Patent ID: 7748771
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for reducing drag at the trailing end of a vehicle having an outer, aft surface comprised of two swinging doors, said apparatus comprising: two or more curved airfoils having opposing inboard and outboard edges and encompassing an arc of approximately 180 degrees, said two or more airfoils being attached to the swinging doors at an outboard edge of each airfoil by a plurality of hinges and torsion springs, the torsion springs bias said two or more airfoils against said doors so that the opposing inboard, unattached edges of said two or more airfoils are in contact with said doors, whereby said two or more airfoils have enough intrinsic strength to resist deformation by ambient air flow while having sufficient flexibility and resiliency to deflect and then return to thief initial shape if impacted with a minimal force and each of the at least two airfoils is compressed nearly flat between the doors and outer surfaces of opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the vehicle when the doors are swung through approximately 270 degrees from a closed position, then return to their initial shape when the doors are once again closed.