A resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a for
A resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer in an aerodynamic configuration, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover its aerodynamic configuration thereafter, the resilient strut adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing the resilient strut to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to self-recover its original shape when the load is removed. A kit of resilient struts, a method thereof and a trailer equipped with same are also provided.
대표청구항▼
1. An aerodynamic skirt assembly adapted to be mounted to an underside of a trailer and reduce air drag by the trailer, the aerodynamic skirt assembly comprising: a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, said skirt panel being adapted to be mounted to the underside of the trailer
1. An aerodynamic skirt assembly adapted to be mounted to an underside of a trailer and reduce air drag by the trailer, the aerodynamic skirt assembly comprising: a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, said skirt panel being adapted to be mounted to the underside of the trailer along the length of a trailer;a plurality of resilient struts, including a first end adapted to be mounted to the trailer; anda second end adapted to be secured to the skirt panel;the skirt panel and the plurality of resilient struts having an original position before being elastically deformed;the skirt panel being characterized in that the skirt panel can sustain substantial elastic deformation when impacted by a foreign object and to return substantially to the original position when the skirt panel is no longer being impacted by the foreign object;the resilient struts being characterized in that the resilient struts can sustain substantial elastic deformation when the skirt panel is impacted by a foreign object and to return substantially to the original position when the skirt panel is no longer being impacted by the foreign object. 2. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 1, wherein the skirt panel comprises composite material. 3. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 1, wherein the skirt panel comprises fiber reinforced polypropylene. 4. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 1, wherein the skirt panel comprises a polypropylene component and a woven component. 5. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 1, wherein the skirt panel is adapted to form a curved portion between the front portion and the rear portion when mounted to an underside of the trailer. 6. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of clamps to secure the skirt panel to an underside of the trailer. 7. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of clamps to secure the resilient struts to the trailer. 8. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 1, wherein the skirt panel is sufficiently resilient such that it can bend and reach a radius of about 20 centimeters without going into plastic deformation or breaking. 9. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 1, wherein the skirt panel and the resilient struts are sufficiently resilient such that a lower portion of the skirt panel can be deflected to reach a position that is significantly parallel with the underside of the trailer when an external force is applied thereon and to return substantially to the skirt panel original position when the external force is removed. 10. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 1, wherein there are two skirt panels, one skirt panel on each side of the length of a trailer. 11. The aerodynamic skirt assembly of claim 10, wherein the two skirt panels on each side of the length of the trailer are non-parallel. 12. A resilient strut adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising: a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer in an aerodynamic configuration, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover the aerodynamic configuration thereafter, the resilient strut being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing an intermediate portion to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to self-recover the original shape when the load is removed. 13. The resilient strut of claim 12, wherein the resilient strut includes composite material. 14. The resilient strut of claim 12, wherein the load has a predetermined bending load limit, wherein the resilient strut is adapted to sustain a portion of the bending load limit applied thereon without bending; and wherein the resilient strut buckles when the bending load limit is applied thereon. 15. The resilient strut of claim 12, wherein the resilient strut has a substantially constant rectangular section defining opposed flat sides. 16. The resilient strut of claim 15, wherein the substantially rectangular section has a thickness of between 2 millimeters and 6 millimeters. 17. The resilient strut of claim 12, wherein the resilient strut includes an intermediate portion, a trailer connecting portion at a first end thereof, and a skirt connecting portion at a second end thereof and wherein at least one of the portions is adapted to be resilient. 18. The resilient strut of claim 17, wherein the trailer connecting portion is adapted to be secured to the trailer via a connection mechanism, the trailer connecting portion, when secured to the connection mechanism, being substantially rigidly secured hence preventing bending thereof. 19. The resilient strut of claim 17, wherein the trailer connecting portion, the skirt connecting portion and the intermediate portion are made of a continuous member. 20. A kit of resilient aerodynamic skirt and resilient struts adapted to secure the aerodynamic skirt to a trailer, the kit comprising: a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer in an aerodynamic configuration, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover, the aerodynamic configuration thereafter,at least one resilient strut adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing the resilient strut to bend when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to self-recover the original shape when the load is removed. 21. The kit of resilient struts of claim 20, further comprising at least one angle support adapted to further secure the aerodynamic skirt to the trailer. 22. The kit of resilient struts of claim 20, further comprising a second skirt panel adapted to be secured to the trailer with resilient struts. 23. The kit of resilient struts of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the resilient strut includes composite material. 24. The kit of resilient struts of claim 20, further comprising a connection mechanism adapted to secure the resilient strut to the trailer. 25. The kit of resilient struts of claim 20, wherein the load has a predetermined bending load limit, wherein the resilient strut is adapted to sustain a portion of the bending load limit applied thereon without bending; and wherein the resilient strut buckles when the bending load limit is applied thereon. 26. A method of installing a resilient strut on a trailer to resiliently secure an aerodynamic skirt to the trailer, the method comprising: providing a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer in an aerodynamic configuration, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover the aerodynamic configuration thereafter,providing at least one resilient strut adapted to sustain an elastic deformation thereof allowing the resilient strut to bend when the load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to automatically recover the original shape when the load is removed; andsecuring the at least one resilient strut to the trailer and to the skirt panel to secure the skirt panel in the aerodynamic configuration. 27. The method of installing a resilient strut of claim 26, further comprising securing the skirt panel to the trailer with an angle support. 28. A trailer comprising a resilient strut and an aerodynamic skirt adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising: a skirt panel defining a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer in an aerodynamic configuration, the skirt panel being adapted to move away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover the aerodynamic configuration thereafter,the resilient strut being adapted to sustain an elastic deformation allowing bending thereof when a load is applied to the resilient strut when the skirt panel moves away from the aerodynamic configuration and to self-recover the original shape when the load is removed. 29. The trailer of claim 28, wherein resilient strut includes composite material. 30. The trailer of claim 28, wherein the resilient strut is made of a continuous member. 31. A resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly adapted to be mounted on a trailer, said skirt assembly comprising: first and second resilient skirts for reducing aerodynamic drag, one for mounting proximate each longitudinal side of the trailer, wherein each said resilient skirt is elastically deformable, such that each said skirt is configured to sustain temporary deformation from an original position as a result of encountering an object without breaking, and thereafter recover the original position when unloaded, wherein each said skirt includes a rearward portion, a forward portion and a transition between the rearward portion and the forward portion, the rearward portions of the respective skirts configured to be generally parallel to one another when attached to the trailer and the forward portions of the respective skirts being configured to converge towards one another when attached to the trailer, wherein at least part of each said forward portion that is forward of the transition is configured to be curved inwardly over a distance spanning a plurality of I-beams of the trailer;a plurality of non-metallic resilient supports for each said resilient skirt, wherein each said resilient support is attachable to the respective resilient skirt, wherein each said resilient support comprises a lower portion connected to the respective skirt and an upper portion positionable and configured to be aligned with an I-beam of the trailer, said lower portion being substantially in a vertical plane when unloaded, said upper portion comprising an upper surface extending in a substantially horizontal plane, wherein each said resilient support is configured to bend from an original position when part of the respective skirt is deflected inwardly when encountering an object, and thereafter regain the original position when unloaded;fasteners to connect the lower portions of the respective resilient supports to the respective skirt; andfasteners to connect the skirt assembly to I-beams of the trailer. 32. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein each said rearward portion has a first height, and a front portion of each said forward portion has a tapered section with a second height that is less than the first height. 33. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein each said forward portion includes an upper edge that is configured to be substantially flush with the trailer along substantially the entire length of the forward portion, and a clearance between ground and a lower edge of the forward portion increases in a direction oriented towards, and is greatest at, a forwardmost portion of the forward portion. 34. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein the rearward portion of each said skirt is positionable on the trailer taking into account a forwardmost adjustable position of wheel axles of the trailer. 35. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein each of the skirts is dimensioned to extend forward of wheels of the trailer and in front of trailer supports of the trailer. 36. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein at least one of the resilient supports and the corresponding skirt are configured to flex at the same time in a substantially common orientation when under load. 37. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein the transition comprises a departure point where the skirt begins to curve along at least part of the forward portion of the skirt, and wherein the skirt is configured to curve from the departure point toward a forwardmost part of the skirt over a distance that spans at least eight I-beams of the trailer. 38. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein a portion of each skirt configured to curve inwardly spans a distance of between 1.5 and 3.0 m. 39. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein an overall length of each skirt from a front end to a rear end is 6.5-7.5 m,wherein a height of each skirt along a central portion thereof is about 0.6-0.9 m, andwherein a height of each skirt proximate a forwardmost end of the skirt is about 0.3-0.7 m. 40. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein a rear end of each skirt, to be oriented towards a rear wheel of the trailer, includes a concavely curved portion. 41. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein each skirt is made of a composite material extending in one piece from a front end to a rear end of the skirt, the composite material including a glass component and a polypropylene component. 42. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein an upper portion of each said resilient skirt is connectable to an I-beam of the trailer. 43. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 42, wherein the upper portion includes composite material. 44. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, further comprising at least one clamp to connect said upper portion of at least one of said resilient supports to an I-beam of the trailer, wherein bolts as fasteners extend through holes in the upper portion of said resilient support and the clamps. 45. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 44, wherein said holes, in cross section, are spaced a distance that is dimensioned to be greater than a width of an I-beam of the trailer. 46. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 31, wherein the rearward portion of at least one of the skirts is substantially flush with the proximate longitudinal side of the trailer, and at least part of the forward portion of the skirt, forward of the transition, is progressively spaced inward from the proximate longitudinal side of the trailer. 47. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 46, wherein the rearward portion of each said skirt is generally planar. 48. A resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly adapted to be mounted on a trailer, said skirt assembly comprising: at least one resilient skirt comprised of composite material, for mounting proximate a longitudinal side of the trailer, said resilient skirt being elastically deformable from an original position, such that said skirt is adapted to sustain temporary deformation as a result of encountering an object, and thereafter recover the original position and shape when unloaded; anda plurality of resilient supports to provide lateral support for said resilient skirt, each said resilient support comprising a first portion directly connected to the respective skirt and a second portion to be located proximate an underside of the trailer, wherein each said resilient support flexes from an original position when an adjacent part of the skirt is deflected when encountering an object, and thereafter regains the original position and shape when unloaded. 49. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 48, wherein said first portion of each said resilient support is configured to contact the respective skirt, said first portion being substantially in a vertical plane when unloaded. 50. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 48, wherein said skirt includes a rearward portion and a forward portion, the rearward portion being generally planar when attached to the trailer and the forward portion configured to converge towards a centerline of the trailer when attached to the trailer. 51. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 48, wherein each said resilient support is flexible outwards when under load, such that the resilient support and the skirt flex in a substantially common orientation when under load. 52. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 48, wherein each said resilient support is flexible inwards when under load, such that the resilient support and the skirt flex in a substantially common orientation when under load. 53. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 48, further comprising clamps adapted to be coupled to I-beams of the trailer to couple said second portions of said resilient supports to the I-beams of the trailer. 54. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 48, wherein a rear end of the skirt includes a concavely curved portion. 55. A resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly adapted to be mounted on a trailer, said skirt assembly comprising: first and second resilient skirts comprising composite material, one for mounting proximate each longitudinal side of the trailer, each said resilient skirt being elastically deformable from an original position, such that each said skirt is configured to sustain temporary deformation as a result of encountering an object, and thereafter recover the original position and shape when unloaded;a plurality of resilient supports each comprised of a resilient, non-metallic one piece material, each said support having a lower portion directly connected to the respective skirt and an upper portion to be located proximate or juxtaposed to an underside of the trailer, wherein each said support bends from an original position when an adjacent part of the respective skirt is deflected when encountering an object, and thereafter regains the original position when unloaded; anda plurality of clamps adapted to be coupled to I-beams of the trailer to secure the skirt assembly to the trailer,wherein said lower portion of each said resilient support contacts the respective skirt, said lower portion being substantially in a vertical plane when unloaded, wherein each said skirt includes a rearward portion and a forward portion, the rearward portions of the skirts being generally parallel to one another when attached to the trailer and the forward portions of the skirts being configured to converge and curve towards one another when attached to the trailer, wherein an air passage located under the trailer is provided between the pair of resilient skirts, and wherein each said resilient support is flexible inwards when under load to allow temporary deflection of a bottom portion of the skirt, such that the resilient support and the skirt flex in a substantially common orientation when under load. 56. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 55, wherein each skirt includes a lower portion to which the lower portion of each flexible support is fastened. 57. The resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly according to claim 56, wherein at least one of the resilient supports is configured to secure the skirt to the trailer.
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