Abstract:
An airflow regulating device includes a first airflow regulator configured to replace a tractor truck&#39;s grille, means for adjusting the first airflow regulator between open and closed configurations, a second airflow regulator positioned inside a housing configured to attach atop the truck&#39;s cab, means for adjusting the second airflow regulator between open and closed configurations, and means for actuating each adjustment means. The second airflow regulator may embody either a multiple-louver or a nested-panel formation, and a proximity sensor is included in the means to actuate the adjustment means of the second airflow regulator. The first and second actuation means determine whether the first and second airflow regulators should be in the open or closed configurations and actuate the first and second adjustment means accordingly. The first and second adjustment means then adjust the first and second airflow regulators to the appropriate configurations, improving the truck&#39;s gas mileage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to an airflow regulator. In particular, the present invention relates to an adjustable airflow regulating device.  
         [0002]     Many vehicles, and particularly large tractor trucks (also known as semi trucks) currently suffer from inefficiencies stemming from uncontrolled or imperfectly controlled airflow. If airflow over a truck is not deflected, the ensuing trailer will often create a large amount of drag. This unnecessarily reduces the truck&#39;s gas mileage. However, if the airflow over the truck is always deflected, the deflection creates an additional amount of drag that is unnecessary if a trailer is not being pulled.  
         [0003]     Further, airflow over truck radiators is currently not regulated. While this may be appropriate for small vehicles which are primarily concerned about cooling, large trucks would benefit enormously by being able to control the airflow over their radiators. Especially at startup, much work is required for large truck engines to reach their operating temperatures. As a result, large trucks must spend considerable amounts of time warming up before being used, and many large truck drivers do not shut down their trucks when only stopped for short amounts of time. Not only does this warm up time needlessly extend the drivers&#39; days, but it also reduces the trucks&#39; gas mileage by burning fuel.  
         [0004]     Various proposals addressing airflow regulators used in conjunction with automobiles are found in the art, including U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,459, U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,548, U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,506, U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,311, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,666.  
         [0005]     While assumably effective for their intended purposes, none of the above proposals provide a device to be retrofitted onto a tractor truck that improves gas mileage as drastically by effectively regulating airflow that reaches the tractor truck.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     An airflow regulating device according to the present invention includes a first airflow regulator configured to replace a truck grille of a tractor truck, means for adjusting the first airflow regulator between an open grille configuration and a closed grille configuration, a second airflow regulator positioned inside a housing configured to attach atop a cab of the tractor truck, means for adjusting the second airflow regulator between an open top configuration and a closed top configuration, and means for actuating each adjustment means. The second airflow regulator may embody either a multiple-louver or a nested-panel formation, and a proximity sensor is included in the means to actuate the adjustment means of the second airflow regulator.  
         [0007]     In use, the first actuation means determines whether the first airflow regulator should be in the open grille or closed grille configuration and actuates the first adjustment means accordingly. The first adjustment means then adjusts the first airflow regulator to the appropriate configuration. The second actuation means determines whether the second airflow regulator should be in the open top or closed top configuration and actuates the second adjustment means accordingly. The second adjustment means then adjusts the second airflow regulator to the appropriate configuration. By being in the appropriate configurations, the first and second airflow regulators effectively govern the airflow that reaches the tractor truck and improve the truck&#39;s gas mileage.  
         [0008]     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide an adjustable airflow regulator that improves gas mileage for automobiles.  
         [0009]     Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable airflow regulator, as aforesaid, that may be retrofitted onto existing automobiles.  
         [0010]     Still another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable airflow regulator, as aforesaid, that automatically adjusts to optimize airflow.  
         [0011]     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an adjustable airflow regulator in a closed configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention that may replace a grille of a tractor truck;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2   a  is a front perspective view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 1  in an open grille configuration;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2   b  is an isolated perspective view on an enlarged scale of the adjustment means taken from  FIG. 2   a;    
         [0015]      FIG. 3   a  is a front perspective view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 1  in an open grille configuration with adjustment means according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3   b  is an isolated perspective view on an enlarged scale of the adjustment means taken from  FIG. 3   a ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4   a  is a side view of the adjustable airflow regulator with the adjustment means as in  FIG. 3   a  in an open grille configuration;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4   b  is a side view of the adjustable airflow regulator with the adjustment means as in  FIG. 3   a  in an open top configuration;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4   c  is a side view of the adjustable airflow regulator with the adjustment means as in  FIG. 3   a  in a closed configuration;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5   a  is a front perspective view of the adjustable airflow regulator with the adjustment means as in  FIG. 3   a  positioned inside a housing and in a closed configuration;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5   b  is an exploded view of the adjustable airflow regulator and housing as in  FIG. 5   a;    
         [0022]      FIG. 6   a  is a front perspective view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 1  positioned inside a housing and in an open top configuration;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6   b  is a rear perspective view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 1  positioned inside a housing and in an open top configuration;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6   c  is an isolated perspective view on an enlarged scale of the adjustment means taken from  FIG. 6   b;    
         [0025]      FIG. 7   a  is a front view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 1  positioned inside a housing and in an open top configuration;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7   b  is a sectional view taken along line  7   b - 7   b  in  FIG. 7   a;    
         [0027]      FIG. 8   a  is a front perspective view of an adjustable airflow regulator in a closed configuration according to still another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8   b  is a rear perspective view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 8   a  in a closed configuration;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9   a  is a front perspective view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 8   a  in an open top configuration;  
         [0030]      FIG. 9   b  is a rear perspective view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 8   a  in an open top configuration;  
         [0031]      FIG. 10   a  is a front view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 8   a  in an open top configuration;  
         [0032]      FIG. 10   b  is a sectional view taken along line  10   b - 10   b  in  FIG. 10   a;    
         [0033]      FIG. 10   c  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of the inner panel and adjacent features taken from  FIG. 10   b;    
         [0034]      FIG. 11   a  is a front view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 8   a  in a closed top configuration;  
         [0035]      FIG. 11   b  is a sectional view taken along line  11   b - 11   b  in  FIG. 11   a;    
         [0036]      FIG. 11   c  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of the inner panel and adjacent features taken from  FIG. 11   b;    
         [0037]      FIG. 12   a  is a front view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 8   a  in an open top configuration with adjustment means according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 12   b  is a sectional view taken along line  12   b - 12   b  in  FIG. 12   a;    
         [0039]      FIG. 12   c  is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the adjustment means as in  FIG. 12   b;    
         [0040]      FIG. 13   a  is a front view of the adjustable airflow regulator as in  FIG. 12   a  in a closed top configuration;  
         [0041]      FIG. 13   b  is a sectional view taken along line  13   b - 13   b  in  FIG. 13   a;    
         [0042]      FIG. 13   c  is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the adjustment means as in  FIG. 13   b;    
         [0043]      FIG. 14   a  is a block diagram showing the thermostat connected to the motor;  
         [0044]      FIG. 14   b  is a block diagram showing the thermostat connected to the piston cylinder combination;  
         [0045]      FIG. 15   a  is a block diagram showing the CPU connected to the proximity sensor and the motor;  
         [0046]      FIG. 15   b  is a block diagram showing the CPU connected to the proximity sensor and the piston cylinder combination;  
         [0047]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram showing the CPU connected to the means for adjusting the first airflow regulator and the means for adjusting the second airflow regulator; and  
         [0048]      FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing the components of the airflow regulating device.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0049]     An airflow regulating device according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1-2   b ,  5   a - 7   b ,  14   a ,  15   a , and  17  of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, an airflow regulating device (also called a kit for improving gas mileage)  100  ( FIG. 17 ) includes a first airflow regulator  110  configured to replace a truck grille of a tractor truck, means  120  for adjusting the first airflow regulator  110  between an open grille configuration  122  and a closed grille configuration  123 , a second airflow regulator  130  positioned inside a housing  131  configured to attach atop a cab of the tractor truck, means  140  for adjusting the second airflow regulator  130  between an open top configuration  142  and a closed top configuration  143 , and means  150 ,  160  for actuating the adjustment means  120 ,  140 , respectively.  
         [0050]     The first airflow regulator  110  includes a frame  112  and a plurality of louvers  116  ( FIGS. 1 through 2   b ). The frame  112  has opposed left and right sidewalls  113   a ,  113   b  and opposed top and bottom sidewalls  114   a ,  114   b  extending between the left and right sidewalls  113   a ,  113   b . The left and right sidewalls  113   a ,  113   b  each define a plurality of flange receptors  115 . Each louver  116  extends between the left and right sidewalls  113   a ,  113   b  and has left and right hinge flanges  117   a ,  117   b  complementary to the respective flange receptors  115  of the left and right sidewalls  113   a ,  113   b . A tie rod  118  is coupled to an outer edge  116   a  of each louver  116  for maintaining each louver  116  generally parallel to every other louver  116 . The louvers  116  generally overlap one another when the first airflow regulator  110  is in the closed grille configuration  123  ( FIG. 1 ), and each louver  116  is generally perpendicular to the left and right sidewalls  113   a ,  113   b  when the first airflow regulator  110  is in the open grille configuration  122  ( FIG. 2   a ). It is to be understood that the louvers  116  may be positioned to provide the first airflow regulator  110  configurations intermediate the open grille and closed grille configurations  122 ,  123 .  
         [0051]     The adjustment means  120  includes a pinion gear  124 , a motor  125 , and a worm gear  126 . The pinion gear  124  is operatively attached to a respective louver  116  for rotating the respective louver  116  about its left and right hinge flanges  117   a ,  117   b . The motor  125  is mounted to the frame  112  proximate the pinion gear  124 , and the worm gear  126  is operatively coupled to the motor  125 . The worm gear  126  has a configuration complementary to a configuration of the pinion gear  124  for operative engagement therewith. When the motor  125  is energized, the worm gear  126  is operated, and the worm gear  126  in turn operates the pinion gear  124 .  
         [0052]     The means  150  for actuating the adjustment means  120  includes a thermostat  152  connected to the motor  125  as shown in  FIG. 14   a . When the engine cavity of the tractor truck reaches predetermined temperatures as determined by the thermostat  152 , the thermostat  152  actuates the motor  125  to adjust the first airflow regulator  110  between the closed grille and open grille configurations  123 ,  122 . By controlling the airflow that reaches the radiator of the tractor truck, the truck will be able to reach and maintain its operating temperature more efficiently. This reduces the amount of time needed for warming up the truck and allows the truck to be shut down when stopped for short amounts of time. As such, less fuel is consumed and gas mileage is improved.  
         [0053]     The second airflow regulator  130  and the means  140  for adjusting the second airflow regulator  130  ( FIGS. 5   a  through  7   b ) include a construction substantially similar to the construction of the first airflow regulator  110  and the means  120  for adjusting the first airflow regulator  110  previously described, except as specifically noted below. Similar structure is denoted by prime numerals in the drawings. The louvers  116 ′ generally overlap one another when the second airflow regulator  130  is in the closed top configuration  143  ( FIG. 5   a ), and each louver  116 ′ is generally horizontal when the second airflow regulator  130  is in the open top configuration  142  ( FIGS. 6   a  and  7   b ).  
         [0054]     The means  160  for actuating the adjustment means  140  includes a CPU  165  operatively connected to a proximity sensor  162  ( FIG. 6   c ) and the motor  125 ′ as shown in  FIG. 15   a . The proximity sensor  162  transmits signals and listens for replies (reflections from a trailer being pulled). If the proximity sensor  162  receives a reply, the CPU  165  actuates the motor  125 ′ to move the louvers  116 ′ toward the closed top configuration  143  and appropriately regulate the airflow. By regulating the airflow that would otherwise reach the trailer being pulled, the amount of drag is reduced and the gas mileage is improved. If the proximity sensor  162  does not receive a reply, the CPU  165  actuates the motor  125 ′ to move the louvers  116 ′ toward the open top configuration  142  and appropriately regulate the airflow. Thus, airflow is not restricted unnecessarily, which would needlessly increase the amount of drag and reduce the gas mileage.  
         [0055]     In use, the first airflow regulator  110  is installed on a tractor truck, replacing the truck grille, and the second airflow regulator  130  and the housing  131  are attached atop the truck cab. The thermostat  152  actuates the motor  125  to change the configuration of the first airflow regulator  110  according to preset temperature parameters. When actuated, the motor  125  operates the worm gear  126 , which then operates the pinion gear  124 . The rotation of the pinion gear  124  rotates the attached louver  116  about its left and right hinge flanges  117   a ,  117   b , and the tie rod  118  maintains each louver  116  generally parallel to every other louver  116  to cause all the louvers  116  to move substantially in unison. The proximity sensor  162  transmits signals and listens for replies. If the proximity sensor  162  receives a reply (a reflection from a trailer being pulled,) the CPU  165  actuates the motor  125 ′ to move the louvers  116 ′ toward the closed top configuration  143 . If the proximity sensor  162  does not receive a reply, the CPU  165  actuates the motor  125 ′ to move the louvers  116 ′ toward the open top configuration  142 . The means  140  for adjusting the second airflow regulator  130  include a construction substantially similar to adjusting means  120 .  
         [0056]     An airflow regulating device according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 3   a  through  4   c ,  14   b , and  15   b  and includes a construction substantially similar to the construction previously described except as specifically noted below. More particularly, the adjusting means  120  include a piston cylinder combination  202  having a cylinder  203  pivotally coupled to the frame  112  and a piston arm  204  extending from the cylinder  203  and pivotally coupled to a respective louver  116  for relative movement of the piston arm  204  between retracted and extended configurations  205   a ,  205   b . The retracted configuration  205   a  corresponds to the closed grille configuration  123  ( FIG. 4   c ), and the extended configuration  205   b  corresponds to the open grille configuration  122  ( FIG. 4   a ). A partially extended configuration  205   c  corresponds to the open top configuration  142  ( FIG. 4   b ), and adjusting means  140  may be substantially similar to the adjusting means  120  as described.  
         [0057]     In use, the thermostat  152  actuates the piston cylinder combination  202  to change the configuration of the first airflow regulator  110  according to preset temperature parameters ( FIG. 14   b ). When the piston cylinder combination  202  is actuated, the piston arm  204  extends or retracts to rotate the attached louver  116  about its left and right hinge flanges  117   a ,  117   b . If the proximity sensor  162  receives a reply (a reflection from a trailer being pulled,) the CPU  165  actuates the piston cylinder combination  202 ′ ( FIG. 15   b ), causing the piston arm  204 ′ to retract and move the louvers  116 ′ toward the closed top configuration  143 . If the proximity sensor  162  does not receive a reply, the CPU  165  actuates the piston cylinder combination  202 ′, causing the piston arm  204 ′ to extend and move the louvers  116 ′ toward the open top configuration  142 .  
         [0058]     An airflow regulating device according to still another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 8   a  through  11   c  and includes a construction substantially similar to the construction previously described except as specifically noted below. More particularly, the housing  131  includes a stationary outer panel  131   a  having first and second outer panel ends  232   a ,  232   b  and an inwardly turned forward edge  233  extending between the first and second outer panel ends  232   a ,  232   b . The outer panel  131   a  has a generally arcuate configuration and is configured to attach atop the tractor truck cab.  
         [0059]     The second airflow regulator  130  includes an inner panel  234  and a plurality of intermediate panels  236 . The inner panel  234  has first and second inner panel ends  234   a ,  234   b  and a forward edge  235   a  and an outwardly turned rearward edge  235   b  extending between the first and second inner panel ends  234   a ,  234   b . The inner panel  234  has a generally arcuate configuration. The intermediate panels  236  are nested within one another between the outer and inner panels  131   a ,  234 , and each intermediate panel  236  has first and second intermediate panel ends  236   a ,  236   b  and a generally arcuate configuration. Each intermediate panel  236  further has an outwardly turned rearward edge  237   a  and an inwardly turned forward edge  237   b  extending between the first and second intermediate panel ends  236   a ,  236   b . A first pin  239   a  couples the first outer panel end  232   a  to the first intermediate panel ends  236   a  and the first inner panel end  234   a , and a second pin  239   b  couples the second outer panel end  232   b  to the second intermediate panel ends  236   b  and the second inner panel end  234   b . The first and second pins  239   a ,  239   b  allow the inner and intermediate panels  234 ,  236  to selectively rotate about a common horizontal axis, and respective forward and rearward edges  237   b ,  237   a  of adjacent intermediate panels  236  engage one another upon the rotation of the inner and intermediate panels  234 ,  236 .  
         [0060]     The adjustment means  140  include a linkage  240  having a lower end  241   a  pivotally mounted atop the tractor truck cab and a second end  241   b  connected to the forward edge  235   a  of the inner panel  234 . More particularly, the linkage  240  includes a stationary linkage base  242  mounted atop the tractor truck cab, a driven link  243  having top and bottom ends  243   a ,  243   b , a traveling link  244  having top and bottom ends  244   a ,  244   b , and a horizontal link  245 . The bottom end  243   b  of the driven link  243  is pivotally attached to the linkage base  242  for angular movement of the driven link  243  relative to the linkage base  242 . The bottom end  244   b  of the traveling link  244  is pivotally attached to the linkage base  242  for angular movement of the traveling link  244  relative to the linkage base  242 . The top end  244   a  of the traveling link  244  is pivotally attached to the forward edge  235   a  of the inner panel  234  for causing the inner panel  234  to rotate when the traveling link  244  moves angularly relative to the linkage base  242 . The horizontal link  245  is pivotally attached to the top end  243   a  of the driven link  243  and pivotally attached to the traveling link  244  for keeping the traveling link  244  approximately parallel to the driven link  243  at all times. The horizontal link  245  remains approximately horizontal at all times.  
         [0061]     The adjustment means  140  further include a piston cylinder combination  252  having a cylinder  253  pivotally coupled to the tractor truck cab and a piston arm  254  selectively extending from the cylinder  253  in relative back and forth movement. The piston arm  254  is pivotally coupled to the linkage  240  for moving the linkage  240  and operating the second airflow regulator  130  between the open top configuration  142  when the piston arm  254  is at a retracted configuration  255   a  and the closed top configuration  143  when the piston arm  254  is at an extended configuration  255   b.    
         [0062]     The proximity sensor  162  is mounted on the horizontal link  245  for detecting the presence and height of a trailer behind the tractor truck, and the CPU  165  is connected to the proximity sensor  162  and the piston cylinder combination  252  for actuating the piston cylinder combination  252  when the proximity sensor  162  detects the trailer.  
         [0063]     In use, the proximity sensor  162  transmits signals and listens for replies. If the proximity sensor  162  receives a reply, the CPU  165  actuates the piston cylinder combination  252 , causing the piston arm  254  to extend and the second airflow regulator  130  to move toward the closed top configuration  143 . The extending of the piston arm  254  causes the linkage  240  to rotate, and the rotation of the linkage  240  causes the inner panel  234  to rotate. When rotating, the inner panel  234  engages the adjacent intermediate panel  236 , causing the intermediate panel  236  to rotate. If the proximity sensor  162  does not receive a reply, the CPU  165  actuates the piston cylinder combination  252 , causing the piston arm  254  to retract and the second airflow regulator  130  to move toward the open top configuration  142 . The retracting of the piston arm  254  causes the linkage  240  to rotate, and the rotation of the linkage  240  causes the inner panel  234  to rotate. When rotating, the inner panel  234  engages the adjacent intermediate panel  236 , causing the intermediate panel  236  to rotate.  
         [0064]     An airflow regulating device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 12   a  through  13   c  and includes a construction substantially similar to the construction previously described except as specifically noted below. More particularly, the adjustment means  140  of the second airflow regulator  130  include a pinion gear  264  operatively attached to the linkage  240 , a motor  265  mounted to the stationary linkage base  242  proximate the pinion gear  264 , and a worm gear  266  operatively coupled to the motor  265 . The worm gear  266  has a configuration complementary to a configuration of the pinion gear  264  for operative engagement therewith, whereby the worm and pinion gears  266 ,  264  are operated when the motor  265  is energized.  
         [0065]     In use, the proximity sensor  162  transmits signals and listens for replies. If the proximity sensor  162  receives a reply, the CPU  165  actuates the motor  265 , causing the second airflow regulator  130  to move toward the closed top configuration  143 . When the motor  265  is energized, the worm gear  266  is operated, and the worm gear  266  in turn operates the pinion gear  264 . The rotation of the pinion gear  264  causes the attached linkage  240  to rotate, and the rotation of the linkage  240  causes the inner panel  234  to rotate. If the proximity sensor  162  does not receive a reply, the CPU  165  actuates the motor  265 , causing the second airflow regulator  130  to move toward the open top configuration  142 . When the motor  265  is energized, the worm gear  266  is operated, and the worm gear  266  in turn operates the pinion gear  264 . The rotation of the pinion gear  264  causes the linkage  240  to rotate, and the rotation of the linkage  240  causes the inner panel  234  to rotate.  
         [0066]     An airflow regulating device according to a further embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 16  and includes a construction substantially similar to the construction previously described except as specifically noted below. More particularly, the actuation means  120 ,  160  for the first and second airflow regulators  110 ,  130  includes a single CPU  165 . The CPU  165  receives fuel consumption data, velocity data, and temperature data from the vehicle and actuates adjustment of the first and second airflow regulators  110 ,  130  appropriately.  
         [0067]     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.