Rocker panel restraint clamp kit, aerodynamic test assembly including same, methods of using same, and method of securing different vehicles during aerodynamic testing

A rocker panel restraint clamp kit for removably securing a vehicle to a test bed of a wind tunnel, comprising:

• a first clamp including,
• a first base having a first length along a longitudinal axis of the first clamp;
• a first fixed jaw connected to the first base;
• a first movable jaw movably mounted onto the first fixed jaw;
• and
• a first drive member connected to the first fixed jaw and the first movable jaw and configured to displace the first movable jaw toward and away from the first fixed jaw;
• and
• a second clamp including,
• a second base having a second length along a longitudinal axis of the second clamp that is greater than the first length;
• a second fixed jaw connected to the second base;
• a second movable jaw movably mounted onto the second fixed jaw;
• and
• a second drive member connected to the second fixed jaw and the second movable jaw and configured to displace the second movable jaw toward and away from the second fixed jaw;
• a first mounting member pivotally connected to the first base;
• and
• a module fastener, wherein
• the first mounting member includes a clamp fastener,
• the first base and the first mounting member are configured to form a first configuration of the first clamp when the module fastener is directly connected to both of the clamp fastener and a fastener of a first post member.

A method of securing different vehicles during aerodynamic testing using an adjustable rocker panel restraint clamp connected to a load cell, the method comprising:

• providing a first vehicle having a first rocker panel height;
• creating a first configuration of the adjustable rocker panel restraint clamp by connecting a first post member directly to a clamp module of the adjustable rocker panel restraint clamp such that the adjustable rocker panel restraint clamp has a first clamp height that falls within a predetermined range of clamp heights relative to a test bed surface;
• clamping the first configuration of the adjustable rocker panel restraint clamp to a rocker panel flange of the first vehicle;
• removing the first configuration of the adjustable rocker panel restraint clamp from the first vehicle;
• providing a second vehicle having a second ground clearance height that is greater than the first ground clearance height;
• disassembling the first post member from the clamp module;
• creating a second configuration of the adjustable rocker panel restraint clamp by connecting a first extension to the clamp module and connecting the first post member to the first extension such that the adjustable rocker panel restraint clamp has a second clamp height that falls within the predetermined range of clamp heights relative to the test bed surface;
• and
• clamping the second configuration of the adjustable rocker panel restraint clamp to a rocker panel flange of the second vehicle.