Aerodynamic guiding arrangements for vehicles

• US 6,932,419 B1
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William Mccullough
• Original Assignee: William Mccullough
• Inventors: McCullough, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B.
• Application Number:
  US11/048,902
• Time in Patent Office: 201 Days
• Field of Search: 296/180.1, 296/180.2, 296/180.3, 296/180.4, 296/166, 105/1.1, 105/17, 180/903, 280/849
• US Class Current: 296/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans

Abstract

An aerodynamic guiding arrangement for a vehicle that includes a forward gap enclosure with an upper element and a lower element. The gap enclosure is configured to be positioned and attached proximate a forward end of the vehicle. The guiding arrangement includes a gap closure mechanism for automatically moving the forward gap enclosure from an open position to a closed position, and from a closed position to an open position, based on speed of the vehicle. Another aerodynamic guiding arrangement includes a windscreen with a top, a bottom, and a center of curvature. The windscreen curves smoothly rearward with increasing distance from a central plane, and has a reverse slope such that over a majority of the windscreen the top is farther from the center of curvature than the bottom.

Claims

1. An aerodynamic guiding arrangement for a vehicle, said arrangement comprising:

a forward gap enclosure with an upper element and a lower element, said gap enclosure being configured to be positioned and attached proximate a forward end of the vehicle; and

a gap closure mechanism for automatically moving the forward gap enclosure from an open position to a closed position, and from a closed position to an open position, based on speed of the vehicle.

2. The guiding arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said upper element has a full length configured to extend from a position proximate a height of inflated front wheels of the vehicle to a top of the vehicle, and is configured to wrap about the top of the vehicle to approximately a height of inflated front wheels on an opposite side of the vehicle;

and wherein said lower element is configured to cover the front wheels when the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed.

3. The guiding arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said gap closure mechanism comprises pivoting arms and a valve arrangement including a smart valve attached to two solenoid valves, said forward gap closure mechanism being attached to the upper element, wherein one of the solenoid valves opens an air valve that closes the gap enclosure when the vehicle exceeds the predetermined speed, and the other valve opens the forward gap enclosure when the vehicle obtains a speed below the predetermined speed.

4. The guiding arrangement according to claim 3, further comprising a rubber extrusion having a predetermined width, said rubber extrusion extending along the full length of the upper element, said rubber extrusion being configured to become forced down on sides and top of the vehicle when the vehicle exceeds the predetermined speed.

5. The guiding arrangement according to claim 4, further comprising a rearward gap enclosure with a pivotal element, said rearward gap enclosure being positioned proximate a rearward end of the vehicle, said pivotal element being configured to cover rear wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle exceeds the predetermined speed.

6. The guiding arrangement according to claim 5, in combination with a vehicle, said vehicle being a tractor and trailer rig with a tractor and a trailer.

7. The guiding arrangement according to claim 6, said tractor and trailer rig comprising a spoiler extending along a length of the upper element.

8. The guiding arrangement according to claim 6, said trailer comprising a spoiler extending along a length proximate a rearward portion of the trailer.

9. The guiding arrangement according to claim 6, said trailer comprising at least one rear door with a scoop spoiler built in the at least one rear door.