Abstract: A tailpipe for use with a vehicle moveable in a forward direction upon a support surface and adapted to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface. The tailpipe includes a windward surface facing in the forward direction and a leeward surface facing opposite the forward direction. The tailpipe also includes a tubular body defining a main exhaust gas flow passageway adapted to direct an exhaust gas flow from a proximal end to a distal end of the tubular body and a plurality of exhaust ports. The exhaust ports are disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular body and pass through the leeward surface for permitting at least a portion of the exhaust gas flow, when present in the tubular body, to exit the tubular body through the plurality of exhaust ports.

Abstract: A cab extender assembly (200) for selectively manipulating an aerodynamic drag of a vehicle (100) is provided. The cab extender assembly includes a dynamic cab extender (206a) and a control system (208) coupled to the dynamic cab extender. The control system is adapted to selectively position the dynamic cab extender between a stowed position, a deployed position in which the dynamic cab extender is substantially aligned with a side of the vehicle, and a braking position in which the dynamic cab extender is at least partially disposed into an airstream passing along the side of the vehicle to increase a drag coefficient of the vehicle. The cab extender assembly may also include a fixed cab extender (204a) substantially aligned with the dynamic cab extender when the dynamic cab extender is in the deployed position. A method of operating a cab extender assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable cab extender assembly (200) adapted to couple to a vehicle (100) including a tractor (102) coupled to a trailer (104) is provided. The assembly includes a dynamic cab extender (206) adjustable in length and operable to be disposed in a gap (106) extending between the tractor and the trailer. The assembly includes a speed sensor (268) operable to sense a speed of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a control system (208) coupled in signal communication with the speed sensor and coupled to the dynamic cab extender. The control system is operable to automatically adjust a longitudinal length of the dynamic cab extender to selectively adjust a proximity of a trailing edge of the dynamic cab extender relative to a front end of the trailer when the sensed speed exceeds a selected speed. The control system may also place the dynamic cab extender in a stowed position.

Abstract: A truck front section (120) including a grill (128), a hood (121), and a bridge assembly (137) is provided. The grill has a substantially vertical front surface and an upper portion. The hood has an upper panel (121) with a sloping front end disposed adjacent the grill upper portion. The bridge assembly is disposed above the front end of the hood upper panel and has a pair of oppositely disposed upright end members (133) attached to the hood upper panel. The bridge assembly also has a substantially horizontal aerodynamically shaped member (138 and/or 140) attached to the end members. The upper portion of the grill, the front end of the hood upper panel and the bridge assembly cooperatively form a duct generally disposed above the grill. The duct may discharge into a longitudinal channel (112 and/or 114) formed in the upper panel.

Abstract: An adjustable cab extender assembly (200) adapted to couple to a vehicle (100) including a tractor (102) coupled to a trailer (104) is provided. The assembly includes a dynamic cab extender (206) adjustable in length and operable to be disposed in a gap (106) extending between the tractor and the trailer. The assembly includes a speed sensor (268) operable to sense a speed of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a control system (208) coupled in signal communication with the speed sensor and coupled to the dynamic cab extender. The control system is operable to automatically adjust a longitudinal length of the dynamic cab extender to selectively adjust a proximity of a trailing edge of the dynamic cab extender relative to a front end of the trailer when the sensed speed exceeds a selected speed. The control system may also place the dynamic cab extender in a stowed position.

Abstract: A cab extender assembly (200) for selectively manipulating an aerodynamic drag of a vehicle (100) is provided. The cab extender assembly includes a dynamic cab extender (206a) and a control system (208) coupled to the dynamic cab extender. The control system is adapted to selectively position the dynamic cab extender between a stowed position, a deployed position in which the dynamic cab extender is substantially aligned with a side of the vehicle, and a braking position in which the dynamic cab extender is at least partially disposed into an airstream passing along the side of the vehicle to increase a drag coefficient of the vehicle. The cab extender assembly may also include a fixed cab extender (204a) substantially aligned with the dynamic cab extender when the dynamic cab extender is in the deployed position. A method of operating a cab extender assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A truck front section (120) comprising a grill (128), a hood (121), and a bridge assembly (137) is provided. The grill has a substantially vertical front surface and an upper portion. The hood has an upper panel (121) with a sloping front end disposed adjacent the grill upper portion. The bridge assembly is disposed above the front end of the hood upper panel and has a pair of oppositely disposed upright end members (133) attached to the hood upper panel. The bridge assembly also has a substantially horizontal aerodynamically shaped member (138 and/or 140) attached to the end members. The upper portion of the grill, the front end of the hood upper panel and the bridge assembly cooperatively form a duct generally disposed above the grill. The duct may discharge into a longitudinal channel (112 and/or 114) formed in the upper panel.