Patent ID: 8608228
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: B61D,B62D,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for reducing drag on a transport vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a) aerodynamic panels for deployment in a direction opposite of travel of the transport vehicle comprising: a first set of one or more aerodynamic panels adjacent a left side of the transport vehicle; a second set of one or more aerodynamic panels adjacent a right side of the transport vehicle; and a third set of one or more aerodynamic panels adjacent a top side of the transport vehicle, with: b) a first housing located adjacent the left side of the transport vehicle for receiving the first set of one or more aerodynamic panels in the retracted position; a second housing located adjacent the right side of the transport vehicle for receiving the second set of one or more aerodynamic panels in the retracted position; and a third housing located adjacent the top side of the transport vehicle for receiving the third set of one or more aerodynamic panels in the retracted position; c) guide means connecting each housing to the corresponding set of one or more aerodynamic panels, for guiding each set of one or more aerodynamic panels between the retracted position and the deployed position; d) interconnecting means between the aerodynamic panels for providing coordinated deployment and retraction thereof; and e) activation means for deployment and retraction of the aerodynamic panels; wherein during deployment, the first, second and third sets of one or more aerodynamic panels assemble to provide the continuous aerodynamic structure; and during retraction, the first, second and third sets of one or more aerodynamic panels separate in a coordinated manner.