Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having a fore portion, an aft portion, and an underbody portion. The vehicle additionally includes a panel pivotably coupled to the underbody portion proximate the aft portion of the body. The panel has a fore edge and an aft edge and is pivotable about the fore edge. The panel is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position the aft edge is spaced a first distance from a driving surface and in the deployed position the aft edge is spaced a second distance from the driving surface. The second distanced is less than the first distance. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator configured to move the panel between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to satisfaction of an operating condition.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having a fore portion, an aft portion, and an underbody portion. The vehicle additionally includes a panel pivotably coupled to the underbody portion proximate the aft portion of the body. The panel has a fore edge and an aft edge and is pivotable about the fore edge. The panel is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position the aft edge is spaced a first distance from a driving surface and in the deployed position the aft edge is spaced a second distance from the driving surface. The second distanced is less than the first distance. The vehicle additionally includes an actuator configured to move the panel between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to satisfaction of an operating condition.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for a cooling fan assembly. The assembly includes a central hub. A plurality of blades are operatively connected to and configured to selectively rotate around the central hub. A blade ring is fixedly connected to respective outermost radial portions of the plurality of blades. The blade ring may be annularly-shaped and defines at least one blade ring slot. The locking device is configured to selectively prevent the plurality of blades from rotating. The locking device includes a movable member and an actuation device for moving the movable member. The movable member is slidable relative to the blade ring between two positions, an unlocked position that substantially permits the plurality of blades to rotate and a locked position that substantially prevents the plurality of blades from rotating.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for a cooling fan assembly. The assembly includes a central hub. A plurality of blades are operatively connected to and configured to selectively rotate around the central hub. A blade ring is fixedly connected to respective outermost radial portions of the plurality of blades. The blade ring may be annularly-shaped and defines at least one blade ring slot. The locking device is configured to selectively prevent the plurality of blades from rotating. The locking device includes a movable member and an actuation device for moving the movable member. The movable member is slidable relative to the blade ring between two positions, an unlocked position that substantially permits the plurality of blades to rotate and a locked position that substantially prevents the plurality of blades from rotating.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body, a drive system, and a plurality of protrusions. The body has a centerline, an undercarriage, and a front portion. The drive system is disposed within the body. The plurality of protrusions extend from the front portion, and are positioned around the centerline for protection of the undercarriage.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body, a drive system, a plurality of wheels, a plurality of tires, and a plurality of protrusions. The body has a centerline and a front portion. The front portion comprises a front surface comprising a driver's side front surface and a passenger's side front surface. The drive system is disposed within the body. The wheels are coupled to the drive system, and include front wheels. Each of the tires is mounted on a respective wheel. The tires include front tires mounted on the front wheels. The protrusions extend outward from the front surface for protection of the front tires. The protrusions include a first pair of protrusions and a second pair of protrusions. The first pair of protrusions extend outward from the driver's side front surface. The second pair of protrusions extend outward from the passenger's side front surface.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body, a drive system, and a plurality of protrusions. The body has a centerline, an undercarriage, and a front portion. The drive system is disposed within the body. The plurality of protrusions extend from the front portion, and are positioned around the centerline for protection of the undercarriage.