초록 ▼

A system, method and media for reducing the aerodynamic drag of vehicles is disclosed. More particularly, at least one fan for directing air into a lower pressure region behind a vehicle in motion in order to reduce pressure drag is disclosed. Embodiments include one or more ducts from directing air

A system, method and media for reducing the aerodynamic drag of vehicles is disclosed. More particularly, at least one fan for directing air into a lower pressure region behind a vehicle in motion in order to reduce pressure drag is disclosed. Embodiments include one or more ducts from directing air from other parts of the vehicle to the at least one fan. In one embodiment, the operation of the at least one fan may be controlled based on sensed conditions, user control, or other means.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle with reduced drag comprising: a vehicle chassis; a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body having front, rear, top, bottom, and side surfaces, where air is directed substantially outside the surfaces of the body, and wherein furthe

What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle with reduced drag comprising: a vehicle chassis; a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body having front, rear, top, bottom, and side surfaces, where air is directed substantially outside the surfaces of the body, and wherein further a lower pressure region is created outside the body and behind the rear surface when the vehicle is moving forward; a fan attached to the vehicle, wherein the fan includes a fan inlet, a rotatably attached fan blade, and a fan outlet, and wherein further the fan is adapted to direct air towards the lower pressure region; and a duct attached to top surface of the vehicle, the duct having an inlet, an outlet, and a duct body, wherein the duct is in fluid communication with the fan. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fan is a variable speed fan. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fan is able to pivot in order to alter a direction in which air is directed. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor positioned so as to provide an indication of the pressure in the lower pressure region; and a controller, the controller adapted to alter an output characteristic of the fan, wherein the output characteristic is at least partially based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a vehicle speed sensor; and a controller, the controller adapted to alter an output characteristic of the fan, wherein the output characteristic is at least partially based on a speed sensed by the vehicle speed sensor. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a fan power switch, the switch being adapted to power on and power off the fan. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fan is adapted to couple with a power system integral to the vehicle. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fan is located within the duct. 9. A vehicle apparatus, comprising: a vehicle comprising a vehicle chassis and a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body comprising front, rear, top, bottom, and two side surfaces, wherein air is directed substantially outside the surfaces of the body, and wherein further a lower pressure region is created outside the body and behind the rear surface when the vehicle is moving forward; one or more fans attached to the vehicle, the one or more fans each comprising a fan inlet, a rotatably mounted fan blade, and a fan outlet, and wherein further each fan is adapted to direct air received at the fan inlet towards the lower pressure region; and one or more ducts attached to the vehicle, the one or more ducts each comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a duct body, wherein the one or more ducts are in fluid communication with at least one fan, wherein at least one duct is attached at least partially to the top surface of the body, and wherein further each duct is adapted to direct air from the duct inlet to at least one fan. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more fans attached to the vehicle comprise two fans attached to the rear surface of the body. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more fans are variable speed fans. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more fans is adapted to pivot in order to alter a direction in which air is directed. 13. A vehicle apparatus, comprising: a vehicle comprising a vehicle chassis and a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body comprising front, rear, top, bottom, and two side surfaces, wherein air is directed substantially outside the surfaces of the body, and wherein further a lower pressure region is created outside the body and behind the rear surface when the vehicle is moving forward; one fan attached to the vehicle, the fan comprising a fan inlet, a rotatably mounted fan blade, and a fan outlet, and wherein further the fan is adapted to direct air received at the fan inlet towards the lower pressure region; and two ducts at least partially attached to the top surface of the vehicle, the two ducts each comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a duct body, wherein the two ducts are in fluid communication with the fan, and wherein further each duct is adapted to direct air from its duct inlet to the fan. 14. A vehicle apparatus, comprising: a vehicle comprising a vehicle chassis and a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body comprising front, rear, top, bottom, and two side surfaces, wherein air is directed substantially outside the surfaces of the body, and wherein further a lower pressure region is created outside the body and behind the rear surface when the vehicle is moving forward; two fans attached to the vehicle, each fan comprising a fan inlet, a rotatably mounted fan blade, and a fan outlet, and wherein further each fan is adapted to direct air received at its fan inlet towards the lower pressure region; and two ducts at least partially attached to the top surface of the vehicle, the two ducts each comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a duct body, wherein the two ducts are in fluid communication with at least one of the two fans, and wherein further each duct is adapted to direct air from its duct inlet to at least one of the two fans. 15. A vehicle with reduced drag comprising: a vehicle chassis; a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body having front, rear, top, bottom, and side surfaces, where air is directed substantially outside the surfaces of the body, and wherein further a lower pressure region is created outside the body and behind the rear surface when the vehicle is moving forward; a fan attached to the vehicle, wherein the fan includes a fan inlet, a rotatably attached fan blade, and a fan outlet, wherein the fan is able to pivot in order to alter a direction in which air is directed, and wherein further the fan is adapted to direct air towards the lower pressure region; and a duct attached to the top surface of the vehicle, the duct having an inlet, an outlet, and a duct body, wherein the duct is in fluid communication with the fan. 16. A vehicle apparatus, comprising: a vehicle comprising a vehicle chassis and a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body comprising front, rear, top, bottom, and two side surfaces, wherein air is directed substantially outside the surfaces of the body, and wherein further a lower pressure region is created outside the body and behind the rear surface when the vehicle is moving forward; one or more fans attached to the vehicle, the one or more fans each comprising a fan inlet, a rotatably mounted fan blade, and a fan outlet, wherein the one or more fans attached to the vehicle comprise two fans attached to the rear surface of the body, and wherein further each fan is adapted to direct air received at the fan inlet towards the lower pressure region; and one or more ducts attached to the vehicle, the one or more ducts each comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a duct body, wherein the one or more ducts are in fluid communication with at least one fan, and wherein further each duct is adapted to direct air from the duct inlet to at least one fan. 17. A vehicle apparatus, comprising: a vehicle comprising a vehicle chassis and a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body comprising front, rear, top, bottom, and two side surfaces, wherein air is directed substantially outside the surfaces of the body, and wherein further a lower pressure region is created outside the body and behind the rear surface when the vehicle is moving forward; one or more fans attached to the vehicle, the one or more fans each comprising a fan inlet, a rotatably mounted fan blade, and a fan outlet, wherein the one or more fans is adapted to pivot in order to alter a direction in which air is directed, and wherein further each fan is adapted to direct air received at the fan inlet towards the lower pressure region; and one or more ducts attached to the vehicle, the one or more ducts each comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a duct body, wherein the one or more ducts are in fluid communication with at least one fan, and wherein further each duct is adapted to direct air from the duct inlet to at least one fan.