Directed air systems for improving aerodynamics of a vehicle
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B60H-001/00
B60H-003/00
출원번호
US-0309379
(2011-12-01)
등록번호
US-8950534
(2015-02-10)
발명자
/ 주소
Smith, Jeffrey P.
출원인 / 주소
PACCAR Inc
대리인 / 주소
Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
12
초록▼
Systems and methods are disclosed for improving the aerodynamic efficiency (e.g., reduce drag) on vehicles, such as class 8 tractors. In some disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize exhausted gases from an internal combustion engine of the vehicle to direct a stream of gas forwardly of t
Systems and methods are disclosed for improving the aerodynamic efficiency (e.g., reduce drag) on vehicles, such as class 8 tractors. In some disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize exhausted gases from an internal combustion engine of the vehicle to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle. In other disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize generated air flow from, for example, electric fans, engine driven or pneumatically/hydraulically driven pumps, etc., to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle for reducing the aerodynamic drag on vehicles. In yet other disclosed examples, the systems and methods utilize a unique configuration of the vehicle's radiator fan(s) in order to direct a stream of gas forwardly of the vehicle.
대표청구항▼
1. A vehicle comprising: a front section; anda directed gas generation unit configured to generate a stream of pressurized gas and to selectively direct the stream of pressurized gas to a forwardly-facing discharge port and a vehicle venting component such that any portion of the stream of pressuriz
1. A vehicle comprising: a front section; anda directed gas generation unit configured to generate a stream of pressurized gas and to selectively direct the stream of pressurized gas to a forwardly-facing discharge port and a vehicle venting component such that any portion of the stream of pressurized gas not directed to the forwardly-facing discharge port is directed to the vehicle venting component for venting to atmosphere, wherein the forwardly-facing discharge port faces forwardly of the front section, outwardly of the vehicle, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;wherein the directed gas generation unit is further configured to: direct the stream of pressurized gas out of the forwardly-facing discharge port as the vehicle is moving forwardly in response to a speed or acceleration of the vehicle being greater than a threshold, wherein the threshold is one of a preselected vehicle speed and a preselected vehicle acceleration, anddiscontinue the stream of pressurized gas out of the forwardly-facing discharge port in response to the speed or acceleration of the vehicle being less than the threshold. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the forwardly-facing discharge port includes a duct having a flared bell mouth. 3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the directed gas generation unit includes: a source of pressurized gas; andpiping structure defining an inlet and the forwardly-facing discharge port, the inlet being connected in fluid communication with the source of pressurized gas to receive pressurized gas therefrom. 4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the source of pressurized gas is an internal combustion engine, and wherein the inlet of the piping structure is connected in fluid communication with the exhaust system component of the internal combustion engine. 5. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the source of pressurized gas is selected from a group consisting of an electric pump, an electric fan, a mechanically driven fan, mechanically driven pump, a pneumatically driven pump, and a hydraulically driven pump. 6. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising at least one valve positioned between the inlet and the forwardly-facing discharge port of the piping structure, the at least one valve capable of selectively supplying the stream of pressurized gas to the forwardly-facing discharge port. 7. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a controller operably connected to the at least one valve, the controller capable of controlling the operation of the at least one valve. 8. The vehicle of claim 7, further including at least one sensor connected in communication with the controller, the sensor capable of generating a signal indicative of the speed or acceleration of the vehicle, the controller configured to control the at least one valve in response to the signal generated by the sensor. 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a group consisting of a speed sensor, a throttle position sensor, and an accelerometer. 10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front end includes: an engine compartment; anda grille mounted in front of the engine;wherein the directed gas generation unit comprises an engine mounted in the engine compartment and coupled to the forwardly-facing discharge port, and wherein the forwardly-facing discharge port is configured to direct the stream of pressurized gas forwardly of the grille. 11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front end includes: an engine compartment; andan engine mounted in the engine compartment;wherein the directed gas generation unit comprises one of an electric pump, an electric fan, a mechanically driven fan, mechanically driven pump, a pneumatically driven pump, and a hydraulically driven pump. 12. A method of reducing drag on a vehicle, the vehicle having a front section, the method comprising: generating a stream of pressurized gas;selectively directing the stream of pressurized gas to one or more of a vehicle venting component and a forwardly-facing discharge port such that any portion of the stream of pressurized gas not directed to the forwardly-facing discharge port is directed to the vehicle venting component, wherein the forwardly-facing discharge port faces forwardly of the front section, outwardly of the vehicle, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;directing the stream of pressurized gas out of the forwardly-facing discharge port as the vehicle is moving forwardly in response to a speed or acceleration of the vehicle being greater than a threshold, wherein the threshold is one of a preselected vehicle speed and a preselected vehicle acceleration; anddiscontinuing the stream of pressurized gas out of the forwardly-facing discharge port in response to the speed or acceleration of the vehicle being less than the threshold. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the stream of pressurized gas is generated by an internal combustion engine. 14. The vehicle of claim 8, further including a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of vehicle braking, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one valve in order to discontinue the stream of pressurized gas out of the forwardly-facing discharge port in response to the sensor generating the signal indicative of vehicle braking. 15. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a controller operably associated with the directed gas generation unit; andat least one sensor in communication with the controller, the at least one sensor capable of generating a signal indicative of the speed or acceleration of the vehicle, the controller configured to selectively direct the stream of pressurized gas to the one or more of the vehicle venting component or the forwardly-facing discharge port in response to the signal generated by the sensor. 16. A vehicle comprising: a front section;means for generating a stream of pressurized gas; andmeans for selectively directing the stream of pressurized gas to one or more of an exhaust system component and a forwardly-facing discharge port as the vehicle is moving forwardly such that any portion of the stream of pressurized gas not directed to the forwardly-facing discharge port is directed to the exhaust system component, wherein the forwardly-facing discharge port faces forwardly of the front section, outwardly of the vehicle, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and wherein: in response to attainment of one or more preselected vehicle operating conditions, the means for selectively directing the stream of pressurized gas is configured to direct the stream of pressurized gas to the forwardly-facing discharge port, wherein the preselected vehicle operation condition includes one of vehicle braking, a vehicle acceleration threshold value, and a vehicle speed threshold value, andin response to falling below the one or more preselected vehicle operating conditions, the means for selectively directing the stream of pressurized gas is configured to direct the stream of pressurized gas to the exhaust system component. 17. The vehicle of claim 16, where the one or more preselected vehicle operating conditions includes two or more preselected vehicle operating conditions.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (12)
Bonutti, Peter M., Active drag and thrust modulation system and method.
Bassett David A. (1708 Corwin Dr. Silver Spring MD 20910) Bassett Marlin R. (2665 Fisher Rd. Warsaw NY 14569) Schroeder John C. (2287 Shawnee Trail Okemos MI 48864-2527), Method and apparatus for reducing drag on a moving body.
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