Infinitely variable, controllably and/or automatically adjustable air deflector and method
First Claim
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1. A device for reducing aerodynamic drag on an automotive vehicle having a cab forward of a cargo compartment comprising:
- air deflecting means mounted on the top of the cab and movable between a lower position closer to the top of the cab and in which air deflection is of one amount, and a higher position in which air is deflected in a greater amount from the top of the cab,means for moving the air deflecting means, andcontrol means within the cab for actuating the moving means to vary the location of the deflecting means through various amounts of deflection between said lower and higher positions while the vehicle is traveling such that the air deflecting means may be placed into an optimum reduced drag position.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus whereby an operator within the cab of an automotive vehicle can manually or automatically deflect oncoming and side air flows to obtain the optimum air drag reduction on the vehicle.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A device for reducing aerodynamic drag on an automotive vehicle having a cab forward of a cargo compartment comprising:
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air deflecting means mounted on the top of the cab and movable between a lower position closer to the top of the cab and in which air deflection is of one amount, and a higher position in which air is deflected in a greater amount from the top of the cab, means for moving the air deflecting means, and control means within the cab for actuating the moving means to vary the location of the deflecting means through various amounts of deflection between said lower and higher positions while the vehicle is traveling such that the air deflecting means may be placed into an optimum reduced drag position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An aerodynamic main deflector for use on top of an automotive vehicle of the type having a rearward cargo container comprising:
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a smoothly contoured deflector having a rearwardly and upwardly curved central portion and downwardly curved side portions which generally conform to the shape of the vehicle top for lying thereto when lowered, means operable from within the vehicle for raising and lowering the deflector through a lower position closer to the top of the vehicle and in which air deflection is of one amount, and a higher position in which air is deflected in a greater amount from the top of the vehicle to vary the location of the deflector through various amounts of deflection between said lower and higher positions while the vehicle is traveling such that the air deflector may be placed into an optimum reduced drag position, and collapsible side deflectors positioned adjacent said side portions for closing the gap between the main deflector and the vehicle top when the deflector is raised.
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10. The method of reducing aerodynamic drag on a tractor-trailer, comprising:
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deflecting oncoming air upwardly over the trailer as the vehicle is moving forwardly, sensing the change in performance of the vehicle due to a reduction in aerodynamic drag, and varying the angle of the deflection through a range of angles in response to said performance change until an optimum reduction in aerodynamic drag is reached. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification