Deployable Tractor-Trailer Fairing for Gap Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coupled vehicles, such as tractor-trailer combinations, face significant challenges in fuel efficiency due to aerodynamic drag, particularly at higher speeds, where the gap between the tractor and trailer increases fuel costs and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A deployable fairing system that automatically adjusts its configuration based on speed, obstacles, and environmental conditions using sensors and actuators to minimize aerodynamic drag by extending into the gap between the tractor and trailer, optimizing deployment to enhance fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a deployable fairing structure is extended into the gap region between tractor and trailer, then aerodynamic drag is reduced and fuel efficiency is improved, but the system complexity and device complexity increase due to actuators, sensors, and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing structure is designed to be dynamically deployable rather than fixed, allowing it to extend into the gap region between tractor and trailer when needed to reduce aerodynamic drag. The fairing can move between retracted and deployed positions based on operating conditions, optimizing fuel efficiency while maintaining maneuverability when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect obstacles in the deployed region and control mechanisms that autonomously deploy or retract the fairing based on detected conditions. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual intervention and allows the system to optimize fuel efficiency automatically without adding excessive operational complexity.
2Loss of energy
If the deployable fairing structure is deployed to close the gap region, then aerodynamic efficiency is optimized, but maneuverability is reduced due to the extended structure
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing structure transitions from a static to a dynamic configuration, extending into the gap region during highway cruising to optimize aerodynamic efficiency, and retracting during low-speed maneuvers or tight turning situations to maintain maneuverability. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between aerodynamic optimization and operational flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and control mechanisms are added to adapt to obstacles and environmental conditions, then the system becomes more versatile and adaptive, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated into the system to detect obstacles and environmental conditions in the deployed region, providing feedback to the control mechanism. This feedback loop enables the fairing to automatically adjust its deployment status based on real-time conditions, enhancing adaptability while keeping the control logic relatively simple through rule-based decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor and control system serves multiple functions: detecting obstacles, sensing environmental conditions (such as wind speed and direction), and controlling fairing deployment. This multi-functionality increases system versatility without proportionally increasing complexity, as a single integrated control system handles multiple detection and response tasks.
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 reduces fuel costs by approximately 8% by minimizing aerodynamic drag, improving fuel efficiency while maintaining maneuverability and adapting to various conditions and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
Fuel efficiency tends to decrease as speed increases. Fuel efficiency while traveling on highways is particularly a concern since the average speed is higher than on surface roads and, for most operations, more time is spent on highways than on surface streets.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a deployable fairing system to a tractor trailer. The deployable fairing system includes an actuator used to extend the deployable fairing from an unextended configuration to an extended configuration, for example to occupy a portion of a gap area that exists between a tractor and an attached trailer or to extend from the rear of a trailer. The deployable fairing includes deployable upper and/or lower horizontal assemblies that are pivotally coupled to a frame attached to the tractor/cab, and two side panels that are pivotally coupled to one or both of the upper and lower horizontal assemblies. The deployable upper and lower horizontal assemblies and the two side panels fold in on one another along multiple hinged axes in the unextended configuration, and extend rearward from the top and sides of the tractor in the extended configuration to cover a portion of the gap. The fairing may advantageously flair from front to the rear.