Fluid-impelling Means (e.g., For Cooling, Etc.) Patents (Class 474/93)
  • Patent number: 11913537
    Abstract: A CVT belt cooling system is provided. The system includes a housing that retains within the housing a variable speed motor and a fan blade coupled to the variable speed motor. The system also includes an integrated microprocessor controller coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the variable speed motor and coupled to a belt temperature sensor. The housing is configured to couple to a housing of a CVT to provide additional cooling air to the CVT belt. The temperature of a belt of the CVT is determined by the belt temperature sensor and based on the determined temperature, and the integrated microprocessor controller controls the speed of the motor and thereby the speed of the fan to control the amount of additional cooling air flowing into the CVT to cool the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Kris Werth, Inc.
    Inventor: Kristoffer Charles Werth
  • Patent number: 11841076
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes: a CVT mechanism; a CVT case; and a partition that extends in a radial direction of a driving pulley, divides an internal space of the CVT case into a first chamber and a second chamber, and includes a communication opening through which an axis of the driving pulley passes and through which the first chamber communicates with the second chamber. The first chamber communicates with an inflow opening of the CVT case. The second chamber accommodates the CVT mechanism and communicates with an outflow opening of the CVT case. The first chamber includes a curved portion having a shape that, when viewed from an axial direction in which the axis extends, spreads in the radial direction as the curved portion extends toward an upstream side around the communication opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11752860
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame, a powertrain assembly, a front suspension assembly, and a rear suspension assembly. A cargo bed may be supported by the frame at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an operator seat and at least one passenger seat positioned within an operator area. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes doors to enclose the operator area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jason R. Fields, Daniel S. Weber, Amery D. Kuhl, Andrew J. Miller
  • Patent number: 11739824
    Abstract: In a waterproof case, a contact surface of a specific member that is a case main body or a cover is a surface extending along a predetermined oblique direction inclined relative to a perpendicular plane orthogonal to a die pull-out direction. The specific member includes a circumferential projection that projects from the contact surface in the die pull-out direction, is arranged circumferentially along the contact surface, and presses a sealing member. The circumferential projection includes an outer peripheral side surface and an inner peripheral side surface. In the first region, the circumferential projection has a tapered section in which the outer peripheral side surface is inclined relative to the die pull-out direction. In the second region, the circumferential projection has a tapered section in which the inner peripheral side surface is inclined relative to the die pull-out direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kodai Mikurino, Ryosuke Atsumi
  • Patent number: 11649889
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle includes a drive clutch, a driven clutch operably coupled to the drive clutch, and a belt extending between the drive and driven clutches. The continuously variable transmission also includes an inner cover and an outer cover removably coupled to the inner cover. At least one of the inner and outer covers includes an air inlet for providing cooling air to the drive and driven clutches and the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Nelson, Amery D. Kuhl, Narender Bejawada, Bruce E. Herrala, David J. Hicke, Ryan A. Tholen
  • Patent number: 11644093
    Abstract: A cover for a transmission having improved airflow path is disclosed. The interior of the cover has a progressively narrowing airflow path to reduce pressure drop through the cover, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the airflow through the cover. The cover includes a diverter sheltering the air inlet to the cover to prevent air in the cover from exerting outward pressure on the incoming air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 11578793
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle includes a drive clutch, a driven clutch operably coupled to the drive clutch, and a belt extending between the drive and driven clutches. The continuously variable transmission also includes an inner cover and an outer cover removably coupled to the inner cover. At least one of the inner and outer covers includes an air inlet for providing cooling air to the drive and driven clutches and the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Nelson, Amery D. Kuhl, Narender Bejawada, Bruce E. Herrala, David J. Hicke, Paul Averillo, Giorgio Demetriou, Jeffrey I. Peterman
  • Patent number: 11512763
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission includes: a primary pulley; a secondary pulley; a belt wound along the primary pulley and the secondary pulley; and a casing accommodating the primary pulley and the secondary pulley. Further, the belt has, in a portion being wound along the secondary pulley, a radially outside end which may be located further radially outside than an outer circumference portion of the secondary pulley, and a distance from a rotation center of the secondary pulley to an internal surface of the casing in a first direction, which is along a straight line passing through rotation centers of the primary pulley and the secondary pulley, is shorter than a distance from the rotation center of the secondary pulley to the internal surface of the casing in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction at the rotation center of the secondary pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kozo Yamamoto, Keisuke Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 11448307
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT), wherein the CVT includes a housing having an inner cover and an outer cover connected to the inner cover to provide the housing having an interior chamber defined therein. The CVT additionally comprises a clutch assembly disposed within the housing interior chamber, wherein the clutch assembly comprises a clutch post that is connectable to an output shaft of a vehicle prime mover, a movable sheave movably mounted on the clutch post, and a stationary sheave fixedly mounted on the clutch post opposite a front face of the movable sheave. The clutch assembly additionally comprises an intake fan fixedly mounted to the clutch post opposite a rear face of the movable sheave such that the intake fan is separate, independent and spaced apart from the movable sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Hunter Scott Davis
  • Patent number: 11414149
    Abstract: In an electric motor cooling structure (20) of a motorcycle, a swing arm (21) includes an electric motor accommodating section (60) configured to accommodate an electric motor (11), and a cooling air intake port (61) opening toward the outside of the electric motor accommodating section (60) and disposed on one side of the electric motor (11), a cooling air outlet port (62) opening toward the outside of the electric motor accommodating section (60) and disposed on the other side of the electric motor (11), and a communication section (63) in communication with the cooling air intake port (61) and the cooling air outlet port (62) and configured to distribute cooling air introduced from the cooling air intake port (61) to both sides of the electric motor (11) are provided in the electric motor accommodating section (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenzo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11391361
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, at least one ground engaging member, an internal combustion engine, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an air intake assembly. The CVT 5 has a CVT housing. The air intake assembly has at least one air intake assembly inlet, at least one first air intake assembly aperture and at least one second air intake assembly aperture. The at least one first air intake assembly aperture fluidly communicates with at least one air intake port of the engine. The at least one second air intake assembly aperture fluidly communicates with an interior of the CVT housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Alexandre Leclair, Dave Proulx, Pascal Toupin, Mathieu Duquette
  • Patent number: 11124271
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes a frame, a tunnel, a seat, an endless track, at least one ski, a handlebar, a cowling defining an engine compartment, an engine, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connecting the engine to the endless track, and a pulley guard assembly disposed over at least a portion of the CVT. The CVT includes a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and an endless flexible member operatively connecting the primary pulley to the secondary pulley. The pulley guard assembly is disposed between the CVT and a lateral side of the cowling, and defines an air inlet. The air inlet fluidly communicates with a space defined between the pulley guard assembly and the lateral side. In some implementations, the cowling defines an air inlet. In some implementations, an air duct fluidly connects the air inlet of the cowling to the air inlet of the pulley guard assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Xavier-Pierre Aitcin, Frederic Desjardins
  • Patent number: 10975817
    Abstract: A protector protects a high-pressure fuel pump for an internal combustion engine. A metal collar is insert-molded into a plate-shaped fiber reinforced plastic portion made of a fiber reinforced plastic of the protector. An outer circumferential surface of the collar includes an uneven portion and a smooth surface. The uneven portion includes recesses and projections arranged alternately in a thickness direction of the fiber reinforced plastic portion. The smooth portion includes a smooth surface parallel to the thickness direction of the fiber reinforced plastic portion. The uneven portion and the smooth portion are arranged in the thickness direction on the outer circumferential surface of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroya Kato, Tomihisa Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 10908549
    Abstract: A drive force transmission mechanism includes a drive pulley, a driven pulley and an endless belt wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The drive pulley and the driven pulley rotate around axes parallel to each other. At least one of the drive pulley and the driven pulley has a protruding part protruding outwardly in a radial direction around an outer circumferential face along an entire circumference. At least one axial end portion among both axial end portions of the protruding part in an axial direction of the rotational axis has a radius of curvature smaller than a radius of curvature of an axial center portion of the protruding part in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Akihiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9366331
    Abstract: A cover for a transmission having improved airflow path is disclosed. The interior of the cover has a progressively narrowing airflow path to reduce pressure drop through the cover, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the airflow through the cover. The cover includes a diverter sheltering the air inlet to the cover to prevent air in the cover from exerting outward pressure on the incoming air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 9222572
    Abstract: A belt driving mechanism includes a plurality of pulleys and a belt wound around the pulleys and made of a metallic material. The pulleys include a driving pulley and a driven pulley. At least one of the pulleys includes an air supply portion. The air supply portion supplies an air from the interior of at least one of the pulleys toward the belt wound around the pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Akihiro Yamaguchi, Masahiro Ueno
  • Patent number: 9140340
    Abstract: A stepless speed-change power transmission for a vehicle includes a driving pulley disposed on an input shaft and including a fixed driving pulley half and a movable driving pulley half, a driven pulley disposed, on an output shaft and including a fixed driven pulley half and a movable driven pulley half, and an air guide unit. The air guide unit includes a curved first air guide wall and a curved second air guide wall that are disposed around the fixed driving pulley half to form first and second notches between the first and second air guide walls. The first notch guides air from the fixed driving pulley half onto the driven pulley. The second notch guides air from the fixed driving pulley half onto the movable driving pulley half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Hung Lai
  • Patent number: 8973697
    Abstract: A saddle-type electric vehicle includes a body frame having a head pipe supporting a steering shaft and a main frame portion extending rearward from the head pipe, a battery case provided on the main frame portion behind the head pipe, a battery stored in the battery case and supplying electric power to an electric motor generating traveling power, and a traveling wind path including an inner space of the battery case, wherein a traveling wind inflow port allowing traveling wind to flow in the battery case from front is formed on an upper side of a front portion of the battery case, and a traveling wind outflow port allowing the traveling wind flowing in the battery case to flow out rearward is formed on an upper side of a rear portion of the battery case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8911312
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission is provided. The belt-type continuously variable transmission includes a drive pulley assembly; a driven pulley assembly, a belt wrapped around these pulley assemblies, and a case assembly accommodating them. The case assembly includes a case body joined to a housing of a drive device such as an engine and a cover joined to the case body. Since an air-intake duct and an air discharge duct are attached to the case body, the cover can be configured to be thin, and thus the cover can be detached without providing a wide space in front of the cover in the direction in which the cover is detached. With this construction, the cover can be detached without detaching the air-intake duct and the air discharge duct, and thus maintenance can be performed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20140287857
    Abstract: A power cutter with an engine and with a cutting arm on which a cutting tool is received and is driven by the engine by way of a belt is provided. The belt may be received in a belt space formed in the cutting arm, and a fan wheel is arranged on the engine so that an air flow for cooling the engine can be generated. A combustion-air flow is provided to the engine, and the fan wheel provides an air circulation system where an air flow at least flows through the belt space and the combustion-air flow branches off from the air circulation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Manfred DOERING
  • Patent number: 8840496
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling air intake structure for a V-belt drive continuously variable transmission, which is disposed beside the rear wheel of a small vehicle and which does not permit muddy water and dust to enter therein. A cooling air inlet through which cooling air is taken in is formed at a position beside a transmission case and above a cooling fan side opening formed in the transmission case opposite to a drive pulley. A cooling air passage extending from the cooling air inlet to the side opening is formed so as to surround the side opening. Cooling air taken in through the cooling air inlet is guided so as to flow upward first and then flows downward along a U-shaped cooling air passage to the side opening of the transmission case beside the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhide Yamanishi, Hirokazu Komuro, Ryuji Tsuchiya, Nobutaka Horii, Hideo Kashima
  • Patent number: 8834307
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission comprises a drive pulley assembly mounted to a drive shaft; a driven pulley assembly mounted to a driven shaft; a belt connecting the two; and a case assembly for accommodating these components. The drive pulley assembly has fins for generating a flow of air moving toward an outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly. When viewed in an axial direction of the drive shaft, an air blocking plate is positioned at a forward side in a rotational direction of the drive pulley assembly relative to an imaginary line segment connecting a center axis of the drive pulley assembly to a center axis of the driven pulley assembly, between the drive pulley assembly and the driven pulley assembly such that the air blocking plate surrounds the outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly over a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20140235384
    Abstract: A belt driving mechanism includes a plurality of pulleys and a belt wound around the pulleys and made of a metallic material. The pulleys include a driving pulley and a driven pulley. At least one of the pulleys includes an air supply portion. The air supply portion supplies an air from the interior of at least one of the pulleys toward the belt wound around the pulleys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro YAMAGUCHI, Masahiro UENO
  • Patent number: 8776930
    Abstract: A fan for a drive clutch includes a disk having several vanes that can attach to a drive clutch to direct air toward the clutch to cool the clutch and belt of a CVT transmission. The disk can be injection-molded or otherwise formed and can be bolted onto a clutch drive with the vanes facing toward the clutch drive. An inward-facing surface can be concave to direct air toward the clutch. The disk can attach to the clutch drive using preexisting bolts of the clutch drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tadych, Dustin Keller
  • Patent number: 8596406
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided. The utility vehicle may include a transmission including a transmission mechanism and a transmission case assembly for accommodating the transmission mechanism; and an air discharge duct coupled to the transmission case assembly, to discharge air from inside the transmission case assembly; wherein the air discharge duct includes an upward extending portion extending substantially upward from the transmission case assembly, and a downward extending portion which is bent back at an upper end portion of the upward extending portion, and then extends substantially downward; and the upward extending portion and the downward extending portion partially overlap with each other in at least either a forward and rearward direction or a rightward and leftward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20130190114
    Abstract: A transfer gearbox includes an input shaft, first and second output shafts, and a torque transmission device having a clutch which distributes a driving torque introduced via the input shaft optionally to the first output shaft and the second output shaft. A chain drive is active between the torque transmission device and the second output shaft, and includes a lower chain wheel which engages in an oil sump with lubrication oil such that, by way of a chain, lubrication oil is conveyed from the oil sump in the direction of an upper chain wheel which is drive-connected to the lower chain wheel via the chain. The chain is arranged at an outlet opening of an oil reservoir which collects the lubrication oil and which opens into the oil sump. The chain throttles the flowing out of the lubrication oil collected in the oil reservoir into the oil sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA POWERTRAIN AG
    Inventor: Robert Neumeister
  • Patent number: 8439019
    Abstract: A compressed air delivery system in which power from a power supply is transmitted to a rotary air compressor through a dry running, continuous variable transmission (CVT) utilizing a belt coupled between two pulleys enclosed within a CVT housing. The air pressure differential created by the rotary air compressor is used to urge cooling air through the CVT to cool the CVT belt. The pressure differential may be utilized to push cooling air into the CVT housing or to draw cooling air through the CVT housing. In one embodiment, a portion of the compressed air discharged from a supercharger may be routed through a bleed line and into the CVT housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Accessible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Carlson, Kenneth C. Jones
  • Patent number: 8439020
    Abstract: A supercharger assembly includes a dry-running CVT coupled to a speed multiplying gear set, which is in turn coupled to a centrifugal supercharger. The CVT includes a CVT housing which has an opening formed therein to provide access to a face of the driven pulley, and a plurality of equally spaced bolt receivers arranged in a circle around the opening. The gear assembly includes a gear housing formed separate from the CVT housing. The gear housing has a plurality of bolt holes formed in it which are arranged in a circle and alignable with respective ones of the bolt receivers. The gear housing is selectively rotatable relative to the CVT housing by moving each of the bolt holes from alignment with a first respective one of the bolt receivers and into alignment with a second respective one of the bolt receivers and then installing fasteners therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Accessible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Carlson, Kenneth C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20130090198
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission is provided. The belt-type continuously variable transmission includes a drive pulley assembly; a driven pulley assembly, a belt wrapped around these pulley assemblies, and a case assembly accommodating them. The case assembly includes a case body joined to a housing of a drive device such as an engine and a cover joined to the case body. Since an air-intake duct and an air discharge duct are attached to the case body, the cover can be configured to be thin, and thus the cover can be detached without providing a wide space in front of the cover in the direction in which the cover is detached. With this construction, the cover can be detached without detaching the air-intake duct and the air discharge duct, and thus maintenance can be performed easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20130090199
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission comprises a drive pulley assembly mounted to a drive shaft; a driven pulley assembly mounted to a driven shaft; a belt connecting the two; and a case assembly for accommodating these components. The drive pulley assembly has fins for generating a flow of air moving toward an outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly. When viewed in an axial direction of the drive shaft, an air blocking plate is positioned at a forward side in a rotational direction of the drive pulley assembly relative to an imaginary line segment connecting a center axis of the drive pulley assembly to a center axis of the driven pulley assembly, between the drive pulley assembly and the driven pulley assembly such that the air blocking plate surrounds the outer periphery of the drive pulley assembly over a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Hideaki Kii
  • Patent number: 8398512
    Abstract: The invention describes a belt pulley (1) for a wet belt application, with a pulley body (2) comprising toothing (5) incorporating teeth (6) on an end face (4) for a toothed belt, and a tooth gap (7) with a tooth gap base (12) is disposed between every two teeth (6), and optionally with at least one flange (3), which is disposed—in the axial direction—on the side of the pulley body (2) and extends beyond the toothing (5) in the radial direction. Grooves (9) are provided in the region of the tooth gap base (12) and/or on an inner surface (8) of the flange (3) facing the toothing (5) for feeding away a lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Miba Sinter Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Dickinger, Herbert Schmid, Wolfgang Siessl
  • Publication number: 20120319455
    Abstract: A liquid cooled wheel system includes a wheel, an axle bolt arranged in mechanical and supportive communication with the wheel, the axle bolt defining an internal chamber configured to hold and transmit a working fluid, a pump arranged in fluid communication with the axle bolt through the working fluid and arranged in mechanical communication with the wheel such that rotational movement of the wheel is translated into internal pumping movement of the pump, and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with both of the axle bolt and the pump and configured to exchange heat from the working fluid to an external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry M. Ciccaglione, Charles C. Gange
  • Publication number: 20120289370
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling air intake structure for a V-belt drive continuously variable transmission, which is disposed beside the rear wheel of a small vehicle and which does not permit muddy water and dust to enter therein. A cooling air inlet through which cooling air is taken in is formed at a position beside a transmission case and above a cooling fan side opening formed in the transmission case opposite to a drive pulley. A cooling air passage extending from the cooling air inlet to the side opening is formed so as to surround the side opening. Cooling air taken in through the cooling air inlet is guided so as to flow upward first and then flows downward along a U-shaped cooling air passage to the side opening of the transmission case beside the cooling fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teruhide Yamanishi, Hirokazu Komuro, Ryuji Tsuchiya, Nobutaka Horii, Hideo Kashima
  • Patent number: 8256563
    Abstract: In an all terrain vehicle, an engine body of an engine unit is positioned along a center line that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a transverse direction of the vehicle. A continuously variable transmission of the engine unit is disposed transversely lateral to the engine body. A center console includes an inner space. The center console is disposed in a transverse center portion of a cabin space. The center console connects a space positioned forward of a front panel and a space positioned under a seat. An intake duct is connected to an upper surface of the engine unit, and extends forward therefrom. The intake duct is at least partially disposed in the interior of the center console. An exhaust duct is connected to the engine unit, and extends rearward therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Takehiko Arai, Hiroyuki Fujimoto, Yasuhiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 7810600
    Abstract: A motorcycle has a duct that is simple in construction to introduce cooling air into a belt chamber while simultaneously preventing invasion of dust, etc. into the belt chamber. A rear fender defines a wall that separates the seat and a rear tire. An outside-air intake port of the duct is arranged in a space formed between the seat and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Torao Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 7802647
    Abstract: A noise preventing means for a motorcycle including a belt type continuously variable transmission using a resin block belt. An end of an intake duct for inducting cooling air into a belt chamber inside a transmission casing is connected to a front half part of the transmission casing. The intake duct extends upward from the transmission casing, then curves rearward, and extends rearward passing over a seat pillar. An air chamber is connected to a rear end of the intake duct. The intake duct has a curving part curving around the seat pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 7798930
    Abstract: A fixed pulley face of a drive V-pulley of a V-belt type continuously variable transmission includes a belt sliding contact disc having a conical belt sliding contact surface and fixed to a crankshaft so as to be integrally rotated, and a cooling fan fixed to the crankshaft so as to be integrally rotated in adjacent to a side surface opposite to the belt sliding contact surface of the belt sliding contact disc, and a starter driven gear is formed in an outer peripheral portion of the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuharu Nojiri
  • Patent number: 7686123
    Abstract: A noise suppressor for a straddle-type vehicle provided with a belt type continuously variable transmission having a resin-block-type belt. A portion of an air passage for guiding air to a belt chamber is formed in a closed casing. The closed casing includes a dish-shaped first casing member and a dish-shaped second casing member. An inlet port and an exhaust port are formed in the second casing member. Partition walls in the form of curved plate pieces are formed in the first casing and second casing members. Air flow paths formed by the partition walls are U-shaped, thereby forming a serpentine flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yousuke Ishida
  • Publication number: 20090298627
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for cooling at least one sheave and/or an endless belt of a continuously variable transmission (CVT). As previously mentioned, the CVT is comprised of a drive clutch, a driven clutch, and the endless belt disposed about the drive and driven clutches. Both the drive and driven clutches include an axially stationary sheave and an axially movable sheave. Certain embodiments provide a ventilation air path through at least one sheave of at least one clutch of the CVT. In addition, certain embodiments provide a ventilation air path through both sheaves of at least one clutch of the CVT. Further, certain embodiments provide apparatus adapted to direct air proximate to an outer face of at least one sheave of at least one clutch inward to a central area of the at least one sheave when the at least one sheave is rotated in a direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Barry A. Johnson, Greg G. Lislegard, Todd M. Zinda, Darin C. Saagge
  • Patent number: 7618338
    Abstract: A composite automotive pulley wheel and pump comprises a pulley wheel (2) and a pump (22). The pump comprises an impeller (20) carried on a rotary shaft (6), an inlet region (24) and an outlet region (26). The pulley is mounted on the shaft (6) and comprises a radially outwardly extending support (4) connected to an annular axially extending flange (10, 12), the outer surface of which is adapted to be engaged by a pulley belt. The flange (4) defines a cooling fluid passage (14) within it which extends in the circumferential direction and communicates at two circumferentially spaced positions with an inlet passage (16) and an outlet passage (18), respectively. The inlet and outlet passages (16, 18) extend through the support (4) and the shaft (6) and communicate with the outlet region (26) and the inlet region (24), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ricardo UK Limited
    Inventor: David Gareth Greenwood
  • Patent number: 7611660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for cooling material during continuous vacuum forming. The apparatus includes one or more cooling regions positioned adjacent one or more vacuum regions. A rotatable support belt including perforations therein supports a flexible patterned belt. The flexible patterned belt includes apertures spaced along the length and width thereof. The one or more cooling regions provide a cooling fluid to be drawn through the apertures in the flexible patterned belt to form an area of cooling fluid on the flexible patterned belt which contacts a bottom surface of a hot material received on the flexible patterned belt in order to cool the bottom surface of the material and the flexible patterned belt. The vacuum regions are in fluid flow communication with the perforations of the support belt and the apertures of the flexible patterned belt for drawing the material onto the flexible patterned belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Bosler Design Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Bosler
  • Patent number: 7438659
    Abstract: A device for controlling belt lubrication and cooling of a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) is improved for minimizing fluid consumption and improving cooling efficiency by changing the nozzle spraying direction for belt lubrication and cooling. The device for controlling belt lubrication and cooling of the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) comprises a fluid control portion operated by flowing of a fluid pressure supplied to a primary pulley and a secondary pulley, and a fluid supply portion for controlling a predetermined fluid supply according to movement of the fluid control portion and being connected to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Yeon Ho Kim, Hyun Suk Kim, Doo Hwan Seok
  • Patent number: 7427248
    Abstract: Cooling efficiency of cooling air is enhanced and durability of a continuously variable transmission is improved. The continuously variable transmission to be mounted on a vehicle has a transmission case. A primary pulley driven by an engine and a primary pulley linked to drive wheels are rotatably accommodated in the transmission case. A V-belt is provided to extend for winging between the primary pulley and the secondary pulley, and the rotation of the primary pulley is continuously changed and transmitted to the secondary pulley. Fan blades are formed in the primary pulley, and a scroll surface is formed in transmission case from an intake region of the cooling air toward a discharge region thereof so as to gradually away from top faces of the fan blades in a radial-outer direction. Thereby, blowing efficiency of the cooling air can be enhanced and an interior of the transmission case can be sufficiently cooled, whereby the durability of the V-belt can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsugi Chonan
  • Publication number: 20080167149
    Abstract: A drive mechanism mounted on a frame (10) equipped with a body (16) containing at least one inner bearing race (24) defining an axis of rotation (26), comprises a single-piece drum (48) located entirely on a first side of a radial plane of reference (34). This drum is equipped with a tread (50) that can cooperate with a drive belt, an opening in which the body is inserted, and at least one outer bearing race (54) located opposite the inner bearing race (24). A shaft (30) solidly attached to a turning element (36) extending on a second side of the geometrical plane of reference, passes through the body and is fixed to the drum by linking means (40), which extend radially between the shaft and the drum, and are tangential to a geometrical plane (62) which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation (26) and is located at a greater distance from the transversal plane of reference than the bearing races.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Beauprez, Sebastien Brisson
  • Patent number: 7185503
    Abstract: In a conditioning system for a manufacturing machine, in particular a machine tool, a machine tool framework is arranged inside a sealed casing. Ducts are arranged at machine tool regions to be thermally conditioned. The ducts comprise air flow outlets and are coupled to a conditioned air delivery manifold supplied by a conditioning device. Solenoid valves are provided at the outlets to control air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Parpas, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vladi Parpajola
  • Patent number: 7070527
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for cooling a V-belt in a clutch assembly of a CVT. As previously mentioned, the CVT is comprised of a drive clutch assembly, a driven clutch assembly, and an endless V-belt disposed about the drive and driven clutch assemblies. The invention will cool the V-belt as it rides about the drive clutch and driven clutch assemblies. In addition, the invention provides a method for providing a reduced-slip sheave surface for the V-belt in a clutch assembly of a CVT. Normally, as the V-belt rides about the drive and driven clutch assemblies, the V-belt contacts inner surfaces of the clutch assemblies. The invention will reduce belt slippage across the inner surfaces of the clutch assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Darin Saagge
  • Patent number: 7059438
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously discharging inadvertently accumulated water from the automatic transmission housing and/or air filter housing of an all terrain vehicle is disclosed. The continuous water discharge system employs a one-way valve structure that is mounted at the lower end portion of either or both of the automatic transmission housing and air filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Wilbert J. Sheets
  • Patent number: 6938676
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a cooling structure for a continuous variation transmission system of an all-terrain vehicle. Primarily speaking, it has an inlet conduit attached to the air inlet of the gearbox, with said inlet conduit extending in front of the engine until it reaches the below of the front mud guard, and an inlet box attached to the inlet conduit. An exhaust conduit is also being attached to the exhaust of the gearbox, with said exhaust pipe extending to the rear of the engine until it reaches the below of the rear mud guard, and an exhaust box is attached to the exhaust conduit. Both the inlet box and the exhaust box are placed above the tail of the engine exhaust conduit, and situated on the outer surface of the chassis. The inlet and exhaust box design prevents dust, dirt and water from entering the gearbox. Furthermore, the conduits are installed on the outer surface of the chassis to enable ease of assembly and maintenance, and to reduce the difficulty of installing other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Jung Lan, Chao Chang Ho
  • Patent number: 6848348
    Abstract: A wood lathe includes a bed, a headstock mounted on the bed and having a headstock housing, a motor mounted in the headstock housing and having a driving shaft with opposite first and second output ends, a spindle journalled to the headstock housing, a first transmission interconnecting the first output end and the spindle, a cooling fan disposed in the headstock housing for cooling the motor and including a driven shaft that is journalled to the headstock housing, and a second transmission interconnecting the second output end and the driven shaft. The cooling fan delivers airflow toward an annular outer area of the motor in a transverse direction relative to a rotation axis of the driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Juei-Seng Liao
  • Publication number: 20040224806
    Abstract: Cooling efficiency of cooling air is enhanced and durability of a continuously variable transmission is improved. The continuously variable transmission to be mounted on a vehicle has a transmission case. A primary pulley driven by an engine and a primary pulley linked to drive wheels are rotatably accommodated in the transmission case. A V-belt is provided to extend for winging between the primary pulley and the secondary pulley, and the rotation of the primary pulley is continuously changed and transmitted to the secondary pulley. Fan blades are formed in the primary pulley, and a scroll surface is formed in transmission case from an intake region of the cooling air toward a discharge region thereof so as to gradually away from top faces of the fan blades in a radial-outer direction. Thereby, blowing efficiency of the cooling air can be enhanced and an interior of the transmission case can be sufficiently cooled, whereby the durability of the V-belt can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Mitsugi Chonan