Airfoils and machines incorporating airfoils
AssigneeESS 2 Tech, LLC
InventorsMichael Suk, David A. Shoffler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments of an airfoil and machines with airfoils are disclosed. The airfoils include a thicker leading airfoil portion and a thinner trailing airfoil portion. In one embodiment, the leading airfoil portion is formed by bending a body of the airfoil back toward itself. In another embodiment, the leading airfoil portion has a solid geometry and includes two elliptic surfaces. To prevent detachment of airflow, the leading airfoil portion includes at least two arc portions or surfaces that act to direct the airflow down to the trailing airfoil portion in a manner that stabilizes vortexes that may form in the region of changing thickness.
Claims20
An airfoil for use with a motor vehicle trailer, comprising:
- a base portion and an extended portion extending from the base portion;
- the base portion including a lower periphery, a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface extends from the lower periphery to the extended portion and wherein the second surface extends from the lower periphery to the extended portion;
- wherein the second surface is configured to be disposed closer to a rearward side of the motor vehicle trailer than is the first surface to the motor vehicle trailer;
- and
- wherein the extended portion extends over the second surface.
An airfoil for use with a motor vehicle trailer, comprising:
- a base portion and an extended portion extending from the base portion;
- the base portion including a lower periphery, a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface extends from the lower periphery to the extended portion and wherein the second surface extends from the lower periphery to the extended portion;
- wherein the second surface is configured to be disposed closer to a rearward side of the motor vehicle trailer than is the first surface to the motor vehicle trailer;
- and
- wherein the airfoil includes ridges along a lower side of the base portion and wherein the ridges are configured to engage slots in a mounting component on the motor vehicle trailer.
A motor vehicle trailer with an airfoil, the airfoil further comprising:
- a base portion and an extended portion extending from the base portion;
- the base portion including a lower periphery, a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface extends from the lower periphery to the extended portion and wherein the second surface extends from the lower periphery to the extended portion;
- wherein the second surface is configured to be disposed closer to a rearward side of the motor vehicle trailer than is the first surface to the motor vehicle trailer;
- and
- wherein the extended portion extends over the second surface.
A motor vehicle trailer with an airfoil, the airfoil further comprising:
- a base portion and an extended portion extending from the base portion;
- the base portion including a lower periphery, a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface extends from the lower periphery to the extended portion and wherein the second surface extends from the lower periphery to the extended portion;
- wherein the second surface is configured to be disposed closer to a rearward side of the motor vehicle trailer than is the first surface to the motor vehicle trailer;
- and
- wherein the airfoil includes ridges along a lower side of the base portion, wherein the motor vehicle trailer includes a mounting component with slots, and wherein the ridges are configured to engage the slots.
An airfoil for use with a motor vehicle trailer, comprising:
- a first airfoil portion having a first suction side surface;
- a second airfoil portion having a second suction side surface;
- and
- a passageway for airflow disposed between the first airfoil portion and the second suction side surface of the second airfoil portion,
- wherein the first airfoil portion comprises an overhang portion that hangs over the first suction side surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.