Snowmobile

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11142286-B2
Application number	US-201615255604-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 2, 2016
Priority date	Aug 9, 2006
Publication date	Oct 12, 2021
Grant date	Oct 12, 2021

Abstract

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

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A snowmobile, comprising:
a frame having a tunnel;
a seat configured to be supported on the tunnel;
an engine supported by the frame;
an endless belt assembly supported by the frame;
the tunnel including first and second longitudinally spaced-apart ends and extending above the endless belt assembly, the tunnel having a center panel and side panels, the center panel having an inlet and an outlet defined therethrough; and
a lower panel is coupled to a bottom side of the center panel such that the lower panel and the center panel together define an integral heat exchanger adapted to receive a coolant from the engine, wherein a lower surface of the center panel defines an upper wall of the heat exchanger and an upper surface of the center panel is exposed to an external environment, and the lower panel defining a fluid pathway having a first channel in fluid communication with the inlet and a second channel in fluid communication with the outlet.

2. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the first and second channels are defined by a downwardly extending deformation in the lower panel defining the fluid pathway in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet.

3. The snowmobile of claim 2 , wherein an end channel couples the first and second channels.

4. The snowmobile of claim 3 , wherein the fluid pathway is generally U-shaped.

5. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the first and second channels extend from a position adjacent a front of the center panel to a position adjacent a rear of the center panel.

6. The snowmobile of claim 5 , wherein an end channel couples the first and second channels.

7. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the lower panel further comprises a center section coupled to the lower side of center panel to separate the first and second channels.

8. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the lower panel is coupled to the center panel by an adhesive.

9. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the lower panel is coupled to the center panel by welding.

Assignees

• Polaris Inc

Inventors

• Sampson Martin E
• Dahlgren Lyle J

Classifications

• B62M27/00 Primary

  Propulsion devices for sledges or the like (pushed or pulled by persons or animals B62B, B62C; wind propulsion B62B15/00) · CPC title

• B60K11/04

  Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds · CPC title

• B62M2027/027

  Snow mobiles characterised by the tracks · CPC title

• B62M2027/028

  Snow mobiles characterised by chassis or bodywork · CPC title

• B62M27/02 Primary

  power driven · CPC title