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WO1992019485A1 - Dispositif de carenage de vehicules destine a reduire la trainee de pression - Google Patents

Dispositif de carenage de vehicules destine a reduire la trainee de pression Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992019485A1
WO1992019485A1 PCT/US1991/001747 US9101747W WO9219485A1 WO 1992019485 A1 WO1992019485 A1 WO 1992019485A1 US 9101747 W US9101747 W US 9101747W WO 9219485 A1 WO9219485 A1 WO 9219485A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
inflatable structure
vehicle
face
rear portion
attachment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1991/001747
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Uzi Eliahou
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to PCT/US1991/001747 priority Critical patent/WO1992019485A1/fr
Publication of WO1992019485A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992019485A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to vehicle drag reduction,specifically to an improved streamlining device, made of flexible material, installed on the rear of a land or water vehicle.
  • Air deflectors have been installed on trucks, vans and cars. On trucks, air deflectors are positioned mostly over driver's cabin, or made to prevent turbulence between cabin and cargo. Legal regulations limiting length of trucks, and the desire to utilize maximum load capacity, have caused the driver's cabin, and the gap between cabin and cargo, to be significantly shortened.
  • German patent DE 31 15 742 Al to Lechner (1981) deals with an after-body that collects air via a duct and lets it stream out by series of outlets. Since the air flow enveloping the vehicle isn't laminar, a perpetual flutter of the air causes the flexible material to vibrate and beat like a slack sail or like a square canopy parachute with no ram air cell walls. This phenomenon can be even more severe under side wind conditions. The air outlets will cause an air flow inside the chamber that would have to be constantly energized. Furthermore, prior art does not apply sufficient means to stabilize the flexible material of the after-body at highway speeds.
  • An aerodynamic streamlining device is installed on the rear of a vehicle, to improve its aerodynamic configuration, filled by ram air cells, by an electric or hydraulic blower, or by exhaust gases. It can automatically erect into position and retract with driver's full control by a weight or an electric or air pressurized motor. In one of the configurations, the device would change its aerodynamic contour according to the wind's velocity and angle of attack, by having stretchable sections embodied in its configuration.
  • Ram air cell inlets provide stabilizing air flow into the after-body, eliminating fluttering and providing a stabilized configuration.
  • ram air cells or their walls
  • the partitioning of the ram air cells restricts large air movements and shifting of. air across the inlet zone, thus stabilizing the after ⁇ body under any wind conditions.
  • Modular ram air cells that can be attached to each other to form the required shape length and width of an after-body.
  • Attachment of the cells to one another can be done by a heavy-duty zipper or any other means.
  • zippered together side by side to each other they form the top part of the after-body, dictating its whole configuration.
  • Another feature of the invention is an after ⁇ body with an asymmetrical profile. It avoids turbulent air flow from under the vehicle by curving up sharply from its bottom. This configuration optimizes the overall streamlining effect.
  • An after-body with wing shaped cross sections to help stabilize and maintain its configuration.
  • the after-body's walls maintain their own shape by the fluid flowing on their surface.
  • the flow produces lower static pressure, especially as the walls are wing shaped.
  • the static pressure within the after-body is greater than the outer one forcing the fabric to maintain its contour.
  • An adjustable ram air cell inlet that regulates the air flow passing through it.
  • a ram air cell inlet regulator made of a flexible bar, cable or tube that will resist the opening force that the air creates on the inlet. It may be activated by any means of control such as a pressure gauge inside the after-body or a flow meter located at the cell inlets. An after-body with tail lights, or light emitting diodes, compensate for any inherent obscuring of the vehicle's original tail lights.
  • an after-body with a truncated tail prevents reverse air flow along its rear part and reduces its overall length.
  • an after-body with installation fits the rolling doors of trailers and trucks. Once deflated, the after-body is rolled up with the door into the vehicle.
  • a governor that is linked to the vehicle's speedometer is preset to minimal and maximal speed values for the deployment and retraction of the after-body.
  • a mechanism controls the inflation of the after-body by opening and closing the ram air inlets.
  • the design of the after-body allows it to respond to side winds and thus reduce aerodynamic drag .
  • an after-body is attached to amphibian, semi-submerged or fully submerged marine vehicles. It is inflated by a fluid, reduces hydrodynamic drag, and folds when in harbor or in a confined environment.
  • Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a truck including the after-body of the present invention in its inflated position.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the truck of Figure 1 from a high front angle.
  • Figure 3 is a rear elevation view of the truck of Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the truck of Figure 1 with the present invention installed on a rolling door and folded.
  • Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the truck of Figure 1 with showing the after-body of the present invention during side wind conditions, with stretchable fabric incorporated into the after-body.
  • Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the truck of Figure 1 showing the after-body with a wing shaped flap covering the ram air cell inlets.
  • Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the truck of Figure 1 illustrating a mechanism by which the after-body of the present invention can be retracted.
  • Figure 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the truck of Figure 1 with the after-body of the present invention and showing its wing configuration.
  • the dashed lines represent the 'floors' of the ram air cells.
  • Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the truck of Figure 1 with a folding frame for the after-body of the present invention.
  • Figure 10 is a close perspective view of a light unit according to the present invention.
  • Figures 11-13 are fragmentary perspective views of the truck of Figure 1 showing means by which the size of the openings of ram air cells in the after ⁇ body of the present invention can be adjusted.
  • Figure 14 is a perspective view of a ram air cell according to the present invention showing zipper means by which ram air cells may be joined together.
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view of the present invention as employed with a pick up truck.
  • FIG. 1 A typical embodiment of the streamlining device of the present invention is illustrated in figure 1.
  • the after-body (20) is installed onto a vehicle. It is asymmetrical and truncated at its rear end (22). It continues the rectangular base line of the rear of the vehicle, gradually arching to converge at a point behind the vehicle.
  • One or more ram air cells (26) (Figs. 3 and 7) are positioned on top (shown) or bottom of the after-body to supply the large air quantities through their inlets (24) facing the direction of movement. These inlets are controlled by cable (32) (Fig. 3) to reduce their size once the after-body is fully deployed.
  • the after-body's truncated shape reduces the overall length while maintaining efficient air flow characteristics.
  • the cross section of the 4 sides of the after-body is similar to the top part of an airplane wing (Fig. 8).
  • the material used is flexible, and has resistance to ultraviolet rays.
  • the base of the after-body is attached to the vehicle by means of a frame (30) (Fig 9) that is installed onto its rear part.
  • the attachment can be permanent or quickly released.
  • the frame folds onto itself by collapsible joints (31). This allows the rear doors to be opened separately.
  • two or more lock points (33) hold the frame closed.
  • the driver will release these lock points so the frame folds up on itself ar'ound the collapsible joints (31). It then can be turned around its hinges (29) as the door opens.
  • the construction allows trailer or cargo doors to be opened without being too bulky or wide.
  • a rolling track (42) is installed a few inches from its usual position, to allow the after-body's fabric to roll up and attach to the door while it is opening.
  • the speedometer of the vehicle is connected to a control box. The frequency of the magnetic or electronic signal is registered.
  • An electric, hydraulic, air or spring motor (38) energizes the deployment and folding system.
  • the system is made of ropes or cables (32) activated by the motor. These are connected to the after-body (20), as shown in figure 3, to retract or deploy it according to the vehicle's velocity.
  • stretchable fabric is incorporated into the after-body as vertical slices. These fabric pieces have higher flexibility (stretchability) . They can be sewn, welded (P.V.C. welding or the like) or attached in any other way, to allow the after-body to change its configuration according to the air flow characteristics around it.
  • the pieces can be parallel strips of material incorporated into the side wall of the fabric. They can be triangular shaped at the top and bottom of the after-body to allow relatively large sidewise movements, but smaller up and down ones.
  • the pieces could be incorporated in any other appropriate shape and proportion.
  • One pr more light sources are located in needed areas of the after-body.
  • array units of light emitting diodes are located along the top beam of the rear part of the vehicle, and are powered by the vehicle's electric system via curled electric cables.
  • Each of these units can be made light emitting diodes (50) held together by a cover (48).
  • a strip of flexible fabric (99) is connecting the after ⁇ body to the vehicle frame (30) or to any other attachment means onto the vehicle.
  • the ram air cell openings have wires or cables (98) passing through them. They connect the ram air cell inlets' top part to its bottom part. They pass through the bottom via a loop hole (97) and turn sharply to connect to the after-body's frame or to any other attachment means, or directly to the vehicle.
  • the wire or cable (98) could be positioned in other ways, to enable it to narrow the ram air cell openings.
  • each cell or each few cells, will have a wire or a cable, zigzagging across its opening to enable more even and efficient narrowing of the inlets. Operation - Figures 4,8,9:
  • ram air When the vehicle is accelerating, ram air inflates the ram air cell inlets 24 seen in figure 1, and the wing shaped walls of the after-body as seen in figure 8.
  • the cell inlets 24 are kept closed by cables 32 and the after-body held nested as seen in figure 4.
  • a signal from the vehicle's speedometer will surpass the threshold set into the control box, activating the deployment/retraction system.
  • the driver can over ⁇ ride the control box, inflating and retracting the after-body by his command.
  • the retraction device 38 releases cable or rope 32, allowing the after-body to deploy to its desired length. Additional tail lights 28 incorporated into the fabric of the after-body turn on.
  • the after-body's fabric assumes its inflated shape, stabilizing itself with help of the four sides of the after-body shaped like a top of an airplane wing.
  • the ram air cell inlets 24 are closed by inlet control cable (32) so that just enough air pressure is ducted into the after-body to keep it inflated.
  • the after-body Under another (usually lower) preset velocity of the vehicle, the after-body will retract into its nested position.
  • the control box will signal the retraction device 38, to pull the cables 32, closing the ram air cell inlets 24 and retracting the after ⁇ body to its nested position.
  • the driver can gain access to the rear doors of the vehicle or trailer by unlocking 2 or more locks 33 that secure the frame 30 onto the vehicle.
  • the frame 30 is then folded onto itself, as shown by the arrow in Figure 9, by means of collapsible joints 31.
  • the frame is then moved to its open position by turning around its hinges 29.
  • the after-body is secured onto the rolling door by stretchable belts 40 and by the cable system 32.
  • the after-body rolls up with it.
  • the after-body can also change its configuration somewhat, according to the vehicle's air speed.
  • the after-body is directed to its optimal position and configuration by the characteristics of the aerodynamics around it.
  • the after-body will balance at that position only, maintaining maximum efficiency.
  • the cables are pulled by the retraction device's (38) rotation.
  • the tension is passed through to the cable running along the ram air cell inlets (24), the latter are forced down to the pulleys' (36) level. This results in a reduced ram air cell inlet (24) area, thus reducing the inherent drag created by it.
  • the ram air cell inlets inflate into position. Air flows into the after-body. As the vehicle accelerates to high speeds, the drag created by the ram air cells pushes the after-body back. The stretchable fabric (99) is pulled back. This causes the wire or rope (98) to tighten, thus narrowing the ram air cell inlets and reducing the drag that had activated and energized the whole process. A balance between the opening force on the ram air cell inlet and the tension applied by the wire is obtained. This results in automatically governing the ram cell inlets in a simple and inexpensive manner.
  • Figure 15 illustrates the after-body of the present invention as it may be employed with a pick up truck to achieve the benefits described above.
  • a first inflatable structure generally indicated by the reference numeral 20'
  • a second, asymmetrical inflatable structure generally indicated by the reference numeral 20"
  • First and second inflatable structures 20' and 20" are inflated by means of ram air cells 24'.
  • the after-body remains in a folded, or nested, position when the pick up truck is under a predetermined speed. When the pick up truck exceeds that speed, the after-body inflates into the configuration shown, streamlining the vehicle's aerodynamics, and thus reducing drag.
  • the inflatable structure of the present invention has been described,' for illustrative purposes only, as being inflated by gas and as being applied to a land vehicle, specifically a truck, to reduce aerodynamic drag, the inflatable structure may be applied as well to amphibian, semi-submerged, or fully submerged marine vehicles, and such is within the intent of the' present invention.
  • the structure When so applied, the structure would be inflated by either a __lquid or a pressurized gas and it would be similarly employed to reduce hydrodynamic drag.
  • the liquid could be water introduced through ram liquid cells similar to the type illustrated for air.
  • the inflatable structure would normally be folded when the water vehicle were in harbor or other confined environment.
  • the inflatable structure need not have an open end, and, therefore, inflatable structures with closed ends are also within the intent of the present invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Abstract

Un corps arrière (20) simple, gonflable, aérodynamique, tronqué, de faible coût, réduit de manière significative la traînée de pression d'un véhicule. Il comporte une ou plusieurs cellules d'air sous pression dynamique (26) s'ouvrant dans le sens du mouvement. Sa forme asymétrique améliore la stabilité et augmente l'efficacité dudit corps arrière (20). La consommation en carburant, la pollution provoquée par le gaspillage de carburant, l'usure du moteur, les niveaux de bruit produits par le moteur, ainsi que les turbulences de l'air sont globalement réduits.
PCT/US1991/001747 1991-05-02 1991-05-02 Dispositif de carenage de vehicules destine a reduire la trainee de pression Ceased WO1992019485A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1991/001747 WO1992019485A1 (fr) 1991-05-02 1991-05-02 Dispositif de carenage de vehicules destine a reduire la trainee de pression

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1991/001747 WO1992019485A1 (fr) 1991-05-02 1991-05-02 Dispositif de carenage de vehicules destine a reduire la trainee de pression

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992019485A1 true WO1992019485A1 (fr) 1992-11-12

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PCT/US1991/001747 Ceased WO1992019485A1 (fr) 1991-05-02 1991-05-02 Dispositif de carenage de vehicules destine a reduire la trainee de pression

Country Status (1)

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Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2700993A1 (fr) * 1993-02-03 1994-08-05 Hobbycar Sa Structure de toit, notamment pour véhicules.
EP1435321A3 (fr) * 2003-01-03 2004-10-13 Daniele Locatelli Dispositif de carenage gonflable et amovible pour véhicules de transport
WO2007024965A3 (fr) * 2005-08-24 2007-04-19 Sierra Nevada Corp Systeme de carenage aerodynamique pour aeronef
EP1905674A1 (fr) 2006-09-26 2008-04-02 Iveco S.p.A. Système de contrôle et de gestion des actions de gonflage et de dégonflage des becquets gonflables pour véhicule industriel
US7862102B1 (en) 2007-01-16 2011-01-04 Benton Craig R Apparatus for reducing drag on vehicles
GB2475361A (en) * 2009-11-17 2011-05-18 Alasdair Edward Collins Extendable and retractable aerodynamic aid
US8196996B1 (en) 2008-02-11 2012-06-12 Robert Campbell Vehicle drag reducer
US8342594B2 (en) 2007-01-16 2013-01-01 Benton Craig R Apparatus for reducing drag on a vehicle
US8360507B2 (en) 2007-01-16 2013-01-29 Benton Craig R Apparatus for reducing drag on a vehicle

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2737411A (en) * 1952-08-21 1956-03-06 Ralph B Potter Inflatable streamlining apparatus for vehicle bodies
US3945677A (en) * 1974-08-23 1976-03-23 Aerospan Corporation Streamlining apparatus for articulated road vehicle
FR2509681A1 (fr) * 1981-07-15 1983-01-21 Cauwe Yvan Dispositif destine a ameliorer l'aerodynamisme de vehicules, notamment de vehicules terrestres relativement encombrants, tels que les camions
US4688841A (en) * 1986-06-10 1987-08-25 Moore Mark A Drag reduction device for tractor-trailers
US4702509A (en) * 1986-05-27 1987-10-27 Elliott Sr Morris C Long-haul vehicle streamline apparatus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2737411A (en) * 1952-08-21 1956-03-06 Ralph B Potter Inflatable streamlining apparatus for vehicle bodies
US3945677A (en) * 1974-08-23 1976-03-23 Aerospan Corporation Streamlining apparatus for articulated road vehicle
FR2509681A1 (fr) * 1981-07-15 1983-01-21 Cauwe Yvan Dispositif destine a ameliorer l'aerodynamisme de vehicules, notamment de vehicules terrestres relativement encombrants, tels que les camions
US4702509A (en) * 1986-05-27 1987-10-27 Elliott Sr Morris C Long-haul vehicle streamline apparatus
US4688841A (en) * 1986-06-10 1987-08-25 Moore Mark A Drag reduction device for tractor-trailers

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2700993A1 (fr) * 1993-02-03 1994-08-05 Hobbycar Sa Structure de toit, notamment pour véhicules.
EP1435321A3 (fr) * 2003-01-03 2004-10-13 Daniele Locatelli Dispositif de carenage gonflable et amovible pour véhicules de transport
WO2007024965A3 (fr) * 2005-08-24 2007-04-19 Sierra Nevada Corp Systeme de carenage aerodynamique pour aeronef
EP1905674A1 (fr) 2006-09-26 2008-04-02 Iveco S.p.A. Système de contrôle et de gestion des actions de gonflage et de dégonflage des becquets gonflables pour véhicule industriel
US7862102B1 (en) 2007-01-16 2011-01-04 Benton Craig R Apparatus for reducing drag on vehicles
US8342594B2 (en) 2007-01-16 2013-01-01 Benton Craig R Apparatus for reducing drag on a vehicle
US8360507B2 (en) 2007-01-16 2013-01-29 Benton Craig R Apparatus for reducing drag on a vehicle
US8196996B1 (en) 2008-02-11 2012-06-12 Robert Campbell Vehicle drag reducer
GB2475361A (en) * 2009-11-17 2011-05-18 Alasdair Edward Collins Extendable and retractable aerodynamic aid

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