IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0277904
(2006-03-29)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Schubert Osterrieder & Nickelson PLLC
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
21 |
초록
▼
Systems, methods and media for reducing the aerodynamic drag of vehicles are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments may include at least one fan for directing air into a lower pressure region behind a vehicle in motion in order to reduce pressure drag. Embodiments may also include one or more int
Systems, methods and media for reducing the aerodynamic drag of vehicles are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments may include at least one fan for directing air into a lower pressure region behind a vehicle in motion in order to reduce pressure drag. Embodiments may also include one or more internal ducts for 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 having a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body having front and rear surfaces, wherein air is directed substantially outside the surfaces of the body, and wherein further a lower pr
What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle with reduced drag comprising: a vehicle chassis having a body attached to and substantially enclosing the vehicle chassis, the body having front and rear 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 side ducts attached to the body, each side duct having an inlet and an outlet; a fan having a rotatably mounted fan blade that is adapted to pivot in order to alter a direction in which air is directed, the fan being attached to the vehicle and positioned to direct air towards the lower pressure region, wherein a fan inlet of the fan is in fluid communication with at least one duct outlet; and a controller to determine a direction of the fan to result in directing air towards a center of the lower pressure region and to command the fan to point in the determined direction. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the fan is a variable speed fan; and wherein the controller adapted to adjust the speed of the fan. 3. The vehicle 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 wherein the controller is 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. 4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a vehicle speed sensor; and wherein the controller is 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. 5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a fan power switch, the switch being adapted to power on and power off the fan. 6. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a fan shroud. 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the one or more side ducts comprise a first side duct attached to a first side of the body and a second side duct attached to a second side of the body. 8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one side duct inlet is located on the front surface of the body. 9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one side duct inlet is adapted to receive air ducted from a radiator. 10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the fan is powered by one or more of a battery, a solar cell, a fuel cell or a power system integral to the vehicle. 11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the fan is positioned within a side duct. 12. A pressure drag reduction system for a vehicle, comprising: one or more side ducts each adapted to be attached to a side of a vehicle body, each side duct having an inlet and an outlet; a fan having a fan inlet that is in fluid communication with at least one side duct outlet, the fan having a rotatably mounted fan blade that is adapted to pivot in order to alter a direction in which air is directed, wherein the fan is adapted to direct air towards a lower pressure region created behind a vehicle when the vehicle is moving forward; and a controller to determine a direction of the fan to result in directing air towards a center of the lower pressure region and to command the fan to point in the determined direction. 13. The system of claim 12 further comprising: wherein the one fan comprises a variable speed fan; and wherein the controller adapted to adjust the speed of the fan. 14. The system of claim 12 further comprising: a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor positioned so as to provide an indication of the pressure in the lower pressure region; and wherein the controller is adapted to alter an output characteristic of the fans, wherein the output characteristic is at least partially based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. 15. The system of claim 12 further comprising: a vehicle speed sensor; and wherein the controller is 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. 16. The system of claim 12 wherein the fan is positioned within a side duct. 17. The system of claim 12 further comprising a fan shroud. 18. The system of claim 12 wherein the one or more side ducts comprise a first side duct adapted to be attached to a first side of the vehicle body and a second side duct adapted to be attached to a second side of the vehicle body.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.