Collapsible airfoil for trucks and trailers
OwnerSteven Todd Kroninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The purpose of the device is to minimize drag and turbulence otherwise occurring at the rear of a semi trailer, in order to reduced the consumption of fuel by a semi tractor. This is accomplished using directionally flexible sheets of composite material, which create contours that taper towards a terminating edge to form a teardrop shape, as established by panels attached to the top and bottom of either door. Along the trailing edge of the main body, another vertical panel known as a wake separator maintains separation between confliction columns of air. An additional wake separator attached to the bottom of the device performs a similar function, and will facilitate collapse in the event of a collision.
Claims11
A collapsible airfoil for trucks and trailers comprised of:
- a first directionally flexible vertical panel having a inner edge and an outer edge, said inner edge being pivotally attached to a first trailer door and said outer edge being pivotally attached to a hinged component;
- a second directionally flexible vertical panel having an inner edge and an outer edge pivotally attached to said first vertical flexible panel by said hinged component;
- a third directionally flexible vertical panel having a inner edge and an outer edge, said inner edge being pivotally attached to a second trailer door and said outer edge being pivotally attached to a hinged component;
- a fourth directionally flexible vertical panel having an inner edge and an outer edge pivotally attached to said third vertical flexible panel by said hinged component;
- a first upper semi-rigid horizontal panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, said first upper semi-rigid horizontal panel pivotally attached to said first trailer door supported at in inward angle α, said angle α having a range of 15-30 degrees defined by the upper edge of the vertical doors;
- a second upper semi-rigid horizontal panel pivotally having an upper surface and a lower surface, said second upper semi-rigid horizontal panel attached to said second trailer door supported at in inward angle α, said angle α having a range of 15-30 degrees defined by the upper edge of the vertical doors;
- a first lower semi-rigid horizontal panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, said first lower semi-rigid horizontal panel pivotally attached to said first trailer door supported at an inward angle;
- a second lower semi-rigid horizontal panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, said second lower semi-rigid horizontal panel pivotally attached to said second trailer door supported at an inward angle;
- a plurality of brackets to prevent said first horizontal panel and said second horizontal panel from being blown upward;
- a first pull cable attached to an aperture in said outer edge of said second directionally flexible vertical panel to close panels;
- a second pull cable attached to an aperture in said outer edge of said fourth directionally flexible vertical panel to close panels;
- a first support cable attached to said upper surface of said first upper semi-rigid horizontal panel and secured to said first trailer door at an angle of 30-50 degrees;
- a second support cable attached to said upper surface of said second upper semi-rigid horizontal panel and secured to said second trailer door at an angle of 30-50 degrees;
- said first, second, third and fourth vertical panels forming a tear drop shape when engaged by said pull cables and said support cables;
- a central wake separating panel pivotally attached to the outer side edge of said first flexible vertical panel;
- and
- a second wake separating panel releasably attached to said first lower semi-rigid horizontal panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.