초록 ▼

A plurality of spaced louvers in an airflow control system on top of a tractor cab open up to permit a flow of air to impinge on the front face of the trailer to exert a braking force to augment the braking force exerted by the wheel brakes to slow down the tractor-trailer assembly. The louvers are

A plurality of spaced louvers in an airflow control system on top of a tractor cab open up to permit a flow of air to impinge on the front face of the trailer to exert a braking force to augment the braking force exerted by the wheel brakes to slow down the tractor-trailer assembly. The louvers are under the control of the operator to be responsive to manual control, or to selective automatic control from the brake pedal, accelerator pedal, engine operation, or other vehicle operational equipment.

대표청구항 ▼

An air deflector system for mounting on a truck-trailer vehicle having plural vehicle control means, said system constructed to intercept the air flow passing said vehicle during travel and redirect said air flow around the trailer of said vehicle, said air deflector system comprising: an air deflec

An air deflector system for mounting on a truck-trailer vehicle having plural vehicle control means, said system constructed to intercept the air flow passing said vehicle during travel and redirect said air flow around the trailer of said vehicle, said air deflector system comprising: an air deflector mounting bracket, said mounting bracket having: a body provided with a forwardly and upwardly disposed opening, said body including upper and lower portions and opposite side portions framing said opening in said body, and a lower edge portion for engaging said vehicle, and air deflector means for being closely received in said opening of said mounting bracket body, a frame including an outer frame portion for engaging said body of said mounting bracket about the perimeter of said opening of said body, said frame defining a plurality of louver openings, at least one louver secured to said frame so as to serve as a closure for at least one said louver opening, means mounting said at least one louver to be movable between closed and opened positions such that drag is reduced when said louver is closed and said drag is increased when said at least one louver is open due to the air flow passing through said louver opening encountering said trailer of said vehicle, operating means for selectively opening and closing said at least one louver, wherein the outer frame of said air deflector means includes upper and lower frame portions and a pair of oppositely disposed side portions, and said frame including at least one rib extending between said side portions such that said frame defines a plurality of said louver openings, and wherein said air deflector means is provided with a plurality of said louvers, one of said louvers being operatively associated with each said louver opening, wherein said outer frame defines a mounting flange for engaging and being secured to said body of said bracket proximate said perimeter of said opening of said bracket body to facilitate mounting of said air deflector means, operating means for moving said louver between open and closed positions, an automatic control system connecting said operating means to said plural vehicle control means whereby predetermined utilization of a said vehicle control means opens and closes said louver to assist braking and slowdown action on said vehicle, and, means for selecting a said control means.