SYSTEM FOR REDUCING AERODYNAMIC DRAG ON VEHICLES

• US 20100117396A1
• Filed: 05/05/2009
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roderick M. Dayton
• Original Assignee: Roderick M. Dayton
• Inventors: Dayton, Roderick M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,469 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/180.100
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/02 Streamlining the undersurfaces B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/82 Elements for improving aerodynamics
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for reducing aerodynamic drag experienced by an over-the-road vehicle while underway. A frame assembly including a fastening fixture couples the apparatus to the vehicle, and a first airfoil including a first outward air deflecting surface deflects a portion of the airflow directed toward a first tire laterally outward toward an externally exposed side of the first tire. A second airfoil including a second outward air deflecting surface deflects a portion of the airflow directed toward a second tire laterally outward toward an externally exposed side of the second tire. The first and second airfoils are spaced laterally apart from each other when coupled to the vehicle by the frame assembly to define an aperture between the first and second airfoils through which at least a portion of the airflow directed toward the axle assembly is to pass while the vehicle is underway.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag experienced by an over-the-road vehicle while underway comprising:

a frame assembly comprising a fastening fixture for coupling the apparatus to the vehicle;

a first airfoil to be coupled to said frame assembly in a position forward of a first tire of an axle assembly provided to the vehicle to be exposed to an airflow directed toward the first tire while the vehicle is underway, wherein

the first airfoil comprises a first outward air deflecting surface for deflecting a portion of the airflow directed toward the first tire laterally outward toward an externally exposed side of the first tire, the first air deflecting surface comprising a concave outward portion that extends between a leading edge to be directed into the airflow and a trailing edge to gradually transition the portions of the airflow directed toward the first tire outward toward the laterally exposed side of the first tire; and

a second airfoil to be coupled to said frame assembly in a position forward of a second tire supported at an opposite lateral side of the axle assembly relative to the first tire to be exposed to an airflow directed toward the second tire while the vehicle is underway, wherein

the second airfoil comprises a second outward air deflecting surface provided to the second airfoil for deflecting a portion of the airflow directed toward the second tire laterally outward toward an externally exposed side of the second tire, the second air deflecting surface comprising a concave outward portion that extends between a leading edge to be directed into the airflow and a trailing edge to gradually transition the portions of the airflow directed toward the second tire outward toward the laterally exposed side of the second tire, wherein

the first and second airfoils are spaced laterally apart from each other when coupled to said vehicle by said frame assembly to define an aperture between the first and second airfoils through which at least a portion of the airflow directed toward the axle assembly is to pass while the vehicle is underway.

2. The apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag according to claim 1, wherein the concave outward portion comprises a radius of curvature greater than about twelve (12″

) inches.

3. The apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag according to claim 1 further comprising an inward facing surface provided to each of the first and second airfoils for directing a portion of the airflow directed toward the first and second tires in a generally inward direction to pass between the first and second tires disposed on opposite sides of the axle assembly.

4. The apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag according to claim 3, wherein the inward facing-surface of the first and second airfoils is substantially planar and is oriented at an angle within a range from about zero (0°

) degrees to about five (5°

) degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis of the trailer.

5. The apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag according to claim 4, wherein the angle of the inward facing surfaces relative to the central longitudinal axis is about three (3°

) degrees.

6. The apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag according to claim 1 further comprising a third airfoil to be coupled to the frame assembly within a path of the portion of the airflow passing through the aperture between the first and second airfoils while the vehicle is underway, wherein

the third airfoil comprises an air deflecting surface that deflects at least a portion of the airflow passing through the aperture between the first and second airfoils in a generally downward direction toward a ground surface on which the vehicle travels while underway.

7. The apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag according to claim 6, wherein the air deflecting surface of the third airfoil comprises a concave downward surface to gradually transition the path of the portion of the airflow passing between the first and second airfoils to the generally downward direction.

8. The apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag according to claim 1, wherein the first and second airfoils are to be coupled to the trailer to be supported at a location forward of the axle assembly and within two (±

2′

) feet of a distance of about seventeen feet, eight inches (17′

8″

) behind a rearward end of the tractor along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

9. The apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag according to claim 1, wherein the fastening fixture of the frame assembly is adapted to be coupled to a bogie that couples an axle to a trailer provided to the over-the-road vehicle.