Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for height setting of an air deflector (40) comprising a shield (42) adapted to being pivotable about a forward horizontal spindle (46) associated with a vehicle roof (62). According to the invention there are a spring (10) which endeavours to pivot the shield (42) about the spindle (46) in an upward direction from the roof (62), an elongate pull means (30) connected to the shield (42) for manual height setting of the shield against the action of the spring (10), and a locking mechanism (20), acting between the pull means (30) and the shield (42) and operable by pulling force applied to the pull means (30), to lock the shield (42) in a relevant height position upon removal force from the pull means (30), and to release the shield, enabling it to move to a different height position, upon application of pulling force to the pull means (30).
Abstract:
The invention relates to an aerodynamic device (6) for reducing the wind resistance of a vehicle (1) or a trailer (1). The aerodynamic device (6) is intended to be mounted to a vehicle structure at or close to the rear end of a vehicle (1). The device (6) comprises a flexible sheet material (7 a, b, c) arranged to the vehicle (1) or trailer (1) such that it is hanging along the vehicle structure when it is in a resting position and arranged to extend beyond the rear end of the vehicle (1) or trailer (1) when deployed. The flexible sheet material (7 a, b, c) comprises an inner side and an outer side The flexible sheet material (7 a, b, c) is attached to the vehicle structure such that it deploys as a result of the coanda effect inducing a lower pressure on the outer side than on the inner side of the flexible sheet material (7 a, b, c) when the vehicle (1) or trailer (1) is moving. The flexible sheet material (7 a, b, c) is further attached to the vehicle structure by at least one restrictor (8) such that the restrictor (8) by the restriction shapes the flexible sheet material (7 a, b, c) in its deployed state to a desired shape. The invention also relates to a vehicle (1) or trailer (1) comprising such an aerodynamic device (6).
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
A leading edge aerodynamic aid for a vehicle or part thereof, said aid being locatable at an uppermost leading edge of said vehicle and including; a first aerofoil extending substantially transversely to an airflow generated by forward movement of the vehicle, said first aerofoil having an arcuate portion projecting forwardly from the bluff body with upper and lower regions extending from the arcuate portion toward the vehicle body, and a second aerofoil, orientated substantially transversely to said airflow and substantially parallel to, and above and trailing said arcuate portion of the first aerofoil, configured such that said airflow interacts with the aerodynamic device and at least a portion of said airflow is diverted between the first and second aerofoils.
Abstract:
A vehicle fairing structure has a top fairing surface adapted to be attached to a trailer box, and first and second side fairing surfaces adapted to be attached to the sides of the trailer box, in the gap between a tractor cab and a trailer box in a tractor-trailer combination. The fairing structure directs air flow away from the gap, and is positioned in the gap to lessen aerodynamic drag, thereby reducing fuel consumption.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a tractor cabin comprising a frame (20) with an upper cabin portion (24), a front cabin portion (22), a rear cabin portion (26) and side cabin portions (28) and at least one fairing (100) connected to the frame (20), wherein the at least one fairing (100) comprises at least one air deflector (110, 130), wherein the deflector (130) is adjustable in its tilt angle with respect to the frame (20). The deflector (130) comprises a deflector body (132) with a variable deflection along a longitudinal elongation (160) of the deflector body (132). The invention also relates to an air deflector.
Abstract:
An apparatus for reducing the aerodynamic drag of a bluff body vehicle. The apparatus including a blower or other method of providing a gas flow, and a plenum enclosure (200) having an inlet port (203) connected to receive gas from the blower (201), and an outlet (202) wall with a wide area plenum outlet (205) for producing a wide area gas outflow profile. In a preferred embodiment, the plenum enclosure is positioned against a rear-facing base of the bluff body vehicle so that the outlet wall is on an opposite side from the base, and gas outflow from the wide area plenum outlet is in a rearward direction out to a low pressure recirculation region adjacent the outlet wall.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an air shield comprising side panel assemblies in hinged connection to each rear edge of a sidewall of a tractor and an actuation assembly including a boss in rotational engagement to the frame of the tractor and between a cab and a fifth wheel of the tractor, a lever having an adjustable length engaged to the boss at a first end and engaged to side panel assembly at a second end, and a spring including a first end connected to the side panel assembly and a second end connected to the frame of the tractor between the boss and the rear of the trailer frame.
Abstract:
Sistema para reducir el consumo de combustible en vehículos . Se consigue esta reducción en el consumo de combustible al disminuir la resistencia aerodinámica originada en el avance del vehículo. Consiste en aportar aire a la zona posterior o popa del vehículo donde de forma conocida se origina una depresión. En una forma de realización preferente se aporta este aire mediante una carcasa tubular (9) que se sitúa de manera fija sobre la parte posterior del techo del vehículo, la cual se vuelve ligeramente hacia el frontal posterior. El aire lo toma de la parte superior del vehículo durante su avance y lo canaliza expulsándolo a la zona de baja presión de popa, actuando esta depresión como medio succionador que favorece el paso del aire. La boca de salida (11) está dirigida hacia abajo y no llega a la altura de puertas traseras.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a number of bodywork components that can be employed individually or in combination to improve the overall drag coefficient of a vehicle, especially an articulated heavy goods vehicle. The components have generally been developed with a view not only to reducing local drag but also to conditioning the airstream flowing around the vehicle. There is a benefit, for instance, in conditioning an airstream flowing around a cab unit (e.g. tractor unit of an articulated lorry) of a vehicle to provide a less turbulent airflow around the rear part of the vehicle (e.g. the traiter of an articulated vehicle). Likewise, similar benefits are obtained by conditioning airflow around the forward part of a vehicle traiter to provide less turbulent airflow around the rear part of the vehicle. The invention covers various aspects of the design of the cab unit (e.g. tractor unit of an articulated lorry) and of the vehicle traiter (e.g. semi-trailer).