# US 11,305,827 B2 · Trailer fairing with leading edge design for trailer corrugations > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,827 B2 - Document ID: US11305827B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/980,550 - Filed: 2018-04-13 - Published: 2021-01-07 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-13 - Assignees: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin - Applicants: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Inventors: Parker Baxter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305827B2 ## CPC - B62D 35/007: {Rear spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)} - B62D 35/001: {For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans} - 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) ## Abstract An fairing for a trailer is provided that has a transition zone with a corrugation receiving feature that defines a corrugation receiving void that increases in size forward to rearward in a longitudinal direction of the fairing. The corrugation receiving void receives a corrugation of the trailer. A main portion is also present and extends rearward from the transition zone in the longitudinal direction. The transition zone and the main portion define an aerodynamic surface of the fairing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fairing for a trailer, comprising: a transition zone, wherein the transition zone has a corrugation receiving feature that defines a corrugation receiving void that increases in size forward to rearward in a longitudinal direction of the fairing, wherein the corrugation receiving void is configured for receiving a corrugation of the trailer; and a main portion that extends rearward from the transition zone in the longitudinal direction, wherein the transition zone and the main portion define an aerodynamic surface of the fairing; wherein the transition zone and the main portion are located on a side or top of the trailer and both the transition zone and the main portion cover a portion of the side or top of the trailer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, wherein the corrugation receiving void is differently shaped forward to rearward in the longitudinal direction of the fairing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, wherein the corrugation receiving void is stepped to result in the increase in size forward to rearward in the longitudinal direction of the fairing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, wherein the corrugation receiving void is swept to result in a gradual increase in size forward to rearward in the longitudinal direction of the fairing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, wherein the transition zone and the main portion are integrally formed with one another so as to be a single piece. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, wherein the transition zone has a flat section that extends from the corrugation receiving feature in a vertical direction of the fairing, wherein the flat section is configured for engaging the side or top of the trailer, wherein the corrugation receiving feature is configured for engaging the corrugation of the trailer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The fairing as in claim 6, wherein the aerodynamic surface that extends rearward in the longitudinal direction across the flat section transitions from the transition zone to the main portion without any noticeable feature. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The fairing as in claim 6, wherein the transition zone and the main portion both define an intermediate surface that is a portion of the aerodynamic surface, wherein the corrugation receiving feature terminates in the longitudinal direction at the intermediate surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, further comprising: a bracket configured for engagement to the side or top of the trailer; a support piece that engages the bracket and that engages the main portion, wherein the support piece has a groove that is configured for receiving the corrugation of the trailer; and a bolt that attaches the main portion and the support piece to the bracket. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, wherein the transition zone is a single, molded piece such that the corrugation receiving feature is a single, molded piece. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, wherein the corrugation receiving feature has an exterior surface that forms part of the aerodynamic surface of the fairing, wherein the exterior surface of the corrugation receiving feature increases in size forward to rearward in the longitudinal direction of the fairing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fairing as in claim 11, wherein the exterior surface of the corrugation receiving feature is swept to result in a gradual increase in size forward to rearward in the longitudinal direction of the fairing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, further comprising double sided tape attached to the transition zone, wherein the double sided tape is configured for attachment to the side or top of the trailer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fairing as in claim 1, wherein the corrugation receiving feature has a first profile and a second profile that is sized differently than the first profile, wherein the second profile is located rearward from the first profile in the longitudinal direction, wherein the corrugation receiving feature has a third profile that is sized differently than the second profile and the first profile, wherein the third profile is located rearward from the second profile in the longitudinal direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The fairing as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fairing is a side fairing and is configured for attachment to the side of the trailer. ### Claim 16 A fairing for a trailer, comprising: a transition zone, wherein the transition zone has a corrugation receiving feature that defines a corrugation receiving void that increases in size forward to rearward in a longitudinal direction of the fairing, wherein the corrugation receiving void is configured for receiving a corrugation of the trailer; a main portion that extends rearward from the transition zone in the longitudinal direction, wherein the transition zone and the main portion define an aerodynamic surface of the fairing; and double sided tape attached to the transition zone, wherein the double sided tape is configured for attachment to the side or top of the trailer.