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US 10,472,004 B1Granted
Bi-directional spoiler
AssigneeZoox, Inc.
InventorChristopher William Labadie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spoiler for a bi-directional vehicle may decrease the drag coefficient for the vehicle regardless of a direction of travel of the vehicle. When the vehicle spoiler is located proximate a leading end of a vehicle, the spoiler may promote laminar attached airflow. In contrast, when the vehicle spoiler is located proximate a trailing end of the vehicle, the spoiler may promote detachment of airflow from the vehicle body.
Claims20
A vehicle comprising:
- a body having an outer surface, the outer surface comprising a top surface and an adjoining surface, the top surface and the adjoining surface extending between lateral sides of the vehicle;
- and
- a region of the body configured to alter a drag coefficient of the vehicle, the region comprising:
- an indentation in the outer surface proximate a transition from the top surface to the adjoining surface, the indentation comprising:
- a first indentation end proximate the transition, the first indentation end extending laterally between opposite indentation sides;
- a second indentation end spaced from the first indentation end, the second indentation end extending laterally between the opposite indentation sides;
- and
- an indentation surface extending between the first indentation end and the second indentation end, the indentation surface comprising a first surface extending from the first indentation end at a first angle relative to the outer surface, a second surface extending from the second indentation end at a second angle relative to the outer surface, and a trough disposed between the first surface and the second surface, each of the first surface, the second surface and the trough extending laterally between the opposite indentation sides;
- and
- a foil at least partially disposed in the indentation and extending laterally between the opposite indentation sides, the foil comprising a first foil end, a second foil end spaced from the first foil end, a top foil surface extending between the first foil end and the second foil end and a bottom foil surface spaced from the top foil surface and extending between the first foil end and the second foil end,
- wherein the first foil end and the second foil end are displaced between the first indentation end and the second indentation end, and the bottom foil surface is spaced from the indentation surface.
8 more elements
A feature for a vehicle that alters aerodynamic properties associated with the vehicle, the feature comprising:
- an indentation in a top surface of the vehicle, the indentation comprising laterally-spaced indentation sides, a first indentation end proximate a longitudinal end of the vehicle, a second indentation end spaced from the first indentation end in a direction away from the longitudinal end of the vehicle, and a concave surface between the first indentation end and the second indentation end, the first indentation end, the second indentation end and the concave surface extending laterally between the indentation sides;
- and
- a foil disposed at least partially in the indentation, the foil extending between the indentation sides and spaced from the first indentation end, the concave surface, and the second indentation end to form a passageway between the foil and the indentation,
- wherein when the longitudinal end of the vehicle is a leading end of the vehicle, air substantially flows over the top surface of the foil, and
- wherein when the longitudinal end of the vehicle is a trailing end of the vehicle, air enters the passageway proximate the second indentation end and exits the passageway proximate the first indentation end to promote detachment of airflow proximate the longitudinal end.
2 more elements
A vehicle comprising:
- a body having an outer surface, the outer surface comprising a top surface and an adjoining surface, the top surface and the adjoining surface extending between lateral sides of the vehicle;
- and
- an indentation in the outer surface proximate a first side of the vehicle, the indentation comprising:
- a first end proximate the first side of the vehicle extending laterally between lateral sides of the indentation;
- a second end spaced closer to a second side of the vehicle than the first end;
- and
- a generally concave surface extending between the first end and the second end, the concave surface comprising a first surface extending from the first end at a first angle relative to the outer surface, a second surface extending from the second end at a second angle relative to the outer surface, and a trough disposed between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle,
- wherein, when the vehicle travels in a first direction in which the first end of the indentation is a leading end, airflow over the indentation is generally undisturbed, and
- wherein, when the vehicle travels in a second direction opposite the first direction, airflow over the indentation contacts the first surface causing the airflow to at least partially detach from the outer surface.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.