IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0375728
(2013-01-30)
|
등록번호 |
US-9481406
(2016-11-01)
|
우선권정보 |
GB-1201561.6 (2012-01-30) |
국제출원번호 |
PCT/GB2013/050196
(2013-01-30)
|
국제공개번호 |
WO2013/114101
(2013-08-08)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
12 |
초록
A drag reduction device for a truck, comprising a vortex generator. The drag reduction device is arranged to cooperate with a front portion of the truck such that, in use, the vortex generator generates a vortex which is capable of suppressing a wake formed along a side of the truck.
대표청구항
▼
1. A drag reduction device for a truck, the drag reduction device comprising: a vortex generator including: a vortex generating vane defined by a front exposed edge, a rear exposed edge, a lower vortex generating exposed edge and an upper vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the lower vortex gene
1. A drag reduction device for a truck, the drag reduction device comprising: a vortex generator including: a vortex generating vane defined by a front exposed edge, a rear exposed edge, a lower vortex generating exposed edge and an upper vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the lower vortex generating exposed edge is defined by a first portion and a second portion, wherein the vortex generating vane comprises a leading portion and a trailing portion, wherein the leading portion is defined by the front exposed edge and the first portion of the lower vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the trailing portion is defined by the rear exposed edge, the second portion of the lower vortex generating exposed edge and the upper vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the leading portion is profiled to direct flow over the trailing portion, wherein the trailing portion is substantially planar, wherein the drag reduction device is arranged to cooperate with a front portion of the truck such that the trailing portion extends in a substantially longitudinal direction of the truck, with the lower vortex generating exposed edge being disposed below a bumper of the truck so that, in use, the lower vortex generating exposed edge generates a vortex below the bumper of the truck which rotates about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the truck, thereby suppressing a wake formed along a side of the truck. 2. The drag reduction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drag reduction device is arranged to cooperate with the truck such that the vortex generator generates the vortex outboard of the truck. 3. The drag reduction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drag reduction device is arranged to cooperate with the truck such that the vortex generator generates the vortex in front of a front wheel of the truck which is capable of suppressing a wake of the front wheel. 4. The drag reduction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trailing portion of the drag reduction device extends to a position which is adjacent a front wheel arch of the truck. 5. The drag reduction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trailing portion of the drag reduction device is at least 10 cm and not more than 100 cm in length. 6. The drag reduction device as claimed in claim 1, further including a coupling for coupling the drag reduction device to the truck. 7. The drag reduction device as claimed in claim 1, further including a turning vane that extends substantially perpendicularly from the leading portion of the vortex generating vane, wherein the drag reduction device is arranged to cooperate with the truck such that the turning vane directs flow around a front corner of the truck to inhibit flow separation from the corner of the truck. 8. The drag reduction device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the drag reduction device is transparent or translucent. 9. The drag reduction device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the drag reduction device is arranged to cooperate with the truck such that an indicator light provided on the truck is visible through the translucent/transparent portion of the device. 10. An assembly, comprising: a vehicle; andat least one drag reduction device as claimed in claim 1 attached to the vehicle. 11. The assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one drag reduction device includes two drag reduction devices attached to the vehicle, wherein the two drag reduction devices are arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle. 12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one drag reduction device is a portion of a drag reducing kit, wherein the drag reducing kit further includes at least one further drag reduction device arranged on: an underside of the vehicle,a cabin turning vane of the vehicle,a mirror fairing of the vehicle,a spoiler which is arranged to cooperate with a front lower peripheral edge of the vehicle,a wheel arch extension of the vehicle,a roof spoiler of the vehicle,a cabin deflector of the vehicle, anda wheel arch panel of the vehicle. 13. A method of operating the assembly of claim 10, comprising: moving the vehicle over a predetermined distance such that the vortex generator of claim 1 generates a vortex. 14. A drag reduction device for a truck, the drag reduction device comprising: a vortex generator, the vortex generator having a vortex generating vane; wherein the vortex generating vane comprises a leading portion and a trailing portion which define a vortex generating edge, the leading portion being profiled to direct flow over the trailing portion and the trailing portion being substantially planar; and wherein the drag reduction device is arranged to cooperate with a front portion of the truck such that the trailing portion extends in a substantially longitudinal direction of the truck, with the vortex generating edge being disposed below the front portion of the truck so that, in use, the vortex generating edge generates a vortex below a body of the truck which rotates about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the truck, thereby suppressing a wake formed along a side of the truck;wherein at least a portion of the drag reduction device is transparent or translucent; and wherein the drag reduction device is arranged to cooperate with the truck such that an indicator light provided on the truck is visible through the translucent/transparent portion of the device. 15. An apparatus, comprising: a drag reduction device including a vortex generator defined by a vortex generating vane, wherein the vortex generating vane is defined by a front exposed edge, a rear exposed edge, a lower vortex generating exposed edge and an upper vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the lower vortex generating exposed edge is defined by a first portion and a second portion, wherein the vortex generating vane is further defined by a leading portion, anda trailing portion, wherein the leading portion is defined by the front exposed edge and the first portion of the lower vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the trailing portion is defined by the rear exposed edge, the second portion of the lower vortex generating exposed edge and the upper vortex generating exposed edge. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the leading portion is profiled to direct air flow over the trailing portion, wherein an outer surface of the leading portion is defined by a convex surface, wherein an outer surface of the trailing portion is defined by a substantially planar surface. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a turning vane that extends substantially perpendicularly from the leading portion of the vortex generating vane. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: a coupling, wherein the coupling extends from an upper panel of the turning vane, wherein the vortex generating vane extends from a lower panel of the turning vane. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the upper panel of the turning vane is transparent or translucent. 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the trailing portion of the drag reduction device is at least 10 cm and not more than 100 cm in length. 21. An assembly, comprising: a vehicle; andat least one drag reduction device attached to the vehicle, wherein the at least one drag reduction device includes a vortex generator defined by a vortex generating vane, wherein the vortex generating vane is defined by a front exposed edge, a rear exposed edge, a lower vortex generating exposed edge and an upper vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the lower vortex generating exposed edge is defined by a first portion and a second portion, wherein the vortex generating vane is defined by a leading portion, anda trailing portion, wherein the leading portion is defined by the front exposed edge and the first portion of the lower vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the trailing portion is defined by the rear exposed edge, the second portion of the lower vortex generating exposed edge and the upper vortex generating exposed edge. 22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the leading portion is profiled to direct air flow over the trailing portion, wherein an outer surface of the leading portion is defined by a convex surface, wherein an outer surface of the trailing portion is defined by a substantially planar surface. 23. The assembly of claim 21, further comprising: a turning vane that extends substantially perpendicularly from the leading portion of the vortex generating vane. 24. The assembly of claim 23, further comprising: a coupling, wherein the coupling extends from an upper panel of the turning vane, wherein the vortex generating vane extends from a lower panel of the turning vane. 25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the upper panel of the turning vane is transparent or translucent. 26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the transparent or translucent upper panel of the turning vane is arranged over an indicator light of the vehicle. 27. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the turning vane is arranged over a front corner of the vehicle. 28. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the trailing portion of the at least one drag reduction device is at least 10 cm and not more than 100 cm in length. 29. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the at least one drag reduction device includes at least two drag reduction devices, wherein the two drag reduction devices are arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle. 30. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the at least one drag reduction device is a portion of a drag reducing kit, wherein the drag reducing kit further includes at least one further drag reduction device arranged on: an underside of the vehicle,a cabin turning vane of the vehicle,a mirror fairing of the vehicle,a spoiler that is arranged to cooperate with a front lower peripheral edge of the vehicle,a wheel arch extension of the vehicle,a roof spoiler of the vehicle,a cabin deflector of the vehicle, anda wheel arch panel of the vehicle. 31. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the trailing portion of the vortex generating vane extends to a position that is adjacent a front wheel arch of the vehicle. 32. A method of utilizing a vehicle and at least one drag reduction device attached to the vehicle, wherein the at least one drag reduction device includes a vortex generator defined by a vortex generating vane, wherein the vortex generating vane is defined by a front exposed edge, a rear exposed edge, a lower vortex generating exposed edge and an upper vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the lower vortex generating exposed edge is defined by a first portion and a second portion, wherein the vortex generating vane is defined by a leading portion, and a trailing portion, wherein the leading portion is defined by the front exposed edge and the first portion of the lower vortex generating exposed edge, wherein the trailing portion is defined by the rear exposed edge, the second portion of the lower vortex generating exposed edge and the upper vortex generating exposed edge, the method comprising: moving the vehicle over a predetermined distance; andutilizing the vortex generator of the at least one drag reduction device of for generating a vortex. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising: arranging the at least one drag reduction device over the vehicle such that the trailing portion of the vortex generating vane of the vortex generator extends in a substantially longitudinal direction over the vehicle. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the arranging step further includes: arranging at least one of the upper vortex generating exposed edge and the lower vortex generating exposed edge below a bumper of the vehicle for generating the vortex below the bumper of the vehicle that rotates about an axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle for suppressing a wake formed along a side of the vehicle. 35. The method of claim 33, wherein the arranging step further includes: arranging at least one of the upper vortex generating exposed edge and the lower vortex generating exposed edge below a bumper of the vehicle for generating the vortex outboard of the vehicle. 36. The method of claim 33, wherein the arranging step further includes: arranging at least one of the upper vortex generating exposed edge and the lower vortex generating exposed edge below a bumper of the vehicle for generating the vortex in front of a front wheel of the vehicle for suppressing a wake of the front wheel.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.