Systems and methods for reducing the aerodynamic drag on vehicles
First Claim
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1. A method of installing a drag reduction system in a vehicle that is mateable to a trailer, the vehicle having a cab with a cab front surface and a cab rear surface and a source of exhausted gas, the method comprising:
- obtaining a first piping structure having an inlet port and at least one outlet port;
connecting the inlet port of the first piping structure in fluid communication with the source of exhausted gas; and
positioning at least one outlet port of the first piping structure distal of the cab rear surface, and in a gap defined between the cab rear surface and the trailer when a trailer is coupled to the cab, the gap being open to the atmosphere, wherein the at least one outlet port is positioned vertically such that air is discharged into the gap in solely a vertical direction.
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Abstract
A drag reduction system introduces pressurized gases to selected regions of a vehicle, such as a tractor trailer combination 100 for reducing the aerodynamic drag thereon. The system 140 or any combination of components thereof may be installed on new combinations or may be retrofitted on existing combinations. The drag reduction system may be controlled to selectively determine which regions receive pressurized gases and at what flow rates such regions receive the pressurized gas.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of installing a drag reduction system in a vehicle that is mateable to a trailer, the vehicle having a cab with a cab front surface and a cab rear surface and a source of exhausted gas, the method comprising:
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obtaining a first piping structure having an inlet port and at least one outlet port; connecting the inlet port of the first piping structure in fluid communication with the source of exhausted gas; and positioning at least one outlet port of the first piping structure distal of the cab rear surface, and in a gap defined between the cab rear surface and the trailer when a trailer is coupled to the cab, the gap being open to the atmosphere, wherein the at least one outlet port is positioned vertically such that air is discharged into the gap in solely a vertical direction. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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2. A method for reducing the aerodynamic drag on a vehicle that is mateable to a trailer, the vehicle having a cab with a cab rear surface, the method comprising:
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generating a source of pressurized exhaust gas; and introducing the exhaust gas solely in a vertical direction at a position past the cab rear surface of the vehicle, and in a gap defined by the cab rear surface of the vehicle and the trailer when the trailer is coupled to the vehicle, the gap being open to the atmosphere. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. A system for reducing the aerodynamic drag on a vehicle that is mateable to a trailer, the vehicle having a cab with a cab rear surface, the system comprising:
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a pressurized gas generation unit, the unit expelling exhausted gas; and piping structure defining an inlet and a discharge port, the inlet being connected in fluid communication with the pressurized gas generation unit to receive pressurized gas therefrom and the discharge port being positioned vertically in a gap defined by the cab rear surface and the trailer when the trailer is coupled to the vehicle, the gap being open to the atmosphere, such that air is discharged into the gap in solely a vertical direction. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A vehicle mateable to a trailer, the vehicle comprising:
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a frame structure; an engine that generates exhaust gases and propels the vehicle, the engine being carried by the frame structure; a cab assembly supported on the frame structure, the cab assembly defining a cab rear surface; first piping structure connected in fluid communication with the engine for receiving generated exhaust gases; and a first discharge port connected in fluid communication with the first piping structure, the first discharge port open to the atmosphere and positioned vertically to introduce exhaust gases solely in a vertical direction in a region aft of the gap defined by the cab assembly rear surface and the trailer when the vehicle is coupled to the trailer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification