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 deflector structure for a truck unit having a cab, the deflector structure being configured to form a barrier surrounding at least part of the gap between the cab and a trailer to be towed by the truck unit, the deflector structure comprising a flexible frame fixed to the cab, the flexible frame comprising a plurality of bouncy cushions extending rearwardly towards the trailer at least in an inflated configuration, and at least a flexible canvas held by the flexible frame and/or by the cab and guided by the bouncy cushions to form the barrier.

A flexible tail may maximize an aerodynamic profile of a vehicle. The flexible tail may include a pyramidal structure formed by inflatable tubes disposed within a casing of flexible, tear-resistant material. The flexible tail may have integrated bungee ropes operable to adjust, fold, or retract the flexible tail for storage. Geometry and flexibility of the tail may reduce wake at the rear of the vehicle, reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency.

An air flow management system for a rear of a cargo trailer, box car, bus, van, truck, or similar vehicle, having a shaped skin in a three-dimensional surface such as a vertical half of a gas bag envelope of a hot air balloon, and an attachment bracket for the shaped skin to a rear side of the cargo vehicle to reshape and improve the aerodynamics of a vertical planar rear surface of the cargo vehicle by controlling the decompression and expansion of air flow around the rear of the vehicle, which is especially useful for over-the-road cargo trailers having side skirts.

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.

A deflector arrangement for a tractor is provided, the tractor being connectable to a trailer that forms an aerodynamic drag source. The deflector arrangement includes a deflector, a mount for connecting the deflector to the tractor, an arrangement for selectively deploying and retracting the deflector relative to the tractor, a sensor arranged to sense that the trailer that forms the aerodynamic drag force is attached to the tractor and send a loaded signal in response thereto, and a controller arranged to receive the loaded signal from the sensor and to control the selectively deploying and retracting arrangement to deploy the deflector in response to the loaded signal.

An aerodynamic control system includes a skirt assembly configured to be disposed between plural vehicles in a vehicle system formed from the plural vehicles with the vehicles separated by a spatial gap in the vehicle system. The skirt assembly can include a bladder configured to be inflated with a fluid by a fluid source disposed onboard the vehicle system to cause the skirt assembly to expand between the vehicles from a collapsed state to an expanded state such that the skirt assembly at least partially fills the spatial gap between the vehicles. The skirt assembly can reduce aerodynamic drag exerted on the vehicle system during movement of the vehicle system relative to the vehicle system moving without the skirt assembly in the expanded state.

A foldable dual-layered wall structure is positionable in a stowed condition and in a deployed condition. The wall structure includes a first foldable layer having at least a first pair of panels and a first joint rotatably connecting the panels of the at least a first pair of panels. A second foldable layer is positioned adjacent to the first foldable layer. The second foldable layer includes at least a second pair of panels and a second joint rotatably connecting the panels of the at least a second pair of panels. The wall structure is structured such that the first joint is positioned directly opposite a panel of the at least a second pair of panels and the second joint is positioned directly opposite a panel of the at least a first pair of panels when the wall structure is in the deployed condition.

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.