초록 ▼

An aerodynamic device for a trailer includes an inflatable member coupled to a rear wall on a trailer adapted to inflate rearwardly therefrom to reduce drag as the trailer is towed forwardly. The aerodynamic device further includes an air intake scoop mounted beneath the rear wall of the trailer in

An aerodynamic device for a trailer includes an inflatable member coupled to a rear wall on a trailer adapted to inflate rearwardly therefrom to reduce drag as the trailer is towed forwardly. The aerodynamic device further includes an air intake scoop mounted beneath the rear wall of the trailer in fluid communication the inflatable member for filling the inflatable member with air as the trailer moves forward.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An aerodynamic device for a trailer comprising: an inflatable member coupled to a rear wall on a trailer adapted to inflate rearwardly therefrom to reduce drag as the trailer is towed forwardly, wherein the inflatable member includes two complementary inflatable sections having a generally hemisp

1. An aerodynamic device for a trailer comprising: an inflatable member coupled to a rear wall on a trailer adapted to inflate rearwardly therefrom to reduce drag as the trailer is towed forwardly, wherein the inflatable member includes two complementary inflatable sections having a generally hemispheric shape in an inflated position when viewed from above, and the two sections meeting at a rearmost teardrop shaped tip at the midline of the trailer;an air intake scoop mounted to the trailer beneath the rear wall and in fluid communication with the inflatable member for filling the inflatable member with air as the trailer moves forward; andwherein the air intake scoop includes a single inlet and a single outlet. 2. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the single inlet faces the forward direction of trailer movement; andwherein the single outlet faces a direction different than that of the inlet;wherein each the inlet and outlet permit air to flow therethrough. 3. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, the air intake scoop comprising: a longitudinally extending first wall below a bottom wall on the trailer having a forward end terminating rearwardly from a set of rear tires on the trailer;an air passageway defined between first wall and the bottom wall on the trailer; andwherein the single outlet is coupled to an air inlet on the inflatable member. 4. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, the air intake scoop comprising: a generally vertical back wall connected to a longitudinally extending first wall below a bottom wall on the trailer, wherein the back wall urges air upwardly into the inflatable member as the trailer moves forward. 5. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, the air intake scoop comprising: a back wall for guiding air into the inflatable member coupled to the trailer and configured to expose a set of brake lights on the trailer. 6. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, further comprising: a union coupling an inlet to the inflatable member coupled to an outlet on the air intake scoop; andsaid union positioned adjacent a bumper on the trailer including an unhindered sightline to a set of taillights on the bumper when viewed from the rear. 7. The aerodynamic device of claim 2, wherein the single outlet is horizontally aligned to direct moving air upwardly into the inflatable member, and the single outlet positioned entirely between taillights on the trailer. 8. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the air intake scoop is entirely between a set of rear wheels on the trailer. 9. The aerodynamic device of claim 1, wherein the single inlet on the air intake scoop is disposed rearwardly from a set of rear wheels on the trailer. 10. An air intake scoop mounted beneath a trailer adjacent a rear bumper to inflate a drag reducing inflatable member as the trailer moves forward through the air stream, wherein the inflatable member includes two complementary inflatable sections having a generally hemispheric shape in an inflated position when viewed from above, and the two sections meeting at a rearmost teardrop shaped tip at the midline of the trailer, the intake scoop comprising: an inlet allowing airflow therethrough as the trailer moves forward, said inlet aligned generally vertical and said inlet positioned entirely rearward from a set of rear tires on the trailer when viewed from the side, and said inlet positioned entirely between the set of rear tires when viewed from the rear; andan outlet allowing airflow therefrom as the trailer moves forward, said outlet aligned generally horizontal, when viewed from the side, to guide air upwardly as air leaves the outlet. 11. The air intake scoop of claim 10, further comprising: a generally L-shaped air passageway defined by a first leg generally aligned longitudinal with a bottom of the trailer and a second leg generally aligned vertical with a rear wall on the trailer. 12. The air intake scoop of claim 10, further comprising: a first wall including a generally smooth aerodynamic profile extending from a first end forward of the bumper to the a second end rearward of the bumper. 13. The air intake scoop of claim 10, wherein the outlet is positioned adjacent the bumper of the trailer permitting a set of taillights formed in the bumper to be visible when viewed from the rear. 14. The air intake scoop of claim 10, further comprising: a generally vertical back wall configured to guide air upwardly into a chamber in the inflatable member as the trailer moves forward. 15. A method of inflating an aerodynamic device comprising the steps of: mounting an air intake scoop beneath a trailer towed by a vehicle, the air intake scoop positioned rearward from a set of rear trailer wheels the scoop in fluid communication with an inflatable member coupled to the rear wall of the trailer; andmoving air through the intake scoop and into the inflatable member, wherein the inflatable member includes two complementary inflatable sections having a generally hemispheric shape in an inflated position when viewed from above, and the two sections meeting at a rearmost teardrop shaped tip at the midline of the trailer. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of moving air through the intake scoop is accomplished by moving the trailer forward causing air to flow into an inlet on the air intake scoop. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: deflating the inflatable member by moving air from within the inflatable member outwardly through the air intake scoop. 18. An aerodynamic device for a trailer comprising: an inflatable member coupled to a rear wall on a trailer adapted to inflate rearwardly therefrom to reduce drag as the trailer is towed forwardly, wherein the inflatable member includes two complementary inflatable sections having a generally hemispheric shape in an inflated position when viewed from above, and the two sections meeting at a rearmost teardrop shaped tip at the midline of the trailer;an air intake scoop mounted to the trailer beneath the rear wall and in fluid communication with the inflatable member for filling the inflatable member with air as the trailer moves forward; and wherein the air intake scoop includes a single inlet and a single outlet. a first flexible curvilinear wall partially defining a first air chamber;a forward end on the first curvilinear wall generally coplanar with a first sidewall on the trailer, and the curvilinear wall arcuately extending toward a midline on the trailer; anda rearmost teardrop shaped tip at the midline of the trailer configured to reduce drag when the inflatable member is fully inflated. 19. The aerodynamic device of claim 18, further comprising: a second flexible curvilinear wall spaced apart oppositely and complementary to the first curvilinear wall, the second wall partially defining a second air chamber; anda forward end on the second curvilinear wall generally coplanar with a second sidewall on the trailer spaced apart and parallel to the first sidewall, and the curvilinear wall arcuately extending toward the rearmost teardrop shaped tip at the midline of the trailer.