# US 8,740,285 B2 · Vehicle airfoils for safety, efficiency, and performance

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- Number: US 8,740,285 B2
- Document ID: US8740285B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/251,314
- Filed: 2008-10-14
- Published: 2010-04-15
- Granted: 2014-06-03
- Earliest claimed: 2008-10-14
- Applicants: William Nelson Beckon
- Inventors: William Nelson Beckon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740285B2

## CPC

- B62D 35/00: Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
- B60Q 1/2661: {mounted on parts having other functions (on wheels B60Q1/326)}
- B60Q 1/44: for indicating braking action {or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal}
- B62D 35/005: {Front spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)}
- B62D 35/007: {Rear spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)}
- B62D 37/02: by aerodynamic means
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL

## Abstract

One or more airfoils, mounted above the upper surface of an automobile or other vehicle, optionally with variable angle of attack and/or camber, under the continuous automatic control of the vehicle's computer (electronic control module), for the purpose of providing well-distributed vertical thrust with minimum drag, or strong downward thrust with drag, depending on driving circumstances, thereby increasing the safety of the vehicle as well as improving its efficiency and performance.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An aerodynamic apparatus for a vehicle comprising one or more airfoils situated substantially above the wheelbase of the vehicle so as to be capable of exerting well-distributed downward thrust on the wheels that steer, propel and brake the vehicle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An apparatus of claim 1 in which the airfoils, in response to driving circumstances, are capable of providing controllable downward thrust or lift by means of variable angle of attack and/or variable camber.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

An apparatus of claim 2 in which the airfoils passively and immediately return to a down-thrust configuration in the event of any malfunction or failure of the airfoil control system.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

An apparatus of claim 3 in which the span of each airfoil is subdivided laterally into two or more independently variable sections capable of simultaneously providing different amounts of down-thrust or lift on the two sides of the vehicle to counteract any tendency of the vehicle to roll.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3, 4)

An apparatus of claim 3 or 4, in which the airfoils are substantially under automatic control, not requiring any action by the driver.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

An apparatus of claim 5 in which the airfoils are controlled by the electronic control module of the vehicle, that is, by the vehicle computer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

An apparatus of claim 6 in which the underside of the rear-most airfoil incorporates brake lights that are directed toward following traffic when the rear edge of the airfoil rises to assist in braking.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An apparatus of claim 1 in which one or more surfaces of the airfoils incorporate photovoltaic cells for generating electricity.

### Claim 9

An airfoil having a variable, reversible camber by means of an internal support structure consisting of several articulating parts including a rolling member along the leading edge of said airfoil, rounded and affixed to the skin along its forward edge; a rigid, substantially wedge-shaped trailing edge support member, affixed to the skin along the rear of said member; connecting arms linking leading and trailing members and connecting them to an actuator; and flexible, inelastic skin continuously covering said airfoil.