Apparatus for reducing drag on vehicles with planar rear surfaces

Vanes are used for reducing drag on a moving vehicle having a substantially planar rear surface. The vanes are mounted to the vehicle using pliant material which creates no work for the driver of the vehicle during loading or unloading activities. The apparatus is extremely light weight, and includes a rigid vane of length L having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an aerodynamic center positioned at a distance of between 0.15 L and 0.5 L from the leading edge. The vane has an inner surface facing the vehicle and an outer surface. Multiple pliant attachment devices connect the vane to the vehicle. The vane helps prevent or reduce formation of a zone of turbulent air behind the vehicle. The apparatus allows substantial reductions in fuel consumption and truck CO2 emissions during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to devices for reducing air flow resistance and drag on trucks, semitrailers, railway cars, and other vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to devices for redirecting air from airstreams passing around a vehicle into zones of turbulent air at the rear of the vehicle.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The profitability of long-distance highway cargo transport depends heavily on the cost of fuel, and on the efficiency with which the fuel is utilized. The cost of fuel is largely outside the control of the cargo transporter; however, the efficiency of fuel utilization may be increased. One method involves reducing resistance to forward motion of a vehicle through the air. Resistance to vehicular motion takes two major forms. First, the volume of air immediately in front of the vehicle acts as a barrier. A vehicle is then required to expend energy to push this volume of air aside, thereby reducing fuel economy. Significant advances have been made in aerodynamic design of semitrailer tractors and trailers, including the incorporation of deflectors to redirect air around substantially vertical planar surfaces of vehicles. A commonly used deflector takes the form of a dome-shaped device mounted on the top of a semitrailer tractor cab; the dome deflects air upward toward the top of the trailer, rather than allowing the air to flow directly against the vertical front of the trailer. Resistance to forward motion of the vehicle from the body of air in front of the vehicle is reduced. A measurable increase in the efficiency of fuel utilization, and a concomitant increase in mileage traveled per gallon of fuel used (fuel mileage), is obtained.

A second, and at least equally pernicious, form of resistance to a vehicle in motion lies in the drag on the vehicle caused by the formation of reduced-pressure zones at the rear of the vehicle, or in between units of a combination vehicle, such as a string of multiple trailers. The airstreams passing over the top and along the sides of the vehicle recombine behind the vehicle. However, due to turbulence caused by the passage of the vehicle, a space filled with low pressure air forms between the rear of the vehicle and the point at which these airstreams fully recombine. This zone of turbulent low-pressure air acts as a partial vacuum, and induces drag on the vehicle in a backward direction. The work that must be preformed by the engine to pull the vehicle forward is then increased, thereby decreasing fuel mileage.

Aerodynamic drag on vehicles has long been recognized in the art. It has been determined that, for a tractor-trailer weighing 80,000 pounds travelling at 70 miles per hour, 65% of the energy expended by the vehicle is used to overcome aerodynamic drag. Of this 65% of the energy expended by the vehicle, 80% is expended to overcome drag forces at the rear of the vehicle. A number of solutions to this problem have been proposed. One common solution lies in streamlining the rear of a trailer. Airstreams passing along the trailer flow together more smoothly, with reduced turbulence. A smaller low-pressure zone is produced at the rear of the vehicle, with a marked reduction in drag. However, a number of legacy trailers exist, which would require a sizable expense to replace. Accordingly, methods of reducing drag which may be easily and inexpensively retrofitted onto existing trailers would be attractive to trucking companies.

One method of retrofitting existing trailers with streamlined drag-reduction devices lies in the use of conical or pyramidal devices on the rear of a trailer. Such vanes act in the same manner as the streamlined rear of a trailer as described above, in that the conical or pyramidal devices allow airstreams to flow together more smoothly. An advantage over the above streamlined trailers is that conical or pyramidal devices may be readily retrofitted onto an existing, non-streamlined, trailer. However, these devices do have certain drawbacks. When used with trailer trucks, these devices normally fit over the doors at the rear of the trailer. Thus, these devices may not be simply mounted on a trailer and left in place. Instead, these devices must be assembled and mounted on the rear of the trailer after completion of the loading process. Similarly, such devices must be disassembled and removed from the trailer before unloading can begin, causing inconvenient delays in the unloading and loading processes. More importantly, at least some of the savings from increases in fuel mileage or fuel economy may be offset by increased hourly costs for labor. Another drawback of using rear-mounted devices on trailers is that the devices add significantly to the length of a trailer, making it difficult to use these conical or pyramidal devices to reduce drag in between a pair of trailers mounted in series.

Some designs allow the vanes to slide into or out of tracks mounted on the side of the vehicle; while the use of such tracks accelerates the process of positioning vanes after loading and unloading the trailer, the cost and complexity of retrofitting an existing trailer with a streamlined vane is significantly increased.

A second method of retrofitting trailers with a drag-reducing device lies in fitting vanes to the rear corners of the trailers. Corner vanes redirect airstreams passing along the sides of the vehicle to induce flow into a low-pressure zone behind the trailer, thereby reducing the magnitude of the partial vacuum behind the trailer, and hence reducing the drag on the vehicle. If two trailers are connected in series, formation of a low pressure zone between the trailers may be prevented by mounting vanes to the rear of the front trailer, such that air flowing along a front trailer is redirected into the space between the front trailer and rear trailer.

Use of planar boattail plates rigidly mounted to the rear surface of the vehicle has been shown to produce a 20% reduction in drag forces with a significant increase in fuel savings. These plates extend outwardly from the rear surface of the vehicle. They help to prevent air travelling along the side of the vehicle from entering a region of low pressure air immediately behind the rear surface of the vehicle. However, in the case of a vehicle having hinged doors, these boattail plates impede the doors from swinging open. Accordingly, the plates must be manually removed or adjusted by the driver to allow the door to swing fully open. In the case of a vehicle having a roll-up door, these boattail plates impede the vehicle from backing up to a loading dock. Thus, the plates must be again be manually removed or adjusted by the driver to during loading or unloading operations. As a result, boattail plates have not achieved wide acceptance.

Many vanes of the prior art are rigidly mounted to the rear corners of a trailer. While these do an effective job of preventing drag, they do impede opening the doors on the rear of the trailer. Many trailers are designed with doors that open so as to lie flat against the side of the trailer, so as to allow the trailer to be loaded or unloaded in a small or enclosed space. However, the vanes, when rigidly mounted to the trailer, prevent the doors from opening completely. The inability to fully open the vehicle doors is an inconvenience during the loading/unloading process.

It is a feature of this invention to provide vanes for attachment to vehicles which will reduce drag on the vehicles.

It is a further feature of this invention to provide vanes for attachment to vehicles which do not impede opening of vehicle doors or block vehicles from backing up to loading docks, without requiring removal or adjustment of the vanes by the driver.

The foregoing features and advantages of the invention are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the various exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages that can be realized. Thus, these and other features and advantages of the various exemplary embodiments will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing the various exemplary embodiments, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variation that may be apparent to those skilled in the alt. Accordingly, the present invention resides in the novel methods, arrangements, combinations, and improvements herein shown and described in various exemplary embodiments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the present need for an improved drag reduction apparatus for a vehicle, a brief summary of the present invention is presented. Some simplifications and omission may be made in the following summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the present invention, but not to limit its scope. Detailed descriptions of a preferred exemplary embodiment further enabling those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention concepts is presented in later sections.

According to the present disclosure, reduction of drag arising from creation of a low pressure volume of turbulent air behind a generally planar rear surface of a vehicle is provided by attaching a pair of vanes to the right and left corner edges of the rear surface of the vehicle. More particularly, the invention is directed to an apparatus for reducing drag on a moving vehicle having a substantially planar rear surface, comprising a rigid vane of length L having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a longitudinal aerodynamic center therebetween, positioned at a distance of, for example, between 0.15 L and 0.5 L from said leading edge, preferably 0.26 L from the leading edge. The vane has an inner surface facing said vehicle and an outer surface; at least one first pliant attachment means connecting the leading edge of the vane to a side surface of said vehicle; at least one second pliant attachment means connecting the trailing edge of the vane to a rear surface of said vehicle; and at least one third pliant attachment means connecting the inner surface of the vane to the vehicle. The inner surface may be connected to the side of the vehicle or to the rear of the vehicle. The third pliant attachment means is connected to the inner surface of the vane. Preferably, the third pliant attachment means is connected to the inner surface of the vane at a distance of, for example, between 0.15 L and 0.5 L from the leading edge of the vane. More preferably, the third pliant attachment means is connected to the inner surface of the vane at the aerodynamic center of the vane. As will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, based on this description, the vane helps reduce or prevent formation of a zone of turbulent air behind the rear surface of the vehicle. The outer surface of the vane is preferably curved.

The at least one first pliant or flexible attachment means connects at least an upper end of the leading edge of the vane and a lower end of the leading edge of the vane to the side surface of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the at least one first pliant attachment means connects an upper end of the leading edge of the vane to the side surface of the vehicle and a second pliant attachment means connects a lower end of the leading edge of the vane to the side surface of the vehicle. The at least one first pliant attachment means may additionally comprise at least one third pliant attachment means connecting a central portion of the leading edge of the vane to the side surface of the vehicle. In various exemplary embodiments, the first, second, and third pliant attachment means may each comprise at least one cable, rope, or nylon strap, without being limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the third pliant attachment means is connected to the inner surface of the vane at the aerodynamic center of the vane. In a further embodiment, the distance between the leading edge of the vane and the aerodynamic center of the vane is 0.26 L, where L is the distance between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the vane. A door may be present in the rear surface of the vehicle, and the at least one third pliant attachment means may connect the trailing edge of the vane to the door.

In another embodiment, the distance between the leading edge of the vane and the longitudinal aerodynamic center of the vane is between 0.15 L and 0.5 L; and the third pliant attachment means is connected to the inner surface of the vane at a distance of between 0.15 L and 0.5 L from the leading edge of the vane at a point which may or may not coincide with the aerodynamic center of the vane.

In a further embodiment, the inner surface of said vane has a leading portion and a trailing portion. The leading portion of the inner surface of said vane and the trailing portion of the inner surface of said vane meet at an angle. Preferably, the trailing portion of the inner surface of said vane meets the leading portion of the inner surface of the vane with a defined angle of deflection α, said defined angle of deflection a being, for example, between 0° and 10°. More preferably, the trailing portion of the inner surface of said vane meets the leading portion of the inner surface of the vane with a defined angle of deflection α, where the defined angle of deflection α is, for example, between 0° and 7°.

Various exemplary embodiments of the apparatus may be used with a wide variety of vehicles having generally planar rear surfaces. The vehicle may, for example, have an enclosed box-like structure for carrying cargo or passengers, having a defined height. The vanes of the apparatus are attached to the side of the box-like structure, and extend for the full height of the box-like structure. The vehicle may be unpowered, such as a trailer, adapted to be towed by a second powered vehicle. The vehicle may also be a powered vehicle, such as a bus, panel truck, or delivery van. The use of pliant attachment means to connect the vane to the vehicle allows vehicle doors to be conveniently opened without manual removal or adjustment by the driver during loading or unloading operations. When the vehicle is at rest, each vane tends to hang down against a side surface of the vehicle. When the vehicle is in motion, the vanes will deploy to an operational position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term “aerodynamic center,” as used in this disclosure, may be defined as, but is not limited to, the point at which the pitching moment coefficient for the vane does not vary with lift coefficient. For symmetric vanes moving through an airflow, the aerodynamic center of the vane is located approximately 25% of the length of the chordline of the vane from the leading edge of the vane (the quarter-chord point). The chordline extends from the leading edge of the airfoil to the trailing edge of the vane. For non-symmetric (cambered) vanes, the quarter-chord is only an approximation for the aerodynamic center.

FIG. 1shows a prior art airflow around a vehicle100, such as a trailer, having a generally planar rear surface102, a right side103, and a left side104, when vehicle100moves in a forward direction D at a desired speed. Under these conditions, air moves, relative to vehicle100, along the sides103and104in the direction of arrows A and B, respectively. The flow of air in the direction A and the flow of air in the direction B do not reunite immediately behind rear surface102; rather, airflows A and B reunite at a point at a certain distance R behind surface102. A zone of low pressure air is thereby created behind rear surface102, between the flow of air in the direction A and the flow of air in the direction B. This low pressure zone acts as a partial vacuum, and sucks air from air flows A and B in the direction of arrows C, into the zone of low pressure air. Airflow in the direction of arrows C somewhat increases the air pressure behind surface102, but also increases the turbulence in this volume of air. As a result, as the vehicle moves forward in the direction of arrow D, a partial vacuum containing a volume of turbulent low pressure air is carried behind vehicle100. This volume of turbulent air creates drag on the vehicle by sucking in the direction of arrow E on surface102. The engine causing the vehicle to move forward must work harder to cause the vehicle to move at the desired speed in direction D while simultaneously overcoming the retarding force of drag in the direction of arrow E.

FIG. 2shows a prior art method of reducing drag on a vehicle by connecting vanes201to the rear of the vehicle using brackets202. When vehicle100moves in a forward direction D, a leading edge of a first vane201captures a portion of the airflow in direction A along right side103, and the trailing edge of the first vane redirects the captured airflow in a new direction A′. The other vane201redirects a portion of the airflow in direction B along left side104in a new direction B′ in a similar fashion. The remainder of the airflows in directions A and B proceed as described above, reuniting at distance R behind surface102and forming a low pressure zone of air. The airflows in direction A′ and direction B′, after leaving vanes201, flow directly into this zone of turbulent low pressure air behind surface102, and reunite at a distance R′ behind surface102, where distance R′ is less than distance R. This increases the air pressure and reduces turbulence behind surface102, and reduces the extent of the drag exerted on the vehicle in the direction of arrow E′ by the volume of turbulent air.

FIG. 3shows prior art vanes201attached to the rear edges of vehicle100, where vehicle100has doors301and302in its rear surface. The vanes are attached using rigid brackets202to hold the vanes in position. Vanes which have been rigidly attached in this fashion can cause problems when the vehicle doors are opened. These doors typically swing open or closed in the direction of arrow F to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle. When vanes201are rigidly held in position by brackets202, the vanes prevent the door from fully opening in the direction of arrow F, complicating the loading/unloading process.

The present invention overcomes this difficulty by attaching vanes to a truck using novel pliant or flexible attachment means, where the terms “pliant” and “flexible” are used in this disclosure as synonyms. In one embodiment of the invention, shown inFIG. 4, the invention includes a cambered vane of length L, where the vane is attached to the vehicle by pliant attachment means described in greater detail below. The cambered vane is referred to by the reference number401, with each individual part of the vane being given a separate reference number. Vane401has a leading edge402and a trailing edge403, a curved upper surface406, and an inner surface405. Length L is between 3 and 10 inches, preferably between 4 and 6 inches. Vane401has an aerodynamic center CG, where CG is positioned a defined distance Z behind leading edge402, where Z is greater than 0.15 L and less than 0.5 L, preferably between 0.2 L and 0.35 L, more preferably between 0.23 L and 0.3 L, most preferably about 0.26 L. Inner surface405also includes a leading portion408and a trailing portion404. Leading portion408and trailing portion404intersect with a defined angle of deflection α. Angle α is between 0° and 10°, preferably between 0° and 7°. Chordline H is defined by a line between the leading edge402of vane401and the trailing edge403of vane401. When the vane is directed into an airflow in direction G, the angle between the chordline H and airflow G is defined by angle β. The vane401is preferably positioned so that the angle β ranges from a minimum of 0° (i.e., chordline H is parallel to airflow G) up to about 10°. Preferably, the angle β ranges from 0° up to about 5°. More preferably, the angle β ranges from 0° up to about 4°.

Again as shown inFIG. 4, the vane401is positioned on a vehicle410having a generally planar rear surface411and a side surface412. The vane401is positioned so that vane401extends behind the rear vehicle surface411, with the forward edge of planar inner surface405of vane401being adjacent to side vehicle surface412, with a defined distance I separating surfaces405and412. In one embodiment, the vane401is oriented so that chordline H makes an angle γ with the vehicle ranging from a minimum of 0° (i.e., chordline H is parallel to airflow G) up to about 10°. Preferably, the angle γ ranges from 2° up to about 8°. More preferably, the angle γ ranges from 3° up to about 7°. In a second embodiment, the vane401is oriented so that surface405is parallel to side vehicle surface412. The inner surface405of vane401is preferably about 0.25 to 2.0 inches from the surface412of the vehicle, more preferably from 0.3 to 1.0 inch (identified as distance I).

Again as shown inFIG. 4, the vane401is connected to vehicle410by at least one first pliant attachment means413connecting the leading edge402of the vane401to the side surface412of the vehicle. First pliant attachment means413is connected at one end to side surface412, and at the other end to the leading edge402of the vane401. Specifically, for the purposes of this application, connection to the leading edge402of the vane401means connection to the inner surface of the vane at a distance of less than or equal to X from the forwardmost point of the leading edge402of the vane401, where X is 0.1 L. Vane401is also connected to vehicle410by at least one second pliant attachment means420connecting the trailing edge403of the vane401to the rear surface411of the vehicle. Second pliant attachment means420is connected at one end to rear surface411, and at the other end to the trailing edge403of the vane401. The pliant attachment means may be ropes, cables, or nylon straps.

Again as shown inFIG. 4, the vane401is also connected to vehicle410by at least one third pliant attachment means414connecting the vane401to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the third pliant attachment means414is connected to said inner surface of vane401at a distance of between 0.15 L and 0.5 L from the leading edge of said vane, preferably at a distance of between 0.15 L and 0.35 L from the leading edge of said vane, more preferably at about 0.26 L from the leading edge of said vane. In a further embodiment, the third pliant attachment means is connected to the inner surface of the vane at the aerodynamic center CG of the vane401. A door may be present in the rear surface of the vehicle, and the at least one second pliant attachment means may connect the trailing edge of the vane to the door. In certain embodiments, third pliant attachment means414connects the vane401to the rear surface of the vehicle. If third pliant attachment means414and second pliant attachment means420each connect to the rear surface of the vehicle, they may connect to different points on the rear surface of the vehicle, as shown inFIG. 4; or to the same point on the rear surface of the vehicle. Typically, one vane is attached to each side of the vehicle in the manner described.

To avoid adding excess weight to the vehicle, the total weight of the vanes and the various ropes, cables, nylon straps, or other pliant attachment means may be less than 100 pounds, preferably less than fifty pounds, most preferably less than 20 pounds.

The first pliant attachment means413extends from the leading edge402of the vane401forwards and connects to side surface412of the vehicle, as shown inFIG. 4. The length of attachment means413controls the horizontal distance between the trailing edge of the rigid vane and the rear surface of the vehicle. Increasing the length of attachment means413moves the trailing edge of the vane backwards, increasing the distance between the trailing edge of the vane and the rear surface of the vehicle.

The second pliant attachment means420extends from the trailing edge403of the vane401and connects to the rear surface411of the vehicle, as shown inFIG. 4. The length of attachment means420controls the angle γ between the side surface of the vehicle and the chordline H of the vane401. Decreasing the length of attachment means420increases angle γ. Changing angle γ alters the angle at which air flows over the vane, relative to the side of the truck.

The third pliant attachment means414connects the inner surface405of the vane to the vehicle, as shown inFIG. 4. The length of the third pliant attachment means414controls the distance I between the inner surface405of the vane and the side surface of said vehicle. Adjusting the length of the third pliant attachment means414changes the volume of air in a stream of slower, high pressure air traveling between the inner surface of vane401and the side of vehicle100. Additionally, changing the length of attachment means414can alter the angle γ between the side surface of the vehicle and the chordline H of the vane401by moving the front of the vane closer to the vehicle.

Use of vanes according to various exemplary embodiments set forth in this disclosure can lead to significant savings in fuel consumption. In particular, depending on road conditions and prevailing winds, savings of approximately 5% to 20%, more particularly 5% to 15%, most particularly 7% to 15%, in fuel consumption can be achieved. Assuming a 10% reduction in fuel consumption, a reduction of up to 50 tons per truck per year in CO2emissions may be achieved.

FIG. 5shows a method of connecting cables or other pliant materials to vane401by providing threaded female joints through vane401. As shown inFIG. 5, a first set of threaded female joints601may be positioned in the leading edge of vane401, and a second set of threaded female joints610may be positioned in the trailing edge of vane401. A third set of threaded female joints602may be positioned in the vane401at a distance of between 0.15 L and 0.5 L from the leading edge of the vane, preferably between 0.15 L and 0.35 L from the leading edge of the vane, most preferably between 0.23 and 0.3 L from the leading edge of the vane.

In another embodiment, threaded female joints602are positioned at the aerodynamic center CG of the vane, as shown inFIG. 5. Bolts603having threaded male shafts603aand heads603bare provided. A rope or cable604ahaving a loop605aat one end is connected to a bolt603by passing shaft603athrough loop605asecured by clamp606. Rope or cable604ais connected to joint601by screwing shaft603ainto joint601at leading edge402. A rope or cable604chaving a loop605cat one end is connected to a bolt603by passing shaft603athrough loop605c. Rope or cable604cis connected to joint610by screwing shaft603ainto joint610at trailing edge403. A third rope or cable604bhaving a loop605bat one end is connected to a bolt603by passing shaft603athrough loop605b. Rope or cable604bis connected to joint602by screwing shaft603ainto joint602. Loops605a,605cand605bare held between the inner surface405of the vane, and bolt heads603b.

FIG. 6shows use of another method of connecting cables or other pliant materials to vane401by providing threaded female joints through vane401. As shown inFIG. 6, a first set of threaded female joints601may be positioned in the leading edge of vane401, and a second set of threaded female joints610may be positioned in the trailing edge of vane401. A third set of threaded female joints602may be positioned in the vane401at a distance of between 0.15 L and 0.5 L from the leading edge of the vane, preferably between 0.15 L and 0.35 L from the leading edge of the vane, most preferably between 0.23 and 0.3 L from the leading edge of the vane. In another embodiment, threaded female joints602are positioned at the aerodynamic center CG of the vane, as shown inFIG. 6. Eye bolts703having threaded male shafts703band ring-shaped heads703aare provided. Each head703aincludes a shoulder704and a hole705therethrough. Each eye bolt703is screwed into one of joints601, joints602, or joints610. A set of cable forks706are also provided. Each cable fork706is substantially U-shaped, and has two ends707, where each end707has a hole708therethrough. Each cable fork706is positioned over an eye bolt703so that holes708in the cable fork coincide with hole705in the eye bolt so that holes708and705are aligned. A rivet709having a head and a shaft passes through this continuous passage, and is secured by mushrooming the end of the shaft. Preferably, cable fork706is able to pivot about an axis defined by the rivet. Cable fork706additionally includes a hole710at the center of the cable fork. Hole710has an axis which is perpendicular to the axis defined by the rivet. A cable711passes through hole710in cable fork706. A bulb712holds cable711in position on the cable fork, connecting the cables to vane401.

FIG. 7andFIG. 8illustrate one example of the manner in which the vanes are attached to a vehicle100having doors801. This method may be performed on new vehicles or used to retrofit existing vehicles with vanes401with equal facility. As shown inFIG. 7, vehicle100has a left rear door and a right rear door. With the doors801in a closed position, the vanes are attached to the vehicle by connecting the leading edge402of a vane401to the left side of the vehicle100. This may be done by fastening cable802aor a similar pliant material from the upper end of leading edge402of vane401to the upper edge of the left side of vehicle100. Similarly, cable802bconnects the lower end of the leading edge402of vane401to the lower edge of the left side of vehicle100. Cable802cconnects a central portion of the leading edge402of vane401to a central portion of the edge of the left side of vehicle100. Cable803aor a similar pliant material from the upper end of trailing edge403of vane401to the rear surface of vehicle100. Similarly, cable803bconnects the lower end of the trailing edge403of vane401to the rear surface of vehicle100. Cable803cconnects a central portion of the trailing edge403of vane401to a central portion of the rear surface of vehicle100. The inner surface405of vane401is then connected to the left side of the rear surface of vehicle100by connecting cables804a,804b, and804c. In a preferred embodiment, cables804a,804b, and804care connected to a hinged door801in the rear surface of vehicle100. A second vane401is attached to the vehicle by connecting the leading edge402of a vane401to the right side of the vehicle100, connecting the trailing edge403of the second vane401to the rear surface of the vehicle100, and connecting the inner surface405of the second vane401to the right side of the rear surface of vehicle100.

The cables are connected to vehicle100as shown inFIG. 8, which illustrates connection of cable802aextending from the upper end of the leading edge of vane401; all cables are connected similarly (Please note that the top of vehicle100is not shown inFIG. 8, for reasons of clarity). For the purposes of this discussion, the cables are shown as being attached to vane401. A loop901is formed at the end of each cable802aand secured with a clamp902so that loop901may be positioned over grommet906. A hole903is then drilled in the side of vehicle100, and the cable loop901is secured to the vehicle by passing a bolt904through grommet906and hole903, and securing the bolt in position using nut905. The head of bolt904must be larger than loop901. The grommet906must be positioned with the largest diameter surface flat against the side of vehicle100. After assembly, a check may be performed to be sure the flexible cable rotates freely and the loop cannot slip over the bolt head. In a preferred embodiment, free rotation of the flexible cables around the grommets allows the vanes to be positioned properly when the doors are fully opened. This assembly installation procedure may be used on all fastened connections to the vehicle100.

Since the cables are flexible, when vehicle100is stationary and doors801are closed, the vanes tend to hang loosely from the cables and rest against the rear corner edges of vehicle100.

FIG. 9ashows vehicle100in motion in the direction of arrow M, in the absence of vanes401. Under such conditions, air flows along the sides of vehicle100in the direction of arrow N at a defined velocity n. Near the surface of vehicle100is a boundary layer1001, where air flows at a variable velocity. Near the surface of the vehicle, air flows along the sides of vehicle100in the direction of arrow N′ at a defined velocity n′ which is less than n. In the middle of the boundary layer, air flows along the sides of vehicle100in the direction of arrow N″ at a defined velocity n″ which is less than n, but greater than n′. At the outer edge of the boundary layer, air flows along the sides of vehicle100in the direction of arrow N′″ at velocity n, equal to the velocity of the airflow outside the boundary layer. Additionally, the pressure at the front of vehicle100is greater than the pressure at the back of vehicle100, creating pressure drag. At the rear of the truck, air flowing along the sides of the truck flows into the region of low pressure air behind the truck in the direction of arrows J. The twin airflows in the direction of arrows J meet behind the rear surface of the truck, relatively close to the rear surface of the truck. At least a portion of the air flowing in the direction of arrow J is sucked into the low pressure zone immediately behind the vehicle, creating a zone of turbulent air in the direction of arrows O behind the rear surface of the vehicle. Additionally, the velocity differential between the boundary layer and stream N can add to turbulence as the airflow reaches the rear surface of vehicle100.

FIG. 9bshows a vehicle100having vanes401mounted thereon in motion in the direction of arrow M. Under such conditions, air flows along the sides of vehicle100in the direction of arrow N at a defined velocity n. Near the surface of vehicle100is a boundary layer1001, where air flows at a variable velocity. Near the surface of the vehicle, air flows along the sides of vehicle100in the direction of arrow N′ at a defined velocity n′ which is less than n. In the middle of the boundary layer, air flows along the sides of vehicle100in the direction of arrow N″ at a defined velocity n″ which is less than n, but greater than n′. At the outer edge of the boundary layer, air flows along the sides of vehicle100in the direction of arrow N′″ at velocity n′″, equal to the velocity of the airflow outside the boundary layer. As the airflow reaches vane401, it divides into a stream P of fast, low pressure air traveling over the outer surface of vane401, and a stream of slower, high pressure air Q traveling between the inner surface of vane401and the side of vehicle100. The pressure difference between stream P and stream Q creates a force causing the vane to move away from vehicle100in the direction of arrow L. Streams P and Q, unlike stream J inFIG. 9a, do not flow directly into the region of low pressure air immediately behind the truck. Rather, they flow along the surfaces of vane401and meet behind the trailing edge of vane401. The resulting combined airstreams continue to flow in the direction of arrows P′ until they meet at a point which is significantly removed from the region of low pressure air immediately behind the rear surface of the truck. Streams P′ thus flow together with little or no tendency for air from these airstreams to be sucked into the region of low pressure air behind the rear surface of the truck. As a result, little or no turbulence is formed behind the rear surface of the truck, dramatically reducing pressure drag on the vehicle. Additionally, the stream P of fast, low pressure air traveling over the outer surface of vane401is unable to enter a region of low pressure air behind the rear surface of the truck, since the vane itself blocks the stream P from changing direction. Stream P thus tends to continue to flow in the direction of arrow P′, with a reduced tendency to form a region of low pressure, turbulent air at the rear surface of the vehicle. The point at which streams P′ meet may be controlled by adjusting the distance between the side of the truck and vanes401, and the angle γ between the side of the truck and vanes401.

As noted above with regard toFIG. 4, the length of attachment means413controls the horizontal distance between the trailing edge of the rigid vane and the rear surface of the vehicle. Increasing the length of attachment means413moves the trailing edge of the vane backwards, increasing the distance between the trailing edge of the vane and the rear surface of the vehicle. The stream P of fast, low pressure air (seen inFIG. 9b) traveling over the outer surface of vane401is unable to enter a region of low pressure air behind the rear surface of the truck until it reaches the trailing edge of the vane401. This reduces formation of a zone of turbulent air immediately behind the vehicle. Increasing the distance between the trailing edge403of the vane and the rear surface of the vehicle forces stream P to travel a greater distance before entering the region of low pressure air behind the vehicle, thereby further reducing formation of the zone of turbulent air behind the vehicle.

As shown inFIG. 10a,FIG. 10b, andFIG. 10c, the vanes401of this invention, when mounted using a set of flexible cables, have the further benefit that the vanes401do not impede opening of the right and left rear doors801, unlike prior art vanes mounted using rigid brackets. The flexible nature of the cables or other pliant attachment means connecting the vanes to the vehicles allows the vane to fold back out of the way as door801opens. InFIG. 10a, the upper end of vane401is secured to door801using cables803aand804a, and to side104of vehicle100using cable802a(Cables connecting the central portion and lower end of the vane to the vehicle, although needed to properly secure the vane to the vehicle, are omitted for clarity). Cable802aconnects the leading edge of vane401to side104of vehicle100. Cable803aconnects the trailing edge of vane401to door801of vehicle100. Cable804aconnects the inner surface405of vane401to door801in the rear surface of vehicle100. The inner surface405of vane401lies over hinge1101, with the leading edge402of the vane extending over side104of the vehicle, and the trailing edge403of the vane extending behind vehicle100.

As door801opens, it swings about hinge1101in the direction of arrow H, vane401swings away from the vehicle (FIG. 10b). As door801continues to swing in the direction of arrow H (FIG. 10c), the outer surface of vane401folds back against wall104of the vehicle, allowing the door801to be fully opened. In this position, the inner surface405of vane401lies against door801. The ability of the vanes to fold against wall104greatly facilitates loading and unloading of the vehicle. It also reduces operator costs for labor, as there is no need to pay workers for time spent mounting and dismounting vanes during the loading/unloading process.

In another embodiment, the vanes of the present invention may be connected to a vehicle100having a rear surface with a door1210that is not hinged to swing outwardly, as inFIG. 11. For example, the vehicle may have a door1210that rolls up vertically. In any of these cases, connection of the vane401to door1210as shown inFIG. 8can be still be done, but it is less preferred. This is because the necessary cable connections would preclude opening of the door without removing the vane. Accordingly, an alternate connection method is here described that allows vanes401to be mounted to a door1210that is not hinged to swing outwardly, shown inFIG. 11. As shown inFIG. 11, vehicle100has a single roll-up door1210. With the door1210in a closed position, the vanes are attached to the vehicle by connecting the leading edge402of a vane401to the left side of the vehicle100. This may be done by fastening cable1201from the upper end of leading edge402of vane401to the upper edge of the left side of vehicle100. Similarly, cable1202connects the lower end of the leading edge402of vane401to the lower edge of the left side of vehicle100. At least one cable1203connects a central portion of the leading edge402of vane401to a central portion of the edge of the left side of vehicle100. If desired, multiple cables1203may be used. Preferably, cables1201,1202, and all cables1203are evenly spaced along the length of the vane, and all extend forward toward a front of vehicle100. The inner surface405of vane401is then connected to the left side of the rear surface of vehicle100by fastening cable1204from the upper end of the inner surface405of vane401to the left side of vehicle100. Cable1204preferably runs vertically in an upwards direction to a point of attachment1204aon the rear edge of the left side of vehicle100. Similarly, cable1205vertically connects the lower end of the inner surface405of vane401to a point of attachment1205aon the rear edge of the left side of vehicle100. At least one cable1206vertically connects a central portion of the inner surface405of vane401to a point of attachment1206aon the rear edge of the left side of vehicle100. Preferably, cables1204,1205, and all cables1206are each connected to the inner surface of vane401at the aerodynamic center of vane401; or at a distance of 0.15 L to 0.5 L, preferably 0.15 L to 0.35 L, more preferably 0.26 L, where L is the length of the vane, from the leading edge of the vane. A second vane401is attached to the vehicle by connecting the leading edge402of a vane401to the right side of the vehicle100, and connecting an inner surface405of the vane401to the right side of the vehicle100in the exact same way. Since neither vane is connected to door1210, door1210can be opened without requiring removal of either or both vanes401. The vane hangs from cables1204,1205, and1206, allowing the cable to move reversibly in the direction of arrow Z.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 11, vanes401hang downwardly from vertical cables1204,1205, and1206. When the truck is at rest, vanes401are able to move reversibly in the direction of arrows Z on flexible cables1204,1205, and1206. This allows vanes401to move out of the way in the direction of arrow Z without any involvement from the driver when the truck is backed up against a loading dock. Contact with a wall or ledge surrounding the loading dock pushes the vanes backwards in the direction of arrow Z, allowing the truck to back up against the loading dock without requiring the driver to manually adjust or dismantle the vanes.

FIG. 12shows a top view of a vehicle100having a door1210on its rear surface with a vane401attached thereto. As previously described, cable1201extends in a forward direction and connects the leading edge402of vane401to a side104of the vehicle at point of attachment1201a. Cable1204extends vertically and connects the inner surface405of vane401to the rear edge of the side of the vehicle point of attachment1204a. Since neither of cables1201or1204is connected to the rear of the vehicle, the horizontal distance between points of attachment1201aand1204ais relatively small, leading to reduced stability of the vane in an airstream. One or more cables1301is used to connect trailing edge403of vane401to a point of attachment1301aon door jamb1302, where door jamb1302surrounds door1210on the rear surface of vehicle100.

While the foregoing discussion is primarily directed to unpowered vehicles being towed behind a separate, powered vehicle, the invention is not limited to such a configuration. It may equally well be applied to any powered vehicle having a substantially planar rear surface.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only, and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims. In particular, the precise structure and design of the vanes as disclosed herein are capable of modifications which would be within the skill of a person of ordinary skill in the art having an advanced degree in aeronautical engineering.