Driven craft having surface means for increasing propulsion efficiencies

#The present invention relates to vehicles having surface means for developing increased propulsion efficiency by reducing of opposing forces acting on the vehicle.

#As disclosed in the inventors copending application entitled PROPELLED APPARATUS HAVING SURFACE MEANS FOR DEVELOPING INCREASED PROPULSION EFFICIENCIES which was filed on May 16, 1977 with Ser. No. 798,417 development of different crafts for land, air and water transport, significant effort has been directed toward the streamlining of the body. Thus, generally it is assumed that the movement of the craft through the air or water requires the movement of the medium over the surface. Streamlined leading surfaces are provided for gradually moving of the air or water laterally aside to minimize the build up of a compacted mass of the fluid. The forward wall does, of course, because of impacting or smaching into the medium, develop a relatively forward compacted mass and opposing pressure, with the streamlined angular orientation of smooth surfaces providing for the mass to slip off the vehicle's surface and rearwardly from the vehicle. This, however, does result in the medium being carried along the surface and thereby creating a drag characteristic. Further, it is well known in the art particularly as applies to land vehicles and the like, the movement of the compacted mass results in the creation of a reduced pressure at rear end of the moving vehicle. This, of course, in essence creates further drag on the vehicle tending to prevent the forward propulsion and further creating a source of inefficiency.

#Although streamlined surfaces have been widely developed, and do in fact contribute to improved efficiency, the present inventor has realized that the prior art approach is only directed toward reducing the effect of the impact forces.

#The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction of the present invention in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be clear from the following description of such embodiments.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an automobile incorporating the present invention;

#Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a conventional automobile is diagrammatically illustrated including a body portion 1 mounted on wheels 2. The illustrated body portion 1 includes a central passenger compartment 3 with a front windshield 4 and forwardly extended streamlined hood portion 5 within which the engine (not shown) is housed. The rear or trunk portion 6 of the automobile extends rearwardly from the passenger compartment and is shown of the hatch-back type configuration. The vehicle's exterior surface is in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, formed as a unique fluted surface which includes specially arranged individual parallel flutes 9 and intersecting dividing walls 10 to minimize the effective area of impact with air in front of the vehicle and to minimize the retarding forces associated with the air moving over the top side and rear surfaces of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, all exterior surfaces including not only the upper surfaces but also the bottom and sides of the automobile 1 as well as the wheel tires 11 may be similarly formed of the divided fluted surfaces as hereinafter described to enhance the effects of the environmental air conditions. In addition, fluted members 12 may be located to the front and back of the tires 11 to further minimize tire drag normally encountered.

#As fully developed in the inventor's copending application, the conventional approach employing a relatively smooth, streamlined body surface, although providing improved efficiencies, does not maximize the effective conditions, and in fact that rather than a smooth surface, a surface with the series of generally wave-shaped flutes provides an improved surface for reducing of the opposing forces on the vehicle. Generally, in that teaching the surface included relatively minute surface flutes extending normal to the direction of travel and operating to minimize resistance to forward movement and maximize resistance to the forward movement and maximize the pressure conditions to the rear of the vehicle thereby maintaining optimum propulsion conditions. The basic concept disclosed therein is partially employed herein. In the drawings, the flutes are shown very substantially enlarged for purposes of illustration.

#Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, an enlarged fragmentary view of the top or trailing portion of the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated. As shown therein, the fluted surface includes a first series of wave-shaped flutes 13 and a second series of wave flutes 14 arranged in a herringbone pattern. Each series of the flutes 13 and 14 is angularly oriented in an opposite direction with respect to the forward direction of travel and extends from a central portion as shown by line 15 of the vehicle 1 laterally and rearwardly. Each series of flutes 13 and 14 includes a plurality of similar individual flutes 9. Each flute 9 includes a depression or trough 16 which progressively moves and curves upwardly and rearwardly to a sharp crest 17 merging with the next trough as in the previously identified application.