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.

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 textile tire for lowering the drag of vehicles with a vehicle side and a rear side, wherein a holding device for fastening the textile tire to a vehicle is arranged on the vehicle side, and the textile tire has a filled state and an emptied state, may include a stabilizer arranged in the interior, air ducts provided in the interior, an outer ring on the rear wall, an outlet valve provided on the underside, a suitable sliding guide, and a ventilating device which is driven by the slipstream.

A system that has electrically or electro-pneumatically actuated aerodynamic structures. An electric or electro-pneumatic actuator is employed, which receives signals from an existing anti-lock braking system (ABS) controller to determine when actuation occurs. Other systems are also provided that feature electric or electro-pneumatic actuation, including underbody skirts and scoops, as well as inflatable tractor-trailer gap sealing devices, adjustable tractor-trailer gap sealing flaps and inflatable trailer upper streamlining devices. Electronic control units (ECUs) for aerodynamic system control interfacing with alternate sensors for calculating speed are also provided. Satellite navigation, platooning awareness and managed pressure reserve capability can be employed with the aerodynamics ECU.

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.

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.

An apparatus behind a passenger cab of a pickup truck may provide access to an interior of a pickup truck box, when retracted, and a cover, when extended. The apparatus, when extended, may produce an aerodynamic shape that significantly reduces drag on the pickup truck. The apparatus, at least when retracted, may allow rear visibility. Extension and retraction of the apparatus may be motorized and may further be done remotely and/or automatically. The apparatus may include a plurality of moveable panels linked together, and/or the panels may slope. Adjacent panels may be linked together by one or more hinges. A pickup truck may include such an apparatus.

An electro-mechanical aerodynamic apparatus includes a support structure that couples to a tongue of a trailer in a position between a tow vehicle and a body of the trailer, an extendible housing that couples to the support structure and extendibly moves to a plurality of aerodynamic states including an extended state and a contracted state, and a drive assembly coupled to the support structure and the extendible housing that, when actuated, moves the extendible housing into one of the plurality of aerodynamic states.

A system that has electrically or electro-pneumatically actuated aerodynamic structures. An electric or electro-pneumatic actuator is employed, which receives signals from an existing anti-lock braking system (ABS) controller to determine when actuation occurs. Other systems are also provided that feature electric or electro-pneumatic actuation, including underbody skirts and scoops, as well as inflatable tractor-trailer gap sealing devices, adjustable tractor-trailer gap sealing flaps and inflatable trailer upper streamlining devices. Electronic control units (ECUs) for aerodynamic system control interfacing with alternate sensors for calculating speed are also provided. Satellite navigation, platooning awareness and managed pressure reserve capability can be employed with the aerodynamics ECU.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a foldable/retractable and unfoldable/deployable, rearwardly tapered aerodynamic assembly for use on the rear trailer bodies and other vehicles that accommodate dual swing-out doors. The aerodynamic assembly includes a right half mounted on the right hand door and a left half mounted on a left hand door. Each half can be constructed with a side panel, top panel and bottom panel, which each form half of an overall tapered box when deployed on the rear of the vehicle, the bottom panels and top panels being sealed together at a pair of overlapping weather seals along the centerline.