METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DIMINISH AERODYNAMIC DRAG ON TRUCKS, TRAILERS AND OTHER MOVING VEHICLES

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METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DIMINISH AERODYNAMIC DRAG ON TRUCKS, TRAILERS AND OTHER MOVING VEHICLES

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A significant portion of fuel consumption of trucks is used to overcome aerodynamic drag and wind resistance. Many treatments have been applied to the front of truck surfaces and underneath trailers to improve vehicle aerodynamics. Aerodynamic drag is proportional to the square of velocity, and the power needed to overcome drag is proportional to the cube of velocity. This means that there is a very strong relationship between the speed that a vehicle is travelling, and the proportion of the fuel used to overcome drag. Tail fairings have been applied to the back of trailers to reduce drag. They are generally 2 to 3 feet long and are set at a converging angle in the range of 12 to 15 degrees. This angle creates issues in that the angled fairings cover upper indicator lights and get in the way of rear doors and require complex support structures. Many of theses systems deploy with the use of powered activation devices which adds to cost and complexity. This invention teaches the use of openings such as perforations and slots in the rear fairings so that they that do not necessarily converge but remain parallel to the side of the object being steam-lined. Air is metered through the openings to improve laminar flow, reduce air flow , turbulence and pressures over rearmost edges.