Patent ID: 7497502
Filing Date: 2009-03-03
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. An aerodynamic device for reducing drag on a ground vehicle, comprising: a first pair of rigid panels attached to the left side of the bottom surface of the vehicle and extending downward from the vehicle, including an outer panel substantially coplanar with the left surface of the vehicle and an inner panel located inboard of the outer panel and separated from the outer panel by a horizontal distance; a second pair of rigid panels attached to the right side of the bottom surface of the vehicle and extending downward from the vehicle, including an outer panel substantially coplanar with the right surface of the vehicle and an inner panel located inboard of the outer panel and separated from the outer panel by a horizontal distance; wherein the first and second pairs of rigid panels are configured with each panel extending downward from the vehicle a desired vertical distance and having a lower edge that is aerodynamically sharp; and wherein each of the horizontal and vertical distances are configured so as to form a first and second inverted U-shaped channel open to the downward direction, with the panels configured to generate a vortex within the channel when the ground vehicle is in motion, wherein the vortex has an axis of rotation aligned with the direction of motion of the ground vehicle.