A deployable fairing for a transport vehicle comprises a flexible, internally pressurizable enclosure supported by a structural frame. The structural frame comprises a plurality of rigid structural members forming at least two subframes that are pivotally coupled to one another and is foldably movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The enclosure moves with the structural frame, unfolds when the structural frame moves into the expanded configuration and folds in upon itself when the structural frame moves into the collapsed configuration. Moving the structural frame into the expanded configuration develops tension on at least part of the outer surface of the enclosure, and movement of the structural frame into the collapsed configuration releases the tension. When the enclosure is internally pressurized while the structural frame is in the expanded configuration, the outer surface of the enclosure is structurally stiff and conforms to a predefined aerodynamic shape.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for increasing fuel efficiency of a vehicle moving through air, comprising the steps of: carrying, by the vehicle, a tail cone in an undeployed state; deploying the tail cone on a back of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion, the tail cone comprising a flexible material; and pressurizing, with the air, an interior space at least partially enclosed by the tail cone, the tail cone forming an aerodynamic feature extending at least fifteen inches behind the vehicle, where pressurizing transforms the tail cone from a flexible material to a static and compliant aerodynamic feature, which increases miles per gallon of the vehicle by at least ten percent at speeds in excess of fifty miles an hour through a reduction in drag force on the vehicle.

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, for example to occupy a portion of a gap area that exists between a tractor and an attached trailer or to extend from the rear of a 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 system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a flexible membrane including a perimeter coupled to a rear end of the trailer. A variable-volume cavity is defined between the flexible membrane and the rear end. The system also includes a source of pressurized gas coupled to the trailer and in fluidic communication with the variable-volume cavity, and a controller operable to control a flow of the pressurized gas from the source to the variable-volume cavity such that the flexible membrane is moved from a stowed profile, wherein the flexible membrane is collapsed against the rear end of the trailer, to a first deployed profile, wherein the flexible membrane is maintained in a first pre-selected tapered aerodynamic shape projecting rearward from the rear end.

An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.

A vehicle includes a first trailer having a rear end, and a second trailer having a front. The second trailer is coupled to the first trailer. The vehicle also includes at least one flexible membrane that includes a perimeter coupled to the rear end. A seal is formed between the perimeter and the rear end. The vehicle further includes a pressurization source coupled to the vehicle, and at least one port defined in and extending through the rear end. The at least one port is enclosed by the perimeter and in fluidic communication with the pressurization source. In a deployed profile, the at least one flexible membrane extends between the rear end of the first trailer and the front of the second trailer.

An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.

A deployable fairing for a transport vehicle comprises a flexible, internally pressurizable enclosure supported by a structural frame. The structural frame comprises a plurality of rigid structural members forming at least two subframes that are pivotally coupled to one another and is foldably movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The enclosure moves with the structural frame, unfolds when the structural frame moves into the expanded configuration and folds in upon itself when the structural frame moves into the collapsed configuration. Moving the structural frame into the expanded configuration develops tension on at least part of the outer surface of the enclosure, and movement of the structural frame into the collapsed configuration releases the tension. When the enclosure is internally pressurized while the structural frame is in the expanded configuration, the outer surface of the enclosure is structurally stiff and conforms to a predefined aerodynamic shape.

A vehicle includes a rear end and a flexible membrane that includes a perimeter. The perimeter is coupled to the rear end, wherein a seal is formed between the perimeter and the rear end. The vehicle also includes a pressurization source coupled to the vehicle, and at least one port defined in and extending through the rear end. The at least one port is enclosed by the perimeter and in fluidic communication with the pressurization source.

A vehicle includes a first trailer having a rear end, and a second trailer having a front. The second trailer is coupled to the first trailer. The vehicle also includes at least one flexible membrane that includes a perimeter coupled to the rear end. A seal is formed between the perimeter and the rear end. The vehicle further includes a pressurization source coupled to the vehicle, and at least one port defined in and extending through the rear end. The at least one port is enclosed by the perimeter and in fluidic communication with the pressurization source. In a deployed profile, the at least one flexible membrane extends between the rear end of the first trailer and the front of the second trailer.