CA2221593A1 - Apparatus for reducing drag - Google Patents
Apparatus for reducing drag Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2221593A1 CA2221593A1 CA 2221593 CA2221593A CA2221593A1 CA 2221593 A1 CA2221593 A1 CA 2221593A1 CA 2221593 CA2221593 CA 2221593 CA 2221593 A CA2221593 A CA 2221593A CA 2221593 A1 CA2221593 A1 CA 2221593A1
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- panel
- trailing end
- horizontal
- vertical
- moving body
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
- B62D35/001—For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
- B62D35/004—Inflatable nose or rear cones
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
An improved apparatus for reducing the drag of a moving body at the trailing end of a moving body, by adding vertical and horizontal panels that attach by hinge means along the perimeter of said trailing end. The deployment of these panels effects a tapered extension backward from the base of the vehicle so as to provide a partial boat tailing of the fluid air flow passing by the base in a direction opposite to that of the moving body. The panels are preferable hinged so that they can be folded up flat against the rear of the vehicle when not in use.
Description
CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention This invention comprises an apparatus attached to the ~
back of a vehicle for reducing the fluid drag theron by allowing a generally laminar air flow along such extended structure, thus reducing the turbulent drag inducing volume region.
CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 Description of Prior Art This invention deals with the field of devices for reducing the aero-dynamic drag of a moving body, such as a moving vehicle such as a truck or trailer body, which when traveling through the air whereby the dynamic characteristics of the fluid air can exert a significant amount of drag force in the area adjacent the rear of such a moving body. These drag forces are expecially significant when the trailing end of the moving body has large planar surfaces giving a blunt edge shape. This rear drag can account for almost 1/4 of the aerodynamic drag on contemporary streamlined tractor trailer configurations.
This invention relates to devices which reduce the aero-dynamic drag of motorized road vehicles such as articulated and nonarticulated trucks. This invention more specifically relates to devices which reduce aero drag by altering the external geometry of the truck afterbody.
It is well known that the large blunt base area typically found in the trailing region of truck body/trailer box is a major source of aerodynamic drag. The airflow in the region behind the flat blunt base trailing edge is almost always completely separated, and typically base pressure coefficients are found to be of the order -0.2 (Box Area/total frontal area 8.5x9.5/13.5x8.5 80/112 average Dcox~ .14) CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 Several alternate methods of eliminating this volume of turbulent, drag inducing air are taught in the prior art. A first approach is to deflect a portion of the fluid air flow into the low pressure area behind the blunt end. Another method involves the capturing of vortices so as to approximate a boat tailing effect. Also, the use of panels can be employed to taper the fluid air flow behind the moving body.
Numerous designs have been utilized and patented for reducing drag on moving vehicles, many for larger commercial trucks and trailers. With these types of moving vehicles, the aero-dynamic drag problem is particularly significant and the number of miles driven per year is large thereby greatly increasing the cost savings achievable in fuel consumption. U.S.
Patent number 4,257,641 by Keedy discloses a boat tail which replaces conventional system of doors. U.S. Patent number 4,702,509, issued on Oct.27, 1987 to Elliot, Sr. describes, inter alia, an inflatable balloon bag member associated with a rear of tractor-trailer which provides for a streamlininig of the vehicle region. U.S. Patent number 5,280,990 issued on Jan. 25, 1994 to G. Rinard describes the use of a number of aerodynamic aids including the use of vertical vanes attached to the rear doors at the rear corners . Patent number 4,682,808 issued on July 28, 1987 to A. Bilanin, describes the use of panels running parallel CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 to the sided and top of a moving vehicle in order to create a space of dead air where vortices could then be "captured" and therefore reduce drag. Switlik U.S. Patent number 5,498,059 has provided an improved design for the capturing of vortices such as demonstrated by Bilanin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body wherein deployment is made simple and easy in order to encourage a driver or operator to make use of the apparatus on a regular basis thereby appreciably decreasing the fuel consumption of vehicles so equipped.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body wherein the aerodynamic drag on the blunt trailing end of a moving body is appreciably reduced.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which is easily converted from a stowed position to a deployed position.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an - - -CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which is easily moved from a deployed position to a stowed position.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which does not interfere with conventional rear door opening or closing operations.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body, which includes two vertically extending panels.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body, which includes an upper horizontally extending panel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which includes an lower horizontally extending panel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which provides clearance to allow full operation of the vertically extending locking bars used on the rear doors of conventionally configured large highway trailers.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which does not interfere with the operation of a roll-up door.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body.
srief Description of Drawings FIG 1 is a rearward perspective view of a blunt end shaped body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG 2A is a side perspective view of a blunt end shaped body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the stowed position.
FIG 2B is a side perspective view of said body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in a deployed position demonstrating the trapezoidal shape of said system.
FIG 3A is a top perspective view of said body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the stowed position. Note, that panels 7 and 8 are -CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 partially blocked in the view.
FIG 3B is a top perspective view of said body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the deployed position demonstrating the trapezoidal shape of said system.
Fig 4A is a rear perspective view of said body equipped with drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the stowed position.
FIG 4B is a rear perspective view of said body equipped with drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the deployed position.
FIG 5A is a rear perspective view of said body equipped with drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the stowed position for said body equipped with dual doors.
FIG 5B is a rear perspective view of said body equipped with drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the deployed position for said body equipped with dual doors.
Detailed Description of Drawings During the course of this description like numbers ve be used to identify like elements according to the different figures CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 which describe the invention.
In general the invention comprises an apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing end 14 of a moving body having a top surface 1, a first side surface 2, a second side surface 3, a bottom surface 4 by three or more panels to the base. The vehicle could be any vehicle having a relatively blunt back end 14 including trailer and semi-trailer vans, buses, minivans, minibuses, recreational vehicles, trucks, etc. The panels deploy to form a 'partial boat tail'.
The panels 5,6,7,8,9,10 are attached to edge by hinge 11 means and pivot outward to form a pyramidical shaped drag reducer.
One of the major problems associate with prior art drag reducing attachments for the rear of blunt bodies 14 is that the attachments may get in the way of the normal loading and unloading process of the van. Therefore it is important that the preferred embodiment be adaptable to vans having either a pair of flat rear swing opening doors 12 and 13 or a roll up door.
CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 4,257,641 3/81 Keedy...................... 296/1 S
4,451,074 5/84 Scanlon.................... 296/1 S
4,508,380 4/85 Sankrithi.................. 296/1 S
4,682,808 7/87 Bilanin.................... 296/1 S
5,108,145 4/92 Harris..................... 296/180.1 5,199,762 4/93 Scheele et al.............. 296/180.1 5,280,990 1/94 Rinard..................... 296/180.1 5,348,366 9/94 Baker and Levitt........... 296/180.1 5,498,059 3/96 Switlik.................... 296/180.1 Published Material Cooper, K.R. The Wind Tunnel Testing of Heavy Trucks to Reduce Fuel Consumption. SAE 821285. SAE Technical Paper Series, Ottawa, 1982.
Cooper, K.R. The Effect of Front-Edge Rounding and Rear-Edge Shaping on the Aerodynamic Drag of Bluff Vehicles in Ground Proximity. SAE 850288. SAE Technical Paper Series, Ottawa, 1985.
back of a vehicle for reducing the fluid drag theron by allowing a generally laminar air flow along such extended structure, thus reducing the turbulent drag inducing volume region.
CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 Description of Prior Art This invention deals with the field of devices for reducing the aero-dynamic drag of a moving body, such as a moving vehicle such as a truck or trailer body, which when traveling through the air whereby the dynamic characteristics of the fluid air can exert a significant amount of drag force in the area adjacent the rear of such a moving body. These drag forces are expecially significant when the trailing end of the moving body has large planar surfaces giving a blunt edge shape. This rear drag can account for almost 1/4 of the aerodynamic drag on contemporary streamlined tractor trailer configurations.
This invention relates to devices which reduce the aero-dynamic drag of motorized road vehicles such as articulated and nonarticulated trucks. This invention more specifically relates to devices which reduce aero drag by altering the external geometry of the truck afterbody.
It is well known that the large blunt base area typically found in the trailing region of truck body/trailer box is a major source of aerodynamic drag. The airflow in the region behind the flat blunt base trailing edge is almost always completely separated, and typically base pressure coefficients are found to be of the order -0.2 (Box Area/total frontal area 8.5x9.5/13.5x8.5 80/112 average Dcox~ .14) CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 Several alternate methods of eliminating this volume of turbulent, drag inducing air are taught in the prior art. A first approach is to deflect a portion of the fluid air flow into the low pressure area behind the blunt end. Another method involves the capturing of vortices so as to approximate a boat tailing effect. Also, the use of panels can be employed to taper the fluid air flow behind the moving body.
Numerous designs have been utilized and patented for reducing drag on moving vehicles, many for larger commercial trucks and trailers. With these types of moving vehicles, the aero-dynamic drag problem is particularly significant and the number of miles driven per year is large thereby greatly increasing the cost savings achievable in fuel consumption. U.S.
Patent number 4,257,641 by Keedy discloses a boat tail which replaces conventional system of doors. U.S. Patent number 4,702,509, issued on Oct.27, 1987 to Elliot, Sr. describes, inter alia, an inflatable balloon bag member associated with a rear of tractor-trailer which provides for a streamlininig of the vehicle region. U.S. Patent number 5,280,990 issued on Jan. 25, 1994 to G. Rinard describes the use of a number of aerodynamic aids including the use of vertical vanes attached to the rear doors at the rear corners . Patent number 4,682,808 issued on July 28, 1987 to A. Bilanin, describes the use of panels running parallel CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 to the sided and top of a moving vehicle in order to create a space of dead air where vortices could then be "captured" and therefore reduce drag. Switlik U.S. Patent number 5,498,059 has provided an improved design for the capturing of vortices such as demonstrated by Bilanin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body wherein deployment is made simple and easy in order to encourage a driver or operator to make use of the apparatus on a regular basis thereby appreciably decreasing the fuel consumption of vehicles so equipped.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body wherein the aerodynamic drag on the blunt trailing end of a moving body is appreciably reduced.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which is easily converted from a stowed position to a deployed position.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an - - -CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which is easily moved from a deployed position to a stowed position.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which does not interfere with conventional rear door opening or closing operations.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body, which includes two vertically extending panels.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body, which includes an upper horizontally extending panel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which includes an lower horizontally extending panel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which provides clearance to allow full operation of the vertically extending locking bars used on the rear doors of conventionally configured large highway trailers.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body which does not interfere with the operation of a roll-up door.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing edge of a moving body.
srief Description of Drawings FIG 1 is a rearward perspective view of a blunt end shaped body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention.
FIG 2A is a side perspective view of a blunt end shaped body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the stowed position.
FIG 2B is a side perspective view of said body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in a deployed position demonstrating the trapezoidal shape of said system.
FIG 3A is a top perspective view of said body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the stowed position. Note, that panels 7 and 8 are -CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 partially blocked in the view.
FIG 3B is a top perspective view of said body equipped with a drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the deployed position demonstrating the trapezoidal shape of said system.
Fig 4A is a rear perspective view of said body equipped with drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the stowed position.
FIG 4B is a rear perspective view of said body equipped with drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the deployed position.
FIG 5A is a rear perspective view of said body equipped with drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the stowed position for said body equipped with dual doors.
FIG 5B is a rear perspective view of said body equipped with drag reduction system in accordance with the present invention showed in the deployed position for said body equipped with dual doors.
Detailed Description of Drawings During the course of this description like numbers ve be used to identify like elements according to the different figures CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 which describe the invention.
In general the invention comprises an apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing end 14 of a moving body having a top surface 1, a first side surface 2, a second side surface 3, a bottom surface 4 by three or more panels to the base. The vehicle could be any vehicle having a relatively blunt back end 14 including trailer and semi-trailer vans, buses, minivans, minibuses, recreational vehicles, trucks, etc. The panels deploy to form a 'partial boat tail'.
The panels 5,6,7,8,9,10 are attached to edge by hinge 11 means and pivot outward to form a pyramidical shaped drag reducer.
One of the major problems associate with prior art drag reducing attachments for the rear of blunt bodies 14 is that the attachments may get in the way of the normal loading and unloading process of the van. Therefore it is important that the preferred embodiment be adaptable to vans having either a pair of flat rear swing opening doors 12 and 13 or a roll up door.
CA 02221~93 1998-01-22 4,257,641 3/81 Keedy...................... 296/1 S
4,451,074 5/84 Scanlon.................... 296/1 S
4,508,380 4/85 Sankrithi.................. 296/1 S
4,682,808 7/87 Bilanin.................... 296/1 S
5,108,145 4/92 Harris..................... 296/180.1 5,199,762 4/93 Scheele et al.............. 296/180.1 5,280,990 1/94 Rinard..................... 296/180.1 5,348,366 9/94 Baker and Levitt........... 296/180.1 5,498,059 3/96 Switlik.................... 296/180.1 Published Material Cooper, K.R. The Wind Tunnel Testing of Heavy Trucks to Reduce Fuel Consumption. SAE 821285. SAE Technical Paper Series, Ottawa, 1982.
Cooper, K.R. The Effect of Front-Edge Rounding and Rear-Edge Shaping on the Aerodynamic Drag of Bluff Vehicles in Ground Proximity. SAE 850288. SAE Technical Paper Series, Ottawa, 1985.
Claims (11)
1. an improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing end of a moving body having a top surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a bottom surface and a trailing end, said improved apparatus comprising:
a first vertical panel means pivotally attached re: said trailing end adjacent along the vertical edge of said first side surface said first vertical panel means extending generally vertically along the trailing end of the body and being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending generally outward therefrom to an angle inward re: the first side surface of the body;
a second vertical panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of the body at a position spatially disposed from said first vertical panel means to effect a partial boat tailing of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body, said second vertical panel means extending generally vertically along the trailing end of the body and being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending generally outwardly therefrom at an angle inward from that of the second side surface of the body;
a first horizontal panel means pivotally movable attached re: the trailing end of a body and said first horizontal panel being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending outwardly from the trailing edge of the body at an angle inward re: the top surface and between said first vertical panel means and second vertical panel means to effect a partial 'boat tailing' of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal panel means pivotally movable attached re: the trailing end of a body and re: said second horizontal panel being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending outwardly from the trailing edge of the body to an angle inward re: the bottom surface and between said first vertical panel and said second vertical panel means to effect a partial 'boat tailing' of the fluid air passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body.
a first vertical panel means pivotally attached re: said trailing end adjacent along the vertical edge of said first side surface said first vertical panel means extending generally vertically along the trailing end of the body and being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending generally outward therefrom to an angle inward re: the first side surface of the body;
a second vertical panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of the body at a position spatially disposed from said first vertical panel means to effect a partial boat tailing of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body, said second vertical panel means extending generally vertically along the trailing end of the body and being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending generally outwardly therefrom at an angle inward from that of the second side surface of the body;
a first horizontal panel means pivotally movable attached re: the trailing end of a body and said first horizontal panel being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending outwardly from the trailing edge of the body at an angle inward re: the top surface and between said first vertical panel means and second vertical panel means to effect a partial 'boat tailing' of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal panel means pivotally movable attached re: the trailing end of a body and re: said second horizontal panel being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending outwardly from the trailing edge of the body to an angle inward re: the bottom surface and between said first vertical panel and said second vertical panel means to effect a partial 'boat tailing' of the fluid air passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body.
2. An improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing end of a moving body having a top surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a bottom surface and a trailing end, said improved apparatus comprising:
a first vertical panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the entire vertical height of said first side surface;
a second vertical panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the entire vertical height of said second side surface;
a first vertical panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the distance separating said first horizontal panel and said second horizontal panel;
a second vertical panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the distance separating said first horizontal panel and said second horizontal panel;
a first horizontal panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the distance separating the first and second vertical panel means;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the distance separating the first and second vertical panel means;
A second vertical panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of the body at a position spatially disposed from said second vertical panel means to effect a partial boat tailing of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposited to that of the moving body, said second vertical panel means extending generally vertically along the trailing end of the body and being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending generally outwardly therefrom to an angle inward from that of the second side surface of the body, said second panel means extending substantially the entire vertical height of said second sidewall surface;
a first horizontal panel means pivotally movable attached re: the approximate upper edge of said trailing end of a body and said first horizontal panel being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending outwardly from the trailing edge of the body to an angle inward re: the top surface and between said first vertical panel means and second vertical panel means to effect a partial 'boat tailing' of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body, said horizontal panel means extending substantially the distance separating said first and second vertical panel means;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a body and said second horizontal panel being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending outwardly from the trailing edge of the body to an angle inward re: the bottom surface and between said first vertical panel means and second vertical panel means to effect a partial 'boat tailing' of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body, said horizontal panel means extending substantially the distance separating said first and second panel means.
a first vertical panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the entire vertical height of said first side surface;
a second vertical panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the entire vertical height of said second side surface;
a first vertical panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the distance separating said first horizontal panel and said second horizontal panel;
a second vertical panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the distance separating said first horizontal panel and said second horizontal panel;
a first horizontal panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the distance separating the first and second vertical panel means;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal panel, pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said body, means extending substantially the distance separating the first and second vertical panel means;
A second vertical panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of the body at a position spatially disposed from said second vertical panel means to effect a partial boat tailing of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposited to that of the moving body, said second vertical panel means extending generally vertically along the trailing end of the body and being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending generally outwardly therefrom to an angle inward from that of the second side surface of the body, said second panel means extending substantially the entire vertical height of said second sidewall surface;
a first horizontal panel means pivotally movable attached re: the approximate upper edge of said trailing end of a body and said first horizontal panel being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending outwardly from the trailing edge of the body to an angle inward re: the top surface and between said first vertical panel means and second vertical panel means to effect a partial 'boat tailing' of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body, said horizontal panel means extending substantially the distance separating said first and second vertical panel means;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a body and said second horizontal panel being pivotally movable to a deployed position extending outwardly from the trailing edge of the body to an angle inward re: the bottom surface and between said first vertical panel means and second vertical panel means to effect a partial 'boat tailing' of the fluid air flow passing by in a direction opposite to that of the moving body, said horizontal panel means extending substantially the distance separating said first and second panel means.
3. An improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing end of a moving body with a top surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a bottom surface and a trailing end, said improved apparatus comprising:
a first vertical panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a moving body and said vertical panel having a geometric perimeter approximately trapezoid in shape when said panel is in the deployed position;.
a second vertical panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a moving body and said vertical panel having a geometric perimeter approximately trapezoid in shape when said panel is in deployed position;
a first horizontal panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a moving body and said horizontal panel having a geometric perimeter approximately trapezoid in shape when said panel is in the deployed position;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a moving body and said horizontal panel having a geometric perimeter approximately trapezoid in shape when said panel is in the deployed position.
a first vertical panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a moving body and said vertical panel having a geometric perimeter approximately trapezoid in shape when said panel is in the deployed position;.
a second vertical panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a moving body and said vertical panel having a geometric perimeter approximately trapezoid in shape when said panel is in deployed position;
a first horizontal panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a moving body and said horizontal panel having a geometric perimeter approximately trapezoid in shape when said panel is in the deployed position;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal panel means pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a moving body and said horizontal panel having a geometric perimeter approximately trapezoid in shape when said panel is in the deployed position.
4. An improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing end of a moving body having a top surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a bottom surface as defined in claim 3 said improved apparatus comprising:
a first vertical trapezoidal shaped panel means is horizontally movable from a storage position adjacent said trailing end of said body to a deployed position extending outwardly to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer;
a second vertical trapezoidal shaped panel means is horizontally movable from a storage position adjacent said trailing end of said body to a deployed position extending outwardly to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer;
a first horizontal trapezoidal shaped panel means is vertically movable from a storage position adjacent said trailing end of said body to a deployed position extending outwardly to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal trapezoidal shaped panel means is vertically movable from a storage position adjacent trailing end of said body to a deployed position extending outwardly to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer.
a first vertical trapezoidal shaped panel means is horizontally movable from a storage position adjacent said trailing end of said body to a deployed position extending outwardly to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer;
a second vertical trapezoidal shaped panel means is horizontally movable from a storage position adjacent said trailing end of said body to a deployed position extending outwardly to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer;
a first horizontal trapezoidal shaped panel means is vertically movable from a storage position adjacent said trailing end of said body to a deployed position extending outwardly to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal trapezoidal shaped panel means is vertically movable from a storage position adjacent trailing end of said body to a deployed position extending outwardly to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer.
5. An improved apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing end of a moving body having a top surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a bottom surface as defined in claim 1 said improved apparatus comprising:
a first vertical hinge means for attaching said first vertical panel to the vertical edge adjacent the first side surface of said trailing end so that said first vertical panel can be folded substantially flat against said blunt body when said first vertical panel is not deployed;
a second vertical hinge means for attaching said second vertical panel to the vertical edge adjacent the second side surface of said trailing end so that said second vertical panel can be folded substantially flat against said blunt body when said second vertical panel is not deployed;
a first horizontal hinge means for attaching said first horizontal panel to the horizontal edge adjacent the top surface of said trailing end so that said first horizontal panel can be folded substantially flat against said blunt body when said first horizontal panel is not deployed;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal hinge means for attaching said second horizontal panel to the horizontal edge adjacent the bottom surface of said trailing end so that said second horizontal panel can be folded substantially flat against said blunt body when said second horizontal panel is not deployed.
a first vertical hinge means for attaching said first vertical panel to the vertical edge adjacent the first side surface of said trailing end so that said first vertical panel can be folded substantially flat against said blunt body when said first vertical panel is not deployed;
a second vertical hinge means for attaching said second vertical panel to the vertical edge adjacent the second side surface of said trailing end so that said second vertical panel can be folded substantially flat against said blunt body when said second vertical panel is not deployed;
a first horizontal hinge means for attaching said first horizontal panel to the horizontal edge adjacent the top surface of said trailing end so that said first horizontal panel can be folded substantially flat against said blunt body when said first horizontal panel is not deployed;
wherein a second horizontal panel is fitted, said second horizontal hinge means for attaching said second horizontal panel to the horizontal edge adjacent the bottom surface of said trailing end so that said second horizontal panel can be folded substantially flat against said blunt body when said second horizontal panel is not deployed.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first horizontal panel is alternatively comprised of two horizontal panels pivotally attached re: trailing end of said moving body said alternative horizontal panels means extending substantially along the distance separating said first vertical panel and said second vertical panel.
7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second horizontal panel, when so fitted to said apparatus is alternatively comprised of two horizontal panels pivotally attached re: the trailing end of a moving body said alternative horizontal panels means extending substantially along the distance separating said first vertical panel and said second vertical panel.
8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first horizontal panel is alternatively comprised of two horizontal panels, when in deployed position, combine to form said surface that is trapezoidal in shape to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer.
9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second horizontal panel, when fitted to said apparatus, is alternatively comprised of two horizontal panels, when in deployed position, combine to form said surface that is trapezoidal in shape to form one side of a pyramidically shaped drag reducer.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first horizontal panel is alternatively comprised of two horizontal panels pivotally attached re: the trailing end of said moving body.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second horizontal panel, when fitted to said apparatus, is alternatively comprised of two horizontal panels pivotally attached: the trailing end of said moving body.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2221593 CA2221593A1 (en) | 1998-01-22 | 1998-01-22 | Apparatus for reducing drag |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2221593 CA2221593A1 (en) | 1998-01-22 | 1998-01-22 | Apparatus for reducing drag |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2221593A1 true CA2221593A1 (en) | 1999-07-22 |
Family
ID=29275237
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2221593 Abandoned CA2221593A1 (en) | 1998-01-22 | 1998-01-22 | Apparatus for reducing drag |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2221593A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9457847B2 (en) | 2011-10-27 | 2016-10-04 | Stemco Lp | Rear-mounted aerodynamic structures for cargo bodies |
| US9545960B2 (en) | 2007-05-17 | 2017-01-17 | Stemco Lp | Rear-mounted aerodynamic structure for truck cargo bodies |
| US9789915B2 (en) | 2013-07-31 | 2017-10-17 | Ridge Corporation | Device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance |
| US9971356B2 (en) | 2012-07-11 | 2018-05-15 | Stemco Products, Inc. | Retractable aerodynamic structures for cargo bodies and methods of controlling positioning of the same |
| US10220889B2 (en) | 2007-05-17 | 2019-03-05 | Stemco Products, Inc. | Rear-mounted aerodynamic structure for truck cargo bodies |
| WO2024224090A1 (en) * | 2023-04-27 | 2024-10-31 | Oxford Innovation Partners (OXIP) Ltd | An intermodal container attachment for reducing aerodynamic drag |
-
1998
- 1998-01-22 CA CA 2221593 patent/CA2221593A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9545960B2 (en) | 2007-05-17 | 2017-01-17 | Stemco Lp | Rear-mounted aerodynamic structure for truck cargo bodies |
| US10220889B2 (en) | 2007-05-17 | 2019-03-05 | Stemco Products, Inc. | Rear-mounted aerodynamic structure for truck cargo bodies |
| US9457847B2 (en) | 2011-10-27 | 2016-10-04 | Stemco Lp | Rear-mounted aerodynamic structures for cargo bodies |
| US9971356B2 (en) | 2012-07-11 | 2018-05-15 | Stemco Products, Inc. | Retractable aerodynamic structures for cargo bodies and methods of controlling positioning of the same |
| US9789915B2 (en) | 2013-07-31 | 2017-10-17 | Ridge Corporation | Device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance |
| WO2024224090A1 (en) * | 2023-04-27 | 2024-10-31 | Oxford Innovation Partners (OXIP) Ltd | An intermodal container attachment for reducing aerodynamic drag |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |