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US 7,887,120 B2Granted
Aerodynamic trailer skirts
AssigneeTranstex Composite Inc.
InventorsMathieu Boivin, Philippe Desjardins, Mathieu Desjardins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A resilient skirt assembly is provided, the assembly comprising a skirt panel adapted to connect to a trailer to direct at least a portion of the amount of air on the side of the trailer; and a skirt support adapted to connect the skirt to a trailer, the skirt support having a resilient strut providing lateral support to the skirt panel, the resilient strut allowing substantial lateral pivotal movement of the skirt panel between a skirt panel unloaded position and a skirt panel loaded position. A method of assembling a skirt assembly and a skirt kit are also provided.
Claims68
An aerodynamic skirt adapted to be mounted to a trailer to manage the air flow around the trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising:
- a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be laterally proximally mounted to the trailer toward a center of the trailer, the rear portion being adapted to be substantially longitudinally and laterally distally mounted to the trailer,
- the skirt panel being made of a substantially planar material adapted to be bent in an aerodynamic configuration when mounted on the trailer by securing the skirt panel to one of longitudinal undersides of the trailer, the skirt panel further including a curved portion between the front and rear portions when in the aerodynamic configuration,
- wherein an air passage along the center of the trailer is substantially laterally bordered by the skirt panel, and
- wherein the skirt panel is adapted to be secured to the trailer with a plurality of resilient struts adapted to bend when a load exceeding a load generated by the air routed around the trailer is applied to the skirt panel.
1 more element
A skirt assembly kit comprising:
- a skirt panel adapted to be mounted to a trailer to route air about the trailer, the skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be laterally proximally mounted to the trailer toward a center of the trailer, the rear portion being adapted to be substantially longitudinally and laterally distally mounted to the trailer, the skirt panel including a curved portion between the front portion and the rear portion when mounted to the trailer, the skirt panel being made of a substantially planar material adapted to be bent in an aerodynamic configuration when mounted on the trailer by securing the skirt panel to one of longitudinal undersides of the trailer
- wherein an air passage along the center of the trailer is substantially laterally bordered by the skirt panel;
- a plurality of upper supports adapted to secure the skirt panel to the trailer;
- and
- wherein the skirt panel is adapted to be secured to the trailer with a plurality of resilient struts adapted to bend when a load exceeding a load generated by the air routed around the trailer is applied to the skirt panel.
2 more elements
A method of installing a skirt assembly on the trailer, the method comprising:
- securing an upper support to the trailer, the upper support being adapted to secure a skirt panel to the trailer, the upper support defining a non-linear upper supports layout;
- securing the skirt panel to one of longitudinal undersides of the trailer, the skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being laterally proximally mounted on the trailer toward a center of the trailer, the rear portion being substantially longitudinally and laterally distally mounted to the trailer, the skirt panel including a substantially curved portion between the front portion and the rear portion;
- securing struts between the trailer and the skirt panel;
- and
- bending the skirt panel to secure the skirt panel to the upper support and to form the substantially curved portion.
2 more elements
A resilient aerodynamic skirt adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to a trailer, the resilient aerodynamic skirt comprising:
- a skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted in respect with the forward portion toward a rear portion of the trailer, the skirt panel including a curved portion at least partially between the front portion and the rear portion when mounted on the trailer in an aerodynamic configuration, the skirt panel being adapted to bend away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover the aerodynamic configuration thereafter,
- wherein the resilient aerodynamic skirt comprises a resilient strut to at least partly secure the skirt panel to the trailer, at least part of the resilient strut being adapted to bend when the skirt panel bends away from the aerodynamic configuration.
A method of installing a resilient skirt assembly on a trailer, the method comprising:
- securing a skirt panel to the trailer, the skirt panel including a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted in respect with the forward portion toward a rear portion of the trailer, the skirt panel having a curved portion at least partially between the front portion and the rear portion when mounted on the trailer in an aerodynamic configuration;
- and securing at least one resilient strut between the trailer and the skirt panel, the at least one resilient strut maintaining the skirt panel in an aerodynamic configuration, the at least one resilient strut allowing the skirt panel to bend away from the aerodynamic configuration when contacting a foreign object and to recover its aerodynamic configuration thereafter.
A resilient skirt assembly kit comprising:
- a skirt panel adapted to be disposed on a trailer to aerodynamically route air along the trailer, the skirt panel defining a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be mounted toward a forward portion of the trailer and the rear portion being adapted to be mounted in respect with the forward portion toward a rear portion of the trailer, the skirt panel including a curved portion at least partially between the front portion and the rear portion when mounted on the trailer in an aerodynamic configuration;
- and a plurality of resilient struts adapted to at least partly secure the skirt panel to the trailer.
A resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly adapted to be mounted on a trailer, said skirt assembly including:
- a pair of resilient skirts, one for each longitudinal side of the trailer;
- and
- an attachment mechanism to connect each said resilient skirt to the trailer,
- wherein:
- each said resilient skirt includes at least one skirt panel including a composite material that is elastically deformable, such that each said skirt panel may, in use, sustain temporary deformation and stress as a result of encountering an object without breaking, and thereafter recover an original position and shape when unloaded,
- said attachment mechanism includes a plurality of resilient struts of composite material for each said resilient skirt, and a fastening system to attach (1) each said resilient strut to the trailer and the respective resilient skirt, and (2) each resilient skirt to the trailer,
- each said resilient strut has a first end directly connected to the respective skirt panel and a second end configured for connection to an I-beam of the trailer,
- each said resilient skirt includes an angled portion provided to a top portion of the skirt panel, a horizontal portion of each said angled portion being adapted to be secured to an I-beam of the trailer via the fastening system,
- the fastening system includes a set of rivets to directly connect the first end of the resilient strut to the respective skirt panel, and the fastening system further includes a first set of bolts to connect the second end of the resilient strut to the I-beam of the trailer, and a second set of bolts to connect the horizontal portion of the angled portion to the I-beam of the frame,
- each resilient strut has a rectangular cross section with longer sides running substantially parallel to the skirt panels and shorter sides running substantially perpendicular to the longer sides, wherein each said resilient strut may bend and flex when the respective part of the respective skirt panel is pushed towards a center of the trailer when encountering an object, and thereafter regain the original position when unloaded,
- each said resilient strut has a first configuration when unloaded, and a second configuration that is curved when under load,
- said first end of each said strut is angled to evenly contact the respective skirt panel, the second end of the strut being angled to evenly contact the trailer, said first end being substantially in a vertical plane when unloaded, said second end being in a substantially horizontal plane, and
- each said skirt panel includes a rearward portion and a forward portion, the rearward portions of the skirt panels being generally parallel to one another when attached to the trailer and the forward portions of the skirt panels being configured to converge towards one another when attached to the trailer, wherein an air passage is provided between the pair of resilient skirts in use.
10 more elements
A road trailer comprising:
- a frame having longitudinal sides, and a resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly adapted to be mounted on the frame, said skirt assembly including:
- a pair of resilient skirts, one for each longitudinal side of the trailer;
- and
- an attachment mechanism to connect each said resilient skirt to the trailer,
- wherein:
- each said resilient skirt includes at least one skirt panel including a composite material that is elastically deformable, such that each said skirt panel may, in use, sustain temporary deformation and stress as a result of encountering an object without breaking, and thereafter recover an original position and shape when unloaded,
- said attachment mechanism includes a plurality of resilient struts of composite material for each said resilient skirt, and a fastening system to attach (1) each said resilient strut to the trailer and the respective resilient skirt, and (2) each resilient skirt to the trailer,
- each said resilient strut has a first end directly connected to the respective skirt panel and a second end configured for connection to an I-beam of the trailer,
- each said resilient skirt includes an angled portion provided to a top portion of the skirt panel, a horizontal portion of each said angled portion being adapted to be secured to an I-beam of the trailer via the fastening system,
- the fastening system includes a set of rivets to directly connect the first end of the resilient strut to the respective skirt panel, and the fastening system further includes a first set of bolts to connect the second end of the resilient strut to the I-beam of the trailer, and a second set of bolts to connect the horizontal portion of the angled portion to the I-beam of the frame,
- each resilient strut has a rectangular cross section with longer sides running substantially parallel to the skirt panels and shorter sides running substantially perpendicular to the longer sides, wherein each said resilient strut may bend and flex when the respective part of the respective skirt panel is pushed towards a center of the trailer when encountering an object, and thereafter regain the original position when unloaded,
- each said resilient strut has a first configuration when unloaded, and a second configuration that is curved when under load,
- said first end of each said strut is angled to evenly contact the respective skirt panel, the second end of the strut being angled to evenly contact the trailer, said first end being substantially in a vertical plane when unloaded, said second end being in a substantially horizontal plane, and
- each said skirt panel includes a .rearward portion and a forward portion, the rearward portions of the skirt panels being generally parallel to one another when attached to the trailer and the forward portions of the skirt panels being configured to converge towards one another when attached to the trailer, wherein an air passage is provided between the pair of resilient skirts in use.
11 more elements
A road tractor comprising:
- a pair of front wheels and two pairs of rear wheel sets;
- and
- a road trailer comprising a frame having longitudinal sides;
- and
- a resilient aerodynamic skirt assembly adapted to be mounted on the trailer, said skirt assembly including:
- a pair of resilient skirts, one for each longitudinal side of the trailer;
- and
- an attachment mechanism to connect each said resilient skirt to the trailer,
- wherein:
- each said resilient skirt includes at least one skirt panel including a composite material that is elastically deformable, such that each said skirt panel may, in use, sustain temporary deformation and stress as a result of encountering an object without breaking, and thereafter recover an original position and shape when unloaded,
- said attachment mechanism includes a plurality of resilient struts of composite material for each said resilient skirt, and a fastening system to attach (1) each said resilient strut to the trailer and the respective resilient skirt, and (2) each resilient skirt to the trailer,
- each said resilient strut has a first end directly connected to the respective skirt panel and a second end configured for connection to an I-beam of the trailer,
- each said resilient skirt includes an angled portion provided to a top portion of the skirt panel, a horizontal portion of each said angled portion being adapted to be secured to an I-beam of the trailer via the fastening system,
- the fastening system includes a set of rivets to directly connect the first end of the resilient strut to the respective skirt panel, and the fastening system further includes a first set of bolts to connect the second end of the resilient strut to the I-beam of the trailer, and a second set of bolts to connect the horizontal portion of the angled portion to the I-beam of the frame,
- each resilient strut has a rectangular cross section with longer sides running substantially parallel to the skirt panels and shorter sides running substantially perpendicular to the longer sides, wherein each said resilient strut may bend and flex when the respective part of the respective skirt panel is pushed towards a center of the trailer when encountering an object, and thereafter regain the original position when unloaded,
- each said resilient strut has a first configuration when unloaded, and a second configuration that is curved when under load,
- said first end of each said strut is angled to evenly contact the respective skirt panel, the second end of the strut being angled to evenly contact the trailer, said first end being substantially in a vertical plane when unloaded, said second end being in a substantially horizontal plane, and
- each said skirt panel includes a rearward portion and a forward portion, the rearward portions of the skirt panels being generally parallel to one another when attached to the trailer and the forward portions of the skirt panels being configured to converge towards one another when attached to the trailer, wherein an air passage is provided between the pair of resilient skirts in use.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.