Abstract: Fairings described herein aim to direct air streams into a gap formed between first a vehicle and a trailing vehicle, such as in a tractor-trailer combination, to reduce low pressure wake regions near the rear surface of the first vehicle thereby reducing drag forces on the vehicles. One or more embodiments of the fairings disclosed herein further aim to accelerate air streams such that the air streams travel quickly across the gap thereby reducing pressure forces on a front surface of a trailing vehicle. In some embodiments, the angle of the fairing relative to a surface of the vehicle is adjustable.

Abstract: A system for managing airflow around the wheels of a vehicle, and in particular, around dual wheels of trailers typically pulled by Class 8 trucks, is provided. In certain embodiments, a wedge-shaped airflow diverter is provided that reduces drag on the wheels of a trailer pulled by a truck, and thereby improves the overall efficiency of the truck-trailer combination with regard to aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

Abstract: A vehicle interior cooling system (200) for a vehicle having a cabin (208) and an engine (207) for providing propulsion power generally includes a first cabin cooling system (202) driven by the engine of the vehicle having a first condenser (214). The vehicle interior cooling system also generally includes a second cabin cooling system (203) driven by electrical power having a cold storage device (210) and a second condenser (232), with the first condenser and the second condenser being in an airflow line (260). The second cabin cooling system selectively thermally charges the cold storage device when the engine is in an on position. The second cabin cooling system is also selectable to thermally cool the cabin when the engine is in an off position and selectable to thermally cool the cabin when the engine is in the on position.

Abstract: A headlight housing (10) is provided. The housing is adapted to be mounted upon a vehicle, the vehicle adapted to ride upon a ground surface (20). The housing includes a front section (12) adapted to emit light from a headlight (24). The housing also includes a top surface (14) of a substantially constant width extending aft of a top edge (11) of the front section, wherein the top surface is oriented substantially parallel with the ground surface when mounted upon the vehicle in an illuminating position. The housing further includes a bottom surface (16) of a substantially constant width extending aft of a bottom edge (34) of the front surface, wherein the bottom surface approaches the top surface as the top and bottom surfaces extend aft to taper a height of the housing. The method of positioning a headlight housing in an aerodynamic position is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicular airflow control device (10 and 100). The control device includes a deflector panel (12 and 112) adapted to be disposed on a front section (14) of a vehicle to selectively control airflow about the front section of the vehicle. The control device further includes an actuator assembly (28 and 128) coupled to the deflector panel for linearly moving the deflector panel, such as in vertical direction and/or a fore and aft direction, and rotating the deflector panel. Preferably, the deflector panel is adjustable while the vehicle is moving. A method of controlling a position of a deflector panel disposed on a front section of a vehicle. The method includes sensing a speed of the vehicle and automatically adjusting a position of the deflector panel relative to the vehicle based upon the sensed speed of the vehicle.