IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0507183
(2014-10-06)
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등록번호 |
US-9637182
(2017-05-02)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Wayburn, Lewis S.
- Tuel, Stephen M.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
45 |
초록
▼
A drag reduction assembly is mountable on a vehicle or other object experiencing relative motion in a fluid environment. The assembly comprises at least one shell of flexible web material movable between non-deployed and deployed positions. In addition, the shell is configured to provide at least an
A drag reduction assembly is mountable on a vehicle or other object experiencing relative motion in a fluid environment. The assembly comprises at least one shell of flexible web material movable between non-deployed and deployed positions. In addition, the shell is configured to provide at least an outer flow surface in the deployed position (e.g., a curved surface) to reduce the effects of aerodynamic drag. In many embodiments, intake apertures such as NACA ducts may be provided to allow a portion of the flowing fluid into the shell. The flowing fluid will cause the shell to assume automatically the deployed position. In cases where fluid enters the shell, an exit location is provided in the shell to permit such fluid to exit and rejoin fluid on the outside.
대표청구항
▼
1. A drag reduction assembly mountable on a vehicle, said assembly comprising: at least one shell of flexible web material, said at least one shell being connectable to the vehicle to be movable between non-deployed and deployed positions;said at least one shell being configured to provide an inner
1. A drag reduction assembly mountable on a vehicle, said assembly comprising: at least one shell of flexible web material, said at least one shell being connectable to the vehicle to be movable between non-deployed and deployed positions;said at least one shell being configured to provide an inner flow surface and an outer flow surface in the deployed position along which air flows as the vehicle experiences relative motion with respect thereto;said drag reduction assembly further defining at least one intake aperture through which a portion of the moving air will enter and flow along said inner flow surface, another portion of the moving air flowing in parallel thereto along said outer flow surface; andsaid drag reduction assembly further defining an air exit location at which the portion of the moving air flowing along the inner flow surface of said at least one shell will flow out at said exit location so as to exit said at least one shell such that the air flowing along the inner flow surface and the air flowing along the outer flow surface facilitates maintaining said at least one shell in the deployed position,wherein said at least one shell comprises a plurality of battens that are rigid or semirigid. 2. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising rigid first and second mounting structures attachable to side surfaces of the vehicle, said at least one shell being connected to the vehicle via said first and second mounting structures. 3. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said first and second mounting structures defines a plurality of said intake apertures. 4. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said intake apertures are configured as NACA ducts. 5. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said at least one shell comprises an integral shell connected to both of said first and second mounting structures. 6. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said integral shell comprises fluid impermeable material and fluid permeable material in different areas thereof. 7. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein said exit location of said at least one shell comprises said fluid permeable material. 8. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said at least one shell comprises first and second shells associated with respective sides of the vehicle. 9. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one shell comprises an outside layer and an inside layer, said outer flow surface being an outside surface of said outside layer and said inner flow surface being an inside surface of said outside layer. 10. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one shell comprises an inward curvature in the deployed position. 11. A drag reduction assembly mountable on a vehicle, said assembly comprising: at least one shell of flexible web material, said at least one shell being connectable to the vehicle to be movable between non-deployed and deployed positions;said at least shell being configured to provide an inner flow surface and an outer flow surface in the deployed position along which air flows as the vehicle experiences relative motion with respect thereto;said drag reduction assembly further defining at least one intake aperture through which a portion of the moving air will enter and flow along said inner flow surface, other air flowing along said outer flow surface; andsaid drag reduction assembly further defining an air exit location at which the portion of the moving air which entered said at least one shell will exit said at least one shell;wherein said at least one shell comprises at least one cross-breeze relief vent. 12. A drag reduction assembly for an object experiencing relative motion in a fluid environment, said assembly comprising: first and second shells of flexible web material associated with respective sides of the object, said first and second shells each being movable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position;in said deployed position, said shells each defining a curved outer flow surface along which fluid will flow so as to reduce drag experienced by said object; andsaid shells being connectable to said object such that flow of said fluid at least in part along said outer flow surface will cause said shells to deploy through fluid dynamic effects. 13. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 12, further comprising rigid first and second mounting structures attachable to said object at which a respective leading edge of said first and second shells is connected. 14. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 13, wherein said shells each comprise a plurality of support members that facilitate maintaining shape of said shell in said deployed position. 15. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein said shells each comprise an unsupported web portion immediately distal of said leading edge that facilitates opening of said shell into said deployed position. 16. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein said plurality of support members include elongate battens carried by said shell, said battens extending longitudinally between a first proximal location closer to but separated from said leading edge of said shell to a second distal location farther from said leading edge of said shell. 17. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein at least some of said battens are carried by respective horizontal buttresses. 18. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 13, further defining at least one intake aperture through which a portion of the fluid will enter and flow along an inner flow surface of said first and second shells. 19. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 18, wherein each of said first and second mounting structure defines a plurality of said intake apertures. 20. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 19, wherein said intake apertures are configured as NACA ducts. 21. A drag reduction assembly as set forth in claim 18, wherein said shells each comprise an outside layer and an inside layer, said outer flow surface being an outside surface of said outside layer and said inner flow surface being an inside surface of said outside layer.
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