Electric fan car
AssigneeTesla, Inc.
InventorsNiccolo Cymbalist, Thomas James Winser, Luke Michael Rebbeck, Andrew Caponetti, Nathaniel Rosenberg, Daniel Steven Garza, Thomas Clarke, James Alexander Morris Tuchel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electric vehicle comprising a ducted fan system configured to increase downforce and reduce drag. The ducted fan system can include a diffuser extending from an input on an underbody of the vehicle and to an outlet on a rear side of the vehicle. The ducted fan system can be connected to a high voltage battery and a control system of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle can further include a second diffuser to enhance downforce.
Claims15
An electric vehicle comprising:
- a ducted fan system comprising a diffuser and one or more electric ducted fans, wherein the diffuser comprises an inlet positioned on an underbody of the vehicle, an outlet positioned on a rear side of the vehicle, and an air pathway extending between the inlet and the outlet, wherein a cross-sectional area of the outlet is larger than a cross-sectional area of the inlet;
- one or more strakes positioned at the outlet, the one or more strakes extending vertically between a top side and a bottom side of the outlet and being disposed between adjacent electric ducted fans from among the one or more electric ducted fans;
- and
- wherein the one or more electric ducted fans are configured to draw air through the inlet and emit air through the outlet.
A system of enhancing downforce in an electric vehicle comprising:
- a control system;
- a high voltage battery;
- and
- one or more electric ducted fans connected to the high voltage battery and the control system, wherein the one or more electric ducted fans are positioned inside an air pathway extending from an inlet on an underbody of the vehicle and to an outlet on a rear side of the vehicle, the outlet having a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the inlet;
- one or more strakes positioned at the outlet, the one or more strakes extending vertically between a top side and a bottom side of the outlet, each strake being disposed between adjacent electric ducted fans, and wherein the one or more electric ducted fans draw air through the inlet to the outlet.
An electric vehicle comprising:
- a ducted fan system comprising a diffuser and one or more electric ducted fans, the one or more electric ducted fans being axial fans and powered by a high voltage battery which powers movement of the electric vehicle, wherein the diffuser comprises an inlet positioned on an underbody of the vehicle, a plurality of side inlets positioned rearward of the inlet, an outlet positioned on a rear side of the vehicle, and an air pathway extending at least between the inlet and the outlet, the outlet having a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the inlet;
- one or more strakes positioned at the outlet, the one or more strakes extending vertically between a top side and a bottom side of the outlet, each strake being disposed between adjacent electric ducted fans from the one or more electric ducted fans;
- and
- wherein the one or more electric ducted fans are configured to draw air through the inlet and emit air through the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.