US3901335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endless track vehicle and cooling system therefor
Assignee: Armco Inc
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Filing: 1974-08-29
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An endless track vehicle of the snowmobile type, driven by a liquid-cooled engine, includes a heat exchanger assembly for the engine''s liquid coolant located above the top run of the endless track, the endless track having ribs thereon. Orbital movement of the endless track causes a flow of air, ice, snow and water to be moved into contact with the bottom of the heat exchanger assembly, thereby enhancing the cooling of the liquid coolant in the heat exchanger assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas B Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K11/00; B60K11/02; B62; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02; B62M2027/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An endless track vehicle adapted to be driven by a liquidcooled engine on snow, the combination comprising a vehicle frame; an endless track having upstanding ribs extending from the outer surface thereof; guide means coupled to said frame for guiding said track in orbital movement, said orbital movement including a top run and a bottom run, said bottom run supporting the vehicle on the snow; a liquid-cooled engine coupled to said frame; drive means, coupling said endless track and said engine, for driving said endless track in the orbital movement; heat exchanger means, coupled to said frame, for cooling the liquid used in said engine; and circulation means for circulating the liquid between said engine and said heat exchanger means, said heat exchanger means being positioned so that the bottom surface thereof is above and directly communicating with said top run of said endless track and spans substantially the entire width of said top run and spans substantially the entire length of said top run so that the bottom surface of said heat exchanger means is cooled via contact with convection currents of air generated by the movement of said ribs with the orbital movement of said endless track and contact with streams of water, ice and snow thrown by said ribs during the orbital movement of said endless track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
An endless track vehicle adapted to be driven by a liquidcooled engine on snow, the combination comprising a vehicle frame; an endless track having upstanding ribs extending from the outer surface thereof; guide means coupled to said frame for guiding said track in orbital movement, said orbital movement including a top run and a bottom run, said bottom run supporting the vehicle on the snow; a liquid-cooled engine coupled to said frame; drive means, coupling said endless track and said engine, for driving said endless track in the orbital movement; heat exchanger means, coupled to said frame, for cooling the liquid used in said engine; and circulation means for circulating the liquid between said engine and said heat exchanger means, said heat exchanger means being positioned so that the bottom surface thereof is above and directly communicating with said top run of said endless track and spans substantially the entire width of said top run and spans substantially the entire length of said top run so that the bottom surface of said heat exchanger means is cooled via contact with convection currents of air generated by the movement of said ribs with the orbital movement of said endless track and contact with streams of water, ice and snow thrown by said ribs during the orbital movement of said endless track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said endless track has apertures therein; and said guide means includes a plurality of rollers having teeth around the peripheries thereof for engagement of said apertures so that snow, ice and water are thrown from said apertures into contact with said bottom surface of said heat exchanger means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said top run has two non-coplanar portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said top run is substantially parallel to said bottom run.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger means comprises means defining a housing for the conduction of the liquid; said housing having a plurality of connecting elongated passageways therein; and said housing being formed of heat conductive material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said passageways are polygonal in cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said passagewaYs have curvilinear sides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said heat exchanger means further comprises a plurality of elongated fins projecting downwardly from the bottom thereof and located directly below said passageways.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said passageways are substantially rectangular in cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said passageways are circular in cross section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said passageways are hexagonal in cross section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said passageways are trapezoidal in cross section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
A vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said housing is mounted on a central portion of said vehicle frame; said heat exchanger means and said top run of said endless track directly communicate through means defining at least one slot in said central portion of said vehicle frame; and said central portion is formed of heat conductive material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle according to claim 13, wherein said heat exchanger means includes a plurality of enlarged portions adjacent the coupling of said housing and said central portion for conducting heat to said central portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said vehicle frame includes a continuous central portion located directly above said top run of said endless track; and said central portion forms the bottom of said passageways and is formed of heat conductive material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vehicle according to claim 15 wherein said passageways are trapezoidal in cross section; and said central portion defines the longest side of said trapezoidal cross-sectional passageways.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3367410A
Cited
US3835948A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |