Apparatus For Decreasing Aerodynamic Drag, Improving Stability, and Reducing Road Spray of a Transportation Vehicle and Method of Mounting an Aerodynamic Add-On Device onto a Transport Vehicle

• US 20140009277A1
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Published: 01/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Innovative Global Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Innovative Global Systems LLC
• Inventors: Lesesky, Alan C.
• Application Number:
  US14/026,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20140009277A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/007 Rear spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/02 Streamlining the undersurfaces B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for decreasing aerodynamic drag, improving stability, and reducing road spray of a transport vehicle. The apparatus comprises an underbody fairing comprising a substantially parabolic elongated panel. The underbody fairing is strategically positioned beneath the transport vehicle and forward of the rear wheel assembly to deflect air around the rear wheel assembly while also facilitating a laminar airflow moving laterally beneath the transport vehicle.

Claims

1. A side marker lamp for illuminating an aerodynamic add-on device mounted on the underbody of a transport vehicle, comprising:

a rigid housing for attachment to a side portion of the transport vehicle, said rigid housing having a first side and a second side, said second side opposing said first side;

a light source positioned inside said housing;

a first lens attached to said first side of said housing, said first lens configured to receive light from said light source and project the light away from the transport vehicle; and

a second lens attached to said second side of said housing, said second lens configured to receive light from said light source and project the light underneath the transport vehicle;

whereby said side marker lamp, when attached to a side portion of a transport vehicle, facilitates the illumination of the aerodynamic device mounted on the underbody of the transport vehicle while simultaneously marking the side portion of the transport vehicle.

2. A method of verifying inspection of the aerodynamic add-on devices mounted onto a transport vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching a radio frequency identification tag to each aerodynamic add-on device to be inspected;

inspecting the transport vehicle while equipped with a mobile radio frequency device reader, the mobile radio frequency device reader being adapted to first detect when said mobile radio frequency device reader is within inspection range of the radio frequency identification tag of each aerodynamic add-on device to be inspected and then generate a log of the time and date when the detection occurred; and

reviewing the mobile radio frequency device reader log to verify that each aerodynamic add-on device was inspected.

3. A system for monitoring the integrity of the connection between an aerodynamic add-on device having a mounting means and a transport vehicle, comprising:

an electronic monitoring device adapted to transmit an electrical signal through a ground wire and detect a loss of continuity in a ground wire;

a ground wire connected at one end to said electronic monitoring device and at an opposite end to the mounting means;

a warning indicator for alerting the transport vehicle operator that said electronic monitoring device has detected a disconnection of the mounting means of the aerodynamic add-on device from the transport vehicle; and

a transmission means for transmitting an alarm signal from said electronic monitoring device to said warning indicator.