# US 11,299,218 B2 · Aerodynamic apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,299,218 B2 - Document ID: US11299218B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/349,058 - Filed: 2017-11-06 - Published: 2019-09-05 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-11 - Assignees: Jaguar Land Rover Limited - Applicants: Jaguar Land Rover Limited - Inventors: Adrian Gaylard; Ross Turner; Matthew Beaven; Simon Tovey; Christopher Thompson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299218B2 ## CPC - B62D 35/005: {Front spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)} - B62D 25/085: {Front-end modules} - B62D 25/105: {for motor cars} - B62D 25/12: Parts or details thereof (locks E05B, {E05B83/16; devices for holding open E05C17/00, e.g. while carrying oversize objects E05C17/042}; hinges E05D; counterbalancing means E05F; {checks, stops, buffers E05F5/00; } springs, {e.g. pneumatic springs} F16F) - F15D 1/12: by influencing the boundary layer - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - F15D: FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS ## Abstract An aerodynamic apparatus (10) for a vehicle (2), the aerodynamic apparatus comprising: a bonnet (12) having a leading edge (18) and a trailing edge (34); a bonnet spoiler (14) having a leading edge (30) and a trailing edge (32), and being positionable vertically above the bonnet (12) and separated therefrom to form an airflow duct (22) therebetween; and a grille (16) comprising a trailing edge (20) and a front face separated by a curved upper portion (28), wherein the trailing edge (20) of the grille (16) is positionable adjacent to the leading edge (18) of the bonnet (12). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aerodynamic apparatus for a vehicle, the aerodynamic apparatus comprising: a bonnet having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a bonnet spoiler having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and being positioned vertically above the bonnet and separated therefrom to form an airflow duct therebetween; and a grille comprising a trailing edge and a front face separated by a curved upper portion, wherein the trailing edge of the grille is positionable adjacent the leading edge of the bonnet, wherein the airflow duct comprises channel walls laterally converging from the leading edge of the bonnet spoiler to form a choke point and laterally diverging from the choke point to the trailing edge of the bonnet spoiler. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel walls continue to laterally diverge from the trailing edge of the bonnet spoiler towards the trailing edge of the bonnet to form an open-topped air channel on the bonnet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the open-topped air channel decreases in depth from the trailing edge of the bonnet spoiler towards the trailing edge of the bonnet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the airflow duct is a substantially constant depth throughout. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grille comprises a grille surround and a grille mesh and wherein a top of the grille surround is positionable in a corresponding formation formed in the bonnet spoiler. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the grille comprises a secondary mesh which comprises a plurality of fingers arranged to locate within mesh apertures in the grille mesh. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the secondary mesh is longitudinally movable in relation to the grille mesh. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bonnet and bonnet spoiler are formed by two components each integrally comprising a portion of the bonnet and bonnet spoiler. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An aerodynamic apparatus for a vehicle and as claimed in claim 8, wherein one of the two components is integral with a bumper of the vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A vehicle comprising an aerodynamic apparatus comprising the features of the aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 11 An aerodynamic apparatus for a vehicle, the aerodynamic apparatus comprising: a bonnet having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a bonnet spoiler having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and being positioned vertically above the bonnet and separated therefrom to form an airflow duct therebetween; and a grille comprising a trailing edge and a front face separated by a curved upper portion, wherein the trailing edge of the grille is positionable adjacent the leading edge of the bonnet, wherein the front face of the grille is substantially longitudinally aligned with the leading edge of the bonnet spoiler so that the leading edge of the bonnet spoiler lies in substantially the same plane as that defined by the front face of the grille and so that the trailing edge of the grille is longitudinally offset from the leading edge of the bonnet spoiler, and wherein the grille comprises a grille surround and a grille mesh and wherein a top of the grille surround is positionable in a corresponding formation formed in the bonnet spoiler. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the trailing edge of the bonnet spoiler is longitudinally positionable between the leading and trailing edges of the bonnet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the airflow duct comprises channel walls laterally converging from the leading edge of the bonnet spoiler to form a choke point and laterally diverging from the choke point to the trailing edge of the bonnet spoiler. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the airflow duct is a substantially constant depth throughout. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the grille comprises a secondary mesh which comprises a plurality of fingers arranged to locate within mesh apertures in the grille mesh. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the secondary mesh is longitudinally movable in relation to the grille mesh. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) A vehicle comprising an aerodynamic apparatus comprising the features of the aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 11. ### Claim 18 An aerodynamic apparatus for a vehicle, the aerodynamic apparatus comprising: a bonnet having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a bonnet spoiler having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and being positioned vertically above the bonnet and separated therefrom to form an airflow duct therebetween; and a grille comprising a trailing edge and a front face separated by a curved upper portion, wherein the trailing edge of the grille is positionable adjacent the leading edge of the bonnet, wherein the front face of the grille is substantially longitudinally aligned with the leading edge of the bonnet spoiler so that the leading edge of the bonnet spoiler lies in substantially the same plane as that defined by the front face of the grille and so that the trailing edge of the grille is longitudinally offset from the leading edge of the bonnet spoiler, and wherein the bonnet and bonnet spoiler are formed by two components each integrally comprising a portion of the bonnet and bonnet spoiler. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An aerodynamic apparatus for a vehicle and as claimed in claim 18, wherein one of the integral components is integral with a bumper of the vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A vehicle comprising an aerodynamic apparatus comprising the features of the aerodynamic apparatus as claimed in claim 18.