Box-Shaped Vehicle Fairing With Collapsible Aft-End Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fairing systems for reducing drag at the aft-end of vehicles with box-shaped enclosures are limited in their ability to reduce wake size and drag, are complex, require permanent installation, and often affect maneuverability, making them unsuitable for frequent vehicle changes or retro-fitting.
Innovation Solution
A fairing system with a streamlined body extending rearwardly from the aft-end, comprising flexible skins and pivotally movable support booms, which can be automatically deployed or collapsed based on vehicle speed and temperature, and easily attached/removed, compatible with various vehicle sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If extensions or flaps are mounted to the aft-end and extending from the sides, top, and bottom of the cargo enclosure rearwardly and inwardly, then drag reduction is achieved, but the wake size remains considerable and maneuverability is substantially affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the fairing system movable between deployed and retracted positions. The streamlined body is supported by pivotally mounted support booms that can rotate between horizontal (deployed) and vertical (retracted) positions, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs while reducing wake size when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fairing system into multiple independent components: a streamlined body, multiple support booms (first and second support booms), and drive mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the system to be moved between different vehicles without permanent installation
2Loss of energy
If extensions or flaps extend a considerable length from the aft-end, then drag reduction is improved, but maneuverability in tight spaces is substantially affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its configuration by rotating the support booms between horizontal and vertical positions. When retracted, the streamlined body is pulled close to the aft-end, minimizing protrusion into tight spaces. When deployed, the support booms extend horizontally to create the streamlined shape for drag reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The streamlined body is nested within or close to the box-shaped enclosure when the support booms are in the vertical (retracted) position. The body can be stored within the enclosure volume when not in use, eliminating the need for permanent external installation and allowing easy movement between vehicles
3Loss of energy
If fairing systems are made complex to reduce drag, then drag reduction is achieved, but permanent installation is required making vehicle-to-vehicle movement impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing system is divided into separable components that can be easily attached and detached from different vehicles. The base plate with mounting brackets can be removed from one vehicle and installed on another, making the system adaptable to various vehicle types without requiring permanent installation
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing system is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to be installed on different vehicle types and sizes. The adjustable mounting brackets and standardized connection points enable the same streamlined body to be attached to various cargo enclosures, providing multi-functionality across different applications
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces aft-end drag by minimizing wake size, enhances maneuverability, and allows easy installation on different vehicles, improving fuel economy and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The support booms are pivotally movable mounted to the base such that the support booms are oriented substantially perpendicular to the base in the deployed position and substantially parallel to the base in the collapsed position
Implementation Method 2
The streamlined body comprises a first and a second flexible skin forming a first and a second portion of an outer surface of the streamlined body that extends rearwardly from the aft-end when deployed and is substantially flat when collapsed
Data Source
AI summary
A fairing system for aft-end drag reduction on a vehicle with a box-shaped enclosure is provided. The fairing system comprises a substantially flat base adapted to mount to an aft-end of the vehicle. A streamlined body is mounted to the base, the body comprising a first and a second flexible skin forming a first and a second portion of an outer surface of the body that extends rearwardly from the aft-end when deployed and is substantially flat when collapsed. In other embodiments the fairing system comprises two wing-shaped bodies that are pivotally movable between a retracted position with the wing-shaped bodies being oriented substantially parallel to the aft-end of the vehicle and a deployed position with the wing-shaped bodies being oriented rearwardly and inwardly.