Tires flow control and management system
AssigneePACCAR Inc
InventorAlec C. Wong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for managing airflow around the wheels of a vehicle, and in particular, around dual wheels of trailers typically pulled by Class 8 trucks, is provided. In certain embodiments, a wedge-shaped airflow diverter is provided that reduces drag on the wheels of a trailer pulled by a truck, and thereby improves the overall efficiency of the truck-trailer combination with regard to aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
Claims20
An airflow diverter configured to mount to an underside of a wheeled trailer in a position forward from at least one wheel, the diverter comprising:
- a diverter body having a wedge-like shape and comprising a leading vertical edge, a planar outboard panel extending rearward from the leading vertical edge, and a concavely-curved inboard panel extending rearward from the leading vertical edge;
- wherein the leading vertical edge, the planar outboard panel, and the concavely curved inboard panel all extend perpendicular to the underside of the wheeled trailer;
- wherein the planar outboard panel has a yaw angle such that a leading portion of the planar outboard panel is further inboard than a trailing portion of the planar outboard panel;
- and
- wherein the concavely-curved inboard panel is configured to direct flow inwardly away from the at least one wheel.
A trailer, comprising:
- an axle having first and second ends;
- at least one wheel operatively associated with each of the first and second ends of the axle;
- a trailer body supported at least in part by at least one wheel;
- an air flow diverter mounted to the trailer body at a position proximal the at least one wheel, the diverter comprising a diverter body having a wedge-like shape and comprising a leading vertical edge, a planar outboard panel extending rearward from the leading vertical edge, and a concavely-curved inboard panel extending rearward from the leading vertical edge;
- wherein the leading vertical edge, the planar outboard panel, and the concavely curved inboard panel all extend perpendicular to the underside of the wheeled trailer;
- wherein the planar outboard panel has a yaw angle such that a leading portion of the planar outboard panel is further inboard than a trailing portion of the planar outboard panel;
- and
- wherein the concavely-curved inboard panel is configured to direct flow inwardly away from the at least one wheel.
A method of reducing drag on at least one wheel supporting a trailer, comprising:
- (a) providing an air flow diverter mounted to the trailer body at a position proximal the at least one wheel, the diverter comprising a diverter body having a wedge-like shape and comprising a leading vertical edge, a planar outboard panel extending rearward from the leading vertical edge, and a concavely-curved inboard panel extending rearward from the leading vertical edge;
- wherein the leading vertical edge, the planar outboard panel, and the concavely curved inboard panel all extend perpendicular to the underside of the wheeled trailer;
- wherein the planar outboard panel has a yaw angle such that a leading portion of the planar outboard panel is further inboard than a trailing portion of the planar outboard panel;
- and
- wherein the concavely-curved inboard panel is configured to direct flow inwardly away from the at least one wheel;
- and
- (b) moving the trailer in a forward direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.