초록 ▼

Means for reducing the air drag on bluff vehicles are disclosed which facilitate improved fuel mileage and reduce induced air turbulence adjacent the vehicle. In one embodiment the air drag reducing means employs an airvane member secured in spaced relation to an air flow guide element in kit form f

Means for reducing the air drag on bluff vehicles are disclosed which facilitate improved fuel mileage and reduce induced air turbulence adjacent the vehicle. In one embodiment the air drag reducing means employs an airvane member secured in spaced relation to an air flow guide element in kit form for mounting adjacent a corner edge of the bluff surface to prevent separation of air flow from the corner edge and adjacent rearward surface of the vehicle and develop a net forward thrust on the air drag reducing means. Another embodiment includes an airvane member and means for mounting it adjacent a smooth curved windward corner edge of a bluff surface on the vehicle so as to define an air flow passage through which air passes from the bluff surface in attached relation to the corner edge and adjacent rearwardly extending surface of the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

Means for reducing air drag on a bluff vehicle having a forward generally vertically disposed bluff surface against which air impinges when the vehicle is moved in a forward direction, said bluff surface intersecting longitudinally rearwardly extending top and lateral surfaces to define upper horizo

Means for reducing air drag on a bluff vehicle having a forward generally vertically disposed bluff surface against which air impinges when the vehicle is moved in a forward direction, said bluff surface intersecting longitudinally rearwardly extending top and lateral surfaces to define upper horizontal and side vertical substantially right angle corner edges, the air impinging said bluff surface forming an air stagnation area from which the air passes radially outwardly around said corner edges, said air drag reducing means comprising, in combination, an airvane member having a generally arcuate transverse configuration defining an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface, an air flow guide element adapted to be mounted on said vehicle adjacent at least one of said right angle corner edges and having a length substantially equal to the length of said airvane, said air flow guide element defining an outer convex curvature extending forwardly of said bluff surface and substantially disposed within an envelope defined by the planes of said longitudinally rearwardly extending top and lateral surfaces of the vehicle when said air flow guide element is mounted thereon, and means securing said airvane member is spaced relation to said air flow guide element so that said inner concave surface faces said air flow guide element and a leading edge of said airvane member is disposed within said envelope when said air flow guide element is mounted on said vehicle, said airvane member also having a trailing edge and cooperating with said air flow guide element to define a rearwardly converging air flow passage therebetween having air entrance and exit areas extending the full length of said airvane member and air flow guide element, said air passage being adapted to receive air passing from said bluff surface and cause air passing through said air flow passage to increase in velocity and be maintained in attached relation to the longitudinally rearwardly extending surface of the vehicle leeward of said trailing edge of said airvane member and provide a net forward thrust on said air drag reducing means.