Wheel-Driven Impeller Air Curtains for Trailer Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tractor-trailers experience significant drag and draft due to lower pressure behind the rear surface, which adversely affects fuel efficiency and battery life.
Innovation Solution
A system with drive pulleys attached to the wheels, chambers with impellers and air discharge orifices, and curved exterior surfaces to generate opposing curtains of pressurized air behind the trailer, reducing drag and draft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If passive approaches like trailer skirts, trailer tails, or tractor wings are used to deflect air, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase due to additional panels and mounting structures
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the vehicle's own wheel rotation to drive the impellers, converting kinetic energy from wheel movement into air pressurization without requiring an external power source. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional motors, power consumption, and complex control systems while effectively reducing aerodynamic drag through active air management
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using rotating impellers to pressurize air and create controlled air curtains between the tractor and trailer. This pneumatic approach actively manages airflow to reduce drag, providing a more effective alternative to passive geometric modifications like skirts and tails
2Use of energy by moving object
If larger impellers with more blades are used to pressurize air more effectively, then fuel efficiency improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller design allows for dynamic optimization where the number of blades and impeller dimensions can be adjusted based on specific operational requirements. The system provides a scalable solution where impeller complexity can be tailored to achieve desired fuel efficiency improvements without unnecessarily increasing device complexity across all applications
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter optimization by varying impeller characteristics such as blade count, diameter, and rotational speed to achieve optimal fuel efficiency for different vehicle configurations and operating conditions. This flexible parameter adjustment allows balancing performance gains against manufacturing complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If active air management systems are implemented to pressurize the area behind the trailer, then fuel efficiency improves, but the system complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures kinetic energy from the rotating wheels and converts it into useful work by driving the impellers that create pressurized air curtains. This energy recovery approach transforms what would be wasted wheel rotation into a beneficial aerodynamic effect, reducing overall system complexity and eliminating the need for additional power sources
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating impellers create controlled aerodynamic disturbances and vortices that actively manage airflow separation and pressure distribution between the tractor and trailer. This mechanical action of rotating blades generates the necessary aerodynamic effects through direct fluid interaction rather than requiring complex electronic control systems
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
Improves fuel efficiency by 1-10% for gasoline and diesel vehicles and extends battery life or mileage for electric vehicles by pressurizing the area behind the trailer.
Implementation Method 1
The rotation of the first plurality of blades may draw air from outside the first chamber into the first chamber via the first air intake opening and may pressurize the air within the first chamber
Implementation Method 2
The pressurized air within the first chamber may discharge from the first chamber via the first air discharge orifice and may follow the first curved exterior surface of the first chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A system for improving vehicle efficiency includes first and second drive pulleys, each configured for attachment to a vehicle wheel, first and second chambers, each configured for attachment to a vehicle side near a vehicle rear and including an air intake opening, air discharge orifice, and curved exterior surface. The system also includes first and second impellers that each include a shaft and a plurality of blades, respectively interior of the first and second chambers, first and second driven pulleys coupled respectively to the shafts of the impellers, and first and second belts that respectively couple the first and second drive pulleys to the first and second driven pulleys. Wheel rotation causes rotation of the drive pulleys, which via the belts cause rotation of the driven pulleys, which cause rotation of the shafts, which causes rotation of the pluralities of blades.