Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a deployable fairing system to a tractor trailer. The deployable fairing system includes an actuator used to extend the deployable fairing from an unextended configuration to an extended configuration to occupy a portion of a gap area that exists between a tractor and an attached trailer. The deployable fairing includes deployable upper and/or lower horizontal assemblies that are pivotally coupled to a frame attached to the tractor/cab, and two side panels that are pivotally coupled to one or both of the upper and lower horizontal assemblies. The deployable upper and lower horizontal assemblies and the two side panels fold in on one another along multiple hinged axes in the unextended configuration, and extend rearward from the top and sides of the tractor in the extended configuration to cover a portion of the gap. The fairing may advantageously flair from front to the rear.

A fairing includes a first part including a wall having and a top flange extending from the wall. A second part of the fairing includes a body and a bottom flange extending from the body. The bottom flange is configured to engage the top flange to couple the second part to the first part.

A trailer stand positionable by a shunt truck is disclosed. The trailer stand includes a leg assembly having a front pair of legs and a back pair of legs, the front pair of legs connected by a front cross support and the back pair of legs connected by a back cross support, a wheel assembly having a wheel assembly frame that has a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the back pair of legs, the second end retaining an axle, the axle rotatably retaining at least two wheels, a stepped assembly having a front end, a back end, a top, and a bottom, the front end connected to the front cross support, the back end connected to the back cross support, the top of the stepped assembly providing a plurality of landing areas for an end of the semi-trailer, and a lifting frame.

Mudflap in a wheel arrangement for a vehicle such as a truck or a utility vehicle or a trailer, the mudflap comprising a plate, arranged substantially in a vertical position, the plate being attached to a support in the vehicle, a front side being oriented toward the wheel, and a rear side oriented away from the wheel, the plate having a plurality of holes and closing member(s), wherein each closing member exhibits a rest position in which the closing member closes holes at the rear side thereof, and a deflected position in which a dynamic air pressure pushes the closing member away from its rest position, thereby allowing air to pass through the hole, and thereby reducing the aerodynamic drag of the mudflap.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a retractable under chassis fairing. In certain embodiments, the under chassis fairing includes a fairing body and at least one coupling. The fairing body includes a floor, front wall, and left and right sidewalls. The front wall extends from a front edge of the fairing body to the floor toward a back edge of the fairing body and is angled relative to the floor. The at coupling is configured to hang the fairing body from a chassis such that an upper edge of the left and right sidewalls is positioned at the same height as or higher than a lower edge of the vehicle. The coupling is configured to allow movement of the fairing body from a lowered position vertically toward the chassis upon contact with a road obstacle. The under chassis fairing improves aerodynamic performance while moving upon contact with road obstacles.

There is described a top fairing for a trailer adapted to decrease drag and manage water. The top fairing comprises a surface for guiding air thereover, comprising a leading flange; a leading surface having a leading radius, the leading surface being joined to the leading flange and extending in a rearward direction; and a tailing surface having a tailing radius, the tailing surface in continuity to the leading surface in the rearward direction. The top fairing comprises openings disposed in the leading flange for managing water through the leading flange.

A drag reducing device for a motor vehicle having a vehicle body and at least one substantially semi-circular wheel-well for receiving a wheel capable of vertical and rotational movements with regards to the vehicle body, the vehicle comprising unsprung masses associated with the at least one wheel; wherein the drag reducing device comprises a wheel-well cover configured to cover at least a portion of the wheel and of the wheel-well, a pivotal linkage pivotally connecting the wheel-well cover to the vehicle body, and a sliding linkage slidingly connecting the wheel-well cover to an element of the unsprung masses with one degree of freedom oriented in the vertical movement of the at least one wheel.

The disclosed technology relates to a moveable panel, such as a fairing, of a vehicle, such as a semi-truck. For a number of reasons, it may be desirable to gain access to the area behind the fairing, for example, to access batteries, air/gas tanks, auxiliary power units, and/or other components that are mounted to the vehicle frame. In order to move the fairing with respect to the vehicle frame, one or more examples of a mounting system are provided that enables the fairing to pivot/swing away from the vehicle frame in a first direction (e.g., forward toward the front wheel). In some embodiments, the fairing may also pivot/swing away from the frame in a second direction (e.g., rearward toward the rear wheels) opposite the first direction. This multiple pivoting/swinging movement of the fairing enables access to different locations behind the fairing.

An active drag-reduction system has first 22 and second 24 fluid outlets located on a vehicle 10 adjacent to a low pressure (drag) region 12, wherein fluid ejected from the second fluid outlet 24 is at a higher pressure/ejection velocity than from the first fluid outlet 22. Turbulent and/or low pressure regions adjacent to vehicles are not uniform, but rather have a varying intensity. For instance, the centre of a region may have a lower pressure and/or more turbulent nature than the periphery of the region. The system injects relatively higher pressure air or relatively higher speed air into the relatively lower pressure/more turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, and relatively lower pressure air or relatively lower speed air into the relatively higher pressure/less turbulent part of the low pressure/turbulent region, compared to each other.

A drag reducing device includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the opposite sides of the vehicle. The mounting components are configured so that the air flow component is automatically in a deployed position when the rear door is closed, so the air flow turning component turns air flow passing along the side the vehicle inward to thereby reduce drag. The mounting components are further configured so that the air flow component is automatically stowed between the rear door and the vehicle side when the door is fully opened. The air turning component is sized for a minimal prominence when stowed.