Patent ID: 8727425
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: B62D,Y02T,Y10S

Abstract:
1. 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 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 said 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 at least two of said generally-vertical support posts of said plurality of generally-vertical support posts and at one of said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels are located along a path from said forward portion to said trailing portion; f) wherein such path proceeds outwardly, relative to said longitudinal axis, from said forward portion to said trailing portion to a location adjacent and forward of said rear wheel assembly; g) 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; and h) 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 i) said set of generally-vertical side-skirt wall panels are positionally biased toward at least one useful aerodynamic rest-position; j) 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.