Patent classifications
B62D35/001
Multi-panel skirt system for cargo enclosures
A preferred multi-panel skirt system for a cargo enclosure includes two pair of forward and aft skirt panels with each pair located on an opposite lateral sides of the enclosure. In each pair, the forward skirt panel extends along the bottom wall generally in the lengthwise direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge, which is located adjacent to and aligned with or positioned laterally inboard of a lateral side edge of the enclosure. An aft skirt panel extends along the bottom wall generally in the lengthwise direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge aft of the forward skirt panel, which trailing edge is located adjacent to and aligned with or positioned laterally inboard of the lateral side edge of the enclosure. The leading edge of the aft skirt panel is positioned laterally inboard of the trailing edge of the forward skirt panel.
Resilient front protective vehicle device having aerodynamic benefit
A protective device structure for a vehicle is provided that includes an outer surface or shell attached to or otherwise disposed upon a vehicle that covers a top edge of a vehicle to absorb impact. The protective device can include a compressible portion disposed in a cavity defined between the outer shell and the vehicle proximate to the top front wall of the vehicle.
Tank trailer wrap
An aerodynamic wrap for use with a tank trailer illustratively includes opposing first and second side assemblies. In an illustrative embodiment, each side assembly includes an upper panel pivotably supported by the tank trailer, and a lower panel pivotably supported by the upper panel. A lower connecting member illustratively couples the lower panels of the first and second side assemblies under the belly of the tank trailer.
INTEGRATED DRAG REDUCTION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE WHEN TRAILERING
A pickup truck including a passenger compartment, a cargo bed operatively coupled to the passenger compartment, and a selectively deployable drag reduction system mounted at the cargo bed. The selectively deployable drag reduction system includes a deflector that is shiftable between a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration the deflector is exposed to an airflow passing over the pickup truck.
Methods and apparatus for a strut assembly for an aerodynamic trucking system
A strut assembly for mounting an aerodynamic fairing assembly for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, transverse structural support members extending between sides of the trailer, and longitudinal members extending along a length of the trailer. The strut assembly may comprise a mounting plate, a strut body, and a substantially rectangular composite spring. The mounting bracket comprising a mounting plate and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. The strut body rotatably may be coupled to the pair of spaced apart sidewalls on the mounting bracket. The substantially rectangular composite spring may be coupled to an upper surface of the strut body and configured to contact an underside of the mounting plate of the mounting bracket to resist inward deflection from an external force applied to the strut body.
Aerodynamic Fairing Assembly for Tractor-Trailers
The aerodynamic fairing assembly attaches to the existing hardware of the swinging doors of conventional trailers to improve the aerodynamics. The fairing assembly includes left and right folding fairing panels that mount to the existing door hinges and two sets of lock arms that mount to the existing bar lock mechanism of a conventional box style trailer. The folding fairing panels manually fold between stowed and deployed positions.
Rear spoiler device for a vehicle
A rear spoiler device for a vehicle at least includes an air-guiding element (25) for lengthening the contour, in particular of a side surface (3) of the vehicle (1), in a travel position, and a displacement device for displacing the air-guiding element (25) between the travel position and a home position. A front end (54) of the air-guiding element (25) is provided for bearing against the side surface (3) of the vehicle (1) in the travel position. At least one sealing element (61) for sealingly bearing against the side surface (3) is provided on the front end (54) of the air-guiding element (25), and the displacement device is provided for pressing the sealing element (61) against the side surface (3) in the travel position.
ACTIVE DRAG-REDUCTION SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF REDUCING DRAG EXPERIENCED BY A VEHICLE
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.
AIR DEFLECTOR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
An air deflector for a motor vehicle cab, the air deflector comprising an air inlet surface comprising at least one air inlet configured to receive an inlet airflow, an air outlet surface comprising at least one air outlet configured to expel an outlet airflow, at least one air duct for circulating an airflow, the at least one air duct connecting the at least one air inlet to the at least one air outlet, wherein the at least one air duct is a Venturi tube configured to increase the speed of the airflow circulating in the at least one air duct.
WHEEL FAIRING DEFLECTING WIND ONTO LOWER WHEEL
A laterally extending aerodynamic deflector panel disposed upstream in front of an otherwise exposed uppermost portion of a vehicle wheel assembly, and arranged to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging upon drag-magnified uppermost wheel surfaces to thereby minimize overall vehicle drag.