COOLANT SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE

• US 20110175467A1
• Filed: 01/19/2010
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian Belton
• Original Assignee: Brian Belton
• Inventors: Belton, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,212,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 41/00 Arrangements of radiators, coolant hoses or pipes on cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/04 characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2204/00 Adaptations for driving cycles by electric motor for driving electrically assisted bicycles B62M6/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 7/02 with engine between front and rear wheels
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/19 for machines with closed casing and closed-circuit cooling using a liquid cooling medium, e.g. oil
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

A cooling system for an electric motor of an electric motorcycle is disclosed. The cooling system includes a motorcycle frame including an internal volume, an entrance orifice and an exit orifice. The cooling system further includes an electric motor including an internal volume, a first tubular element connecting the exit orifice with the electric motor and a second tubular element connecting the electric motor with the entrance orifice. The cooling system further includes a liquid coolant located within the internal volume of the frame, the internal volume of the first and second tubular elements and the internal volume of the electric motor. The cooling system further includes a pump for circulating the liquid coolant from the electric motor, through the first tubular element, through the entrance orifice of the frame, through the internal volume of the frame, through the exit orifice of the frame and back to the electric motor.

Claims

1. A cooling system for an electric motor of an electric motorcycle, including:

a motorcycle frame including an internal volume, an entrance orifice and an exit orifice;

an electric motor including an internal volume;

a first tubular element connecting the exit orifice with the electric motor;

a second tubular element connecting the electric motor with the entrance orifice;

a liquid coolant located within the internal volume of the frame, the internal volume of the first and second tubular elements and the internal volume of the electric motor; and

a pump for circulating the liquid coolant from the electric motor, through the first tubular element, through the entrance orifice of the frame, through the internal volume of the frame, through the exit orifice of the frame and back to the electric motor.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the liquid coolant comprises any one of water, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, or propylene glycol.

3. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the motorcycle frame comprises a dual bar configuration comprising a left-side bar and a right-side bar, wherein both bars arc coupled at one end to a stem of the frame and wherein both bars include an internal volume.

4. The cooling system of claim 3, further comprising:

a tubular bridge that connects the left-side bar and the right-side bar such that the internal volume of the left-side bar is contiguous with the internal volume of the right-side bar.

5. The cooling system of claim 4, wherein the motorcycle frame is composed of a single, integrally-formed unit of metal.

6. The cooling system of claim 5, wherein the motorcycle frame is composed of a single, integrally-formed unit of carbon fiber.

7. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the internal volume of the electric motor is in conductive contact with a stator and a commutator of the electric motor so as to allow the liquid coolant in the internal volume of the electric motor to siphon heat away from the armature and a commutator of the electric motor.

8. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein the pump is integrated with the electric motor.

9. The cooling system of claim 8, wherein a means of locomotion of the electric motor also produces a pumping force of the pump so as to propel the liquid coolant from the electric motor, into the frame and back.

10. A cooling system for an electric motor of an electric motorcycle, including:

a motorcycle frame comprising a dual bar configuration comprising a left-side bar and a right-side bar, wherein both bars are coupled at one end to a stem of the frame and wherein both bars include an internal volume;

an entrance orifice located in the right-side bar;

a tubular bridge that connects the left-side bar and the right-side bar such that the internal volume of the left-side bar is contiguous with the internal volume of the right-side bar;

an exit orifice located in the left-side bar;

an electric motor including an internal volume;

a first tubular element connecting the exit orifice with the electric motor;

a second tubular element connecting the electric motor with the entrance orifice;

a liquid coolant located within the internal volume of the right-side bar, the internal volume of the left-side bar, the internal volume of the first and second tubular elements and the internal volume of the electric motor; and

a pump for circulating the liquid coolant from the electric motor, through the first tubular element, through the entrance orifice of the frame, through the internal volume of the right-side and left-side bars, through the exit orifice of the frame and back to the electric motor.

11. The cooling system of claim 10, wherein the liquid coolant comprises any one of water, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, or propylene glycol.

12. The cooling system of claim 10, wherein the motorcycle frame is composed of a single, integrally-formed unit of metal.

13. The cooling system of claim 12, wherein the motorcycle frame is composed of a single, integrally-formed unit of carbon fiber.

14. The cooling system of claim 10, wherein the internal volume of the electric motor is in conductive contact with a stator and a commutator of the electric motor so as to allow the liquid coolant in the internal volume of the electric motor to siphon heat away from the armature and a commutator of the electric motor.

15. The cooling system of claim 14, wherein the pump is integrated with the electric motor.

16. The cooling system of claim 15, wherein a means of locomotion of the electric motor also produces a pumping force of the pump so as to propel the liquid coolant from the electric motor, into the frame and back.