Aerodynamic system and adjustable fairings
AssigneeFlowbelow Aero, Inc.
InventorsJoshua Butler, Kyle Walker, Redza Shah, Timothy Uys
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments provide an aerodynamic fairing system that may comprise a base configured to mount to a vehicle, an arm coupled to the base at a proximate end and extending laterally, an a fairing mounted to the arm having an inboard and an outboard surface. The fairing outboard surface may provide an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow to an angle to the rear. The arm may a fixed or adjustable length arm. The arm may provide a mounting area for a mud flap such that aerodynamic system may act as a mud flap hanger. Embodiments also provide an adjustable mud flap hanger.
Claims30
A fairing assembly adapted to couple to a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- an arm comprising one or more mud flap mounts to mount a mud flap;
- a fairing coupled to the arm, the fairing positioned on an outboard side of the mud flap, the fairing having an inboard surface and an outboard surface, the fairing outboard surface comprising an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow in a rearward angle;
- and
- an adapter coupled to the fairing and to the arm at a distal end of the arm, wherein the adapter is configured such that the fairing is mountable in one or more mounting positions.
A fairing assembly adapted to couple to a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- an arm comprising one or more mud flap mounts to mount a mud flap;
- and
- a fairing coupled to the arm, the fairing positioned on an outboard side of the mud flap, the fairing having an inboard surface and an outboard surface, the fairing outboard surface comprising an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow in a rearward angle, wherein the arm comprises an adjustable length sleeve.
A fairing assembly adapted to position a fairing behind a wheel of a vehicle having a set of wheels, the fairing assembly comprising:
- a base configured to mount to a frame rail of the vehicle;
- an arm coupled to the base at a proximate end and extending laterally;
- an adapter at a distal end of the arm;
- and
- a fairing configured to be located behind a wheel, the fairing coupled to the adapter in a mounting position selected from one or more mounting positions, the fairing comprising:
- a leading edge and a trailing edge, at least one of the fairing leading or trailing edges having a shape substantially corresponding to a wheel shape;
- and
- an inboard surface and an outboard surface, the fairing outboard surface comprising an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow in a rearward angle.
An aerodynamic system for a vehicle comprising:
- a first fairing assembly comprising:
- a first arm coupled to the vehicle;
- and
- a fairing coupled to an outboard end of the first arm, the fairing having an outer surface to direct airflow leaving a wheel in a first rearward angle;
- and
- one or more additional aerodynamic components configured to act in conjunction with the fairing assembly to reduce aerodynamic drag of the vehicle.
A mud flap hanger arm configured to attach to a frame rail of a tractor-trailer vehicle comprising:
- a sleeve comprising:
- a main body defining an inner portion receiving channel and comprising a mud flap mounting member defining a set of spaced mud flap mounts;
- and
- an inner portion at least partially received in the inner portion receiving channel, the inner portion translatable in the inner portion receiving channel to a plurality of positions;
- a locking mechanism configured to lock the relative position of the main body and inner portion;
- a base coupled to the sleeve;
- a first anchor member coupled to the base;
- a second anchor member coupled to the inner portion;
- and
- a spring coupled to the first anchor member and the second anchor member, the spring biasing the inner portion to the base through spring tension such that the inner portion is deflectable relative to the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.