Vehicle airfoils for safety, efficiency, and performance
First Claim
1. An aerodynamic apparatus for a vehicle comprising one or more airfoils situated substantially above the wheelbase of the vehicle so as to be capable of exerting well-distributed downward thrust on the wheels that steer, propel and brake the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One or more airfoils, mounted above the upper surface of an automobile or other vehicle, optionally with variable angle of attack and/or camber, under the continuous automatic control of the vehicle'"'"'s computer (electronic control module), for the purpose of providing well-distributed vertical thrust with minimum drag, or strong downward thrust with drag, depending on driving circumstances, thereby increasing the safety of the vehicle as well as improving its efficiency and performance.
44 Citations
9 Claims
- 1. An aerodynamic apparatus for a vehicle comprising one or more airfoils situated substantially above the wheelbase of the vehicle so as to be capable of exerting well-distributed downward thrust on the wheels that steer, propel and brake the vehicle.
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9. An airfoil having a variable, reversible camber by means of an internal support structure consisting of several articulating parts including a rolling member along the leading edge of said airfoil, rounded and affixed to the skin along its forward edge;
- a rigid, substantially wedge-shaped trailing edge support member, affixed to the skin along the rear of said member;
connecting arms linking leading and trailing members and connecting them to an actuator; and
flexible, inelastic skin continuously covering said airfoil.
- a rigid, substantially wedge-shaped trailing edge support member, affixed to the skin along the rear of said member;
Specification