High-Performance Car with Streamline Configuration-Altering Air Jets

• US 20090140543A1
• Filed: 07/06/2006
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ferrari SPA (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Ferrari SPA (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Caldirola, Luca
• Granted Patent: US 7,886,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/180.500
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/08 Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor radiator or grille guards B60R19/52
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 5/00 Vehicle modifications to facilitate cooling of brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/00 Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining

Abstract

An embodiment of a high-performance car having a car body; at least one member for cooling; at least one cooling duct extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, both formed through the car body, to conduct outside cooling air through the member for cooling; and at least one blow duct which terminates at a blow opening, formed through the car body, to direct an air jet which interacts with the airflow about the car body to alter the streamline configuration of the car; the blow duct originates at an initial portion of the cooling duct, upstream from the member for cooling, and has a deflecting device which can be activated to divert at least part of the air in the cooling duct to the blow duct.

Claims

1. ) A high-performance car comprising:

a car body;

at least one member for cooling;

at least one cooling duct extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, both formed through the car body, to conduct outside cooling air through the member for cooling; and

at least one blow duct which terminates at least one blow opening, formed through the car body, to direct an air jet which interacts with the airflow about the car body to alter the streamline configuration of the car;

wherein the blow duct originates at an initial portion of the cooling duct, upstream from the member for cooling, and comprises a deflecting device which can be activated to divert at least part of the air in the cooling duct to the blow duct.

2. ) A car as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflecting device is movable between a rest position, in which the deflecting device does not interfere with the airflow along the cooling duct, and a work position, in which the deflecting device diverts at least part of the air in the cooling duct to the blow duct.

3. ) A car as claimed in claim 2, wherein the deflecting device is moved from the rest position to the work position when the speed of the car exceeds a given threshold.

4. ) A car as claimed in claim 2, wherein the deflecting device is always maintained in the rest position when the temperature of the member for cooling exceeds a given threshold.

5. ) A car as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member for cooling is a radiator of an engine of the car;

and the deflecting device only diverts part of the air in the cooling duct to the blow duct.

6. ) A car as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member for cooling is a brake of the car.

7. ) A car as claimed in claim 6, wherein the deflecting device diverts all the air in the cooling duct to the blow duct.

8. ) A car as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member for cooling is an engine compartment of the car.

9. ) A car as claimed in claim 8, wherein the deflecting device diverts all the air in the cooling duct to the blow duct.

10. ) A car as claimed in claim 1, and comprising two first blow ducts, each terminating at a first blow opening formed at the rear of the car body.

11. ) A car as claimed in claim 10, wherein each first blow opening is oriented horizontally and longitudinally with respect to the car body.

12. ) A car as claimed in claim 1, and comprising two second blow ducts, each terminating at a second blow opening formed at the bottom of the car body, just in front of a wheel.

13. ) A car as claimed in claim 12, wherein each second blow opening is formed at the bottom of the car body, just in front of a front wheel.

14. ) A car as claimed in claim 12, wherein each second blow opening is oriented longitudinally downwards with respect to the car body.

15. ) A car as claimed in claim 12, wherein each deflecting device is movable between a rest position, in which the deflecting device does not interfere with the airflow along the cooling duct, and a work position, in which the deflecting device diverts at least part of the air in the cooling duct to the second blow duct;

and each deflecting device comprises a movable guard member which, when the deflecting device is in the rest position, is embedded seamlessly at the bottom of the car body, and, when the deflecting device is in the work position, projects vertically downwards from the bottom of the car body, in front of the respective front wheel and just upstream from the respective second blow opening.

16. ) A car as claimed in claim 15, wherein each deflecting device comprises the movable guard member, and a movable deflecting member which is mounted inside the cooling duct to divert at least part of the air in the cooling duct to the second blow duct;

and the movable guard member and the movable deflecting member are hinged to rotate about respective axes of rotation under the control of the same actuating device.