Abstract:
A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel slidable mounted to plural cylindrical bars mounted on the underside of the trailer box in a fore and aft orientation. The second fairing panel is secured to the wheel set with a mechanical fastener that selectively joins and releases the second fairing panel and the wheel set.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/030,428, filed Feb. 21, 2008, and incorporated by reference herein. 
     This invention relates to a system for improving the aerodynamic profile of vehicles by utilizing side vehicle fairing structures, especially for use on a tractor-trailer. The system improves fuel consumption without having a material adverse impact on vehicle operation or service procedures. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     The amount of power needed to move a vehicle over land or through the air increases with the speed of the vehicle due to aerodynamic drag. The amount of power necessary to overcome aerodynamic drag directly translates into increased fuel consumption, and thus cost of operation. 
     A variety of innovations aimed at reducing the aerodynamic drag of various transport vehicles, including tractor-trailer combinations, have been introduced in the prior art. These include efforts to make the hood, windscreen, fenders, etc. more streamlined in form, as well as by adding fairings to the cab roof, and in some cases, to the trailer box. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,791 discloses a vehicle fairing structure that may be deployed on the rear of a trailer box to reduce drag at the rear end of the trailer box. Since a significant amount of drag is also associated with the front of the trailer box, where there is known to be an area of high pressure and relatively stagnant air approximately at the middle of the forward vertical face of the trailer cab, a front fairing structure for reducing this drag is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/684,097, filed Mar. 9, 2007. A system that includes side fairings to further reduce drag is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/684,104, also filed Mar. 9, 2007. The foregoing patent and applications (U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,791, and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/684,097 and 11/684,104) are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The invention disclosed herein is to further optimize the design of the vehicle side fairing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first fairing panel secured to a trailer box at a fixed position proximate to the periphery of a trailer box side; and a second fairing panel slidably mounted to a plurality of spaced-apart bars each having a cylindrical cross section, the bars mounted to the underside of the trailer box in a fore and aft orientation. The plurality of bars are positioned on the underside of the trailer box such that the second panel is proximate to the trailer box side, and when the wheel set and rear fairing panel are in their aft-most positions a forward portion of the second fairing panel is proximate to a rear portion of the first fairing panel. Further, the second fairing panel is secured to the wheel set so that the the second fairing panel can be moved with an adjustment in the position of the wheel set. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first fairing panel secured to a trailer box at a fixed position proximate to the periphery of a trailer box side; and a second fairing panel slidably mounted to the underside of the trailer box in a fore and aft orientation so that the second panel is proximate to the trailer box side. When the wheel set and rear fairing panels are in their aft-most positions a forward portion of the second fairing panel is proximate to a rear portion of the first fairing panel. Also, at least one of the second fairing panel and the wheel set includes a mechanical fastener that selectively joins and releases the second fairing panel and the wheel set so that the second fairing panel can be moved with or without an adjustment in the position of the wheel set. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first fairing panel, comprising a plurality of panel segments secured to the trailer box, using one or more hand or hand tool releasable fasteners, at a fixed position proximate to the periphery of a trailer box side; and a second fairing panel, comprising a plurality of panel segments, slidably mounted, using one or more hand or hand tool releasable fasteners, to the underside of the trailer box in a fore and aft orientation so that the second panel is proximate to the trailer box side. When the wheel set and rear fairing panels are in their aft-most positions, a forward portion of the second fairing panel is proximate to a rear portion of the first fairing panel. The second fairing panel is secured to the wheel set so that the second fairing panel can be moved with an adjustment in the position of the wheel set. In addition, the panel segments of the first fairing panel are joined together with one or more hand or hand tool releasable fasteners, and the panel segments of the second fairing panel are joined together with one or more hand or hand tool releasable fasteners. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of the vehicle side fairing disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the slider assembly that permits fore and aft movement of the rear fairing panels. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic side views showing the fore and aft movement of the rear fairing panel  240 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a means to fasten rear fairing panel  240  to fore and aft positionable wheel assembly  16 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view depicting the segments of front fairing panel  110  and rear fairing panel  140 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  generally depicts a truck trailer box  10  equipped with the side fairing invention, fairing assembly  100 , described herein. It is also shown depicted with a front gap closing fairing  12 , as more fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/684,097. Trailer box  10  includes a wheel assembly  16  proximate to the rear of trailer box  10 . As is conventional, wheel assembly  16  can be positioned fore and aft to accommodate variations in payload weight and distribution in trailer box  10 . Trailer box  10  also includes a landing gear assembly  14 , to permit trailer box  10  to sit level and to allow elevation of trailer box  10  so that a tractor (not shown) can be attached to and detached from trailer box  10 . 
     Fairing assembly  100  is shown in  FIG. 1  on the right side of trailer  10 . It should be understood that there is a comparable fairing assembly  200  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) on the left side of trailer  10 . The purpose of assemblies  100  and  200  is to inhibit the airstream from entering the area underneath trailer box  10 , and thereby reduce aerodynamic drag. 
     Fairing assembly  100  includes forward fairing panel  110  and rear fairing panel  140 . These panels  110  and  140  are generally rectangular planar structures extending in the vertical direction downward from the bottom periphery of the sides of the trailer box  10  to just above the road surface. In one embodiment, approximately  8  inches of clearance is left between the bottoms of panels  110 ,  140  and the road. 
     Forward fairing panel  110  is fixedly secured to trailer box  10 , wherein rear fairing panel  140  is movably secured to trailer box  10 , as described further below, such that panel  140  moves fore and aft on trailer box  10  as wheel assembly  16  is moved fore and aft. As is seen in  FIG. 1 , the panels  110 ,  140  are positioned proximate to the trailer box sides such that each preferably forms a roughly continuous surface (although, as is particularly apparent in the case of rear fairing panel  140 , not perfectly continuous) with the side of trailer box  10  to which it is adjacent. When wheel assembly  16  is in its rear most position, the front edge of rear fairing panel  140  is proximate to the rear edge of front fairing panel  110 . This proximate relationship can include an initial overlapping relationship. As wheel assembly  16  is positioned further forward, the front portion of rear fairing panel  140  comes to overlap, or comes to further overlap, the rear portion of front fairing panel  150 , with panel  140  preferably overlapping inside panel  110  (viewed from the perspective of an observer standing at the side of the trailer). 
     Aft of rear fairing panel  140  is wheel inspection port  149 . Port  149  is a generally planar surface, preferably made of sheet steel, aluminum or plastic, which optionally may have roughly circular cut-outs approximately the shape and size of the tires, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Wheel inspection port  149  is hinged to the lower edge of trailer box  10  to swing upwardly. This permits easier tire change and wheel assembly inspection. Gear inspection port  119 , which is part of forward fairing panel  110 , is likewise hinged to swing upwardly. This permits the operator to gain access to landing gear  14 . 
     Forward fairing panel  110  includes a bottom impact amelioration section  111  secured to its lower edge. The width (measured vertically) of section  111  can be increased or decreased as desired. As shown, the width of section  111  is approximately  8  inches. Section  111  extends from the back of forward fairing panel  110  along the lower edge of fairing panel  110  forward to a desired position—the forward ending position of section  111  may be as far forward as the forward end of panel  110 , or positioned back from the forward end of panel  110  at any point desired, such as behind where the tractor joins the trailer box  10 , since there is reduced risk of damage proximate to where the tractor is connected the trailer box  10 . 
     Likewise, rear fairing panel  140  includes a bottom impact amelioration section  141  secured to its lower edge. Section  141  can be of like width as section  110 , and preferably extends along the entire length of panel  140 . 
     The purpose of sections  111  and  141  is to reduce or eliminate damage to fairing assemblies  100  and  140  that may inadvertently occur if the operator backs down sharply inclined loading docks, or cuts turns too close to raised curbs, or the like. Sections  111  and  141  can be made of a crushable material, such as lightweight honeycomb, removably mounted with bolts or the like to permit easy replacement in the field. Alternatively, sections  111  and  141  can be constructed of a vertically oriented flexible bristle material or other material which returns to its original position after minor impact. 
     As explained above, rear fairing panel  140  is movably secured to trailer box  10 .  FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment for providing this functionality. In particular, there is shown two spaced-apart bars, an inner slide bar  151  and an outer slide bar  152  which are each respectively secured to a T-section  153 . The T-sections  153  in turn are secured to the underside of the trailer box  10  at a location such that bars  151 ,  152  are located near the periphery of the underside of trailer box  10  and are parallel to the sides of trailer box  10 . Bars  151 ,  152  are preferably approximately or generally circular in cross-section, to reduce the potential for torque forces to cause binding, and to ease removal of road grit and ice build-up, although non-cylindrical tracks can be used as well. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the horizontal portion of a right-angle mounting bracket  155  is secured to two slide bearings  154 , which in turn are each positioned around bars  151 ,  152  to allow mounting bracket  155  to move along the lengths of bars  151 ,  152 . The vertical portion of right-angle mounting bracket  155  is fastened to rear fairing panel  140 , preferably using fasteners, such as nut-bolt sets, or other fasteners that are releasable, and optionally fastenable, by hand or with use of hand tools. This arrangement permits fairing panel to slide fore and aft parallel to the sides of trailer box  10 . Although only one bracket  155  is shown, it should be understood that use of two or more such brackets, spaced along the length of rear fairing panel  140 , is preferred to provide adequate support and permit easy sliding. 
     As discussed above, the wheel assembly  16  can be fore and aft positioned in accordance with the nature of the load. In this regard, the rear fairing panels of the subject invention can be position-adjusted, in accordance with the position of wheel assembly  16 , to preclude there being a gap in the side fairings and so that the aerodynamics remain optimized. Reference to describe this feature is made to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , which depict a portion of rear fairing panel  240  (the left-side counterpart of rear fairing panel  140 ). In  FIG. 4 , descending vertical strut  260  is part of wheel assembly  16  and moves fore and aft with wheel assembly  16 . A retaining box  261  is fastened to strut  16 , as by welding, brazing, bolting, or the like. This retaining box is adapted, as shown, to receive within it a fairing tab  262  that is affixed to rear fairing panel  240  at a position that allows it to slide in and out of retaining box  261 . A hole  264  is located on the outer face of retaining box  261 , which mates with a corresponding hole  265  in fairing tab  262  when fairing tab  262  is inserted in retaining box  261 . 
     A securing fastener  263  is threaded to engage a correspondingly threaded portion of retaining box  264 . Thus when fairing tab  262  is inserted in retaining box  261 , securing fastener  263  can be inserted into holes  264 ,  265  and rotated to engage the threaded portion of retaining box  264  and thereby secure rear fairing  240  to wheel assembly  16 . Hence when wheel assembly  16  is moved forward (or aft), rear fairing  240  slides on inner and outer slide bars  251 ,  252  correspondingly (not shown; these are the counterparts to slide bars  151 ,  152  shown in  FIG. 2 ). Thus the exposed length of rear fairing panels  140 ,  240  are automatically adjusted as wheel assembly  16  is moved forward and aft. 
     Alternatively, this invention allows the operator first to rotate and loosen securing fastener  263 ; remove, if necessary, fastener  263 ; slide rear fairing panel  240  forward; and then adjust the position of wheel assembly  16 . In addition, given the ease by which an operator can release securing fastener  16 , (e.g. in the embodiment depicted, by use of a nut driver or the like), the operator on the road can readily slide rear fairing panel  240  forward to permit easy inspection of the brakes, tires, wheel assembly, or the like, as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each of rear fairing panels  140 ,  240  are located inboard of forward fairing panels  110 ,  210 . Thus as rear fairing panels  140 ,  240  move forward, from the standpoint of an observer standing at the side of the truck the forward portions of rear fair panels  140 ,  240  disappear behind the rear portions of forward fairing panels  110 ,  210 . 
     The securing fastener  263  and the portions of retaining box  261  which receive it can be of any number of variations, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill. For example,  FIG. 4  depicts a threaded bolt, which is received by a correspondingly threaded portion of retaining box  261 . This threaded bolt can be made captive in retaining box  261  to prevent loss, in a variety of ways apparent to a person of ordinary skill. Alternatively, quarter-turn or fast lead Dzus fasteners can be employed. 
     The panels  110 ,  210 ,  140 ,  240  can be fabricated from sheet steel, aluminum, plastic, or other panel material, and fastened to a structural frame of steel, aluminum, plastic or other angle stock material to enhance rigidity. It is preferred that the panels be made of two or more sections or segments fastened together in a manner that permits the operator to readily disassemble and remove segments when in service. This aspect of the invention advantageously permits the operator to remove damaged segments, without the need for a service call or other outside assistance. Thus  FIG. 5  depicts front fairing panel  110  as made up of three segments  112 ,  113  and  114  and rear fairing panel  140  as made up of two segments  142  and  143 . The segments in general are sized to permit relatively easy handling by a single operator. The segments are bolted or otherwise fastened together to permit operator disassembly, for example, by overlapping the sheets and installing nut-bolt sets spaced along the overlapping section, or other fasteners which are removable, and optionally fastenable, by hand or with use of hand tools. Alternatively, rivets or other more permanent fastening methods can be used, in the event field disassembly as described above is not desired. 
     The front fairing panels  110 ,  210  can be secured to the underside of trailer box  10  in any suitable manner, such as by use of one or more brackets such as mounting brackets  155  (use of two or more is preferred), except that the brackets are directly secured to the underside of trailer box  10 , rather than to slide bearings  154 . In the event such brackets are employed, the front fairing panels  110 ,  210  are preferably secured to them using fasteners, such as nut-bolt sets, or other fasteners that are removable, and optionally fastenable, by hand or with the use of hand tools. Such a means of securing panels  110 ,  210 , and the like means preferably used to secure panels  140 ,  240  to one or more brackets  155 , as described earlier, further facilitates removal of damaged segments by the operator in the field. 
     The assembly sequence should take into account the need for proper fore and aft movement of rear fairing panels  140 ,  240 . In areas where there may be overlap between panels  110 ,  140  and  210 ,  240 , respectively, this can be accomplished by first fastening the brackets for front fairing panels  110 ,  210 , and thereafter fastening the T-sections  153 , with the latter being provided with appropriate cut-outs for such brackets as are used. Other means for accomplishing this end will be evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     It should be understood that the present invention is advantageously utilized in conjunction with the front fairing  12  depicted in  FIG. 1 , and more fully disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/684,097, and with the rear fairing structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,791.