US2008190678A1PendingUtilityA1

Heat exchanger plenums for go-karts

40
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Sep 5, 2003Filed: Feb 11, 2008Published: Aug 14, 2008
Est. expirySep 5, 2023(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Frederik Penz
B60K 11/08B60Y 2200/114
40
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
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References
0
Claims

Abstract

Heat exchanger systems for go-karts include a heat exchanger and a plenum that channels air to the heat exchanger to increase cooling efficiency while reducing drag. The plenum has an intake with an area less than a cross-sectional area of a portion of the plenum where the heat exchanger is located to allow velocity air pressure to decrease while increasing static air pressure. The plenum and heat exchanger may be located at various sites on the go-kart including in front of the driver position, beside the driver position, and behind the driver position. Additionally, a centrifugal fan may be included in the plenum to increase the velocity air pressure to overcome internal losses. Also, a plenum body portion may be included on the rear side of the heat exchanger to channel air away from the heat exchanger.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 - 39 . (canceled) 
   
   
       40 . A go-kart, comprising:
 a frame including a seat that is exposed to an ambient and a heat exchanger support;   four wheels coupled directly to the frame such that the four wheels are rigid with the frame but rotate relative to the frame;   a liquid-cooled engine mounted to the frame;   a drive linkage between the engine and at least one of the four wheels;   a heat exchanger that is exposed to the ambient and that is in fluid communication with the liquid-cooled engine, the heat exchanger being mounted to the frame at the heat exchanger support; and   a plenum system positioned in proximity to the heat exchanger and including an intake-side plenum portion that channels air to the heat exchanger and including an exhaust-side plenum portion that channels air away from the heat exchanger.   
   
   
       41 . The go-kart of  claim 40 , wherein the heat exchanger is positioned to a side of the seat. 
   
   
       42 . The go-kart of  claim 40 , wherein the heat exchanger is positioned behind the seat. 
   
   
       43 . The go-kart of  claim 40 , wherein the heat exchanger has a first side with exposed fins that faces a direction other than a direction of travel provided by the four wheels. 
   
   
       44 . The go-kart of  claim 40 , wherein the heat exchanger has a first side with exposed fins that faces a direction of travel provided by the four wheels. 
   
   
       45 . The go-kart of  claim 40 , wherein the intake-side plenum portion defines an intake opening and defines a first portion having a cross-sectional area larger than an area of the intake opening and wherein the heat exchanger is located in proximity to the first portion. 
   
   
       46 . The go-kart of  claim 40 , wherein the exhaust-side plenum defines a second portion and defines an exit opening having an area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the second portion and wherein the heat exchanger is located in proximity to the second portion. 
   
   
       47 . The go-kart of  claim 40 , wherein the intake-side plenum includes a fan. 
   
   
       48 . The go-kart of  claim 47 , wherein the fan is driven from the drive linkage. 
   
   
       49 . The go-kart of  claim 40 , wherein the exhaust-side plenum provides an exit at an area proximate to a rear under-side of the frame.

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