초록 ▼

An apparatus for reducing aerodynamic resistance in an over the road vehicle is provided. The apparatus can include a frame assembly and first and second airfoils to be coupled to the vehicle by the frame assembly ahead of first and second tires of an axle assembly provided to the vehicle. The first

An apparatus for reducing aerodynamic resistance in an over the road vehicle is provided. The apparatus can include a frame assembly and first and second airfoils to be coupled to the vehicle by the frame assembly ahead of first and second tires of an axle assembly provided to the vehicle. The first and second airfoils each include an air deflecting surface with a convex outward portion that extends away from a leading edge that is to be directed into the airflow to transition the portions of the airflow directed toward the first and second tires outward beyond the externally exposed sides of the first and second tires. The first and second airfoils are also spaced laterally apart from each other when coupled to the vehicle by the frame assembly to define an aperture between the first and second airfoils through which at least a portion of the airflow directed toward the axle assembly is to pass while the vehicle is underway.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag experienced by an over-the-road vehicle while underway comprising:a frame assembly comprising a fastening fixture for coupling the apparatus to the vehicle;a first airfoil to be coupled to said frame assembly in a position forward of

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag experienced by an over-the-road vehicle while underway comprising:a frame assembly comprising a fastening fixture for coupling the apparatus to the vehicle;a first airfoil to be coupled to said frame assembly in a position forward of a first tire of an axle assembly provided to the vehicle to be exposed to an airflow directed toward the first tire while the vehicle is underway, whereinthe first airfoil comprises a first outward air deflecting surface for deflecting a portion of the airflow directed toward the first tire laterally outward beyond an externally exposed side of the first tire, the first air deflecting surface comprising a convex outward portion that extends between a leading edge to be directed into the airflow and a trailing edge to transition the portions of the airflow directed toward the first tire outward beyond the externally exposed side of the first tire, the convex outward portion of the first airfoil comprising a radius of curvature greater than about twelve (12″) inches;a second airfoil to be coupled to said frame assembly in a position forward of a second tire supported at an opposite lateral side of the axle assembly relative to the first tire to be exposed to an airflow directed toward the second tire while the vehicle is underway, whereinthe second airfoil comprises a second outward air deflecting surface provided to the second airfoil for deflecting a portion of the airflow directed toward the second tire laterally outward beyond an externally exposed side of the second tire, the second air deflecting surface comprising a convex outward portion that extends between a leading edge to be directed into the airflow and a trailing edge to transition the portions of the airflow directed toward the second tire outward beyond the externally exposed side of the second tire, the convex outward portion of the second airfoil comprising a radius of curvature greater than about twelve (12″) inches, and whereinthe first and second airfoils are spaced laterally apart from each other when coupled to said vehicle by said frame assembly to define an aperture between the first and second airfoils through which at least a portion of the airflow directed toward the axle assembly is to pass while the vehicle is underway; anda third airfoil to be coupled to the frame assembly within a path of the portion of the airflow passing through the aperture between the first and second airfoils while the vehicle is underway, wherein the third airfoil comprises an air deflecting surface that deflects at least a portion of the airflow passing through the aperture between the first and second airfoils in a generally downward direction toward a ground surface on which the vehicle travels while underway.