# US 9,751,573 B2 · Aerodynamic trucking systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,573 B2 - Document ID: US9751573B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/935,647 - Filed: 2015-11-09 - Published: 2016-03-10 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2010-05-27 - Assignees: Strehl, LLC - Applicants: Strehl, LLC - Inventors: Richard P. Senatro - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751573B2 ## CPC - B62D 35/001: {For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans} - B62D 35/008: {Side spoilers (B62D35/001 takes precedence)} - B62D 35/02: Streamlining the undersurfaces {(B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence)} - Y02T 10/82: Elements for improving aerodynamics - Y02T 10/88: Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses - Y10S 180/903: Airstream reactive vehicle or vehicle structure - 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) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A system of aerodynamic skirt fairings configured to minimize aerodynamic drag and maintain smoother air flow over highway-operated long-haul tractor-trailer vehicles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A side skirt system, relating to a set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels for reducing aerodynamic drag below cargo trailers comprising generally-rectilinear floor assemblies each having longitudinal sides, a longitudinal axis, a forward portion, a trailing portion, and a pair of landing gear and a rear, and having at least one rear wheel assembly situated below such respective generally rectilinear floor, comprising: a) a plurality of generally-vertical support posts, said plurality located generally below a longitudinal side; b) wherein each respective generally-vertical support post of said plurality comprises a respective upper end; c) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled only adjacent, at said respective upper end, with said generally-rectilinear floor assembly; d) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled below said upper end to at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels; e) wherein said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels extend from said forward portion to said trailing portion of said cargo trailer, wherein said trailing portion of said cargo trailer comprises the rear of the cargo trailer; f) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is configured to assist upward and inward pivoting of at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels and impact damage of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels may be reduced by such upward and inward pivoting; g) wherein said upper end comprises at least one adjustable attacher structured and arranged to adjustably attach said generally-vertical support post to said generally-rectilinear floor; h) wherein said at least one adjustable attacher comprises: at least one mounting plate structured and arranged to assist mounted engagement of said generally-vertical support post with said generally-rectilinear floor; and at least one threaded-shaft tensioner structured and arranged to tension said at least one mounting plate toward such mounted engagement; wherein said at least one mounting plate comprises at least one slotted aperture structured and arranged to receive at least one positional maintainer; and i) wherein interaction of airflow below said cargo trailer, when moving forward, with said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels reduces aerodynamic drag of said cargo trailer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The side skirt system according to claim 1, wherein at least one generally-vertical support post is located aft of the at least one rear wheel assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The side skirt system according to claim 1, wherein at least one generally-vertical support post is located forward of the pair of landing gear. ### Claim 4 A side skirt system, relating to a set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels for reducing aerodynamic drag below cargo trailers comprising a generally-rectilinear floor assembly having longitudinal sides, a longitudinal axis, a forward portion, a trailing portion, and a pair of landing gear and a rear, and having at least one rear wheel assembly situated below said generally-rectilinear floor, comprising: a) a plurality of generally-vertical support posts, said plurality located generally below a longitudinal side; and b) wherein each respective generally-vertical support post of said plurality comprises a respective upper end; c) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled only adjacent, at said respective upper end, with said generally-rectilinear floor assembly; d) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled below said upper end to at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels; e) wherein said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels extend from said forward portion to said trailing portion of said cargo trailer, wherein said trailing portion of said cargo trailer comprises the rear of the cargo trailer; f) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is configured to assist upward and inward pivoting of at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels and impact damage of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels may be reduced by such upward and inward pivoting; g) wherein said upper end comprises at least one adjustable attacher structured and arranged to adjustably attach said generally-vertical support post to said generally-rectilinear floor; h) wherein said at least one adjustable attacher comprises at least one vertical-axis rotator configured to allow rotation of said generally-vertical support post about a generally-vertical axis; i) wherein said at least one vertical-axis rotator comprises at least one positional maintainer structured and arranged to maintain such respective generally-vertical support post in at least one defined rotational position about such generally-vertical axis; and j) wherein interaction of airflow below said cargo trailer, when moving forward, with said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels reduces aerodynamic drag of said cargo trailer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The side skirt system according to claim 4, wherein: a) such respective generally-vertical support post further comprises at least one positional biaser structured and arranged to positionally bias such respective generally-vertical support post into at least one generally-vertical position; and b) said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels are positionally biased toward at least one useful aerodynamic rest-position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The side skirt system according to claim 4, wherein said at least one adjustable attacher further comprises at least one clamping assembly structured and arranged to assist adjustable clamping of said generally-vertical support post to at least one floor support member of said generally-rectilinear floor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The side skirt system according to claim 6, wherein said at least one positional biaser comprises at least one elastomerically-isolated coupler. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The side skirt system according to claim 4, wherein at least one generally-vertical support post is located aft of the at least one rear wheel assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The side skirt system according to claim 4, wherein at least one generally-vertical support post is located forward of the pair of landing gear. ### Claim 10 A side skirt system, relating to a set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels for reducing aerodynamic drag below cargo trailers comprising a generally-rectilinear floor assembly having longitudinal sides, a longitudinal axis, a forward portion, a trailing portion, and a pair of landing gear and a rear, and having at least one rear wheel assembly situated below said generally-rectilinear floor, comprising: a) a plurality of generally-vertical support posts, said plurality located generally below a longitudinal side; b) wherein each respective generally-vertical support post of said plurality comprises a respective upper end; c) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled only adjacent, at said respective upper end, with said generally-rectilinear floor assembly by at least one elastomerically-isolated coupler; d) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is coupled below said upper end to at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels; e) wherein said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels extend from said forward portion to said trailing portion of said cargo trailer, wherein said trailing portion of said cargo trailer comprises the rear of the cargo trailer; f) wherein each such respective generally-vertical support post is configured to assist upward and inward pivoting of at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels to reduce impact damage; and g) wherein said upper end comprises at least one adjustable attacher structured and arranged to adjustably attach said generally-vertical support post to said generally-rectilinear floor; wherein said at least one adjustable attacher comprises at least one positional maintainer configured to allow rotation of said generally-vertical support post about a generally-vertical axis; h) wherein said at least one adjustable attacher comprises: at least one mounting plate structured and arranged to assist mounted engagement of said generally-vertical support post with said generally-rectilinear floor; and at least one threaded-shaft tensioner structured and arranged to tension said at least one mounting plate toward such mounted engagement; wherein said at least one mounting plate comprises at least one slotted aperture structured and arranged to receive the at least one positional maintainer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The side skirt system according to claim 10, wherein such respective generally-vertical support post further comprises at least one positional biaser structured and arranged to positionally bias such respective generally-vertical support post into at least one generally-vertical position and wherein said at least one positional biaser comprises the at least one elastomerically-isolated coupler. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The side skirt system according to claim 11, wherein said generally-vertical support post comprises at least one channel having at least one mounting flange structured and arranged to assist connection of at least one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels to such respective generally-vertical support post. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The side skirt system according to claim 12, wherein said at least one mounting plate and said at least one threaded-shaft tensioner are configured to form at least one clamping assembly structured and arranged to assist, when assembled, adjustable clamping of said generally-vertical support post to such at least one floor support member of such generally-rectilinear floor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The side skirt system according to claim 10, wherein at least one generally-vertical support post is located aft of the at least one rear wheel assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The side skirt system according to claim 10, wherein at least one generally-vertical support post is located forward of the pair of landing gear.