Abstract: A laterally extending aerodynamic deflector panel disposed upstream in front of an otherwise exposed uppermost portion of a vehicle wheel assembly, and arranged to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging upon drag-magnified uppermost wheel surfaces to thereby minimize overall vehicle drag.

Abstract: Aerodynamic fairing devices divert rising headwinds lifted over the top of a truck more laterally outwards to reduce vehicle drag. Embodiments include a truck cab roof mounted fairing, a streamlined truck cab roof, a fairing visor disposed on either cab roof fairing or on a streamlined truck cab roof, and a forwardly open-box sidewall assembly disposed on an upper portion of the front wall of a cargo box of a truck or semitrailer.

Abstract: An inner wheel skirt panel centrally located under the body of a vehicle reduces overall vehicle drag by inhibiting air from otherwise being displaced laterally inward by the passing wheels of the moving vehicle. Maintaining air to remain generally static while passing under the vehicle through the central open-space between the wheels increases the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce overall drag developed between the front and rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: An inwardly disposed vehicle skirt panel assembly disposed laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The vehicle skirt panel assembly is suspended underneath a rearward body component of a truck or semitrailer, extending forwards in front of a rearward wheel assembly. The vehicle skirt panel assembly stabilizes otherwise laterally displaced air passing under the central portion of the moving vehicle, further increasing the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle. Maintaining air generally static while passing under the vehicle increases the effective pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce drag thereon.

Abstract: A laterally extending aerodynamic deflector panel disposed upstream in front of an otherwise exposed uppermost portion of a vehicle wheel assembly, and arranged to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging upon drag-magnified uppermost wheel surfaces to thereby minimize overall vehicle drag.

Abstract: A wind-diverting apparatus for minimally shielding only the faster-moving drag-sensitive uppermost wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces overall vehicle drag. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging directly thereon.

Abstract: A streamlined tailfin pivotably attached to a shaft-shaped member disposed on a vehicle provides for reduced drag in winds varying in direction impinging thereon.

Abstract: A system having an inwardly disposed trailer skirt combined with an inner wheel skirt panel, with each being located laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The system inhibits lateral displacement of air under the vehicle to increase the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle, thereby reducing overall vehicle drag.

Abstract: A wind-diverting panel centrally located under the body of a vehicle inhibits air from otherwise being displaced laterally inward by the passing wheels of the moving vehicle. Maintaining air to remain generally static while passing under the vehicle through the central open-space between the wheels increases the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce overall drag between the front and rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: An inwardly disposed trailer skirt panel assembly disposed laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The trailer skirt panel assembly is suspended underneath a rearward body component of a truck or semitrailer, extending forwards in front of a rearward wheel assembly. The trailer skirt panel assembly stabilizes the generally static air passing under the central portion of the moving vehicle, further increasing the effective air pressure being developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce drag thereon.

Abstract: A longitudinally tapered wheel spoke having a thin aerodynamic cross-sectional profile proximate to the wheel rim and tapering to a round profile toward the central hub, with the tapered section optimized to minimize drag against a combined headwind and crosswind impinging upon the primary vehicle-drag-inducing uppermost region of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: An inner wheel skirt panel centrally located under the body of a vehicle reduces overall vehicle drag by inhibiting air from otherwise being displaced laterally inward by the passing wheels of the moving vehicle. Maintaining air to remain generally static while passing under the vehicle through the central open-space between the wheels increases the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce overall drag developed between the front and rear of the vehicle. See FIGS. 27-30.

Abstract: A minimal fairing apparatus minimally shielding the faster-moving drag-sensitive uppermost wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces overall vehicle drag. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon.

Abstract: A servo-controlled vehicle-supporting apparatus maintaining an unrestrained and freely self-propelled vehicle longitudinally stationary thereon. When employed inside a wind tunnel, the power transferred through groundward contact with the vehicle wheels can be directly measured, thereby indicating the propulsive power required to overcome total drag forces on a vehicle as if driving on a roadway.

Abstract: An upper wheel skirt assembly for increasing the propulsive efficiency of a wheeled vehicle having rearward wheels otherwise exposed to headwinds comprising a wheel skirt panel assembly mounted laterally adjacent to a wheel assembly and disposed to shield upper sidewalls of the wheel assembly from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shielding critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces combined with drag forces on the apparatus itself. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a critical primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon.

Abstract: A vehicle exhaust pipe disposed for gases ejected therefrom to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging directly upon critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces upon the primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the propulsive power required to overcome drag forces on a vehicle mounted within a wind tunnel. The apparatus includes a running belt platform driven by a dynamometer and supporting the vehicle placed inside a wind tunnel and controlled by a closed-loop servo control system, which maintains the vehicle centered on the running belt under varying operating speeds and headwind conditions. The power dissipated in drag is measured as the power transferred through ground contact with the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced.

Abstract: An upper wheel fairing assembly for increasing the propulsive efficiency of a wheeled vehicle having wheels otherwise exposed to headwinds, comprising a deflector panel or skirt panel assembly mounted upstream in front of a rearward wheel set, ideally extending downward to not lower than the level of the axle, and arranged to deflect headwinds from impinging upon the high drag-inducing mechanically advantaged upper wheel surfaces downward onto the low drag-inducing mechanically disadvantaged lower wheel surfaces.