US 8,506,004 B1 · Gap fairing and drag reduction method

Abstract

A gap fairing and aerodynamic drag reduction method for a tractor-trailer. A fairing body is attached to a chassis of the tractor, independently of the cab thereof and within a gap between a cab of the tractor and the trailer. The fairing body has side portions, extending rearwardly from a front portion, adjacent the cab of the tractor, toward the trailer and an upwardly sloping top portion extending to the side portions and terminating in a trailing end. The trailing end can be situated behind the side portions to lessen the inclination of the top portion. A separation space between the front of the fairing body and the cab can be sealed by a sealing element that is at least in part resilient or flexible or both so as to allow relative motion between the fairing body and the cab.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A gap fairing for reducing aerodynamic drag of a tractor-trailer having a tractor and a trailer pivotably connected to the tractor, said gap fairing comprising:

a fairing body attached to a chassis of said tractor, independently of a cab of the tractor, within a gap between a cab of said tractor and said trailer and such that a spacing exists between the fairing body and the trailer to enable the trailer to pivot during maneuvering of the tractor-trailer, a front portion of the fairing body is situated directly behind the cab and a separation space exists between a front portion of the fairing body and the cab;
the fairing body having side portion, extending rearwardly from the front portion toward the trailer thereby inhibiting cross-winds from entering the gap and assisting in streamlining air flow from the sides of the cab to the trailer and an upwardly sloping top portion connected to at least the front portion, extending to the side portions and terminating in a trailing end, thereby assisting in streamlining air flow from the top of the cab to the trailer;
and
a seal element sealing the separation space between said cab and the fairing body at outer peripheral portions thereof and at least in part having at least one of a resiliency and a flexibility so as to allow relative motion between said fairing body and said cab.

1 more element

A method of for reducing aerodynamic drag of a tractor-trailer having a tractor and a trailer pivotably connected to the tractor:

attaching a fairing body attached to a chassis of said tractor, independently of a cab of the tractor, within a gap between a cab of said tractor and a trailer and such that a spacing exists between the fairing body and the trailer to enable the trailer to pivot during maneuvering of the tractor-trailer, a front portion of the fairing body is situated directly behind the cab and a separation space exists between a front portion of the fairing body and the Cab;
inhibiting cross-winds from entering the gap and assisting in streamlining air flow from the sides of the cab with side portions of the fairing body extending rearwardly from the front portion toward the trailer;
assisting in streamlining air flow from the top of the cab to the trailer with an upwardly sloping top portion of the fairing body connected to at least the front portion and extending toward the side portions and terminating in a trailing end;
and
sealing the separation space between said cab and the fairing body at outer peripheral portions thereof with a seal element at least in part having at least one of a resiliency and a flexibility so as to allow relative motion between said fairing body and said cab.

2 more elements

A method of reducing aerodynamic drag of a tractor-trailer having a tractor and a trailer pivotably connected to the tractor comprising:

attaching a fairing body attached to a chassis of said tractor, independently of a cab of the tractor, within a gap between a cab of said tractor and a trailer and such that a spacing exists between the fairing body and the trailer to enable the trailer to pivot during maneuvering of the tractor-trailer, a front portion of the fairing body is situated directly behind the cab and a separation space exists between a front portion of the fairing body and the cab;
inhibiting cross-winds from entering the gap and assisting in streamlining air flow from the sides of the cab with side portions of the fairing body extending rearwardly from the front portion toward the trailer;
and
assisting in streamlining air flow from the top of the cab to the trailer with a top portion connected to at least the front portion and extending toward the side portions and upwardly sloping from the front portion of the fairing body and terminating in a trailing end located behind the side portions.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gap fairing and drag reduction method

Life of this patent

Gap fairing and drag reduction method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22