Pneumatic aerodynamic control and drag-reduction system for ground vehicles

A method for controlling aerodynamic forces acting on a ground vehicle by blowing air, said method comprising the steps of:

• routing compressed air from a source to a first valve and a second valve;
• adjusting a flow of said compressed air with said valves;
• receiving said flow of compressed air from said first valve in a first plenum, and receiving said flow of compressed air from said second valve in a second plenum;
• discharging said flow of compressed air out of said first plenum through a first opening in an upper surface of said ground vehicle and discharging said flow of compressed air out of said second plenum through a second opening in a lower surface of said ground vehicle, wherein said flow of compressed air is discharged tangential to said outer surface of said ground vehicle;
• controlling said first valve and said second valve independently to adjust the air flow out of said first opening and said second opening;
• and
• generating a negative lift force on said ground vehicle.

An airflow control system for use with a ground vehicle for adjusting aerodynamic forces acting on said ground vehicle, said system comprising:

• a ground vehicle having a body, said vehicle body having an outer surface comprising an upper outer surface and a lower outer surface, said ground vehicle having a left side and a right side;
• a source of air under pressure, said source of air internal to the body of said ground vehicle;
• a left valve for receiving and regulating a first flow of air from said source of air under pressure;
• a first means for receiving said first flow of air from said left valve and for discharging said air through a first opening in the outer surface of said ground vehicle, said first opening on the left side of said ground vehicle, said air being discharged tangentially to the ground vehicle outer surface;
• a right valve for receiving and regulating a second flow of air from said source of air under pressure;
• a second means for receiving said second flow of air from said right valve and for discharging said air through a second opening in the outer surface of said ground vehicle, said second opening on the right side of said ground vehicle, said air being discharged tangentially to the ground vehicle outer surface;
• and
• means for independently controlling said left valve and said right valve, said controlling means independently adjusting said flow of air through each valve such that the flow of air out of said first and second openings are modified independently;
• wherein said air discharged through said first opening and said second opening augments aerodynamic forces acting on said vehicle and reduces flow separation downstream of said openings.

A method for adjusting aerodynamic forces acting on a ground vehicle by blowing air, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a ground vehicle having a body with an outer surface;
• routing compressed air from a source of air under pressure to a valve, said source of air under pressure internal to said ground vehicle;
• adjusting a flow of said compressed air with said valve;
• receiving a first flow of compressed air from said valve in a left plenum positioned on a left side of said ground vehicle, and receiving a second flow of compressed air from said valve in a right plenum on a right side of said ground vehicle;
• discharging said first flow of compressed air from said left plenum and through a first opening in a left side of said outer surface of said ground vehicle;
• discharging said second flow of compressed air from said right plenum and through a second opening in a right side of said outer surface of said ground vehicle;
• directing said first and second flows of compressed air out of said first and second openings to discharge tangential to said outer surface of said ground vehicle;
• generating a region of increased negative pressure along the outer surface of the ground vehicle downstream of said first and second openings, said negative pressure region altering the aerodynamic forces acting on said ground vehicle and creating rolling and yawing moments on said ground vehicle;
• detecting a relative wind acting on said ground vehicle;
• and
• controlling said valve to adjust said first and second flows of compressed air out of said first and second openings to compensate for said relative wind.

A method for controlling aerodynamic forces acting on a ground vehicle by blowing air, said method comprising the steps of:

• routing compressed air from a source of pressurized air through a first control valve and a second control valve;
• receiving a first flow of compressed air from said first control valve in a first plenum, and receiving a second flow of compressed air from said second control valve in a second plenum;
• discharging said first flow of compressed air out of said first plenum through a first opening in a left side of an outer surface of said ground vehicle, said first flow discharging tangential to said outer surface;
• discharging said second flow of compressed air out of said second plenum through a second opening in a right side of an outer surface of said ground vehicle, said second flow discharging tangential to said outer surface;
• and
• reducing vortex roll up on said ground vehicle.