Optimizing jets for wake control of ground vehicles
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B62D-035/00
B62D-037/02
출원번호
US-0938910
(2015-11-12)
등록번호
US-9586632
(2017-03-07)
발명자
/ 주소
Barsotti, Domenic
Boetcher, Sandra
출원인 / 주소
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
7
초록▼
A system of wake control for a ground vehicle to help promote increased fuel efficiencies of the ground vehicle by modifying an air flow wake generated during the movement of the vehicle in a forward direction. The system includes at least one slot jet configured to be located along a rear profile p
A system of wake control for a ground vehicle to help promote increased fuel efficiencies of the ground vehicle by modifying an air flow wake generated during the movement of the vehicle in a forward direction. The system includes at least one slot jet configured to be located along a rear profile portion of the ground vehicle. The at least one slot jet is configured to provide a continuous flow of air at a non-zero velocity when the ground vehicle is moving in a forward direction, the non-zero velocity being at least partially directed in a rearward direction with an output velocity less than a velocity at which the ground vehicle is moving in the forward direction, but sufficient to modify the air flow wake generated by the movement of the ground vehicle in the forward direction.
대표청구항▼
1. A system of wake control for a passenger ground vehicle to help promote increased fuel efficiencies of the ground vehicle, comprising: at least one slot jet comprising an inlet and an outlet located along a rear profile portion of a body of the ground vehicle, the rear profile portion of the grou
1. A system of wake control for a passenger ground vehicle to help promote increased fuel efficiencies of the ground vehicle, comprising: at least one slot jet comprising an inlet and an outlet located along a rear profile portion of a body of the ground vehicle, the rear profile portion of the ground vehicle comprising a substantially vertical portion and a slant surface extending at least partially between the substantially vertical portion and a top portion of the body of the ground vehicle, the outlet of the at least one slot jet extending at least partially along the slant surface of the rear profile portion of the body of the ground vehicle, and wherein the inlet of the at least one slot jet extends at least partially along the body of the ground vehicle and is arranged substantially adjacent a bottom surface of the ground vehicle;wherein the outlet of the at least one jet provides a substantially continuous flow of air at a non-zero velocity when the ground vehicle is moving in a forward direction, the non-zero velocity flow of air being at least partially directed in a rearward direction with an output velocity less than a velocity at which the ground vehicle is moving in the forward direction, but sufficient to modify an air flow wake generated by the ground vehicle moving in the forward direction, andwherein the outlet of the at least one slot jet is configured to direct the flow of air at an initial angle substantially parallel with the slant surface of the rear profile of the ground vehicle. 2. The system of wake control of claim 1, further comprising: at least additional one slot jet having an outlet configured to direct a flow of air at an initial angle substantially perpendicular to the rear of the ground vehicle. 3. A passenger ground vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body comprising a top portion and a rear profile portion substantially adjacent the top portion, the rear profile portion comprising a generally vertical portion and a slant surface between the generally vertical portion and the top portion of the vehicle body; anda plurality of slot jets arranged along the vehicle body, the slot jets comprising at least one top slot jet positioned above a center horizontal plane of the vehicle body, and at least one bottom slot jet positioned below the center horizontal plane of the vehicle body,wherein each of the plurality of slot jets is configured to provide a substantially continuous flow of air at a non-zero velocity therethrough when the vehicle is moving in a forward direction, the non-zero velocity of the flow of air from each of the slot jets being at least partially directed in a rearward direction with an output velocity less than a velocity at which the ground vehicle is moving in the forward direction, but sufficient to modify an air flow wake generated by the movement of the ground vehicle in the forward direction, andwherein a degree of a discharge angle of the flow of air from the at least one top slot jet is angled below the central horizontal plane and is substantially equal to a degree to which a discharge angle of the flow of air from the bottom slot jet is angled above the horizontal. 4. A passenger ground vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body comprising a top portion and a rear profile portion substantially adjacent the top portion, the rear profile portion comprising a generally vertical portion and a slant surface between the generally vertical portion and the top portion of the vehicle body; anda plurality of slot jets arranged along the vehicle body, the slot jets comprising at least one top slot jet positioned above a center horizontal plane of the vehicle body, and at least one bottom slot jet positioned below the center horizontal plane of the vehicle body,wherein each of the plurality of slot jets is configured to provide a substantially continuous flow of air at a non-zero velocity therethrough when the vehicle is moving in a forward direction, the non-zero velocity of the flow of air from each of the slot jets being at least partially directed in a rearward direction with an output velocity less than a velocity at which the ground vehicle is moving in the forward direction, but sufficient to modify an air flow wake generated by the movement of the ground vehicle in the forward direction,wherein a degree of a discharge angle of the flow of air from the top jet is angled below the center horizontal plane and is substantially equal to a degree to which a discharge angle of the flow of air from the bottom slot jet is angled above the horizontal; andwherein the discharge angle of the top slot jet is configured to be substantially parallel with a slant surface of a portion of the rear of the ground vehicle. 5. The system of wake control of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of slot jets, wherein each slot jet of the plurality of slot jets emits air with substantially the same speed. 6. The system of wake control of claim 1, wherein the flow of air from the at least one slot jet is the result of a passive pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of the at least one slot jet. 7. A ground vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body having a substantially horizontal top surface, a substantially vertical rear face and a slant surface extending at least indirectly between the top surface and the vertical rear face, the slant surface declined at a slant angle of a to the horizontal;a plurality of slot jets configured to provide a substantially continuous flow of air in a direction and at a speed sufficient to substantially disrupt an air flow wake created by movement of the vehicle body in a forward direction, wherein an initial speed of the flow of air from the plurality of slot jets is less than a speed of the vehicle body moving in the forward direction, and wherein the plurality of slot jets comprises:a first slot jet positioned along the slant surface of the vehicle body and configured to discharge air in an initial discharge direction substantially parallel with the slant surface, anda second slot jet positioned on the substantially vertical rear face of the vehicle body and configured to discharge air at an initial discharge angle substantially equal and opposite to the discharge direction of the first slot jet relative to the horizontal. 8. The ground vehicle of claim 7, wherein each slot jet of the plurality of slot jets is sized, positioned, and configured to discharge a flow of air at initial angle such that the plurality of slot jets provide a balanced flow of air to optimize reduction in drag. 9. The ground vehicle of claim 7, wherein a size, position and initial discharge angle slot jets of the plurality of slot jets is balanced with respect to the size, position and initial discharge angle of other ones of the plurality of slot jets so as to generate at least partially opposing flows of air introduced into the airflow wake of the vehicle body sufficient to provide a total net drag reduction of at least about 16%. 10. A ground vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body having a substantially horizontal top surface, a substantially vertical rear face and a slant surface extending at least indirectly between the top surface and the vertical rear face, the slant surface declined at a slant angle of a to the horizontal;a plurality of slot jets configured to provide a substantially continuous flow of air in a direction and at a speed sufficient to substantially disrupt an air flow wake created by movement of the vehicle body in a forward direction, wherein an initial speed of the flow of air from the plurality of slot jets is less than a speed of the vehicle body moving in the forward direction, andwherein the plurality of slot jets comprises:a first slot jet positioned on the slant surface and configured to discharge air at an initial angle substantially perpendicular to the slant surface,a second slot jet positioned on the rear face and configured to discharge air in an initial discharge direction substantially parallel with the slant surface, anda third slot jet positioned on the rear face and configured to discharge air at an initial discharge angle substantially equal and opposite to the discharge direction of the second slot jet relative to the horizontal. 11. The ground vehicle of claim 7, wherein the flow of air is passively created, and at least one slot jet of the plurality of slot jets has an inlet positioned within a wheel well of the vehicle. 12. A method of increasing the fuel efficiency of a ground vehicle, comprising: reducing the drag on the ground vehicle at speeds above 45 mph, where the ground vehicle includes a vehicle body having a rear portion that includes a substantially horizontal top surface, a substantially vertical rear face, and a slant surface extending at least indirectly between the top surface and the vertical rear face, the slant surface declined at a slant angle of α to the horizontal, and wherein reducing drag comprises: locating a first slot jet along the slant surface;locating a second slot jet along the vertical rear face;generating a substantially continuous flow of air from the first and second jets, and directing the flow of air from the first slot jet rearwardly and at an angle substantially perpendicular to the slant surface and directing the flow of air from the second jet rearwardly and in a direction;wherein the substantially continuous flows of air from the first and second jets are output at a velocity balanced against a size and the location of the slot jets sufficient to create an optimal drag reduction for the configuration of the vehicle body. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second slot jet directs the flow of air in a direction parallel with the slant surface. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein reducing drag further comprises: generating a flow of air from a third slot jet, the third slot jet located on the vertical rear face below the second slot jet. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the flow of air from the third slot jet is directed at a discharge angle with an upward vertical component. 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: optimizing drag reduction by providing at least one additional slot jet and balancing air flows introduced into an air flow wake created by movement of the vehicle between the first slot jet and the at least one additional slot jet.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Dorsch Robert Eugene (South Bend IN), Air deflector for tractor-trailer vehicle.
Geropp Dieter (Wilnsdorf/Obersdorf DEX), Process and device for reducing the drag in the rear region of a vehicle, for example, a road or rail vehicle or the lik.
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