Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
296180200 | Mounted on pulling vehicle (e.g., tractor, etc.) | 61 |
20080303310 | AERODYNAMIC DRAG REDUCING APPARATUS - An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is provided for use with vehicles having surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus including an exterior cover supported by moveable frames which in turn are supported by sets of supporting linkages. The moveable frames extend rearward and together with the exterior cover form a drag reducing shape for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration. | 12-11-2008 |
20100072779 | Foldable cab extender for a tractor-trailer truck - Foldable cab extenders are disclosed which are secured to the rearward ends of fixed cab extenders secured to the opposite rearward sides of a tractor cab. Each of the foldable cab extenders includes a forward panel member, an intermediate panel member and a rearward panel member with the forward panel member being secured to the associated fixed cab extender and with the intermediate panel member and the forward panel member being hingedly secured together and with the rearward panel member being hingedly secured to the intermediate panel member. The cab assemblies are selectively movable between a deployed position to a stowed position and vice versa. Actuators are operatively connected to the intermediate panel members and to the rearward panel members to enable the assemblies to be pivotally moved between their stowed and deployed positions. The actuators may be hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or electrically driven devices. | 03-25-2010 |
20100078962 | Systems for Positioning and Linking Motor Vehicles to Reduce Aerodynamic Drag - A system for linking two or more vehicles to achieve reduced aerodynamic drag while the vehicles are travelling on the road is disclosed. The disclosed system not only physically connects the vehicles but also allows the driver of the leading vehicle to monitor and control essential functions of the trailing vehicles. Preferably, the driving mechanisms of the trailing vehicles, such as throttles, brakes, and gears, are fully operational so as not to put excessive burden on the driving mechanisms of the leading vehicle. Methods for linking individual vehicles as well as streamlining the operation of a fleet of vehicles are also disclosed. | 04-01-2010 |
20100194143 | PROACTIVE AERODYNAMIC TRUCK TRAILER SHROUD - A power or motive source for an extensible fairing for an articulated motor vehicle is based on a fluid power system. The fluid power system is disposed on the vehicle to be exposed to airflow around the vehicle resulting from forward movement of the vehicle. A coupling mechanism responsive to exposure of the fluid power system to airflow for extending and retracting the extensible fairing responsive to changes in vehicle speed. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194144 | DETURBULATOR FUEL ECONOMY ENHANCEMENT FOR TRUCKS - A method for reducing drag, for a truck using a deturbulating device is disclosed, with the preferred form of the deturbulator being a flexible composite sheet. | 08-05-2010 |
20100225143 | APPARATUS FOR REDUCING DRAG ON VEHICLES WITH PLANAR REAR SURFACES - Vanes are used for reducing drag on a moving vehicle having a substantially planar rear surface. The current disclosure describes a means for mounting vanes to a vehicle using pliant material which creates no work for the driver of the vehicle during loading or unloading activities. The apparatus is extremely light weight, and includes a rigid vane of length L having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an aerodynamic center therebetween, positioned at a distance of between 0.15 L and 0.5L from said leading edge. The vane has an inner surface facing the vehicle and an outer surface. At least one first pliant attachment means connects the leading edge of the vane to a side surface of said vehicle; at least one second pliant attachment means connects the inner surface of said vane to a rear surface of said vehicle; and a third pliant attachment means connects the trailing edge of the vane to the vehicle. The second pliant attachment means is connected to the inner surface of the vane at a distance of between 0.15 L and 0.5L from the leading edge of said vane; or at the aerodynamic center of the vane. The vane helps prevent or reduce formation of a zone of turbulent air behind the vehicle. The apparatus allows substantial reductions in fuel consumption and, as a result of the fuel savings, the invention also reduces truck CO | 09-09-2010 |
20100327625 | Automotive Air Deflector, and a System Thereof - An automotive air deflector is substantially V-shaped with a pair of opposed wing panels configured such that impinging air is directed around the deflector. The deflector is configured for placement at various locations on a vehicle, including on the front end of the vehicle, on the rear end of the vehicle, and in front of the tires of the vehicle. The air deflector is constructed of a lightweight material that is sufficiently rigid for the service environment but is flexible enough to be configured in varying shapes so as to accommodate being placed on various types of vehicles and in the various locations on those vehicles. By reducing turbulence and providing for the smooth flow of air around the vehicle, the air deflector reduces the effect of aerodynamic drag, and thus improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, thereby leading to reduced vehicle operating costs. | 12-30-2010 |
20110037290 | DEVICE FOR IMPROVING A TRACTOR-TRAILER COMBINATION TRUCK AERODYNAMICS IN THE GAP BETWEEN THE TRACTOR AND TRAILER - A device for reducing drag experienced at a gap between a trailer coupled to a tractor. The device includes an enclosure having a top portion extending between a first side portion and a second side portion. Forward portions of the first and second side portions of the enclosure are coupled to first and second spool assemblies, respectively, coupled to a rear portion of the tractor and configured to maintain tension in the first and second side portions, respectively, of the enclosure. Rearward portions of the top, first side, and second side portions of the enclosure are coupled to the trailer by a coupling assembly. The first side portion extends from the first spool assembly to the trailer. The second side portion of the enclosure extends from the second spool assembly to the trailer. The top portion covers at least a portion of the gap defined between the tractor and trailer. | 02-17-2011 |
20110068604 | Drag Reducing System - Systems and methods for reducing drag in vehicles, typically trucks, such as tractor-trailers, have movable moving drag reducing apparatus. This movable drag reducing apparatus is for movement into and out of various positions, in accordance with the location of the vehicle with respect to its distance from an obstacle. | 03-24-2011 |
20110089716 | FAIRING MOUNTING SYSTEM - A fairing assembly is suitable for use with a heavy duty vehicle having a cab mounted to a frame, wherein relative motion occurs between the cab and the frame during vehicle operation. The fairing assembly extending downwardly from a lower portion of the cab and includes a fairing panel and a hinge for hingedly connecting an upper portion of the fairing panel to a lower portion of the cab. The hinge defines a hinge line extending in a generally longitudinal direction. The fairing assembly further includes a link having a first end rotatably connected to a lower portion of the fairing panel and a second end rotatably connected to the frame. The link substantially limits rotation of the fairing panel about the hinge line and rotates relative to the fairing panel to allow for relative motion between the frame and the cab. | 04-21-2011 |
20110109121 | ROOF AND GAP FAIRING FOR THE AERODYNAMIC DRAG REDUCTION OF TANKER TRUCKS - A fairing apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag of a tanker in a freestream, and including a fairing body with a roof section, and left and right side sections connected to and extending below the roof section. Fasteners, for example, mount the fairing body on a cab of the tanker so that the roof, left, and right side sections extend from the roof, left and right side surfaces, respectively, of the cab towards a cylindrical tank carried behind the cab to reduce the gap between the cab and the tank and impede cross-flow therethrough, and the fairing surfaces of the roof, left, and right side sections are angled and preferably curvilinearly contoured to redirect airflow from the top and side surfaces of the cab to the curvilinearly contoured top and side surfaces of the tank to compensate for a profile mismatch between the cab and the taller and/or wider tank. | 05-12-2011 |
20120056444 | AERODYNAMIC WHEEL COVER - A wheel cover or panel assembly for use on a long haul truck is provided. These wheel covers can provide enhanced aerodynamic effects to a truck or other vehicle thereby reducing wind drag and enhancing fuel efficiency. Still further, the wheel covers can articulate or turn along with the steering by design. | 03-08-2012 |
20120080904 | Air Dam System - An air dam which provides at least one panel which operates between an open condition and a closed condition in the open space established between a truck coupled to a trailer to alter a part of an air stream generated about the truck-trailer during travel. | 04-05-2012 |
20120104791 | DRAG-REDUCING DEVICE - An apparatus for reducing drag on a transport vehicle, which comprises retractable aerodynamic panels for deployment at the rear of the vehicle, behind the cabin, or both. When these panels are deployed, they provide an aerodynamic design, thereby reducing drag and turbulence as the vehicle travels, for example, down a highway, which in turn, reduces energy costs associated with transportation. When not in use, the panels retract adjacent to the planar surfaces of the vehicle (for example, the sides, top and bottom surfaces). The retracted panels are housed either on the outside surface of the vehicle; the inside surface of the vehicle, or within the walls of the vehicle. The retracted position of the panels allows for easy unloading of cargo from the rear of the vehicle when it is docked. | 05-03-2012 |
20120126573 | TRACTOR TRAILER FAIRING - A fairing for a tractor-trailer combination to partially enclose a gap between a tractor cab connected to a chassis of a tractor and a tanker trailer having a cylindrical or oval tank. The fairing has a front section conforming to top and side surfaces of the tractor cab, a rear section having a circular element conforming to side surfaces of the cylindrical tank and a central section connecting the front section to the rear section and including an outer lateral surface having a transverse cross-section gradually transitioning between the front section to the rear section. The fairing is designed such that the rear section is sufficiently spaced from the cylindrical tank that the tanker trailer is capable of the articulated movement. | 05-24-2012 |
20120133176 | Aerodynamic Aftertreatment - Aspects provide for an engine and an aftertreatment system coupled to the engine and configured to treat an exhaust stream from the engine. The engine may be incorporated into a mobile piece of equipment (e.g., a truck). A fairing may be shaped to improve air flow during motion by reducing air resistance created by the aftertreatment system. | 05-31-2012 |
20130057020 | BOX TRUCK AND TRAILER TURBULENCE REDUCING DEVICE - This invention relates to devices that reduce the drag against the rear end of Box Trucks and Trailers caused by turbulent airflow over, under, and from the sides of said vehicles while moving. This invention uses the compression of the plurality of vortices within the turbulence chamber to create an entropic relationship with ensuing vortices flowing over the open top and bottom of the chamber-causing those turbulent air vortices to flow over the chamber. This entropic “order out of disorder” effect eliminates the need for a top or bottom physical skin (sheet metal, plastic, etc.) to close the chamber. | 03-07-2013 |
20130088039 | FAIRING WITH VORTEX GENERATORS - Fairings described herein aim to direct air streams into a gap formed between first a vehicle and a trailing vehicle, such as in a tractor-trailer combination, to reduce low pressure wake regions near the rear surface of the first vehicle thereby reducing drag forces on the vehicles. One or more embodiments of the fairings disclosed herein further aim to accelerate air streams such that the air streams travel quickly across the gap thereby reducing pressure forces on a front surface of a trailing vehicle. In some embodiments, the angle of the fairing relative to a surface of the vehicle is adjustable. | 04-11-2013 |
20130278011 | UNDER COVERS FOR VEHICLE BODY - Under covers for a vehicle body are attached to a lower surface of the vehicle body in such a manner that, as seen in a direction of travel of a vehicle, the under covers are arranged at positions in front of rear wheels and in at least a rear half of a lower surface of the vehicle body. Recessed grooves are formed in pairs in a surface of an under cover body that faces a road surface, and are arranged so as face each other across a widthwise center of the vehicle, and gradually approach closer to each other as they extend rearward in the direction of travel of the vehicle. Rear ends of these grooves are located between the left and right rear wheels and are directed to the widthwise center of the vehicle. | 10-24-2013 |
20140015277 | FRONT AIR DAM FOR TRUCK - An air dam for a semi-truck tractor in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a rigid upper panel affixed to a bumper of the semi-truck tractor and a lower flexible panel affixed to the upper panel. | 01-16-2014 |
20140028049 | GAP FAIRING - A gap fairing for a tractor-trailer. A fairing body is attached to a chassis of the tractor, independently of the cab thereof and within a gap between a cab of the tractor and the trailer. The fairing body has side portions, extending rearwardly from a front portion, adjacent the cab of the tractor, toward the trailer and top portion. A clear panel can be located in at least the side portion of the fairing body located at the passenger side to enable the driver to view the trailer through the rear window of the tractor and the clear panel. A separation space between the front of the fairing body and the cab can be sealed by a sealing element that is at least in part one of resilient and flexible so as to allow relative motion between the fairing body and the cab. | 01-30-2014 |
20140035315 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO REDUCE THE AERODYNAMIC FORCE ON A VEHICLE - Disclosed is a vehicle including a tractor having a lower tractor duct that receives air from the front of the tractor and channels the air through a center area of the tractor and down between a set of rear wheels, a trailer having a lower trailer duct positioned below a cargo space that channels the air in the lower trailer duct between each set of trailer rear wheels and a lower articulation duct positioned near the set of tractor rear wheels that receives air from the lower tractor duct and communicates air to the lower trailer duct. An upper duct channels air through ductwork at the top of the trailer and tractor. A rear trailer louver system enables air in each duct to be channeled and pulled out of each respective duct, reducing drag and eddy currents using the vacuum at the rear of the trailer. | 02-06-2014 |
20140054923 | Variably Openable Radiator Cowling, Shroud, or Fairing for Over the Road Vehicles and the Like - A cowling assembly ( | 02-27-2014 |
20140084625 | VEHICLE ROOF FAIRING AND METHOD OF INSTALLING - The present invention relates to a roof fairing body and a method of installing a roof fairing on a vehicle. The roof fairing includes a lower fairing body section, an upper fairing body section, a shipping configuration, and an operable configuration. The lower fairing body section includes a front wall and side walls extending rearward from opposite ends of the front wall. The front wall and side walls cooperate to define an upper roof fairing section receiving space. The upper fairing body section is configured to mate with the lower fairing body section to form at least one hinge. When in the shipping configuration, the upper roof fairing section is positioned at least partially within the upper roof fairing section receiving space of the lower fairing body section, whereby the roof fairing body is provided with a shipping height and the upper roof fairing section and the lower fairing body section mate to form at least one hinge. When in an operable configuration the upper roof fairing section pivots about the at least one hinge whereby the upper roof fairing section is situated at least partially above the lower fairing body section and the roof fairing body is provided with an operable height that is greater than the shipping height. | 03-27-2014 |
20140117712 | AERODYNAMIC SYSTEM AND ADJUSTABLE FAIRINGS - Embodiments provide an aerodynamic fairing system that may comprise a base configured to mount to a vehicle, an arm coupled to the base at a proximate end and extending laterally, an a fairing mounted to the arm having an inboard and an outboard surface. The fairing outboard surface may provide an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow to an angle to the rear. The arm may a fixed or adjustable length arm. The arm may provide a mounting area for a mud flap such that aerodynamic system may act as a mud flap hanger. Embodiments also provide an adjustable mud flap hanger. | 05-01-2014 |
20140232133 | FAIRING FOR A TRUCK CAB-TRAILER GAP - A truck for pulling a semi-trailer includes an operator cab positioned on a frame and a fifth wheel mounted on the frame for receiving an underside of the semi-trailer. The trailer when attached to the truck defines a gap between a forward most portion of the semi-trailer and rearward most portion of the operator cab. A fairing can be located on the frame, aft of the operator cab and forward of at least a portion of the fifth wheel. The fairing can block at least a portion of the air flow attempting to enter the gap from below the frame. | 08-21-2014 |
20140252798 | RECESS STEPS FOR CAB ACCESS - Vehicles are described including a cab having a door opening on a side thereof, a chassis that supports the cab, two or more steps leading to the door opening, each of which is supported by the cab or the chassis, wherein the steps are placed within the recesses in the cab or chassis, and a door connected to the cab, wherein the door fits within the door opening, and the door comprises a lower door extension having a lower edge that terminates near to an upper surface of a lowermost step, the lower door extension covers a majority of the one or more recesses, and the lower door extension extends outboard to match the outboard extension of a fender or exterior cab side panel to provide a coplanar transition from the fender to the door, or from the door to the exterior cab side panel, or both. | 09-11-2014 |
20140265433 | FAIRING MOUNTING ASSEMBLY - A fairing mounting assembly for securing a fairing to a vehicle includes a fairing locator assembly having at least one fairing locator securable to an interior surface of a forward portion of a fairing, wherein the at least one fairing locator has a predetermined size and shape. The fairing mounting assembly further includes a locator attachment assembly securable to a portion of a vehicle that has at least one isolator receptacle that is substantially sized and shaped to correspond to the predetermined size and shape of the at least one fairing locator. The fairing mounting assembly further includes a rear fairing attachment assembly configured to secure an aft portion of the fairing to the vehicle. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265434 | FAIRING MOUNTING SYSTEM - A mounting system is provided that mounts a fairing to the cab of a semi-tractor in a manner that hides the fasteners from view. The mounting system provides quicker assembly and disassembly among others. The mounting system may include anchor pins at one end section of the transition fairing, a single mounting screw at the opposite end section of the transition fairing, and one or more fasteners of the Snaploc® type at the mid-section of the transition fairing. Each of the couplings interface with a suitable corresponding bracket, etc, in order to mount the fairing to the associated surface of the vehicle. | 09-18-2014 |
20140265435 | BUMPER WITH ENHANCED COOLING AND ASSOCIATED DRAG REDUCTION DEVICE - An air dam is configured to improve the aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle. The air dam includes a vertically extending component that extends downward from an area below a front bumper of the vehicle. The air dam further includes a horizontally extending component that extends forward from an upper end of the vertically extending component to an area located forward of a leading edge of the bumper. | 09-18-2014 |
20140319871 | GAP FAIRING FOR A TRACTOR-TRAILER - A gap fairing for a tractor-trailer is provided. A fairing body with an impact absorbing extension is attached to a chassis of the tractor, independently of the cab thereof and within a gap between a cab of the tractor and the trailer. The fairing body has side portions, extending rearwardly from a front portion, adjacent the cab of the tractor, toward the trailer and top portion. A clear panel can be located in at least the side portion of the fairing body located at the passenger side to enable the driver to view the trailer through the rear window of the tractor and the clear panel. A separation space between the front of the fairing body and the cab can be sealed by a sealing element that is at least in part one of resilient and flexible so as to allow relative motion between the fairing body and the cab. | 10-30-2014 |
20140361579 | AIR GUIDING ELEMENT - An air guiding element for improved flow over a gap between a tractive vehicle and a trailer vehicle is described, wherein the air guiding element can be mounted on the tractive vehicle or the trailer vehicle and has a flexible and airtight air cushion which is connected to a filling channel. The problem of providing a largely low-maintenance and operationally safe air guiding element, which can be installed independently of the compressed air supply of the tractive vehicle, for improved flow over the gap between a tractive vehicle and a trailer vehicle is addressed. The problem is solved by an air guiding element in which the filling channel has an air entry opening oriented in the direction of travel (F) on the side of the filling channel facing away from the air cushion, the air entry opening being arranged in such a way that the air cushion is filled exclusively by a dynamic pressure of the relative wind. | 12-11-2014 |
20150015027 | Drag Reduction Device and a Vehicle Comprising the Device - A drag reduction device for a truck, comprising a vortex generator. The drag reduction device is arranged to cooperate with a front portion of the truck such that, in use, the vortex generator generates a vortex which is capable of suppressing a wake formed along a side of the truck. | 01-15-2015 |
20150069784 | APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SIDE SKIRT OF TRUCK - An apparatus for opening and closing a side skirt of a truck may include a bracket, a striker, an upper bracket, through which a first push button hole is formed, a main plate having a first plate through which a second push hole is formed and a pair of second plates integrally formed with the first plate; a push button inserted and mounted to the first push button hole of the upper bracket and the second push button hole of the main plate; a latch pivotally connected to a rear end of the push button and rotatably mounted between the second plates of the main plate, a locking spring connected to a lower end of the first plate of the main plate, and a hinge unit that serves as a center of rotation about which an upper end portion of the side skirt is rotated outward. | 03-12-2015 |
20150108787 | ACTIVE AND PASSIVE BOUNDARY LAYER CONTROL FOR VEHICLE DRAG REDUCTION - An active and passive boundary layer control system and method for reducing boundary layer separation and the resulting form drag from ground vehicles. Tubings with multiple venturis connected in series are attached to the side and/or roof of the ground vehicle. A flow of compressed air is created by an engine auxiliary, e.g., a turbocharger or a supercharger, or by a designated blower and injected into the tubings. Suction created by the venturis actively removes decelerated fluid from the boundary layer and keeps the boundary layer flow attached. Optionally, the system exhausts the air in concentrated free jets along the vehicle body to a series of passive boundary layer control devices, such as vortex generators. | 04-23-2015 |
20150115651 | INFLATABLE AERODYNAMIC DRAG REDUCING DEVICE - The present invention is directed towards an aerodynamic drag reducing device for an articulated road vehicle; the articulated road vehicle comprising a tractor unit and a trailer unit, with the trailer tractor unit pivotably connectable to the tractor unit such that a gap is formed intermediate the tractor unit and the trailer unit when the trailer unit is connected to the tractor unit; the aerodynamic drag reducing device comprising an inflatable enclosure ( | 04-30-2015 |
20150321706 | MOVEABLE CAB FAIRINGS - A transport vehicle includes a cab; a trailer carried by the cab, the cab and the trailer forming a gap therebetween; and a fairing carried by the cab and at least partially covering the gap. The fairing includes at least one fairing panel; and a hinge connected to the at least one fairing panel and the cab or the trailer. The hinge allows the at least one fairing panel to switch between a first coverage state and a second coverage state. | 11-12-2015 |
20160194037 | AERODYNAMIC TRACTOR-TRAILER WIND FAIRING THAT IMPROVES OPERATING FUEL ECONOMY | 07-07-2016 |
20190144052 | TRAILER SKIRT AND MUD FLAP SLANTED INWARDS | 05-16-2019 |
296180300 | Adjustable angle | 22 |
20090160214 | Adjusting device, air deflecting system, control member and device enabling aerodynamic resistance of a semi-trailer to be reduced - A device for adjusting a fifth wheel, comprising a displacement device provided with two guide rails placed on the vehicle, in particular on a tractor semi-trailer combination in the longitudinal direction thereof, said guide rails whereon a slide may be installed capable of being moved by means of an actuating device, said actuating device being designed such that, upon a displacement, the positive connection between the guide rails and the slide is maintained. The actuating device, which is designed to move the slide, comprises a first powered device. Additionally, at least one first position sensor is arranged to detect the position of the slide, at least said first position sensor being connected to a control device. | 06-25-2009 |
20090184539 | Truck-trailer air dam - An air dam which provides at least one panel which operates between an open condition and a closed condition in the open space established between a truck coupled to a trailer to alter a part of an air stream generated about the truck-trailer during travel. | 07-23-2009 |
20090195016 | Rear Wing Device - A rear wing device for a motor vehicle has a wing body which extends transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and horizontally and is disposed laterally between two side parts extending parallel to the longitudinal direction and vertically. The wing body is fastened to each side part by a retaining device, wherein the retaining devices permit adjustment of an angle of attack of a profile of the wing body in relation to a horizontal orientation. The adjustability of the wing body can be improved in that each retaining device has a guide body which can be adjusted by an adjusting screw along the adjusting screw and is coupled via a first guide pin to a wing support to which the wing body is attached. The wing support can be adjusted in a manner guided by a second guide pin and a third guide pin in slideways. | 08-06-2009 |
20090200834 | Self-Deploying Drag Reducing Device - A drag reducing apparatus is hingedly mounted to the rear of a truck or trailer vehicle so that the apparatus can be pivoted clear of the rear doors of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a hinge assembly that allows the apparatus to open substantially flat against the side of the vehicle so as not to impede the full movement of the doors. The apparatus includes an arrangement of connected panels that are initially folded flat against the back of the vehicle but automatically open to a drag reducing configuration at a sufficient vehicle speed. The connected panels are further configured so that the force of gravity automatically returns the panels to their initial folded configuration when the vehicle speed falls below a threshold. The apparatus incorporates a modular construction that allows replacement of individual panel sections. The mounting frame is constructed to augment the drag reduction characteristics of the apparatus. | 08-13-2009 |
20090256387 | Motor vehicle with a roof arrangement - A motor vehicle with a roof arrangement and a spoiler means lying behind the roof arrangement, whereby the roof arrangement has at least one movable roof element, which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. | 10-15-2009 |
20090295190 | Aerodynamically activated front skirt for a vehicle - An active front skirt for a vehicle includes an airfoil positioned in an air stream existing when the vehicle is moving forward. An airfoil positioning mechanism attached to the vehicle and the airfoil allows the airfoil to move between a first position when the vehicle is at rest and a second position when the vehicle has attained an upper limit velocity, the airfoil being moved to the second position through interaction with the air stream. A retracting mechanism returns the airfoil to the first position. A movable front skirt connected to the airfoil correspondingly moves with the airfoil between raised and lowered positions. In the raised position, ground clearance of the skirt is increased. In the lowered position, the skirt deflects an increased portion of the air stream to lower aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. | 12-03-2009 |
20100060029 | TRACTOR CABIN COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE FAIRING WITH AN AIR DEFLECTOR AND AIR DEFLECTOR FOR A TRACTOR CABIN - A tractor cabin includes a frame with an upper cabin portion, a front cabin portion, a rear cabin portion and side cabin portions and at least one fairing connected to the frame. The at least one fairing includes at least one air deflector. The deflector is adjustable in its tilt angle with respect to the frame. The deflector includes a deflector body with a variable deflection along a longitudinal elongation of the deflector body. An air deflector is also provided. | 03-11-2010 |
20100201152 | DRAG REDUCING DEFLECTOR - A drag reducing deflector system is disclosed. The drag reducing deflector system provides aerodynamic drag reduction during crosswind flow (CF) conditions including zero crosswind flow conditions in which the crosswind flow angle, α, is 0.0. The crosswind flow angle α is measured from the vehicle longitudinal axis A that also defines the vehicle direction of motion. Embodiments of the drag reducing deflector system | 08-12-2010 |
20110042998 | ADJUSTABLE AIR-DEFLECTING PANEL FOR A VEHICLE - An adjustable air-deflecting panel for mounting to a vehicle comprises at least one panel; a plurality of mounts for mounting the panel to the vehicle, each mount comprising a vehicle mount portion for mounting to the vehicle and a panel mount portion for mounting the panel to the vehicle mount portion, the mount portions being pivotally coupled to one another to thereby pivotally couple the panel to the vehicle, the vehicle mount portion comprising a first engagement member and the panel mount portion comprising a second engagement member, the engagement members being operable to engage one another upon clamping the engagement members together to thereby prevent pivoting of the panel about the pivot axis and relative to the vehicle. | 02-24-2011 |
20110115254 | APPARATUS FOR REDUCING DRAG ON VEHICLES WITH PLANAR REAR SURFACES - Vanes are used for reducing drag on a first vehicle having a substantially planar rear surface, where the first vehicle is used to tow an unpowered second vehicle. Rigid brackets or braces may be used to mount vanes to the first vehicle. The apparatus is extremely light weight, and includes a rigid vane of length L having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The vane has an inner surface facing the vehicle and an outer surface. A first rigid bracket or brace and a second rigid bracket or brace may connect the upper and lower ends of the vane to a side surface of the first vehicle, respectively. The vane prevents or reduces formation of a zone of turbulent air between the first and second vehicles by directing airflow away from an airspace between the first and second vehicles. The apparatus allows substantial reductions in fuel consumption. The apparatus also reduces tractor CO | 05-19-2011 |
20110148141 | MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A ROOF ARRANGEMENT - A motor vehicle with a roof arrangement and a spoiler lying behind the roof arrangement, whereby the roof arrangement has at least one movable roof element, which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. The roof element is automatically adjustable in the direction of the closed position starting from its open position for achieving a defined, presettable aerodynamic effect at the spoiler. | 06-23-2011 |
20110175395 | DRAG REDUCTION DEVICE FOR TRANSPORT VEHICLES HAVING RANDOMIZED IRREGULAR SHAPED EDGE VORTEX GENERATING CHANNELS - A drag reducing device for use on transport vehicles includes a delta wing having variable height and irregularly spaced undulations on an upper surface of each side of the wing. A length of each side of the delta wing is different than the length of the other wing side thereof. | 07-21-2011 |
20110241377 | DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTABLE AERODYNAMIC VEHICLE DEVICES - Adjustable aerodynamic devices are controlled to control the drag on a vehicle. In one form, control is accomplished in response to pressure from a plurality of pressure sensors. In another form, control is accomplished in response to air movement measurements, such as of wind speed and direction at a location that a vehicle has yet to reach. In another form, the position and location of air vortices between a cab and trailer can be determined and adjusted to adjust the drag by controlling aerodynamic devices. | 10-06-2011 |
20120139290 | Tractor-Trailer Cross Wind Blocker - A tractor-trailer fairing for blocking cross-winds is inexpensive, attaches to a forward face of the trailer, is adjustable to the gap between the tractor and trailer, and is easily moved between trailers. The fairing comprises two pairs of identical upper and lower curved panels independently attached to opposing front corners of the trailer. The panels slide down over pins attached to brackets permanently mounted to the trailer. Pairs of adjustable diagonal struts reach from a forward face of the trailer to each of the curved panels to hold the panels in position. Flaps attach to the forward edges of the panels at about a 90 degree angle and restricts the cross-winds from passing between the panels and tractor cab. | 06-07-2012 |
20130214556 | AERODYNAMIC WHEEL COVER - A wheel cover or panel assembly for use on a long haul truck is provided. These wheel covers can provide enhanced aerodynamic effects to a truck or other vehicle thereby reducing wind drag and enhancing fuel efficiency. Still further, the wheel covers can articulate or turn along with the steering by design. | 08-22-2013 |
20130241231 | VARIABLY OPENABLE RADIATOR COWLING, SHROUD, OR FAIRING FOR OVER THE ROAD VEHICLES AND THE LIKE - A cowling assembly ( | 09-19-2013 |
20130270856 | TRUCK AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SUCH A TRUCK - A truck has a cabin, the cabin having, a roof and air aerodynamic roof deflector panel mounted on the roof and covering at least partly the roof, thereby delimiting a space extending between the roof and the panel. The panel includes at least a member movable between a first position and a second position. In the second position of the movable member, air air passage is created in front of the space. In the first position, the air passage is closed or substantially closed. | 10-17-2013 |
20140070564 | AIR FLOW CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - An air flow control assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed that includes an air dam component at the front of the vehicle, typically mounted to the front bumper, which extends substantially across the width of the bumper. It includes a rearwardly extending generally planar surface that is configured to underlie the interior space at the front of the vehicle as well as an engine compartment underpanel which is coupled to that air dam and underlies the vehicle engine compartment. | 03-13-2014 |
20140361580 | Collapsible Truck Trailer - A collapsible truck trailer comprises an upper container that houses, and is slidably engaged with, a primary container via a lifting mechanism and vertical guide rails. The lifting mechanism changes trailer between a collapsed configuration wherein the upper container completely houses the primary container, and an extended configuration wherein the upper container is completely above the primary container. The vertical guide rails comprise a vertical c-channel fixed to the upper container that is slidably engaged with a complementary vertical rail fixed to the primary container. The lifting mechanism includes a series of intersecting lift arms driving by a motor and actuator. An automatically adjusting wind guard covers the front side of the upper container to reduce wind drag. The wind guard has a base portion connected to the truck roof and a flat portion having a terminal end that rests upon the upper container. | 12-11-2014 |
20150015028 | DRAG MITIGATION SYSTEM FOR TRACTOR-TRAILER - Disclosed herein is a vortex-generating system for a moving object that has a trailing edge. The system includes a first blade coupled to the object and positioned proximate the trailing edge, a second blade coupled to the object, positioned proximate the trailing edge, and spaced apart from the first blade. The first and second blade cooperate to induce an outwardly directed vortical flow of air away from the trailing edge of the object. | 01-15-2015 |
20150035311 | AERODYNAMIC DRAG REDUCING APPARATUS - A substantially flat fronted vehicle ( | 02-05-2015 |
20150360735 | AERODYNAMIC AND DEFLECTABLE ROOF FAIRING ATTACHMENT FOR TRACTOR-TRAILER VEHICLES - In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include a fairing system for vehicles. The fairing system may include a roofing extender. The roofing extender may be couplable rearward of a roof of a vehicle. In some embodiments, a frontward portion of the roofing extender may be coupled to the roof of the vehicle such that the roofing extender pivots, at the frontward portion, relative to the roof of the vehicle. In some embodiments, a rearward portion of the roofing extender may be coupled to the vehicle with a resilient member which allows the roofing extender to pivot relative to the roof of the vehicle within a specified range as needed before returning to set start point. In some embodiments, the roofing extender functions to adjust airflow over the roof of the vehicle. | 12-17-2015 |