Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – With distinct wind deflector
Reexamination Certificate
1996-11-01
2001-09-11
Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
With distinct wind deflector
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286892
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to controlling drag on ground vehicles, and more particularly to the passive control of drag on ground vehicles using porosity.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Previous devices for controlling drag on ground vehicles have involved active devices which attempted to inhibit separation on the base to create a predetermined best situation. These devices consist of flaps, turning vanes, vortex generators, and a wide range of suction and blowing concepts which add considerable weight to the overall vehicle weight and increase fuel consumption.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to control drag on ground vehicles.
It is another object of the present invention to achieve the foregoing objects with a passive device.
It is a further object of the present invention to achieve the foregoing objects with minimal spatial and mass requirements.
It is yet another object of the present invention to accomplish the foregoing objects in a simple manner.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the drawings and specification which follow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, the foregoing and additional objects are obtained by providing a drag reduction device for use on a ground vehicle. This device consists of a porous outer skin having a thickness between about {fraction (1/16)}″ (0.16 cm) and 1″ (2.54 cm), preferably between {fraction (1/16)}″ (0.16 cm) and ¼″ (0.635 cm), which is fixed to the trailing surface of the ground vehicle (i.e. the outer surface of the doors). The porous outer skin may be separated from the trailing surface of the ground vehicle by a distance equal to at least the thickness of the porous skin (i.e. 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) or more). The surface porosity of the porous outer skin is between about 10 and 20%. The porous outer skin may be fabricated from a porous material or by creating a number of perforations in a solid material. If the perforation method is used, the maximum dimension of the perforations is about 0.025 inches (0.0635 cm) on the sides and top of the ground vehicle and 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) on the trailing surface of the ground vehicle. Alternatively, the trailing surface of the ground vehicle may be porous. Again the surface porosity should be between 10 and 20%. The porosity may be caused by perforating the ground vehicle's existing trailing surface and, depending on the thickness of the existing surface, the maximum dimension of the perforations is about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) for a trailing surface with a thickness of ½ inch (1.27 cm) or more.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2361924 (1944-11-01), Boynton
patent: 2514695 (1950-07-01), Dempsey
patent: 4343506 (1982-08-01), Saltzman
patent: 4460055 (1984-07-01), Steiner
patent: 4702509 (1987-10-01), Elliott, Sr.
patent: 4904017 (1990-02-01), Ehrlich
patent: 4930834 (1990-06-01), Moore
patent: 5348366 (1994-09-01), Baker et al.
patent: 5407245 (1995-04-01), Geropp
patent: 0219841 (1942-06-01), None
patent: 219838 (1942-06-01), None
patent: 2149034 (1973-04-01), None
patent: 3115742 (1982-11-01), None
patent: 59334 (1941-12-01), None
patent: 0462511 (1991-12-01), None
patent: 788753 (1935-10-01), None
patent: 2509681 (1983-01-01), None
patent: 56947 (1944-09-01), None
Bauer Steven X. S.
Wood Richard M.
Galus Helen M.
Pedder Dennis H.
The United States of America as represented by the Administrator
LandOfFree
Base passive porosity for drag reduction does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Base passive porosity for drag reduction, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Base passive porosity for drag reduction will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2530935