Vehicle fairing system

• US 7,404,592 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Issued: 07/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aerofficient, LLC
• Original Assignee: Aerofficient, LLC
• Inventors: Reiman, James, Heppel, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/684,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20080061598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 296/180.1, 296/180.2, 296/180.3, 296/180.4, 296/180.5
• US Class Current: 296/180.4
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans

Abstract

A combination of vehicle fairing structures forming a fairing system having a front end structure, a rear end structure, and first and second side structures, for optimizing the aerodynamic profile of vehicles, especially tractor-trailer combinations.

Claims

1. A vehicle fairing system for a vehicle having a front vehicular component and a rear vehicular component in tandem and separated by a gap, comprising:

a front end structure, a rear end structure, and first and second side structures;

the front end structure comprising

a top fairing surface adapted to be attached to a top surface of the rear vehicular component;

a first side surface adapted to be attached to a first side of the rear vehicular component, joining a first end of the top surface and generally perpendicular to the top surface;

a second side surface adapted to be attached to a second side of the rear vehicular component, joining a second end of the top surface opposite the first end and generally perpendicular to the top surface;

each of the top and first and second side surfaces having a proximal edge adapted to be positioned adjacent a vehicle;

each of the top and first and second vertical surfaces having a distal edge adapted to be positioned away from the vehicle with respect to the respective proximal edge;

wherein there is a continuous boundary formed where the top fairing surface meets the top surface of the rear vehicular component and where the first and second side surfaces meet respecteive sides of the rear vehicular component;

wherein an area bounded by the distal edges of the surfaces is smaller than an area bounded by the proximal edges; and

wherein

the distal and proximal edges of the surfaces are positioned relative to each other such that the fairing structure, when positioned adjacent the rear vehicular component of the vehicle in the gap between said rear vehicular component and the front vehicular component of the vehicle impedes transverse and vertical flow in the gap, thereby creating an effective closure of the gap;

the rear end structure comprising

a first semi-rigid surface having a first edge, a second edge, and a third generally non-linear edge joining the first and second edges, wherein the chord line of the third generally non-linear edge forms less than a right angle with the first edge;

the first semi-rigid surface for being rotatably secured to the rear vehicular component of the vehicle at the first edge to permit the first semi-rigid surface to assume a first position adjacent the rear vehicular component and a second position extended from the rear vehicular component, wherein the first semi-rigid surface comprises two joined panels to permit the first semi-rigid surface to be folded when in the first position and unfolded when in the second position;

a second semi-rigid surface having a fourth edge, a fifth edge and a sixth generally non-linear edge joining the fourth and fifth edges, wherein the chord line of the sixth generally non-linear edge forms less than a right angle with the fourth edge;

the second semi-rigid surface for being rotatably secured to the vehicle at the fourth edge to permit the second semi-rigid surface to assume a first position adjacent the vehicle and a second position extended from the vehicle; and

the first and second semi-rigid surfaces joined together at their third and sixth generally non-linear edges to permit the first and second semi-rigid surfaces to fold approximately together when the first and second semi-rigid surfaces are adjacent the vehicle; and

the first and second side structures each comprising

a surface extending vertically toward the ground from a side of the vehicle, wherein the first side structure and the second side structure are adapted to be attached to opposite sides of a vehicle;

the surface having a first edge toward the front of the vehicle and a second edge toward the rear of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle fairing system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second edges of the first and second side structures curve inward toward the center of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle fairing system according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the first and second side structures is formed to fit around the rear wheels of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle fairing system according to claim 1, further comprising first and second panels extending from the second edge of each side structure toward the rear end of the vehicle at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees.

5. The vehicle fairing system according to claim 4 further comprising an element connecting the first and second panels extending from the second edge of each side structure.

6. A tractor trailer combination comprising the vehicle fairing system according to claim 1.