Airstream Reactive Vehicle Or Vehicle Structure Patents (Class 180/903)
  • Patent number: 8172307
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (2) has a roof (3) with two laterally spaced longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and side windows (9) under the longitudinal roof members (4, 5). Fins (4, 5) extend rearward from the longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and an outer skin (16) of a rear deck lid (17) is arranged between the fins (12, 13). Air inlet openings (20, 21) are formed on outer sides (14) of the fins (12, 13) adjacent the side windows (9). An air duct (23, 24) extends from the air inlet opening (20, 21) to an air outlet opening (25, 26) on the inner side (15) of the fin (12, 13). The outer skin (16) has at least one supply air inlet (28, 29) for an assembly of the motor vehicle (2) and a rear air deflection device (32) is arranged behind the supply air inlet (28, 29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Grant Larson
  • Patent number: 7992666
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tractor-trailer including a tractor having a lower tractor duct that receives first air from a front of the tractor and channels the first air through a center area of the tractor and down between a set of rear wheels, a trailer having a lower trailer duct positioned below a cargo space and that channels the first air in the lower trailer duct between each set of trailer rear wheels and a lower articulation duct positioned near the set of rear wheels in the tractor that receives air from the lower tractor duct and communicates air to the lower trailer duct. An upper duct is also provided with an articulation duct that channels air through a ductwork at the top of the trailer and tractor. A louver system at the rear of the trailer enables the air in each duct to be channeled and pulled out of the respective duct in such a manner as to reduce drag and eddy currents using the vacuum at the rear of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Gemini Energy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary G. Otterstrom
  • Patent number: 7950720
    Abstract: Vanes are used for reducing drag on a moving vehicle having a substantially planar rear surface. The vanes are mounted to the vehicle using pliant material which creates no work for the driver of the vehicle during loading or unloading activities. The apparatus is extremely light weight, and includes a rigid vane of length L having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an aerodynamic center positioned at a distance of between 0.15 L and 0.5 L from the leading edge. The vane has an inner surface facing the vehicle and an outer surface. Multiple pliant attachment devices connect the vane to the vehicle. The vane helps prevent or reduce formation of a zone of turbulent air behind the vehicle. The apparatus allows substantial reductions in fuel consumption and truck CO2 emissions during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Skopic
  • Patent number: 7942469
    Abstract: An aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a surface adapted to direct airflow around the trailer is provided, the skirt panel being made of a single part of sheet material. A method of manufacturing a skirt panel and a kit thereof are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Transtex Composite Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Boivin, Philippe Desjardins, Mathieu Desjardins
  • Patent number: 7942467
    Abstract: A support member adapted to secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is provided, the support member comprising a trailer connecting portion; a skirt connecting portion; and an intermediate portion interconnecting the trailer connecting portion to the skirt connecting portion. A kit of resilient struts adapted to resiliently secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is also provided, the kit comprising at least two resilient struts. A method of using a resilient strut to resiliently secure an aerodynamic skirt to a trailer is equally provided, the method comprising providing at least one resilient strut; securing the resilient strut to the trailer; securing the resilient strut to the aerodynamic skirt; and applying a load on the aerodynamic skirt to resiliently bend the at least one resilient strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Transtex Composite Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Boivin, Mathieu Desjardins, Philippe Desjardins
  • Patent number: 7942471
    Abstract: An aerodynamic skirt adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted on a trailer is provided, the resilient aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted toward a rear portion of the trailer, the forward portion having a front height and the rear portion having a rear height, the forward height being shorter than the rear height. A method of mounting an aerodynamic skirt on a trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a skirt panel defining a forward portion and a rear portion the forward portion having a front height and the rear portion having a rear height, the forward height being shorter than the rear height, positioning the forward portion toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion toward a rear portion of the trailer, and securing the skirt panel to the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Trnastex Composite Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Boivin, Mathieu Desjardins, Philippe Desjardins
  • Patent number: 7942470
    Abstract: A skirt assembly kit comprising a skirt panel adapted to be disposed on a trailer to route air about the road trailer is provided, a plurality of upper supports adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer. A method of installing an aerodynamic skirt on a trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a skirt panel, installing the skirt panel on the trailer; and performing an opening in the skirt panel. An aerodynamic skirt kit adapted to mounted to a trailer is equally provided, the aerodynamic skirt kit comprising a skirt panel adapted to define an opening therein adapted to give access through the skirt panel, and an opening closing element adapted to close the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Transtex Composite Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Boivin, Philippe Desjardins, Mathieu Desjardins
  • Patent number: 7942468
    Abstract: A securing mechanism adapted to secure struts to a trailer is provided, the securing mechanism comprising a pair of clamps adapted to be secured to the strut to clamp a frame member of the trailer therebetween. A method of securing a strut to a trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a strut; providing a pair of clamps; positioning an end of the strut adjacent to a side of a frame member of the trailer; positioning the pair of clamps on an opposed side of the frame member; and securing the pair of clamps to the strut to clamp the frame member therebetween. A securing mechanism kit for securing a strut to a frame member of a trailer is equally provided, the kit comprising a pair of clamps; and a strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Transtex Composite Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Boivin, Philippe Desjardins, Mathieu Desjardins
  • Patent number: 7938475
    Abstract: An aerodynamic skirt adapted to be installed on a trailer for managing airflow is provided, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel defining a substantially curved shape adapted to be positioned adjacent to a rear wheel of the trailer, the curved shape substantially mirroring the shape of the wheel to reduce the gap between the skirt panel and the wheel. A method of installing an aerodynamic skirt on a trailer to manage airflow around the trailer is also provided, the method comprising providing a skirt panel defining a curved shape adapted to cooperate with an exterior circumference of a wheel of the trailer; and positioning the curved shape of the skirt panel adjacent to the rear wheel of the trailer to reduce the air gap therebetween. An aerodynamic skirt kit comprising a skirt panel having a curved shape adapted to cooperate with an exterior circumference of a wheel of the trailer; and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the skirt panel to a trailer is equally provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Transtex Composite Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Boivin, Philippe Desjardins, Mathieu Desjardins
  • Patent number: 7887120
    Abstract: A resilient skirt assembly is provided, the assembly comprising a skirt panel adapted to connect to a trailer to direct at least a portion of the amount of air on the side of the trailer; and a skirt support adapted to connect the skirt to a trailer, the skirt support having a resilient strut providing lateral support to the skirt panel, the resilient strut allowing substantial lateral pivotal movement of the skirt panel between a skirt panel unloaded position and a skirt panel loaded position. A method of assembling a skirt assembly and a skirt kit are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Transtex Composite Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Boivin, Philippe Desjardins, Mathieu Desjardins
  • Patent number: 7780223
    Abstract: An active front skirt for a vehicle includes an airfoil positioned in an air stream existing when the vehicle is moving forward. An airfoil positioning mechanism attached to the vehicle and the airfoil allows the airfoil to move between a first position when the vehicle is at rest and a second position when the vehicle has attained an upper limit velocity, the airfoil being moved to the second position through interaction with the air stream. A retracting mechanism returns the airfoil to the first position. A movable front skirt connected to the airfoil correspondingly moves with the airfoil between raised and lowered positions. In the raised position, ground clearance of the skirt is increased. In the lowered position, the skirt deflects an increased portion of the air stream to lower aerodynamic drag on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ryan J. Kottenstette, Lora A. Oehlberg, Dana M. Ung, Chuen Chou, Corina T. Yen
  • Patent number: 7766111
    Abstract: Mechanisms are described for selectively closing grille and/or bumper openings. These mechanisms may be operated in response to one or more vehicle parameters. Closure mechanism control signals may be delivered to such mechanisms along a vehicle databus. In addition, vehicle parameters used in determining the control of such mechanisms may be sensed and provided along the databus to a controller which then processes the parameter information for determining whether to open or close the vehicle grille closing mechanism and/or the vehicle bumper opening closing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler Trucks North America LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Guilfoyle, Carl Trabant, Changhyun Shin, Michael von Mayenburg
  • Patent number: 7765747
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a downward, wind-induced lift force on a structure including attaching one or more omni-directional mushroom-shaped airfoil assemblies to the top of the structure which create a downward lift force as they are subjected to wind flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Arthur L. Smalley, III
  • Patent number: 7748772
    Abstract: A resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly is provided, the aerodynamic skirt assembly comprising a skirt panel adapted to connect to a trailer to route airflow along the trailer, skirt supports adapted to connect the skirt to a trailer are also provided with a plurality of resilient struts providing lateral support to the skirt panel, the resilient struts allowing substantial lateral deflection of the skirt panel away from an aerodynamic configuration. A method of assembling an aerodynamic skirt assembly and an aerodynamic skirt kit are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Transtex Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Mathieu Boivin, Philippe Desjardins, Mathieu Desjardins
  • Patent number: 7735910
    Abstract: A wind deflector for a sunroof. The wind deflector includes a first electrode proximate an edge of a sunroof opening. A second electrode is proximate the first electrode. An insulator is intermediate the first and second electrodes. A power supply is coupled to the first and second electrodes. An electrical signal generated by the power supply is coupled to the first and second electrodes. An electric field generated between the electrodes due to the electrical signal ionizes air proximate the electrodes, thereby deflecting an air flow field away from the sunroof opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Thomas Ramsay
  • Patent number: 7695050
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with fan housings having inlets and an outlets. Fan are rotatably supported in the housings. The inlets intersect an airflow path along outer surfaces of the vehicle body such that a portion of the airflow is directed through each housing, causing the fans to rotate. A flow of spinning air exits each outlet and is directed toward a central plane of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Colin Neale
  • Patent number: 7665796
    Abstract: Proposed is a functional device which is arranged on the outer side of a vehicle body, comprising a base element (18) and at least one pivoting element (20A) which is pivotable with respect to the base element (18) between two end positions. According to the invention, a multi-linkage mechanism is articulatedly connected to the base element (18), which multi-linkage mechanism comprises at least two linkages (24, 26) which are articulatedly connected with their ends remote from the base element (18) to the pivoting element (20A) which is pivotable with respect to the base element (18), with one of the linkages (24, 26) being connected to a drive device and with a spring device acting on at least one of the linkages (24, 26), which spring device is preloaded into the end positions of the pivoting element (20A) and counteracts the mass force of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: HS Genion GmbH
    Inventor: Fritz Wegener
  • Patent number: 7625035
    Abstract: A vehicle air guiding system in a rear area of the vehicle has a central air guiding element displaceable between a moved-in inoperative position into a moved-out operative position. Lateral air guiding elements, which are displaceable together with the central air guiding element, are telescopically displaceable relative to the central air guiding element while enlarging the transverse dimension of the air guiding system transversely to vehicle longitudinal direction from an also moved-in inoperative position into an also moved-out operative position. In the inoperative position, the lateral air guiding elements are pushed over the central air guiding element so that they rest against one another by way of the end sections and completely cover or envelop the central air guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josip Vlahovic
  • Patent number: 7510229
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle. A side upper part forming an upper surface is provided to a front cowl so that traveling wind flowing in a longitudinal direction of the body along the upper surface of the front cowl flows below the hand grips. The resulting structure reduces air resistance by wind pressure, secures windshield performance and reduces the weight of the front of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Katagiri, Masamoto Ito, Takatsugu Kido
  • Patent number: 7478697
    Abstract: A scooter type motorcycle capable of improving cooling efficiency of brake calipers includes a vehicle body cover, covering a rear wheel brake device, is formed with a drive-induced airflow introducing port. A drive-induced airflow guiding duct, supported with vehicle body frames, for guiding drive-induced airflow from the drive-induced airflow introducing port to the brake calipers of the rear wheel brake device, is provided. The drive-induced airflow guiding duct has an inflow port formed at its one end for the drive-induced airflow entering at the drive-induced airflow introducing port to flow in. An airflow delivery port is formed at its other end and opening in the vicinity of the brake calipers for delivering the drive-induced airflow, introduced through the inflow port, to the brake calipers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Ohira, Yasuharu Sakashita
  • Patent number: 7438347
    Abstract: An air guiding system for a vehicle, particularly for a passenger car, is arranged in a rear area of the vehicle and has a main air guiding element that can be displaced from a moved-in inoperative position into a moved-out operative position. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the main air guiding element, while forming at least two main air guiding element sections, is divided such that, when the main air guiding element is displaced from the inoperative position into the operative position, at least lateral main air guiding element sections can be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Markus Schulzki
  • Patent number: 7431382
    Abstract: A vehicle air guiding system in a rear area of the vehicle has a central air guiding element displaceable between a moved-in inoperative position into a moved-out operative position. Lateral air guiding elements, which are displaceable together with the central air guiding element, are telescopically displaceable relative to the central air guiding element while enlarging the transverse dimension of the air guiding system transversely to vehicle longitudinal direction from an also moved-in inoperative position into an also moved-out operative position. In the inoperative position, the lateral air guiding elements are pushed over the central air guiding element so that they rest against one another by way of the end sections and completely cover or envelop the central air guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josip Vlahovic
  • Patent number: 7422269
    Abstract: A multi-insert cap blow-molding method for molding a hollow plastic product which is integrally formed with elongate fastening members. Each fastening member is seated in a groove defined in a lower mold. Each fastening member is composed of an elongate outer insert cap and an inner insert cap which is positioned in the outer insert cap to be separated from a bottom surface of the outer insert cap and to divide a space defined in the outer insert cap into an upper space and a lower space. A hollow parison is positioned between an upper mold and the lower mold. Hot air is blown into the parison with the upper and lower molds enclosing the parison to mold the parison and integrally fuse a portion of the parison to an inner surface of the fastening member. Then, the resultant product which is cooled, discharged and finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Moya International Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Hong Nahm, O Yeol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7399026
    Abstract: An air guiding system for a vehicle, particularly a passenger car, that is arranged in a rear area of the vehicle and has at least one central main air guiding element displaceable from a moved-in inoperative position into a moved-out operative position. Lateral auxiliary air guiding elements are displaceable together with the or each central main air guiding element. The lateral auxiliary air guiding elements can be rotated like a folding knife with respect to the or each central main air guiding element in order to change them from an also moved-in inoperative position into an also moved-out operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Juergen Durm, Joachim Paul
  • Patent number: 7387331
    Abstract: An air guiding system for a vehicle, particularly for a passenger car, is arranged in a rear area of the vehicle and has at least one central main air guiding element that can be displaced between a moved-in inoperative position into a moved-out operative position. Lateral auxiliary air guiding elements are displaceable together with the at least one central main air guiding element. The lateral auxiliary air guiding elements can be displaced while enlarging the transverse dimension and while simultaneously enlarging the longitudinal dimension of the main air guiding element or the air guiding system from an also moved-in inoperative position into an also moved-out operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Markus Schulzki
  • Patent number: 7387330
    Abstract: An air guiding system for a vehicle, particularly for a passenger car, arranged in a rear area of the vehicle and having at least one central main air guiding element that can be displaced from a moved-in inoperative position into a moved-out operative position. Lateral auxiliary air guiding elements are displaceable together with the, or each, central main air guiding element. The auxiliary air guiding elements can be swiveled with respect to the, or each, main air guiding element about at least two pivots fixed to the main air guiding element and in each case at least two pivots fixed to the auxiliary air guiding elements laterally beside the main air guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Joachim Paul
  • Patent number: 7380871
    Abstract: An air guiding system for a vehicle, particularly for a passenger car, is arranged in a rear area of the vehicle and has at least one central main air guiding element that can be displaced between a moved-in inoperative position and a moved-out operative position. Lateral auxiliary air guiding elements are displaceable together with the central main air guiding element. The auxiliary air guiding elements can be adjusted with respect to the main air guiding elements essentially linearly or translatorily in a direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to move them from an also moved-in inoperative position into an also moved-out operative position. Each auxiliary air guiding element is guided in a guiding device and is movable along the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing.h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Joachim Paul
  • Patent number: 7380870
    Abstract: An air guiding system for a vehicle, particularly for a passenger car, is arranged in a rear area of the vehicle and has at least one central main air guiding element that can be displaced from a moved-in inoperative position into a moved-out operative position. Lateral auxiliary air guiding elements are displaceable together with each central main air guiding element. The lateral auxiliary air guiding elements can be rotated with respect to each central main air guiding element about a respective pivot fixed to the main air guiding element in order to change them from an also moved-in inoperative position into an also moved-out operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Froeschle, Markus Schwarz, Joachim Paul
  • Patent number: 7322638
    Abstract: A spoiler for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, is mounted in the rear-end area on the vehicle and comprises a spoiler element which is movable from a resting position in which it is integrated into the shape of the rear-end area and into an extended operating position. To further improve upon the aerodynamic properties of the spoiler in particular the downward pressure on the rear axle, the spoiler element has a greater transverse extent in the extended operating position than in the retracted resting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Grant Larson
  • Patent number: 7240958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus with flexible attachments for reducing drag on a vehicle having a generally planar rear surface. The use of flexible vane attachments allows the rear doors of the trailer to fully open and close effortlessly. The apparatus includes a pair of vanes, each vane having a leading edge and a trailing edge. A first flexible attachment member connects an upper end of each vane's leading edge to a side of said vehicle, while a second flexible attachment member connects a lower end of each leading edge to the vehicle side. At least one third flexible attachment member connects the trailing edge of each vane to the rear surface of the vehicle. Other additional cables may be needed for additional vane support depending on vane length and profile. The vanes redirect air flowing along the sides of the vehicle into a volume of low pressure air behind said rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Skopic
  • Patent number: 7216923
    Abstract: A drag reduction system introduces pressurized gases to selected regions of a vehicle, such as a tractor trailer combination 100 for reducing the aerodynamic drag thereon. The system 140 or any combination of components thereof may be installed on new combinations or may be retrofitted on existing combinations. The drag reduction system may be controlled to selectively determine which regions receive pressurized gases and at what flow rates such regions receive the pressurized gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Alec S Wong, Daniel Farmer
  • Patent number: 7113855
    Abstract: Method of controlling front or rear spoilers in which at least the rotational speed, the engine torque, the temperature and the standing time (tSTAND) are determined. The required engine power is determined from the detected engine torque, and the front or rear spoilers deployed when a preselectable threshold value (SW) is exceeded by the engine power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Willi Seidel
  • Patent number: 7100969
    Abstract: Provided is a wake disturbing apparatus and method for reducing drag, which can considerably reduce drag caused by a sharp decrease in the pressure behind an object with a blunt trailing edge, such as a vehicle, while the object is traveling at high speed. The wake disturbing apparatus includes a plurality of disrupters, which are arranged at regular intervals along the trailing edge of the object to protrude to a predetermined height so that the vortical strength of the wake occurring around the rear part of the object can be reduced and the pressure at the base surface, which has been decreased due to the wake, can be recovered. Accordingly, it is possible to considerably reduce drag on a vehicle by simply attaching a wake disturbing apparatus to the vehicle without modifying the structure of the vehicle or using additional energy. Thus, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the vehicle and thus maximize the energy consumption efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Seoul National University
    Inventors: Haecheon Choi, Jin Choi, Dongkon Lee, Jeonglae Kim, Woo-Pyung Jeon, Seonghyeon Hahn, Jinsung Kim
  • Patent number: 7036871
    Abstract: A rear wing for a motor vehicle has a wing roof and a wing bottom formed as a hollow body. A reinforcing structure is arranged inside the hollow body and has several upright webs, of which at least one cross web extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle is connected with the interior surface of the wing bottom. At least one drainage opening is provided in the wing bottom. In order to be able to drain water penetrating into the hollow body, the at least one cross web has a plane web surface which forms a wall of a water channel, and the at least one opening is arranged in the course of the water channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Stefan Adams
  • Patent number: 6886883
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle bumper which comprises a shield and a spoiler hinged between two positions of stable equilibrium, namely a high position in which at least a part of the spoiler projects from the shield, and a low position in which the spoiler extends the bumper in a downward direction. The spoiler is suitable for adopting a third position of stable equilibrium, in which it is completely retracted behind the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Claude Jacquemard, Arnold Fayt
  • Patent number: 6742831
    Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the safety of automobiles traveling at high speeds capable of increasing the downward force on a yawed vehicle comprises in one embodiment an air inlet opening, an air exit opening, and an air path, wherein the air exit opening directs flowing exiting air in such a manner as to avoid interfering with the air spoiling operations of the surface of the vehicle. In an alternative embodiment, the invention comprises an air inlet opening, an air exit opening, an air path, and a platform fixed at one end to a rear underside portion of the vehicle that pivots open under the force of flowing air to disrupt air flowing under a yawed vehicle to thereby exert a downward force on the yawed vehicle. A method of directing air into a yawed vehicle traveling at high speed to exert a downward force on the yawed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Clayton B. Rees
  • Patent number: 6739419
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling system for a mobile vehicle consists of three essential parts. These are a compressed air reservoir, a heat exchanger and a duct connecting the reservoir and the heat exchanger. On demand, the compressed air will be released to the duct and will expand (as the end connected to the reservoir is expected to be lower in cross-sectional area compared to the end connected to the face of the heat exchanger). This expansion will lead to the reduction in air temperature. This helps in increasing the heat rejection capacity of the cooling system. The colder air passes through the heat exchanger and carries away the heat. This air exits from the other end of the heat exchanger into the environment. A fan is optional to operate behind the heat exchanger to help draw the air though it. The compressed air may originate in the vehicle air system for operating air brakes found on medium and heavy-duty trucks or the compressed air may originate from a separate air compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Sunil K. Jain, Tim P. Nobel, Scott A. Wooldridge, David J. Beigel
  • Patent number: 6736447
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Paccar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald Jay Angelo, Wayne K. Simons, Alec Wong, Daniel Farmer
  • Patent number: 6719359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with underbody and wheels mounted in wheelhouses which are guided on wheel guide elements coupled to the body, functional elements being mounted in the area of wheel dishes opening inward, and with wheel spoilers mounted on the underbody in front of the wheels in the direction of travel, for the sake of better deflection of environmental influences such as dirt particles, moisture, etc the wheel spoilers of at least one wheel axle per wheel ending in a structurally simple configuration in a deflecting strip extending more or less vertically downward, the deflecting strips being extended continuously inward and rearward at least to the vertical central plane of the wheels extending through the axes of rotation of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Hartmut Steinicke, Helmut Sponer, Martin Angel
  • Patent number: 6655727
    Abstract: An air conduction device suitable for a sports car motor vehicle extends in a lateral direction of the vehicle, adjacent to a tail lid. The air conduction device can be moved by an activation device out of a resting position into an operating position and vice versa. In order to optimize the air conduction device in functional and structural terms, it is hinged on the tail lid by a swing arm device which is separably connected with the activation device by means of which the air conduction device is moved out of the resting position into the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jason Hill, Roland Heiler, Maxel Szwaj
  • Patent number: 6644700
    Abstract: A device for reducing air resistance of a vehicle includes a front bumper, a bumper spoiler, and a mounting piece. The bumper spoiler includes a main body section and a mounting base section which protrudes from a reverse side of the main body section. The mounting base section is made of rigid material capable of being elastically deformed and harder than the main body section. The main body section and the mounting base section are integrally joined to each other. The mounting base section has a first mounting section and a second mounting section. The first mounting section is inserted into and elastically engaged with a first mounting hole of the bumper, thereby being temporarily fixed to the bumper. The second mounting section is inserted into the second mounting hole of the bumper to be finally fixed to the bumper by the mounting piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ito, Kengo Hara, Hideki Minami
  • Patent number: 6637805
    Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the safety of automobiles traveling at high speeds capable of increasing the downward force on a yawed vehicle comprises in one embodiment an air inlet opening, an air exit opening, and an air path, wherein the air exit opening directs flowing exiting air in such a manner as to avoid interfering with the air spoiling operations of the surface of the vehicle. In an alternative embodiment, the invention comprises an air inlet opening, an air exit opening, an air path, and a platform fixed at one end to a rear underside portion of the vehicle that pivots open under the force of flowing air to disrupt air flowing under a yawed vehicle to thereby exert a downward force on the yawed vehicle. A method of directing air into a yawed vehicle traveling at high speed to exert a downward force on the yawed vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Clayton B. Rees
  • Patent number: 6634418
    Abstract: An radiator and charge-air-cooling package made up of two air cooled heat exchangers: a radiator and a charge-air-cooler, the heat exchangers being attached to one another directly or indirectly and then attachable to a chassis or body of the vehicle. The two heat exchangers are both longer than wide with each having center cooling areas. Each heat exchanger has cooling cores in which their coolant flows. Air passes across these cooling cores when the vehicle moves to cool the coolant. The long sides of each of the heat exchangers are geometrically out of synch with the other. With the center cooling areas of each of the heat exchangers overlapping each other, at least one end of each heat exchanger may be unfettered by air flow the other heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Scott A. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 6616218
    Abstract: A device for controlling drag on a ground vehicle. The device consists of a porous skin or skins mounted on the trailing surface and/or aft portions of the ground vehicle. The porous skin is separated from the vehicle surface by a distance of at least the thickness of the porous skin. Alternately, the trailing surface, sides, and/or top surfaces of the ground vehicle may be porous. The device minimizes the strength of the separation in the base and wake regions of the ground vehicle, thus reducing drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Steven X. S. Bauer, Richard M. Wood
  • Patent number: 6595577
    Abstract: An air guiding device for a motor vehicle includes an air guiding element that is displaceable by a deployment device, between operative and inoperative positions. In its inoperative position, it is lowered with respect to a stationary vehicle body shell and, in its operative position it is deployed outward, projecting beyond the vehicle body shell. The deployment device has at least one deployment element with a deployment arm that is displaceably disposed in a guide housing. The air guiding element is arranged on the fastening end of the deployment arm. The deployment element is equipped with a manually operable adjusting device in order to align the air guiding element in its inoperative position relative to the vehicle body shell. To adjust the air guiding element in its inoperative position relative to the vehicle body shell, the deployment element has an internal or external-thread section on its fastening end as an adjusting arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Stefan Adams
  • Patent number: 6565145
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable airfoil mountable to a vehicle and movable from a first position to a second position. The invention further includes an actuator device coupled to the adjustable airfoil to selectively move the airfoil from the first position to the second position and operatively coupled to a vehicle brake system so that the actuator device is able to receive a signal pertaining to operation of the vehicle brake system, wherein the actuator device moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable airfoil further comprises a remote control device operably coupled to the actuator to provided a second signal, wherein the actuator device also moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the second signal. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for operating an adjustable airfoil as just described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: BTR Robotic Limited
    Inventor: Brian Pettey
  • Patent number: 6540282
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable airfoil mountable to a vehicle and movable from a first position to a second position. The invention further includes an actuator device coupled to the adjustable airfoil to selectively move the airfoil from the first position to the second position and operatively coupled to a vehicle brake system so that the actuator device is able to receive a signal pertaining to operation of the vehicle brake system, wherein the actuator device moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable airfoil further comprises a remote control device operably coupled to the actuator to provided a second signal, wherein the actuator device also moves the adjustable airfoil as a function of the second signal. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for operating an adjustable airfoil as just described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: BTR Robotics Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Brian Pettey
  • Patent number: 6520564
    Abstract: An air flow guiding board structure includes a fixed board, a movable board, two fastening seats, and two elastic connection members. The fixed board is secured to the fastening seats. The movable board is pivoted to the fixed board in conjunction with the elastic connection members such that the movable board is capable of moving up and down in response to the air flow intensity so as to stabilize the body of an automobile in high speed motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Yet Chang Mobile Goods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lien-Feng Liang
  • Patent number: 6497450
    Abstract: A wing mechanism for selectively exerting a downwardly directed force to a vehicle having a vehicle body. The wing mechanism includes a wing member, a pair of wing tips and a drive assembly. The pair of wing tips are moveably coupled to opposing ends the wing member and arranged to be moved by the drive assembly between a retracted position wherein the wing tips are retracted within a cavity in the wing member and a deployed position wherein each of the wing tips extends outwardly from the perimeter of the wing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: William T Presley
  • Patent number: 6412853
    Abstract: A vehicle air drag reduction system using louvers is provided comprising at least one louver strip. Such strip has a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery formed therebetween. The louver strip further includes a coupling mechanism for allowing the coupling thereof to a body of a vehicle. A plurality of louver tabs are also provided having a long side edge thereof integrally coupled to the louver strip. Each louver tab extends upwardly and rearwardly thereby forming an acute angle with respect to a plane in which the louver strip resides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Gale D. Richardson