover.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuhiro Oodachi, Shigeto Yamasaki
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Publication number: 20100096208Abstract: A motorcycle includes a frame having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and a centrally-located longitudinal axis extending through the front and the rear. The longitudinal axis defines a vertical plane. An engine is supported by the frame. A radiator coil is coupled to the frame and spaced apart from the vertical plane. A shroud is coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounds the radiator coil. The shroud directs an airflow through the radiator coil and toward the vertical plane as the airflow passes in the rearward direction. The shroud directs the airflow downwardly as the airflow passes through the radiator coil in the rearward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANYInventors: Erik F. Buell, John W. Fox, Matthew J. Sheahan
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Patent number: 7691162Abstract: An elongate spike configuration of air filter for an automotive vehicle includes a cowl arranged to extend parallel to the ram air flow about the vehicle and resulting from movement of the vehicle at speed. The cowl is rotational and is power driven in rotation during operation of the vehicle such as to smooth ram air flow, reducing turbulence and excessive ram air pressure so as to improve running smoothness of the vehicle engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Inventors: Bill McCahill, Steve Campbell, Antonio Miguel Llerandi
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Publication number: 20100078251Abstract: An electric motorcycle is provided that can air-cool a power drive unit without the provision of a plurality of cooling fans. In an electric vehicle in which a battery box housing batteries is disposed below a foot rest space and electricity supplied from the batteries is supplied to a running-purpose power-generating motor via a power drive unit, the power drive unit is attached to a swing arm turning around a pivot shaft and the battery box is formed with an air introduction port and an air discharge port used to cool the batteries. A cooling fan is provided which sucks air in the battery box from the air discharge port and sends the air toward the power drive unit. The cooling fan is disposed rearward of the air discharge port of the battery box and close to the pivot shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Hisao NISHIURA, Yoshihisa Kanno, Toshiaki Takamura
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Patent number: 7686116Abstract: A vehicle including a radiator with improved cooling efficiency is disclosed. The vehicle, such as a motorcycle, comprises an engine 10, a radiator 13b (13c) for cooling of the engine 10, and a baffle device 14 (15) including an outer wall portion 14a (15a) extending toward an outer side 131 (13n) of the radiator 13b (13c) from the front, and an upper wall portion 14b (15b) extending toward an upper portion 13d (13f) of the radiator 13b (13c) from the front and arranged in a manner not to have any substantial gap between it and the upper portion 13d (13f) of the radiator 13b (13c).Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoshi Oohashi, Kiyoshi Shimada, Naoyuki Hosono
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Publication number: 20100032226Abstract: A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, can include an exhaust pipe connected to a back or rear side of an engine of the vehicle. An intermediate portion of the exhaust pipe can extend along a side of the engine from a rear portion connected to the rear side of the engine. A front portion of the exhaust pipe can extend from the intermediate portion along a front of the engine, and an exhaust portion can extend from the intermediate portion along a side of the engine opposite to the intermediate portion side.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masato Yokoi
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Patent number: 7654357Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and a centrally-located longitudinal axis extending through the front and the rear. The longitudinal axis defines a vertical plane. The motorcycle also includes an engine supported by the frame and a radiator coil obliquely mounted to the frame. The radiator coil is spaced apart from the vertical plane and includes a forward end and a rearward end as viewed from above the motorcycle. The forward end defines a first distance measured normal to the vertical plane and the rearward end defines a second distance measured normal to the vertical plane. The first distance is shorter than the second distance.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Buell Motorcycle CompanyInventors: Erik F. Buell, John W. Fox, Matthew J. Sheahan
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Publication number: 20100018793Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a frame, a left radiator, and a right radiator. The frame includes a steering interface and a forward member which are each intersected by an imaginary plane which bisects the saddle-type vehicle into left and right sides. The left radiator is supported by the frame and is disposed upon the left side of the saddle-type vehicle. The right radiator is supported by the frame, is spaced from the left radiator, and is disposed upon the right side of the saddle-type vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2008Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventor: David W. Arnold
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Patent number: 7637342Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle with a radiator having heightened support stiffness. An engine bracket extends vertically and has an upper portion mounted to a front end of a body frame and a lower portion suspending a front wall of an engine. The radiator includes an upper radiator arranged along a front surface of and mounted to the engine bracket, and a lower radiator.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sadamu Iwanaga, Masami Shinsho
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Patent number: 7617901Abstract: A fuel pump mounting arrangement for a motorcycle is provided in which the fuel pump is mounted to the vehicle body frame and in which the fuel pump is protected from impact without increasing the weight of a pivot plate. In the motorcycle, a main frame extends rearwardly from a head pipe, rear frames extend rearwardly from the main frame, and a central frame structure extends downwardly from the rear frames to form a space within the central frame structure. A pivot plate is mounted on a lower portion of the central frame structure, and a rear swing arm is supported on the pivot plate. In such a constitution, a fuel pump is arranged in the space which is formed by the central frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsuhiko Takahashi, Dai Harada
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Publication number: 20090255748Abstract: A motorcycle including a radiator and having an engine offset, and in which increase in vehicle width is suppressed. A center of the engine is out of alignment with respect to a center of a head pipe toward one side in the vehicle width direction. The radiator is arranged in front of the engine. Cooling liquid flows in the radiator in the vehicle width direction. A first piping extends rearward from the other end portion of the radiator and a rear end portion of the first piping is connected to the engine. A second piping connects one end portion of the radiator in the vehicle width direction to the engine. The second piping extends from the one end portion of the radiator to the other side of the engine in the vehicle width direction, between the radiator and the engine, and extends rearward of the other side of the engine in the vehicle width direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hideki Fujiwara
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Publication number: 20090255489Abstract: A motorcycle includes an engine, a radiator that cools a cooling liquid, a first piping that connects the engine to the radiator, and a second piping that connects the engine to the radiator. The second piping, engine, radiator and first piping form a circulating circuit through which cooling liquid circulates. At least one of the first and second pipings is substantially constituted by resin piping. The time required to warm up the engine is thereby reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideki FUJIWARA, Eigo KITAMURA
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Publication number: 20090218156Abstract: A motorcycle fluid cooler assembly includes a heat exchanger and a mounting member coupled to the heat exchanger. The mounting member is adapted for mounting the heat exchanger to a first footrest mounting point of a motorcycle frame so that the heat exchanger transversely extends externally to the motorcycle frame when mounted. Fluid ports are coupled to the heat exchanger, and a footrest member is coupled to the heat exchanger. The footrest member is positioned as a rider footrest when the heat exchanger is mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventor: David Jerome Walser
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Patent number: 7575083Abstract: In order to reduce the influences of engine heat and vibration on a shift actuator, a shift actuator is disposed apart from the engine and the transmission on a vehicle. In particular a straddle-type vehicle, the vehicle includes a head pipe and a body frame including a main frame that extends rearward from the head pipe. The engine is suspended by the body frame 2 and a transmission is disposed next to the engine. The transmission includes a shift mechanism having a multiple-step speed change gear and a clutch mechanism that interrupts the transmission of rotation at the switching of the speed change gear of the transmission 40. An automatic transmission control unit operates the clutch mechanism and switches the speed change gear of the transmission automatically.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Makoto Kosugi, Sadamu Iwanaga, Takuji Murayama, Kimio Matsuda
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Publication number: 20090178870Abstract: A vehicle can include a horn able to produce an effective sound volume. The vehicle can be a motorcycle. The horn of the motorcycle can be positioned relative to parts of the motorcycle in such a way that an effective sound volume can be produced by the horn, while obstruction by the horn of cooling airflow is reduced or eliminated. In particular, at least a part of the horn can be displaced laterally from front forks of the motorcycle, in a position where the horn overlaps with an inner panel of a cowl of the motorcycle in a front view.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kuniyuki TAKAHASHI, Katsumitsu WAKAMATSU
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Patent number: 7556115Abstract: A vehicle body cooling structure for a motorcycle comprises a cooling air passage that extends between an engine and a fuel tank in the front-and-rear direction. A cowling covers the front part of the vehicle body, which contains the engine. The vehicle body cooling structure also comprises a heat blocking member that covers an upper part of the engine. The cooling air passage is separated into an engine side cooling air passage and a fuel tank side cooling air passage by the heat blocking member.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Sadamu Iwanaga
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Publication number: 20090166120Abstract: A front fender that increases the cooling effect of an apparatus disposed rearward of a front wheel of a motorcycle. The front fender is disposed above the front wheel and between left and right front suspensions supporting the front wheel. An upper surface part of the front fender extends rearward along an external shape of the front wheel. A transitional part on the upper surface part is formed forward of the front suspensions. An extending direction of the upper surface part changes at the transitional part to direct airflow flowing along the upper surface part away from the upper surface part.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hideko OKAMOTO
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Publication number: 20090139473Abstract: A fluid cooler for cooling a fluid, such as oil, associated with an engine of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a housing for mounting to a portion of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the housing is tubular in shape. First and second vents for air flow are formed in the housing. In one embodiment, the first vent is for air intake and is located in a first end cap of the housing, while the second vent is for air exhaust, is located in a second end cap and has a cross sectional area approximately equal to a cross sectional area of the first vent. Within the housing, a fluid passageway exists for containing a flow path of the fluid associated with the engine. A fan moves air past the fluid passageway. By the design of the cooler and its mounting orientation on the vehicle, in a preferred embodiment, substantially no air passes through the housing when the fan is not operating regardless of whether the vehicle is moving.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventor: George Erik McMillan
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Patent number: 7537077Abstract: A shroud, typically of an off-road motorcycle is provided. The motorcycle includes a fuel tank provided in an upper front portion of the motorcycle body. The shroud structure includes an upper shroud that extends along a side face of the fuel tank and covers the fuel tank, and a lower shroud disposed below the upper shroud. The upper and lower shrouds are detachably coupled to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takehiro Nakashima, Yoshihiro Masuda, Nobuhiko Kurokawa
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Patent number: 7527111Abstract: An engine produces power, which is distributed by a power distribution device to an electric generator and a rear wheel. A motor produces power other than that produced by the engine to drive the rear wheel. A battery stores electricity generated by the electric generator and supplies electricity to the electric generator and the motor. A hybrid control unit (HCU) controls the engine, the electric generator and the motor. The HCU drives a decompression device provided in the engine to reduce the pressure inside an engine cylinder created while cranking the engine, in order to stop the engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Arai Katsuhiro, Tetsushi Saitou
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Publication number: 20090095553Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle with a radiator having heightened support stiffness. An engine bracket extends vertically and has an upper portion mounted to a front end of a body frame and a lower portion suspending a front wall of an engine. The radiator includes an upper radiator arranged along a front surface of and mounted to the engine bracket, and a lower radiator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Sadamu IWANAGA, Masami SHINSHO
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Patent number: 7506713Abstract: A heat exchanger, for motorcycle use and mounted on a motorcycle and in which heat is exchanged between air and a heating medium flowing inside the heat exchanger, is characterized in that: the heat exchanger is fixed to a motorcycle body via a bracket 8; the bracket 8 includes a through-hole 80 into which a portion of the motorcycle body is inserted via a cylindrical grommet 9 and collar 10 capable of being elastically deformed; a cylindrical burring portion 81, which protrudes onto one side, is formed in an inner circumferential edge portion 80a of the through-hole 80; the grommet 9 is inserted into the through-hole 80 so that the grommet 9 can be contacted with the inner circumferential edge portion 80a of the through-hole 80; and a forward end portion of the burring portion 81 is directed outside in the radial direction with respect to the inner circumferential edge portion 80a of the through-hole 80.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Shinya Miura, Yoshihiro Tajima
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Patent number: 7490689Abstract: To easily secure a welding length when an opening is formed at a portion in the vicinity of a joint portion between a head pipe portion and a main frame portion. A front opening penetrating through a vehicle body frame across a head pipe portion and a main frame portion. A rib extending across the front opening along a front parting plane of the vehicle body frame. The rib being divided along the front parting plane and the edge portions of the divided rib portions opposing the outer periphery of the main frame portion are integrally joined.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Seki, Jun Hariu, Hiroshi Nakagome, Toshihisa Nagashii, Hitoshi Akaoka
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Patent number: 7478697Abstract: A scooter type motorcycle capable of improving cooling efficiency of brake calipers includes a vehicle body cover, covering a rear wheel brake device, is formed with a drive-induced airflow introducing port. A drive-induced airflow guiding duct, supported with vehicle body frames, for guiding drive-induced airflow from the drive-induced airflow introducing port to the brake calipers of the rear wheel brake device, is provided. The drive-induced airflow guiding duct has an inflow port formed at its one end for the drive-induced airflow entering at the drive-induced airflow introducing port to flow in. An airflow delivery port is formed at its other end and opening in the vicinity of the brake calipers for delivering the drive-induced airflow, introduced through the inflow port, to the brake calipers.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Ohira, Yasuharu Sakashita
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Patent number: 7475749Abstract: In a motorcycle, a fuel tank shroud is arranged on each side of the fuel tank so that the shrouds cover at least part of both side surfaces of the fuel tank. The rear portions of the shrouds are stably supported to avoid vibration. Each shroud is formed of synthetic resin and integrally includes a main portion for covering the side of a fuel tank, a supporting arm portion extending inward from a rear portion of the main portion and sandwiched between a front portion of a seat and a rear portion of the fuel tank, and an engaging portion projecting from a distal end of the supporting arm portion. A bottom plate of the seat is integrally provided with a latching portion for allowing removable engagement with the engaging portion of the fuel tank shrouds, whereby the rear portion of the shrouds are supported.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Yoshida, Eiji Sugiyama
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Publication number: 20090008181Abstract: An air intake assembly for an engine of a motorcycle includes an air intake opening for receiving intake air, the intake air defining an air flow direction. The air intake assembly further includes an airbox at least partially defining a chamber. A partition is positioned within the chamber dividing the chamber into an expansion chamber in communication with and downstream of the air intake opening and a sub-chamber configured to reduce the noise associated with the flow of intake air through the air intake assembly during operation of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Paul Pedersen, Brian Freeh, Matthew J. Sheahan, Anthony D. Stefanelli
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Publication number: 20090008182Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and a centrally-located longitudinal axis extending through the front and the rear. The longitudinal axis defines a vertical plane. The motorcycle also includes an engine supported by the frame and a radiator coil obliquely mounted to the frame. The radiator coil is spaced apart from the vertical plane and includes a forward end and a rearward end as viewed from above the motorcycle. The forward end defines a first distance measured normal to the vertical plane and the rearward end defines a second distance measured normal to the vertical plane. The first distance is shorter than the second distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Erik F. Buell, John W. Fox, Matthew J. Sheahan
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Publication number: 20090008179Abstract: A motorcycle includes a frame including a first engine mount defining a first attachment axis, the frame further including a second engine mount spaced forwardly of the first engine mount. The motorcycle further includes an engine mounted to the frame at least by the first engine mount and the second engine mount, wherein the engine is configured to rotate relative to the frame about the first attachment axis when the engine is detached from the second engine mount. A radiator is mounted to the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Erik Buell, Edward A. Weston
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Publication number: 20090008180Abstract: A mounting member for mounting a radiator assembly on a motorcycle. The mounting member includes a central portion including a mounting location configured to be attached to a rigid structure of the motorcycle. The mounting member further includes first and second resilient legs extending outwardly from the central portion and including respective mounting locations configured to be attached to the radiator assembly. The mounting member is part of a resilient mounting arrangement for mounting the radiator assembly on the motorcycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Anthony D. Stefanelli, Edward A. Weston, Erik Buell
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Publication number: 20080314671Abstract: A motorcycle having at least one front wheel, at least one rear wheel, an engine for driving at least one of the weeks, coolant positioned at least partially in the engine, and a radiator assembly containing at least a portion of the coolant. In one aspect of the invention, the radiator assembly includes a radiator having an upper portion that is positioned forward of a lower portion (e.g., by at least about 15 degrees relative to a vertical axis). In a different aspect, the radiator has an inlet surface into which air is received and an outlet surface through which air is expelled. In this aspect, the inlet surface faces downward (e.g., by at least about 15 degrees relative to a horizontal axis). In another aspect, the radiator assembly further includes an inlet guide positioned near the inlet surface and having an inlet opening. In this aspect, at least a portion of the inlet opening is positioned at an elevation lower than the outlet surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Buell Motorcycle CompanyInventor: Erik F. Buell
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Publication number: 20080289893Abstract: A vehicle body cooling structure for a motorcycle comprises a cooling air passage that extends between an engine and a fuel tank in the front-and-rear direction. A cowling covers the front part of the vehicle body, which contains the engine. The vehicle body cooling structure also comprises a heat blocking member that covers an upper part of the engine. The cooling air passage is separated into an engine side cooling air passage and a fuel tank side cooling air passage by the heat blocking member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2006Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Sadamu Iwanaga
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Patent number: 7448461Abstract: To provide a cowl structure for a vehicle for improving the appearance of the vehicle without increasing the weight of the vehicle and also for enhancing the operational stability. In a cowl structure for a vehicle which includes a front cowl for covering a front portion of a vehicle body, a radiator is positioned in front of the cylinder heads of the engine. A radiator cover is provided for covering the radiator ranging from side surfaces to a lower end of the radiator. Bulging portions are provided for bulging from a front portion to a rear portion of the radiator cover and being formed in a direction to be rearwardly and upwardly oblique in a side view of the vehicle. The bulging portions are formed on a lower end portion of the radiator cover.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Misaki, Atsushi Takasaki, Takefumi Okubo, Masato Nagata, Hiroyuki Miyazaki, Yoshiaki Muta
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Publication number: 20080236783Abstract: To enable the close arrangement of right and left cooling fans that are common to each other and rotate in the same direction. A radiator is disposed forward of an engine, is horizontally lengthwise and is formed such that the center thereof bends to protrude rearward. A pair of right and left cooling fans is provided on the rear surface of the radiator. The left and right cooling fans have the same specifications, rotating in the same direction. A support plate is provided to surround the cooling fans, that is, to close left and right sides of, the upper side of and the rear of the cooling fans and open the lower side thereof. A partition portion is formed to project from the center of a rear wall to partition between the left and right cooling fans. Thus, the adjacent cooling fans can be prevented from interfering with each other and can be arranged close to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Kenji MORITA, Shota Suzuki, Atsushi Kusuda
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Publication number: 20080227578Abstract: An engine (internal combustion engine), in accordance with an embodiment, includes: a crankcase; a crankshaft accommodated in the crankcase; a first crank gear and a second crank gear disposed inside the crankcase to rotate about the crankshaft; a balancer gear meshed with the first crank gear to rotate as the first crank gear rotates; and a water pump part having a water pump gear. The water pump gear is meshed with the second crank gear to rotate as the second crank gear rotates. The balancer gear and the water pump gear are disposed to overlap each other as viewed from an end of the crankshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventor: Yousuke Imura
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Publication number: 20080223643Abstract: A motorcycle that discharges air that has passed through a radiator such that the air does not directly impinge on a rider, thereby resolving discomfort. An air guide passage guides air that has passed through the radiator so that the air passes through a gap between a front side cover and a fuel tank to a portion higher than the fuel tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masatsugu ARIMURA
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Publication number: 20080202836Abstract: A scooter vehicle includes a steering handlebar, a radiator disposed under a seat, a step floor disposed between the steering handlebar and the scat, and a leg shield disposed forward of the step floor. The leg shield includes an upper portion protruding toward a rider side which includes a stuff box portion that shields the legs of the rider. The leg shield also is provided with an opening portion serving as a feed-water port for the radiator. The opening portion is covered by a cover member extending along a tunnel portion of the step floor in a back and forth direction of a vehicle body. The resulting configuration reduces the length of a feed-water pipe, thereby enhancing the ability to perform maintenance of the radiator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Michio ATSUCHI, Sadamichi Enjo
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Publication number: 20080190683Abstract: The present teachings generally include a motorcycle having an engine with at least two cylinders. A first cylinder head has a first top portion and a first side portion. A second cylinder head has a second top portion and a second side portion. The first cylinder head and the second cylinder head are associated with the engine. A frame member defines an integral air box that communicates air into the engine. The frame member couples to the first side portion of the first cylinder head and the second side portion of the second cylinder head.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2005Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventor: Jason W. B. Hoeve
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Patent number: 7410025Abstract: A vehicle, such as an under-bone type motorcycle, can guide a sufficient amount of running wind to a core section of a radiator (heat exchanger). The vehicle includes a head pipe, a main frame connected to the head pipe to extend downward and rearward, an engine disposed below the main frame, a leg shield covering a front side of a leg of a driver and having an opening in a forward area thereof, a radiator disposed within the opening of the leg shield which includes a core section through which running wind passes thus cooling the engine, and a wind guiding wall attached to the leg shield to guide the running wind to the radiator. The wind guiding wall includes a forward section that protrudes forward from a front end surface of the opening of the leg shield and a rear section that has a rear end positioned adjacent to a lateral side end of the core section of the radiator.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoto Sunaguchi, Kaoru Kamimura, Toshihiko Konno, Yoshiharu Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20080185121Abstract: The present invention is a heat exchanger for a motorcycle which is adapted to be installed on the motorcycle in a substantially horizontal orientation. Also, the present invention is a heat exchanger for a motorcycle which is adapted to be installed on the motorcycle beneath the engine and/or beneath the crankcase and/or beneath the oil pan and/or beneath the gearbox. Preferably, the heat exchanger is made with finned tubular core elements. At the location under the motorcycle, the thinness of the heat exchanger is important, so preferably it is made with thin hollow plates. Preferably, the heat exchanger is installed in a suspended maimer beneath the motorcycle, so that cooling air may pass effectively over its top and bottom surfaces. Preferably, the heat exchanger is an oil intercooler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventor: ALLAN J. CLARKE
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Patent number: 7404463Abstract: An object of the invention is to improve the motorcycle radiator arranging construction with a view to improving the external appearance characteristic of a motorcycle. In a motorcycle having a water-cooled engine 12 installed thereon, a radiator 75 is arranged erect in a space 87 defined between the engine 12 and a rear wheel 16 in such a manner that a front surface 75a thereof is directed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is supported on a body frame 11, whereby the radiator 75 is made difficult to see from the outside compared with a case where the radiator is arranged at the front of the body frame to thereby make conspicuous, for example, the design of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Terunari Saiki, Hideo Amino, Masayuki Iwata, Shigeki Saimei
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Publication number: 20080156566Abstract: A vehicle including a radiator with improved cooling efficiency is disclosed. The vehicle, such as a motorcycle, comprises an engine 10, a radiator 13b (13c) for cooling of the engine 10, and a baffle device 14 (15) including an outer wall portion 14a (15a) extending toward an outer side 131 (13n) of the radiator 13b (13c) from the front, and an upper wall portion 14b (15b) extending toward an upper portion 13d (13f) of the radiator 13b (13c) from the front and arranged in a manner not to have any substantial gap between it and the upper portion 13d (13f) of the radiator 13b (13c).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: Satoshi Oohashi, Kiyoshi Shimada, Naoyuki Hosono
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Patent number: 7389584Abstract: A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, particularly a motorcycle in which a bent cooling element is disposed between a first and second collector tank. The bent cooling element is provided with a longer and a shorter side as well as lateral connecting planes for joining the cooling element to the collector tanks. The collector tanks are made of a material that has substantially lower strength than the material of the cooling element.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Thomas Ringholz
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Patent number: 7387180Abstract: A vehicle includes a leg shield arranged to cover the front sides of the legs of a driver riding the vehicle and a heat exchanger arranged on the front surface side of the leg shield. The leg shield includes a wind guide space formed by a wall member of the leg shield, a first opening formed in a portion of the wall member of the leg shield located at least behind the heat exchanger for guiding air passing through the heat exchanger to the wind guide space and a second opening formed in another portion of the wall member of the leg shield separated from the first opening by a predetermined distance for discharging the air passing through the heat exchanger, guided to the first opening from the wind guide space.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2004Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihiko Konno, Kaoru Kamimura, Naoto Gunaguchi
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Patent number: 7377350Abstract: A disposition structure of a heat exchanger (oil cooler) in a motorcycle mounted in the central part in front of the upper part of the crankcase of an internal combustion engine E mounted on the motorcycle. When viewed from the front of the motorcycle, the oil cooler is located between the front forks. The oil cooler is disposed so that the fin surface of the cooling fins of the heat exchanger are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an air flow that goes between the front forks and above the front wheel. In the disposition structure so configured, cooling efficiency of the heat exchanger is improved.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitsugu Gokan, Yasushi Takahashi
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Patent number: 7370717Abstract: In a motorcycle provided with a water-cooling type engine mounted to a lower portion of a motorcycle body, a radiator unit is arranged in front of the engine. The radiator unit is disposed so as to cover the front wheel and a cylinder head of the cylinder assembly from a front side thereof and is connected to the engine through a hose, the radiator unit has a vertically rectangular shape in an elevational section and is mounted to the motorcycle body through a rotational shaft extending vertically on lateral one side of the radiator unit in a traveling direction of the motorcycle, so that another one side one thereof is swung forward around the rotational shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshihisa Okuno
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Patent number: 7358003Abstract: The cooling structure for a fuel cell vehicle comprises a fuel cell, a drive motor for driving the fuel cell vehicle using the energy generated by the fuel cell, a first cooling flow passage for cooling the fuel cell using a main radiator, and a second cooling flow passage for cooling the drive motor or the power control unit of the drive motor using auxiliary radiators. The main radiator is disposed in the central portion of the front surface of a vehicle body. The auxiliary radiators are respectively disposed on the front surface of the vehicle body in such a manner that their heat exchange surface are situated shifted in the vehicle-width direction so as to prevent them from being overlapped with the heat exchange surface of the main radiator.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuharu Imaseki, Yoshirou Shimoyama, Hiroyuki Hattori
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Patent number: 7284632Abstract: A motorcycle has a radiator disposed forwardly of the eingine, a raditor cover covering the radiator and having an air discharge port for discharging air from the radiator rearwardly of a vehicle body, and side covers disposed in a position facing the air discharge port and covering both side areas between the fuel tank and the engine, the side covers being contiguous to the rear portion of the vehicle frame and adjacent to the rear wheel suspension. Air discharged from within the radiator cover can be drawn out by ram air that flows along side surfaces of the side covers, to prevent an excessive temperature rise in the radiator cover to the rear portion of the vehicle frame and adjacent to the rear wheel suspension, they are highly blended with each other for an improved appearance.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masamoto Ito, Hideyuki Takahashi
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Publication number: 20070221368Abstract: A heat exchanger, for motorcycle use and mounted on a motorcycle and in which heat is exchanged between air and a heating medium flowing inside the heat exchanger, is characterized in that: the heat exchanger is fixed to a motorcycle body via a bracket 8; the bracket 8 includes a through-hole 80 into which a portion of the motorcycle body is inserted via a cylindrical grommet 9 and collar 10 capable of being elastically deformed; a cylindrical burring portion 81, which protrudes onto one side, is formed in an inner circumferential edge portion 80a of the through-hole 80; the grommet 9 is inserted into the through-hole 80 so that the grommet 9 can be contacted with the inner circumferential edge portion 80a of the through-hole 80; and a forward end portion of the burring portion 81 is directed outside in the radial direction with respect to the inner circumferential edge portion 80a of the through-hole 80.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: DENSO CorporationInventors: Shinya Miura, Yoshihiro Tajima