WATER SPRAY CONTROL FOR VEHICLE WHEELS

Abstract: A vehicle spray control system apparatus and method for suppressing spray and coalescing and directing water droplets of tread throw which are thrown from rotating tires of vehicles via centrifugal forces generated by the rotating tires during travel of the vehicle comprises generally, various embodiments of spray controllers which may be adapted for selective location on vehicles, such as large commercial trucks and tractor-trailer combinations. The preferred embodiments of the spray controllers comprise fender flap spray controllers (1), side skirt spray controllers (6), between tractor-tandem spray controllers (12), overwheel spray controllers (7), floor sill spray controllers (9) and general purpose spray controllers. Each of the spray controllers have a receiving side and an opposite side and comprise a plurality of wedges (13), which extend from the planar surface of and are integrally formed with a base. A plurality of slots (15) which are slanted and extend at an angle through the base, are used in several of the embodiments of the spray controllers. The spray controllers are preferably formed from a flexible durable material such as rubber to resist summer heat and winter cold without softening or breaking.

Description: WATER SPRAY CONTROL FOR V HICLE WHEELS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Water droplets of spray or "tread throw" are thrown from rotating tires of vehicles traveling on wet road surfaces and impact against surfaces of the vehicle, causing the spray droplets to fragment into smaller droplets of mist. This presents the problem of impaired visibility to the drivers of these and other vehicles during wet conditions. Water thrown from the tires generally comprises large and small water droplets, some in the form of a mist or even a fog. After being thrown from the tires, some droplets fall back into the path of other oncoming tires to thereby increase the visibility hazard. Tests have demonstrated erratic control by drivers enveloped in the spray thrown .by the tires of large commercial trucks and tractor-trailer combinations as they travel on the v/et roadv/ays. Drivers of these large vehicles also have difficulty seeing through the spray generated by their own vehicles which occasionally causes accidents as these vehicles change lanes. Several devices for controlling road spray have been developed to reduce impaired_ visibility for drivers. ?. D. Roberts, in his ϋ. S. Patent No. 3,341,222 discloses a Vehicle Wheel Spray Collector in which an apparatus has alternate upward and downward flaring channels with slots spaced apart and located at the top of the upward flaring channels. The curved apparatus in the shape of a fender collects water from the spray in the bottom of the downward flaring channels, which is thrown from the tires through the slots at the top of the upward flaring channels. A trough at the bottom of the collector collects spray and deposits it outside the tracks of the tires of the vehicle. The primary purpose of this invention is to collect the spray droplets rather than to coalesce or direct the spray and the spacing and size of the slots in the channels permits spray to fall back onto the rotating tire beneath the collector. Brandon et al. in their ϋ. " S. Patent Mo. 4,258,929 disclose a Vehicle Spray Reduction Apparatus utilizing a curved mud- flap having a grooved surface to collect the droplets of water and provide a channel for runoff outside the tracks of the tires. Reddaway in his U. S. Patent No. 3,899,192 presents a Fender Flap Spray Controller which uses an artificial turf surface to collect the spray wherein the water flows down behind the surface matting of the fender flap and is channeled away from the tires. Roberts et al. in their U. S. Patent No. 4,205,861 disclose an Automotive Vehicle Wheel Spray Collector, utilizing Roberts- earlier flaring channel design of his U. S. PatentNo. 3,341,222 in which a backing is now used behind the channels and slots to deflect the spray droplets into the bottom of the downward flaring channels. Effective control of road surface spray has still not been accomplished successfully by these earlier patents. Primarily intended to collect the spray, these devices provide little means to actually coalesce the spray droplets and prevent these droplets from atomizing into a finer mist or fog which presents the greatest difficulty in visibility for drivers in wet conditions. The precise angular arrangement of wedges and slots to suppress the droplets and then coalesce the droplets into a flow of v/ater prior to directing the flow away from the path of oncoming tires is still needed to provide safer conditions for drivers of the vehicles which generate the spray as well as other passing vehicles on the highway. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ' * In view of previous inventions, there is still a need to improve visibility and safety for drivers on wet roadways when exposed to the spray thrown by rotating tires of moving vehicles. This vehicle spray control system apparatus and method is intended to help improve visibility in wet conditions by suppressing, coalescing and directing spray thrown by the rotating tires of the vehicles via the centrifugal forces. The vehicle spray control system apparatus generally comprises * - various preferred embodiments of spray controllers. Each spray controller has a receiving side and an opposite side and comprises a plurality of wedges integrally formed with and extending outward from the planar surface of a base on the receiving side of the spray controller. In most embodiments, a plurality of slots extend angularly through the base in slanted fashion to provide a channel through which water droplets from the spray may pass. The various spray controller embodiments are ' positioned adjacent to the tires as well as other locations on the vehicle wherein a large amount of spray is generated. The various embodiments include fender flap spray controllers, side skirt spray- controllers, overwheel spray controllers, floor sill spray controllers, between tractor-tandem spray controllers and general purpose spray controllers. The wedges are spaced apart, having opposite sloping faces with the apexes of the wedges being oriented symmetrically toward the oncoming spray droplets. Upon striking the sloping surfaces of the wedges, the small spray droplets condense to form larger droplets which then travel along the sloping faces and into the slots whereby the water droplets condense further into ' a stream-like flow to thereafter fall through the slots from the opposite side of the spray controller and onto the wet road surface. The slots, when used in the spray controller, are arranged in a split flow design wherein the slots on the right half of the spray controller are slanted to the right side and the slots on the left half of the spray controller are slanted to the left side thereby directing the water away from the tracks of the rotating tires upon being discharged from the spray controller. Rather than simply collecting the spray, these embodiments of spray controllers actually suppress the spray prior to directing the increasingly coalesced droplets away from the tires of moving vehicles so as to reduce the impaired visibility of drivers. Additional features include the adaptation of the side skirt spray controllers to be retracted O P to a position above the tires when the vehicle is not being ^ used. The spray controllers are preferably made of a flexible durable material such as rubber and may be manufactured using a compression molding process. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an environmental side view of a tractor-trailer vehicle with the various spray controllers of the vehicle spray control system mounted at various locations for suppres¬ sing, coalescing and directing the spray such as fender flap spray controllers behind each set of tandems, side skirt spray controllers, floor sill spray controllers, overwheel spray controllers and general purpose spray controllers. Arrows indicate the direction of the trajectory of the spray water droplets and the relative angles at which they impact the receiving side of the spray controllers. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fender flap spray controller with cut away portions to show the framework and anti-twist and anti-sail members. Figure 3 is a sectional view, 3-3 of fiqure 2, of the fender flap spray controller showing the opposite side of the spray controller. Arrow heads show the path of various sized water droplets through the spray controller ranging in size from fine spray to a stream like flow of v/ater. Figure 4 shows a section on an overwheel spray controller with crosswise embedded steel bars for lateral strength, side steel bars for mounting and a central longitudinal steel bar to provide strength under icing conditions. Figure 5A and figure 5B are rear sectional views of the left and right split-flow overwheel spray controllers of figure 4, section 5-5 of figure 1. Figure 6 is an end view of one of the two quick access fittings that clamp the overwheel spray controller of figure 5 in place, section 6-6 of figure 5. Figures 7A and 7B schematically illustrate the orientation and function of two types of side skirt spray controllers on the left and right of the truck, respectively: vertical O P split-flow wedges in 7A and horizontal wedges in 7B, section - 7-7 of Figure 1. A legend indicates the different size droplets ranging in size from fine spray to a stream-like flow of water. Figure 8 is a side view showing several embodiments of spray controllers used in the location of tandem axles when the tractors are "bobtailing" by using T-shaped overwheel spray controller assemblies, between tractor-tandem spray controllers and the fender flap spray controllers. Figure 9 is a sectional side view showing a tractor and trailer with similar embodiments of spray controllers as those in figure 8 for easy comparison with figure 8. Figure 10 is a sectional perspective view of a floor sill spray controller (also shown in figures 1 and 9) mounted on an I-beam type floor sill of the tractor or trailer. Figure 11 shows a spring clamp, three of which hold the floor sill spray controller of figure 10 in place. Figure 12 is a view, section 12-12 of figure 8, from the rear of the between tractor-tandem spray controller attached to the tractor frame. Figure 13 is a cross sectional view, section 13-13 of figure 12, of the between tractor-tandem spray controller. Figure 14 is -a top view, section 14-14 of figure 12, of the between tractor-tandem spray controller attachment to the tractor frame. Figure 15 shows a section of a general purpose spray controller as attached to the ends of the fuel tank of figure 1. Figure 16 is an illustration of a European Fender lined with an elongated or composite overwheel spray controller. Figure 17 as section 17-17 of figure 16 shows an overwheel spray controller bonded under the European Fender. Figure 18 as section 18-18 of figure 1 shows a general purpose spray controller mounted on the vertical cab surface above and forward of the steering axle. Figure 19 shows alternate embodiments of the spray controllers mounted on a passenger vehicle, such as fender flap and overwheel spray controllers. Figure 20 is section 20-20 of figure 19 showing an overwheel spray controller cross section on a passenger vehicle. Figure 21 illustrates a variety of wedge shapes that could be used with the spray controllers. Figure 22 illustrates a diversity of slot shapes that could be used in the spray controllers. Figure 23A is an enlarged side view of a tractor wheel and figure 23B is a trailer wheel showing the pattern of spray, comparing the effectiveness of different embodiments of spray controllers alone and i combination with each other for both the tractor and trailer. Figure 24 is a side view of a flexible fender flap mount with anti-sail capability that provides spring action to reduce fender flap spray controller loss when, drivers back into docks. Figures 25 through 27 show the construction of the overwheel T-shaped spray controller assemblies for use when tractors are bobtailing. Figure 28 shows the method of molding teflon-surfaced wedges separated by open slot segments for a fender flap spray controller. Figure 29 shows the stamp of a company name or logo imprinted into the spray controller. Figure 30 is a sectional side view showing the retractable side skirt spray controller including the spiral spring held mounting arms and rotatable wings. Figure 31 is an end view of figure 30 with the side skirt partly lowered. Figure 32 is a top view of the wind catcher which deflects an adverse crosswind to provide force to keep a retractable front left side skirt in place. DgSCRIPTIOT QF THE PRSFSRRRD EMBODIMEN S Introduction A vehicle spray control system apparatus and method are provided for suppressing, coalescing and directing wet surface "BURE or roadway spray, also called "tread throw", which is thrown from rotating tires 11 of vehicles 4 via centrifugal forces generated by the rotating tires during travel of the vehicles 4 along the wet road surfaces. Wet road surfaces pose the hazard to drivers of impaired vision from the spray thrown by the tires of other vehicles, particularly tandem tractor 3 trailer 5 combinations, as well as their own vehicles. Water droplets of the spray or "tread throw" generated by the rotating tires will often impact various surfaces on the vehicle, fragmenting into smaller droplets of mist, making it nearly impossible for a driver to see even with the windshield wipers on. High speed travel of larger tractor trailer combinations, having tandem axles and many sets of dual tires, can generate a large amount of spray and mist, especially between the tandem axles 28 and 29 of the tractor 3. The preferred embodiments of this invention are particularly adapted for use with tractor-trailer combin¬ ations whereby different embodiments of spray controllers 27 are positioned in selected locations on the tractor 3 and trailers 5 to control and direct the spray thrown by the tires, thereby suppressing the formation of mist by receiving and containing the spray droplets of water. There¬ after, the droplets become coalesced into larger droplets and ultimately become discharged as larger droplets and flov/ing water stream-like in appearance while being directed away from the rotational path of the tires of the vehicle. Other embodiments or applications of the vehicle spray control system apparatus however, may be adapted for use with airplanes traveling on a runway or boats traveling on the water, for example. The Vehicle Spray Control System Apparatus Centers on the Use of Spray Controllers As shown in figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the spray controllers 27 of the vehicle spray control system apparatus, having a receiving side 47A and an opposite side 47, comprise an array of closely packed wedges 13 which are integrally OMPI formed with a base 2 having a planar surface. The wedges ; 13 each have opposite sloping faces 31 which converge at their outermost point at an apex wherein the wedges 13 are arranged on the base 2 to point symmetrically toward the oncoming spray as it is thrown from the tires 11 during travel of the vehicle 4 along the wet road surface. The bisectors of the sloping faces 31 of the wedges 13 are vertically positioned in parallel alignment with the plane of rotation of the wheels and tires of the vehicle. The side skirt spray controllers 6, however, have wedges 13 in which the bisectors of the sloping faces 31 are positioned perpendicularly to the plane of rotation of the tires. The wedge configurations will be discussed with each embodiment later. In most embodiments of the spray controller 27, slots extend through the base 2, being longitudinally aligned and spaced apart between the wedges 13 to form apertures through which water and air may pass during travel of the vehicle. As shown in figures 3 and 4 each slot has a forward surface 41 and rearward surface 42 with the rearward surface being a continuation of a sloping face of the adjacent wedge 13. As shown in figure 3, the slots 15 extend through the base 2 slanted at an angle relative to the planar surface 30 of the base 2 to prevent the -spray from passing directly through the slot 15, whereby it provides the impediment to the motion of the water droplets, thereby assisting in the coalescence of the water droplets of the spray and directing the larger v/ater droplets and coalesced stream-like flow of water, away from the tracks of the rotating tires 11. The primary embodiments of the spray controllers having a plurality of wedges 13 and slots 15 utilize a "split flow" design as shown in figures 2 and 3 whereby the slots 15 on the left half 35. of the spray controller are angled to the left thereby directing large droplets and stream-like water from the left of the opposite side 47 of the spray- controller and the slots 15 on the right half 34 of the spray controller 27 are angled to the right so as to direct the larger droplets and flow of stream-like water from the right of the opposite side 47 of the spray controller. The Spray Controllers of the Vehicle Sprav Control System Apparatus Comprise Several Embodiments, Adapted for Use, for Example, on Tractor-Trailer Combinations Figure 1 shows a vehicle 4, such as a tractor 3, trailer 5 combination equipped with the various preferred embodiments of the spray controllers of the vehicle spray control system apparatus, including: fender flap spray controllers 1, 1A located behind the steering axle of the tractor 3, IB behind the tires of the tractor tandems 28 and 29, and 1C behind the tires of the trailer tandems; a side skirt spray controller 6; an overwheel spray controller 7; a T-shaped overwheel spray controller 8; a floor sill spray controller 9; general purpose spray controllers 10; and a between tractor tandem spray controller 12. The Application of Two Physical Principles Underlies an Effective Vehicle Spray Control System The effectiveness of the vehicle spray control system is based on the application of two physical principles: first, a water droplet's collision energy with a surface and, therefore, the amount of spray generated by such collision is dependent upon the speed and direction of motion of the droplet relative to that surface, whereb the collision energy is decreasing continuously from a maximum when the direction of motion of the droplet is at normal incidence relative to the surface, to essentially zero when the direction of. motion of the droplet is essentially parallel to that surface. Second, water droplets in mist and spray condense to form larger droplets of water more rapidly as their concen¬ tration increases by compression or by glancing incidence on a wet surface. Method of Suppressing, Coalescing and Directing Larger (Water) Droplets and a Stream-like Flow of Water Through the Sorav Controller; Application of the Two Physical Principles The first physical principle is evidenced by the fact that the sloping faces 31 of the wedges 13 and the forward surface 41 and rearward surface 42 of the slots are positioned at an angle relative to the oncoming water droplets of the spray such that the droplets of water strike the wedge sloping faces and slot surfaces at grazing incidence, generally less than 20 degrees from surface parallel. Application of the second physical principle is shown in relation to the closely packed wedges with nominally 1/16 inch separation at the point of junction of the wedges 13 with the base 2. As the water droplets of spray approach the receiving surface 47A, they pass between the apexes of the wedges, striking the sloping faces near the base 2 and rearward surface of the slots 15, suppressing the formation of smaller droplets in a mist wherein the water droplets are compressed, thereby increasing their concentration and rate of coalescence. Glancing impact of the water droplets on the wedge sloping faces 31 and rearv/ard surfaces 42 of the slots also enhances further coalescence of the water droplets from the spray to eventually form larger droplets and a flow of water which is stream-like in appearance. The droplets τ first impact is of energy proportional to 1/2 m (v sin 0) 2 where m is the mass and ff is the angle between the velocity and the surface parallel. Collision energies at angles of 45, 30, 15 and 10 degrees are reduced to 0.5, 0.25, 0.067 and 0.030 respectively times the value at normal incidence. Thus water droplets break into fewer secondary droplets than they would at normal incidence. Those droplets of water that do not wet the wedges 13 and flow along their sloping faces will bounce off the wedge slopin.g faces at small angles. Glancing impacts of the spray droplets convert more energy to heat because of enhanced surface and internal friction rather than to increase surface energy by mist formation. Collisions of the secondary droplets of water occur generally at lower speed, many on the opposite wedge face. Upon impacting the sloping wedge faces in secondary collisions, the droplets of water will coalesce to form OWPI larger droplets and eventually most remaining droplets pass into the slots 15 or into the stream-like flow of water between the wedges 13. Water, droplets and residual spray also move through the slots 15 at high speed and are deflected, upon being discharged from the slots 15 on the opposite side 47 of the spray controller 27 to thereafter fall outside the tracks of the tires 11 of the vehicles 4. The Fender Flap Spray Controllers of the Vehicle Sorav Control System Apparatus The fender flap spray controllers 1, (1A, IB and 1C), shown in figures 1, 2 and 3, are suspended vertically from the vehicle within the rotational path of the tires of both the tractor 3 and trailer 5. The wedges 13 are vertically positioned in parallel alignment with the plane of rotation of the tires. Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the split flow design of fender flap spray controllers 1 wherein the slots 15 slant to the left side on the left half 35 of the spray controller 1 while slots 15 on the right half 34 of the spray controller 1 are slanted to the right side to permit the now coalesced flow of stream-like water to be discharged from the slots 15 on the opposite side 47 of the spray controller 1 away from the tracks of the tires and to fall substantially outside the path of the tires of the vehicle to the wet surface below. To facilitate manufacturing of the fender flap spray controller 1, divergent slots 16 may be used rather than parallel slots. Increased length of the vertically aligned slots 15 as well as minimizing the planar separations 43 between the slots 15 increase the effectiveness with which the slots 15 will coalesce and direct the water droplets passing through the base 2. Fibrous material, such as Ara id, may be incor¬ porated and positioned transversely within the base of the fender flap spray controllers 1 to add lateral strength and thereby permit increased area of the slots 15 and thus better spray suppression and coalescence. Figures 21 and GΛ.PΪ 22 show a diversity of wedge shapes and angles and slot s shapes and angles respectively. The preferred embodiment of the fender flap spray controllers 1, however, utilizes wedges 13 having symmetric sloping faces with roughly a 35 degree apex angle. The rearward 42 and forward 41 surfaces of the slots 15 are parallel to each other with the rearward surface of the slot being a continuation of the wedge sloping face half angle. A pair of anti-sail and anti-twist members 14, preferably made of steel, are embedded in the fender flap spray controllers and positioned at right angles to each other to maintain proper alignment of the fender flap spray controllers 1 with the plane of rotation of the tires 11 and keep the spray controllers 1 from being pushed out of position by the force of the wind during travel of the vehicle 4. Such anti-sail and anti-twist members 14 are preferably used in all embodiments of the fender flap spray controllers 1. The Overwheel Spray Controller of the vehicle S ra Control Apparatus Figure 4 shows an overwheel spray controller 7 which is most effectively positioned directly above the upward moving portion of the rotating tires 11 of the vehicle 4 where the angle of impact of thrown droplets is nearly normal to the planar surface 30 of the base 2 of the overwheel spray controller 7. The region most directly above the top of the tire is avoided because of occasional tire impact against the bottom of the trailer. The preferred embodiment of the overwheel spray controller 7 utilizes the wedge 13 and slanted slot 15 arrangement of the fender flap spray controllers 1 whereby the bisectors of the sloping faces 31 of the wedges 13 are parallel to the plane of rotation of the tires 11. The overwheel spray controller 7 is mounted to the vehicle 4 with two crosswise bars 17A positioned at each end of the spray controller 7 which are embedded in the base 2 and are welded to or are integral with a pair of external longitudinal bars 17B on opposite sides of the overwheel spray controller as shown in figure 4. The external longitudinal bars 17B slide into central fittings 18 which are located near the center of the trailer 5 and lock into quick-disconnect fittings 19 with eccentric clamps 20, attached to the floor sills 21 with wing screws 22 or bolts at the sides of the trailer 5, as shown in figures 5 and 6. A central longitudinal bar 17C provides stability and strength for the overwheel spray controller 7, such as supporting ice collecting on the controller 7 in winter and assists the lateral runoff of the stream-like flow of water after being discharged from the slots at the opposite side of the base 2. Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the path of travel of water droplets into and over the overwheel spray controllers 7 on both the right and left sides of the vehicle respectively. Ribs 23, may be attached to the overwheel spray controller 7, shown in figure 4, to guide the stream-like flow of water laterally, upon flowing from the slots, to thereafter fall outside the tracks of the tires 11 of the vehicle. The ribs 23 also provide separation from a flat surface above or a bonding surface for attachment to flat of curved surfaces of the vehicle. In figures 19 and 20 the overwheel spray controller 7 is bonded to the fender 49 of a passenger car 51 having fender flap spray controllers 1 also installed. A T-shaped Overwheel Spray Controller Assembly May be Adapted for Use with Bobtailino Tractors Figures 25 to 27 illustrate a T-shaped overwheel spray controller assembly 8, also shown in figure 8, for tractors 3 when they are bobtailing or traveling without a trailer 5. A support 150 is used with a horizontal arm 152 which passes over the slot side of the overwheel spray controller 7, but under the external longitudinal bars 17B, firmly holding the outer external longitudinal bar 17B1 in slot 154 and the inner external longitudinal bar 17B2 in locking clamp 155 on the horizontal arm 152. The flexibility of _0MPI the overwheel spray controller 7 is seen in figure 27.. Four T-shaped overwheel spray controller assemblies 8 are shown in position on the bobtailing tractor in figure 8. Adjacent T-shaped overwheel spray controller assemblies 8 are held together by spring clips 158, shown in figure 8, which slip over the ends of the external longitudinal bars 17B and provide rigidity to the support 150. The support 150 slips into a hollow fitting which in is in turn secured to the vehicle 4. The T-shaped overwheel spray controller assemblies 8 can be removed and stored behind the cab of the vehicle when not in use. The front T-shaped overwheel spray controller assembly 8 has two separate fitting embodiments, including one to be used when the tractor 3 is bobtailing or not pulling a trailer, permitting the T-shaped controller assembly to meet an adjacent T-shaped controller assembly, as shown in figure 8, and one to prevent throw of spray water droplets from hitting the driver's rear view mirror when the tractor is pulling a trailer 5, as shown in figure 9. The Side Skirt Spray Controller of the Vehicle Sorav Control System Apparatus As shown in figures 7A and 7B, the side skirt spray control¬ lers 6 are positioned outside the tracks of the tires, being suspended from the vehicle adjacent to the tops of the tires 11 with the base 2 being parallel to the plane of rotation of the tires 11. In this embodiment, the bisectors of the sloping faces 31 of the wedges 13 are positioned perpendicularly to the plane of rotation of the tires to control tire throw or spray which has been thrown by the rotating tires, impacting the underbody of the vehicle over the tires and thereby forming mist above the tire rather than being thrown in a direction parallel to its rotational path. The side skirt spray controllers 6 are secured to the tractor 3 and trailer 5 with quick disconnect fittings 19, which further comprise locking arms 24 and hooks 25. The locking arm 24 is pivotally secured to the trailer 5 underbody to be rotatably moved 15 upward when the side skirt spray controllers 6 are being installed or removed as shown in figure 7. The locking arms 24 also secure the side skirt spray controllers 6 in place, preventing further outward motion away from the tires 11. In the preferred embodiment, the side skirt spray control¬ lers 6 have vertically positioned wedges 13 with slots 15 utilizing the "split flow" design as in other embodiments of the spray controllers 6. Alternative embodiments of the side skirt spray controllers 6 may use horizontally positioned wedges and slots as shown in figure 7B. Tests have shown that a large percentage of spray thrown by the rotating ti.res of the moving vehicles is generated by the impact of the water droplets above the wheels and tires. Side skirt spray controllers 6 may be even more effective in controlling road surface spray than the more conventionally placed fender flap spray controllers 1 and need be only approximately six to eight inches in height to provide an effective surface area to suppress and coalesce the spray deflected to the sides of the tires. The Side Skirts of the Vehicle Spray Control System are Adapted to be Retractable for Trailer Sookup an uvering The side skirt spray controllers 6 may be adaptably mounted to the vehicle so as to be retracted vertically above the tires when the vehicle is not being used, while the forces of air flow will rotatably push the side skirt spray controllers 6 downward into operational use during travel of the vehicle. This retractability permits tractor hookup maneuvering without damage to the side skirt spray controllers 6. As shown in figures 30 to 32 the side skirt spray controllers are retractably mounted via spring held mounting arms 176 which are pivotally secured at one end 188 to the trailer 5 underbody above the wheels and secured near their centers 190 to the top of the side skirt spray controller 6, permitting the mounting arms 176 to rotate.. The mounting arms are restrained in the upward and substantially horizontal position by spiral springs 175 which force the mounting arms 166 and the attached side skirt spray controllers 6 forward and upward whereby the side skirt spray controllers 6 are retained in the retracted position when the vehicle is stopped. Rotatable wings 180 are mounted in a vertical position on the outsides of the side skirt spray controllers 6, being held by rubber strips 196, extending forward, in close parallel alignment with the side skirt spray controllers 6 when the vehicle is stopped. During travel, as the vehicle begins to pick up speed, air flow begins to force the rotatable wings 180 rearward, rotating on their vertical axes into a position normal to the side skirt spray controllers 6. Upper members 192 and lower members 191 limit the motion of the side skirt spray controller 6. Motion of the rotatable wings is limited to the perpendicular position to the spray controllers 6. The forces of the air flow pushing on the rotatable wings 180, overcome the tension of the spiral springs 175, whereby the side skirt spray controllers 6 are forced downward and rearward, extending over the top portion of the tire for operational use. As the vehicle slows down and finally stops, the air flow is reduced whereby rubber strips 196, acting as hinges and springs, overcome the forces of the air flow to retract the rotatable wings 180 inward to the forward extending position as the side skirt spray controllers 6 are thus retracted. The tension of the spiral springs 175 may be adjusted to permit the side skirt spray controllers 6 to be lowered or retracted at various speeds of the tractor 5 on the roadway. A lip 193 on the outer edge of the rotatable wings 180 extends outwardly to retain additional air flow and assist in rotating the winq. Durinq movement, the side skirt spray controllers bear aqainst quide bars 194 that hold the spray controllers 6 away from irregular metal edges and bolts which extend from the sides of the trailer body. In order to redirect adverse side winds 182 to assist in opening the rotatable wings 180, a wind catcher 183 deflects these side winds 182 back along the side skirt spray controllers C. PI in parallel alignment 181 with the rotatable wings 180. " The wind catcher 183 is mounted by a support plate 184 just ahead of the front corner on each side of the trailer 5. The portion of the mounting arms 176 which extend beyond the pivot point 190 of attachment to the side skirt spray controllers extends to near the bottom edge of the spray controller thereby providing lateral support when the side skirt spray controllers 6 are in the downwardmost position during travel of the vehicle. The Floor Sill Spray Controller of the Vehicle Spray Control System Figure 10 shows floor sill spray controller 9, also using the "split-flow" design slot configuration, attached to an I-beam type floor- sill 21 with a mounting clip 26. Upon being coalesced and directed through the slanted slots 15, the stream-like flow of water flows out from the slots on the opposite side of the base 2- and then is channeled behind the floor sill spray controller 9. Attachment of the floor sill spray controller 9 to • a channel type floor sill would be similar. Three spring clips 26 hold the floor sill spray controller 9 in place. Rubber ribs 23 are shown molded between the slots and at the top and bottom of the floor sill spray controller 9 to assure adequate space behind the controller 9 for lateral run-off of a stream-like flow of v/ater from the opposite side 47 of the base 2 along the floor sill 21 to fall outside the tracks of the tires of the vehicles onto the road surface. The Between Tractor-Tandem Sorav Controller of the Vehicle Spray Control System Apparatus The between tractor-tandem spray controller 12 suppresses and coalesces road surface spray thrown from the tires between tractor-tandem dual axles 28 and 29, such spray being deflected and projected between the tires 11 and presents one of the most hazardous forms of spray to drivers. The tires 11 of the tractor-tandem duals partially clear a path through the road surface water for the trailer duals to follow. " The water droplets of the spray thrown by the tires of the front tandem axle 28 strike the tread of the oncoming tires of the rear tandem axle 29 at speeds up to twice the vehicle velocity, often reaching 110 to 130 miles per hour, generating large amounts of spray. Figures 8 and 9 show the tractor-tandem bobtailing and pulling a trailer 5 respectively. Tractor-tandem axles are spaced farther apart than trailer-tandem axles and thus permit between tractor-tandem spray controllers 12 to be mounted between the tandem axles. Figures 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14 show the between tractor-tandem spray controller 12 in position between the tandem axles having dual sets of tires. The lower portion of the spray controller utilizes the wedge and "split flow" slot configuration whereby the array of v/edges 13 face forv/ard with respect to the front of the vehicle whereby the sloping faces 31 of the wedges 13 are vertically aligned in parallel alignment with the plane of rotation of the tires of the front tandem axle 28. This lower portion of the spray controller thus controls spray thrown rearwardly from the front tandem 28. The upper portion of the between tractor-tandem spray controller 12 has an array of wedges 13 extending rearwardly from the base 2, being aligned with the plane of rotation of the tires to control spray thrown forward by the tires of the rear tandem 29 near the top of the rotational path as shown in figures 8 and 9. It is not necessary to use slots 15 in this upper portion of the spray controller 12 since little spray is generated at this particular location. Spray droplets are suppressed and coalesced upon striking the sloping faces 31 of the wedge 13 into a stream-like appearance of water flowing down the wedges 13 to thereafter fall onto the wet road surface. The central portion of the between tractor-tandem spray controller 12 utilizes a base having no wedges 13 or slots 15. This will help decrease damage to the spray controller 12, such as from broken chains. Tread throw droplets impacting above the forward wedge portion of the between tractor-tandem spray controller 12 are deflected upward and thereafter strike the lower surface of the trailer 5 above the tires 11. Use of the overwheel spray controllers 9 in combination with the between tractor- tandem spray controllers 12 will prove to be very effective in reducing the large amount of spray generated by the tires between the tandem axles. The between tractor-tandem spray controllers 12 must be rigidly secured within the narrow space betv/een the tires 11 of the tandem axles. Shown in figure 12, support frame 37, comprising vertical members 32 and 33 and horizontal members 36 and 38, is secured to the tractor frame 45. Attachment members 40 and 44 are used to secure the support frame 37 to the tractor frame 45. Vertical rods 46 and 48 are embedded in the between tractor-tandem spray controllers 12 and are welded or rigidly attached to supporting cylinders 54 and 56. The supporting cylinders 54 and 56 are in turn secured in a horizontal position on support arms 50 and 52 by split spring stops 58 and 60 and by fixed stops 62 and 64. The supporting cylinders 54 and 56 are held rigidly in place by the vertical rods 46 and 48 and are enclosed by a rubber sheath 66. General Purpose Spray Controllers of the Vehicle Spray Control Syst Apparatus Figure 15 shows a section of a general purpose spray controller bonded to the fuel tank and positioned forward of the steering axle tire shown as 10 in figures 1 and 18. The general purpose spray controller is a similar embodiment to that of the fender flap spray controllers without slots. A thin base 2 on the general purpose spray controllers provides flexibility to bond to curved surfaces. Figure 18 shows a general purpose spray controller 10 bonded to the front wall of the cab ahead of and above the front tire 70 of the tractor 3 where the spray strikes at near normal incidence -BUREA _O PI generating spray that flows into the adjacent lane. A European Fender May be Adapted for Use With Various Embodiments of Spray Controllers Figure 16 shows a European Fender 69 lined with an extended overwheel spray controller 7 attached to its curved underside to more effectively control spray. An assembly of T-shaped overwheel spray controllers 8 of figure 8 could be substituted for the European Fender 69. A. between tandem spray controller 12 would improve control of spray by the European Fender as well. The cross section of an overwheel spray controller 7 mounted to the underside of the European Fender 69 is shown in figure 17. Flow of water droplets across the top of the spray controller is essential to reduce secondary spray formation by water falling back onto the moving tire which increases rather than decreases the spray problem. Tire Throw Angle Coverage by Overwheel and Floor Sill Sprav Controllers Compared to That by Fender Flap Spray Controllers Figures 23A tractor 3, and 23B trailer 5 illustrate the comparative angle coverage by various spray controllers. In figure 23A spray thrown from tires in angular intervals 71, 72, 74 and 76 impinges on fender flap spray controller IB, overwheel spray controller 7 and floor sill spray controller 9, respectively. The 30 inch fender flap spray controller IB intercepts 39 degrees of throw between directions 91 and 92. The 26 inch width of the base 2 of the overwheel 7 and floor sill 9 spray controllers intercept 57 degrees of throw between directions 93 and 94, between 94 and 96, and between 97 and 98. Although it varies among vehicles, approximately 46 percent greater angle coverage of tire throw is obtained with only 87 percent as much area giving about 68 percent greater angle coverage per unit weight of material of the spray controller than by the fender flap spray controller 1. In figure 23B the same fender flap spray controller 1, because of its typical location on a trailer, gives a coverage of only 291/2 degrees. The overwheel Oiy.PI spray controller 7 and floor sill controller 9 combine to give 70 degree coverage with only 73 percent as much area for a 137 percent improvement compared to the fender flap spray controller 1 per unit weight of material. A combination of several embodiments of spray controllers 27 used together provides a more effective means to suppress and control spray. These examples also demonstrate significant improvement in spray control by positioning the spray controllers properly, such as by placing the fender flap spray controller 1 low and close to the tires of the vehicle. If the latter fender flap spray controllers 1 were simply lowered to approxi¬ mately five inches off the ground, their angular coverage would be more than doubled to 62 1/2 degrees. Liαht Weight Flexible Banners Protect the Fender Flao S v Controllers of the Vehicle Spray Control System Apparatus Figure 24 shows a light weight flexible hanger 99 to reduce fender flap spray controller 1 damage by drivers backing into loading docks for example. A spring steel angular member 102 is attache to the underbody of the trailer behind a wheel, to an I-bean, channel or to the frame of the trailer 5 by bolts 100 or welding 101. The extended section 104provides resilienceto allow flexing. Quick-connec , quick-disconnect capability is provided by the hook 106 and the snap-tight projection 108. Spring action for the snap-tight projection 108 is provided by intermediate section 110. To install the fender flap spray controller 1 the top holes 111 in the flap go over the two or three hooks 1C6 which pass through the tv/o or three vertical steel anti-lift members 14 embedded in the fender slap spray controller 1, figure 2. The fender flap spray controller is then bent down into the vertical position and the two or three snap-tight projections 108 protrude through tv/o or three additional holes 112 in the steel anti-lift members 14 of the fender flap spray controller 1. The snap-tight projections 108 have lower lips 114 which snap into place as the bottom of the fender flap spray controller is pressed forward. OMPI ' holding it secure, locking it in place and providing the anti-sail function for the flap. On removal the snap-tight projections are pressed upward to disengage the fender flap. Manufacture of Sorav Controllers Includes the Use of Two Types of Rubber Including Fiber and New Rubber The various embodiments of spray controllers 27 can be made by using new rubber Compound, in extruding simple v/edge 13 arrays, without slots 15, or in a compression molding process forming embodiments with slots. Fiber, scrap rubber from the manufacture of tires, may also be used as the primary material, mixed with appropriate portions of Compound, to minimize cost. Compression Molding of the Spray Controllers Figures 28 and 29 illustrate the components used in the molding of spray controllers 21, with a base having a plurality of wedges 13 and slanted slots 15 using Fiber. A. top compression mold 159 having hollow profiles 160, used to form wedges, and projections 162, to form the left portion of each slot 15, is shown. A sheet of thin. Teflon of a type that can be bonde with an adhesive coat 166 to raw rubber and other materials is positioned above the uncured Fiber 168. The compa.ny name or logo 170 to be advertised on the opposite side 47 of a fender flap spray controller 1 is shown in position belov/ the Fiber and above the bottom injection mold 171, which has wedge molds 172 to form the right portions of the slots 15. Heat and pressure are applied for the proper time during the molding process to cure the Fiber and compound. The company name or logo pierced by slots is illustrated in figure 29. The slots are formed as shown in figure 28 with diverging sides to aid in molding and are obtained by using a 30 degree angle of the upper face 173 of the wedge mold 172 and a 20 degree wedge half-angle of the adjacent surface of the projections 162 to prevent direct transmission of spray through the slot. -BUREA O.MPI SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES The primary embodiments of this vehicle spray control system consist of spray controllers 27 comprising arrays of separated sloping faced wedges 13 projecting from the planar surface 30 of the base 2 with or without slanted slots 15 between the wedges 13 to suppress the formation of spray and deflect and direct water droplets which thereafter coalesce to form a flow of stream-like water passing through the base 2 to thereafter fall substantially outside the tracks of the tires 11. The spray controllers 27 of the system are positioned behind, over and beside tires on vehicles 4 to control mist and spray that originates from the. impact of high velocity water droplets on hard flat surfaces. The components of this spray control system provide excellent spray control by applying two principles of physics: first, collision energy of a droplet with a plane surface and, therefore, the amount of spray that it generates upon impact is dependent upon its speed and upon its direction of motion relative to that surface, decreasing continuously from a maximum at normal incidence to essentially zero at a direction essentially parallel to that surface. Second, spray or mist condenses more rapidly to form larger droplets of water as their concentration increases by compression or by glancing incidence upon a wet surface. In addition, means to overcome molding difficulties are described. Side skirt spraycontrollers 6 may be protected from damage during hook-up of tractors 3 and trailers 5 by being adapted for retractability via wind-lowered, spring-raised mounting arms 176 secured to the side skirt spray controllers 6. Minimum usage of only the fender flap spray controllers 1 of this design will satisfy Oregon, United States of America, law which currently mandates spray controlling fender flaps for triple-tandem vehicles in rainy weather. However, spray conditions on occasions are severe enough that this minimum usage does not provide adequate safety because about two-thirds of the spray originates over the wheels and in other positions. On these occasions, which may be addressed by upcoming Federal standards, use of the additional embodiments will reduce " time lost to weather and help to avoid costly accidents. Either overwheel spray controllers 7 or side skirts 6 combined with between tractor-tandem spray controllers 17 are most effective. The general purpose spray controllers ahead of the front wheels, on the ends of the fuel tanks and ahead of the chain compartment of the vehicle complete the protection, providing the greatest number of driving hours and the greatest safety under the widely varied weather conditions encountered on the highways of the world.

Claims: CLAIMS I claim: 1. A vehicle spray control system apparatus to suppress spray and coalesce and direct v/ater . droplets from tread throw thrown from rotating tires of vehicles via centrifugal forces generated by the rotating tires during travel of the vehicles along wet surfaces or roadways, comprising: a) a spray controller which further comprises a plurality of wedges integrally formed with and projecting from a base wherein the wedges are spaced apart in vertical alignment on the base; and b) means to secure the spray controller to a vehicle. 2. A vehicle spray control system apparatus to suppress, coalesce and direct wet surface or roadway tread throw or spray thrown from rotating tires of vehicles via centrifugal forces generated by the rotating tires during travel along the wet roadways, comprising one or more spray controllers, having a receiving side and an opposite side, and which each further comprise: a) a base which forms a supportive backing for the spray controller and which receives the impact of the tread throw or spray as it is thrown from the rotating tires of the vehicles; and b) a plurality of wedges which are integrally formed with and project from the base wherein the wedges, each having two opposite sloping faces, are spaced apart in a parallel array, whereby the spray controller is secured to a vehicle and positioned such that the apexes of the wedges are vertically aligned, the sloping faces symmetrically oriented toward water droplets of the spray which are thrown by the rotating tires of the vehicle during travel along the wet road surfaces. 3. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the spray controller comprises a plurality of preferred embodiments which are each adapted to be secured in selected locations on a vehicle adjacent to the tires and positioned to receive the impact of the oncoming water droplets of spray which is thrown from the rotating tires- of the vehicle, such spray water droplets thereafter becoming suppressed and coalesced into larger droplets of water upon making contact with the wedges and the base of the spray controller. 4. A. vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the base of the spray controller further comprises a plurality of elongated slots which extend through the base being spaced apart end to end between the wedges to permit the passage of air and water droplets from the spray subsequent to the spray making initial contact with the wedges and the base upon impact of the spray with the receiving side of the spray controller. 5. A. vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the slots, each having a forward surface and rearward surface, extend through the base angularly to form a slanted aperture which thereby diverts the initially straight linear travel of v/ater droplets from the spray through the base upon entering the opening of the slot on the receiving side of the spray controller and thereafter falling from the slots on the opposite side of the spray controller. 6. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the forward surfaces and rearward surfaces of each slot are parallel, the rear surface of the slot being flush with and a continuation of one sloping face of the wedge positioned adjacent to the slot, forming a continuous slanted surface such that mist formation from the oncoming water droplets of spray, thrown from the rotating tires of the vehicle, is suppressed, the water droplets being coalesced into larger droplets of water upon first striking the sloping faces of the wedges and the rearward surface of the slot prior to the spray droplets passing through the base. 7. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the slots of the spray controllers diverge through the base such that one half of the slots are slanted to the left while the other half of the slots are slanted toward the right to thereby guide the flow of the now suppressed, and coalesced spray to the left side and right side respectively of the spray controller and thus redirecting the flow of water droplets through the base to thereafter be discharged from the opposite side of the spray controller away from the center of the spray controller and away from the path of the rotating wheels and tires of the vehicle. 8. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the slots are all slanted toward the left, extending through the base from the planar surface at an angle so as to discharge the water droplets from the opposite side of the spray controller toward the left side. 9. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the slots are all slanted toward the right, extending through the base from the planar surface on an angle so as to discharge the water droplets from the opposite side of the spray controller toward the right side. 10. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the spray controllers are adaptably secured to the underside of the vehicle adjacent to the wheels whereby the wedges are arranged and oriented toward the oncoming spray droplets with the apexes of the wedges positioned ' symmetrically in alignment and parallel to the plane of rotation of the wheels and tires of the vehicle. 11. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the spray controllers are positioned outside of the wheels and tires of the vehicle such that the sloping faces of the wedges extend from the base being symmetrically arranged and oriented transversely to the plane of rotation of the wheel. 12. A vehicle * spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the side skirts are pivotally secured at their opposite sides of the base to elongated mounting arms which are in turn pivotally secured to the trailer above the wheels and which restrain the vertically positioned side skirts, via springs, secured to the inboard end of the mounting arms, in a raised position above the wheels - when the vehicle is stopped while the side skirts are forced downwardly and rearwardly into operating position adjacent to the top portion of the tire of the vehicle by the forces of air flow during travel of the vehicle. 13. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein one or more rotatable wings are secured to the side skirts and held by springs in a position parallel to the side skirts whereby during forward travel of the vehicle, the wings are rotatably forced outwardly and rearwardly to a position perpendicular to the side skirts to force the side skirts downwardly and rearwardly into the operating position. 14. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the spray controller is adaptably supported on or within a floor sill structural support member, extending transversely beneath the trailers of the vehicle wherein a plurality of ribs are secured to the back of the base, being spaced apart and positioned transversely to the vertically positioned wedges and slots so as to permit runoff of the coalesced and suppressed spray which has thereafter become a flow of water stream-like in appearance upon striking and then passing through the spray controller. 15. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein a plurality of vertical bars are imbedded in the spray controller along each of the outside edges and positioned perpendicularly to a cross bar imbedded within the spray controller so as to prevent sail and twist of the spray controllers respectively during travel of the vehicle. 16. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the wedge faces are asymmetrical. 17. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein the forward and rearward surfaces of the slots are in nonparallel alignment with each other. 18. A. vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the lower portion of the base comprises wedges which extend to the front of the vehicle with slots located between the wedges extending through the base and upper portion of the base comprises wedges which extend toward the back of the vehicle with slots located between the wedges, such slots extending through the base, while the center portion of the base contains no slots or wedges, the spray controller being positioned between the tandem axles of the trailer to control spray from both the front and rear tires of the tandem axles. 19. A vehicle spray control system apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the spray controllers are made from a flexible heat and impact resistant material comprising uncured scrap rubber or new rubber compound or the combination thereof. 20. A vehicle spray control system apparatus for suppressing spray and preventing the formation of mist by coalescing and redirecting water droplets from tread throw which has been thrown upwardly and rearwardly by the rotating tires of a vehicle via centrifugal forces of the rotational movement of the tires during travel of the vehicle along wet surfaces or roadways, comprising spray controllers, having a receiving side and an opposite side, and which each further comprise: a) a base having a plurality of elongated slots longitudinally positioned and spaced apart, extending through the base angularly forming a slanted aperture through which droplets of spray pass, such droplets being suppressed upon striking wedge sloping faces and slanted surfaces of the slots and thereafter directed away from the path of the rotating tires of the vehicle prior to being discharged at the opposite side of the spray controller; and b) a plurality of wedges with apex angles of less than 60 degrees having opposite symmetrical sloping faces oriented toward oncoming droplets of spray wherein the wedges depend outwardly from the base toward the direction of spray and are positioned adjacent to the slots whereby a slanted surface of each slot is a continuation of an integral with a sloping face of the adjacent wedge, the wedges thereby OMPI providing surface area to receive the impact of the spray water droplets thereafter suppressing and coalescing the spray droplets into larger spray droplets and a flow of water which is stream-like in appearance. 21. A vehicle spray control system method for suppressing spray and preventing the formation of mist by coalescing and redirecting water droplets in tread throw or spray which have been thrown from rotating tires of vehicles via centrifugal forces of the rotating tires during travel of the vehicles on wet surfaces or roadways, comprising: a) receiving spray droplets of water thrown by the rotating tires, by a spray controller comprising a plurality of slots or wedges, and thereafter; b) channeling the droplets of water through the slots which comprise restrictive slanted passageways, and thereafter; c) directing the droplets of water away from the path of the rotating tires and then discharging the water droplets from the slots to thereafter fall down on the wet road surface. 22. A vehicle spray control system method as defined in claim 21 wherein the method Of receiving water droplets further comprises: a) placing spray controllers, having a receiving side and an opposite side, directly in the rotational path of the tires of the vehicle; b) striking of oncoming water droplets of spray against sloping faces of the wedges within the receiving side of the spray controller; and c) suppressing the formation of mist from oncoming water droplets of tread throw or spray upon striking the sloping wedge faces having small apex angles of less than 60 degrees. 23. A vehicle spray control system method as defined in claim 22 wherein the method of channeling the water droplets further comprises: a) flowing of water droplets along sloping faces of the wedges which project from a base of the spray controller into more restricted V-shaped channels and then; b) redirection of the droplets of water through slanted slots, having forward and rearward surfaces and which extend through the spray controllers, prior to being discharged from the slots at the opposite side of the spray controllers, the droplets then being directed away from the path of the rotating tires to then fall down onto the wet surface. 24. A vehicle spray control system method as defined in claim 23 wherein the oncoming spray water droplets strike the rearward surface of the slots prior to being redirected through and discharged from the slots at the opposite side of the spray controllers. 25. A vehicle spray control system method as defined in claim 23 wherein the spray water droplets become coalesced to form larger water droplets upon striking the sloping faces of the wedges of the spray controller and thereafter, the larger droplets of water now become further coalesced into a flow of water upon sliding along the faces of the wedges and along the surfaces of the slots, prior to being discharged from the slots on the opposite side of the spray controller as larger droplets and a flow of v/ater stream-like in appearance.

Inventors: METCALF GEORGE E, METCALF, GEORGE, E.
Applicants: METCALF GEORGE E, METCALF, GEORGE, E.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: B62D25
IPC codes: B62D25