Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1 AERODYNAMIC TRACTOR-TRAILER GAP REDUCER AND ASSEMBLY THEREOF
2
3 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
4 [0001] This invention relates to an aerodynamic gap reducer adapted to
be
mounted on a trailer to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of a vehicle by
reducing a
6 gap between a road tractor and its associated trailer.
7
8 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
9 [0002] Road tractors are generally used to pull trailers on
roads to transport
cargo. Aerodynamic apparatuses can be installed on the road tractor and/or on
the
11 trailer in order to reduce the aerodynamic air drag and improve fuel
efficiency.
12 [0003] Trailer gap-reducers are generally installed on the
front portion of the
13 trailer in order to reduce the gap between the road tractor pulling the
trailer and the
14 trailer in order to reduce the aerodynamic air drag and improve fuel
efficiency.
[0004] The shape of the aerodynamic gap-reducer has an effect on the
16 aerodynamic efficiency of the gap-reducer and on its interaction with
the road tractor
17 operatively and movably connected to the trailer. The shape of the
aerodynamic gap-
18 reducer has an effect on the mechanical strength and the sturdiness of
the gap-reducer
19 and also has an effect on the method that is used to secure the gap-
reducer to the
trailer.
21 [0005] Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an
improved aerodynamic
22 gap-reducer assembly over the existing art. There is a need in the art
for such an
23 aerodynamic gap-reducer that improves the fuel economy of a vehicle.
There is also a
24 need for an aerodynamic gap-reducer that is light and rigid. There is a
need for an
aerodynamic gap-reducer that can be easily mounted on a front portion of a
trailer.
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1 Moreover, there is also a need for an aerodynamic gap-reducer that can be
mounted on
2 trailers of different shapes.
3
4 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is one aspect of the present invention to alleviate one or more
of the
6 drawbacks of the background art by addressing one or more of the existing
needs in the
7 art.
8 [0007] Accordingly, an aspect of our work, in accordance with
at least one
9 embodiment thereof, provides an improved aerodynamic gap-reducer over the
prior art.
[0008] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment
11 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer adapted to be installed on
a trailer to
12 reduce the aerodynamic drag produced by the movement of the trailer when
pulled by a
13 road tractor.
14 [0009] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer assembly that is adapted to fill
a gap
16 between a road tractor and a trailer and minimize the gap therebetween
while allowing
17 free relative movements thereof.
18 [0010] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
19 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer that can be easily
installed and
economically manufactured.
21 [0011] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
22 thereof, provides a gap reducer that laterally covers a trailer front
face completely from
23 one side to another leaving no space for air to impact trailer front
face and create
24 pressure drag while still giving access to glad hands and power hoses on
the trailer
front face.
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1 [0012] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
2 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer assembly that has a more
efficient
3 aerodynamic shape than prior art aerodynamic gap-reducer.
4 [0013] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer that includes ribs and/or
reinforcements
6 therein, visible and/or invisible from the outside of the aerodynamic gap-
reducer, to
7 increase stiffness with a thin wall construction.
8 [0014] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
9 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer configured to be efficiently
and easily
secured to a trailer.
11 [0015] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
12 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer assembly that is sized and
designed to
13 prevent reducing the cargo space of the trailer.
14 [0016] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer assembly that is secured to the
exterior
16 walls of a trailer to prevent reducing the cargo space inside the
trailer.
17 [0017] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
18 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer assembly that allows
receiving therein
19 two cargo pallets within the aerodynamic gap-reducer interior width.
[0018] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment
21 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer that has a front axial
lower portion
22 extending forward of the front axial upper portion to improve the
aerodynamics of the
23 vehicle.
24 [0019] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer that has low sensitivity to
lateral winds.
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1 [0020] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
2 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer including a lower flange
designed to be
3 secured on an uneven front face of a trailer.
4 [0021] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer including a lower flange having
various
6 thicknesses for easily matching the exterior shape of a trailer.
7 [0022] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
8 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer including matching corners
thereof that
9 can be adapted to specific shapes of trailers' corners. The matching
corners of the
aerodynamic gap-reducer can be, inter al/a, pre-cut, modular, replaceable,
marked for
11 design reference.
12 [0023] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
13 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer made of composite materials
offering a
14 significant range of elastic deformation.
[0024] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment
16 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer made of non-metallic
material.
17 [0025] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
18 thereof, provides an aerodynamic gap-reducer assembly configured to
allow a
19 temporary elastic deflection upon contact of a foreign object and
recovering its original
shape when not in contact with the foreign object.
21 [0026] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one
embodiment
22 thereof, provides a fastening system for easily securing the aerodynamic
gap-reducer to
23 the trailer; the fastening system uses a limited number of parts to
reduce the assembly
24 time and the weight added to the trailer.
[0027] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment
26 thereof, provides a gap-reducer for reducing a gap between a road
tractor and a trailer
27 attached thereto, the gap-reducer comprising a top portion, a bottom
portion, a forward
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1 portion between the top portion and the bottom portion and a pair of side
portions
2 interconnected by the forward portion, the gap-reducer being sized and
designed to
3 transversally extend over a width of the trailer and provide the side
portions in
4 substantially parallel position with side walls of the trailer.
[0028] An aspect of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment
6 thereof, provides a trailer including a gap-reducer for reducing a gap
between a road
7 tractor and the trailer attached thereto, the gap-reducer comprising a
top portion, a
8 bottom portion, a forward portion between the top portion and the bottom
portion and a
9 pair of side portions interconnected by the forward portion, the gap-
reducer being sized
and designed to transversally extend over a width of the trailer and provide
the side
11 portions in substantially parallel position with side walls of the
trailer.
12 [0029] Other embodiments and further scope of applicability of
the present
13 invention will become apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter.
14 However, it should be understood that the detailed description and
specific examples,
while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of
illustration
16 only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and
scope of the
17 invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this
detailed description.
18 [0030] Additional and/or alternative advantages and salient
features of the
19 invention will become apparent from the following detailed description,
which, taken in
conjunction with the annexed drawings, disclose preferred embodiments of the
21 invention.
22
23 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
24 [0031] Referring now to the drawings which form a part of this
original disclosure:
[0032] Figure 1 is a left side elevation view of a tractor and a trailer in
accordance
26 with at least one embodiment of the invention;
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1 [0033] Figure 2 is a front-left perspective view of a tractor
and a trailer in
2 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
3 [0034] Figure 3 is a front-left perspective view of a trailer
in accordance with at
4 least one embodiment of the invention;
[0035] Figure 4 is a front-left perspective view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer in
6 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
7 [0036] Figure 5 is a front-left perspective view of a tractor
and a trailer in
8 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
9 [0037] Figure 6 is a rear-left perspective view of a tractor
and a trailer in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
11 [0038] Figure 7 is a left elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer in an
12 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
13 invention;
14 [0039] Figure 8 is a rear-left perspective view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in
an operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
16 invention;
17 [0040] Figure 9 is a front-left perspective view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in
18 an operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
19 invention;
[0041] Figure 10 is a front elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-reducer,
in
21 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
22 [0042] Figure 11 is a top plan view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
23 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
24 [0043] Figure 12 is a front elevation view of an aerodynamic
gap-reducer, in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
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1 [0044] Figure 13 is a left side elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
2 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
3 [0045] Figure 14 is a front-left isometric view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
4 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
[0046] Figure 15 is a top plan view of an aerodynamic gap-reducer, in
6 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
7 [0047] Figure 16 is a front elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
8 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
9 [0048] Figure 17 is a left side elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
11 [0049] Figure 18 is a front-left isometric view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
12 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
13 [0050] Figure 19 is a left side elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
= 14 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
[0051] Figure 20 is a front-left isometric view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
16 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
17 [0052] Figure 21 is a top plan view of an aerodynamic gap-reducer, in
18 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
19 [0053] Figure 22 is a front elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
21 [0054] Figure 23 is a left side elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
22 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
23 [0055] Figure 24 is a front-left isometric view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
24 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
7
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1 [0056] Figure 25 is a rear-left isometric view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer, in
2 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
3 [0057] Figure 26 a front elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in
4 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
[0058] Figure 27 is a top plan view of an aerodynamic gap-reducer, in
6 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
7 [0059] Figure 28 is a left side elevation view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer, in
8 accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
9 [0060] Figure 29 is a rear-left isometric view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer, in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
11 [0061] Figure 30 a) is a schematic top plan illustration of a
forward portion of a
12 trailer;
13 [0062] Figure 30 b) is a schematic top plan illustration of a
forward portion of a
14 trailer;
[0063] Figure 31 is a rear-left perspective view of the lower portion of an
16 aerodynamic gap-reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of
the invention;
17 [0064] Figure 32 is a front-bottom perspective view of an
aerodynamic gap-
18 reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
19 [0065] Figure 33 is a front-left perspective view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in
an operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
21 invention;
22 [0066] Figure 34 is a front elevation view of an aerodynamic
gap-reducer in an
23 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
24 invention;
8
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1 [0067] Figure 35 is a left side elevation view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in an
2 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
3 invention;
4 [0068] Figure 36 is a left side elevation view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in an
operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one embodiment
of the
6 invention;
7 [0069] Figure 37 is a front-left perspective view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in
8 an operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
9 invention;
[0070] Figure 38 a) is a schematic top plan illustration of a forward
portion of a
11 trailer;
12 [0071] Figure 38 b) is a schematic top plan illustration of a
forward portion of a
13 trailer;
14 [0072] Figure 39 is a front-left perspective view of a corner
of a trailer;
[0073] Figure 40 is a front-left perspective view of a corner of a trailer;
16 [0074] Figure 41 is a rear-left perspective view of a portion
of an aerodynamic
17 gap-reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the
invention;
18 [0075] Figure 42 is a rear-left perspective view of a portion
of an aerodynamic
19 gap-reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the
invention;
[0076] Figure 43 is a rear-left perspective view of a portion of an
aerodynamic
21 gap-reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the
invention;
22 [0077] Figure 44 is a rear-left perspective view of a portion
of an aerodynamic
23 gap-reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the
invention;
24 [0078] Figure 45 is a rear-left perspective view of a portion
of an aerodynamic
gap-reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
9
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1 [0079] Figure 46 is a rear-left perspective view of a portion
of an aerodynamic
2 gap-reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
3 [0080] Figure 47 is a rear-left perspective view of a portion
of an aerodynamic
4 gap-reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
[0081] Figure 48 is a left side elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer in an
6 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
7 invention;
8 [0082] Figure 49 is a right side elevation view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in
9 an operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
invention;
11 [0083] Figure 50 is a left side elevation view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in an
12 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
13 invention;
14 [0084] Figure 51 is a left side elevation view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in an
operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one embodiment
of the
16 invention;
17 [0085] Figure 52 is a left side elevation view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in an
18 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
19 invention;
[0086] Figure 53 is a left side elevation view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer in an
21 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
22 invention;
23 [0087] Figure 54 is a left side elevation view of an
aerodynamic gap-reducer in an
24 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
invention;
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1 [0088] Figure 55 is a top plan view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer in an
2 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
3 invention;
4 [0089] Figure 56 is a top plan view of a prior art aerodynamic
gap-reducer in an
operating condition on the trailer;
6 [0090] Figure 57 is a top plan view of an aerodynamic gap-
reducer in an
7 operating condition on the trailer, in accordance with at least one
embodiment of the
8 invention;
9 [0091] Figure 58 is a front-left side perspective view of an
aerodynamic gap-
reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; and
11 [0092] Figure 59 is a front-left side perspective view of an
aerodynamic gap-
12 reducer, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention;
13
14 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0093] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described bellow
with
16 reference to the drawings.
17 [0094] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 10 comprising a road
tractor 14 operatively
18 connected to a trailer 18. The road tractor 14 includes a cab 22
accessible through a
19 door 26. The cab 22 includes a rear wall 30 facing the trailer 18. The
road tractor 14 is
equipped with a set of wheels 34 adapted to steer and propel the vehicle 10.
The trailer
21 18 also includes a set of wheels 38 generally disposed near the rear
portion 42 thereof.
22 The trailer 18 includes a front portion 46 thereof and opposed lateral
sides 50 thereof.
23 [0095] The trailer 18 includes an aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 on
its front portion
24 46. The aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 can be embodied in various
configurations. For
instance, in an OEM configuration, the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 is built
with the
26 trailer 18 in an operating position. In contrast, in an add-on
configuration, the
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1 aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 is added to the trailer 18 and secured to its
outside
2 surface in the operating position. The illustrative embodiment that is
going to be
3 discussed is an aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 in the add-on configuration.
The
4 illustrative embodiment is not intended to be limitative thereof and no
disclaimer is made
in regard of other possible alternate configurations. As it can be
appreciated, the
6 aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 is located between the road tractor 14 and the
trailer 18 to
7 reduce the gap therebetween. Reducing the gap between the road tractor 14
and the
8 trailer 18 helps channel the air around the vehicle 10 and provides a
smoother ride that
9 reduce the drag of the vehicle 10 hence reducing the fuel consumption of
the vehicle
10.
11 [0096] Figure 2, with the tractor 14, and Figure 3, without the
tractor 14, illustrate
12 the front portion 46 of the trailer 18 in greater details. It is shown
the gap reducer 54
13 covers completely the front portion of the trailer 18 leaving no flat
surfaces of the trailer
14 18 over the width of the front face of the trailer 18. This allows
smoother routing of air by
preventing the flow of air to impact the front face of the trailer 18 and
create pressure
16 drag. The gap reducer 54 includes a pair of substantially opposed side
flanges 84
17 rearwardly extending from respective sides of the gap reducer 54 to
superpose the
18 sides of the trailer 18. In an embodiment, the side flanges 84 are
extending parallely
19 from the sides of the trailer 18.
[0097] As illustrated in Figure 4, the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 includes
a top
21 portion 58, a bottom portion 62, a first side portion 66, a second side
portion 70 and a
22 front portion 74. The aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 further includes a top
flange 78, side
23 flanges 84 and a center bulge 88. A series of reinforcement ribs 92 is
also part of the
24 aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 to increase its rigidity while minimizing its
weight.
[0098] Figure 5 throughout Figure 8 are depicting an aerodynamic gap-
reducer
26 54 in the operating position installed on a trailer 18 between a road
tractor 14 and the
27 trailer 18. One can appreciate the road tractor 14 is equipped with a
sleeper extension
28 96 including side wind fairings 100. It can be appreciated that the
aerodynamic gap-
29 reducer 54 is secured to the sides of the trailer 18 with a series of
fasteners 104 that
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1 could be embodied as rivets, bolts, glue, welding, Velcro, among others.
The series of
2 reinforcement ribs 92 is shown on the sides of the aerodynamic gap-
reducer 54
3 protruding from the exterior surface of the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 to
increase
4 rigidity of the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 and also to help direct the
flow of air.
[0099] A trailer 18 without the tractor 14 is illustrated in Figure 9 and
Figure 10.
6 One can appreciate the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 disposed on the front
portion 46 of
7 the trailer 18, covering the entire width of the trailer 18. It is
possible to see a flange 108
8 near the lower portion of the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 to offer a
substantially flat
9 surface offering a reasonable portion to receive the fasteners and secure
the lowest
portion of the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 to the trailer 18. The flange 108 is
sized and
11 designed to facilitate securing the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 on the
front portion 46
12 of the trailer 18 and to allow some bending properties to match the
shape of the front
13 face wall 120 of the trailer 18.
14 [00100] Figure 11 throughout Figure 14 are additional views of
the aerodynamic
gap-reducer 54 including a top projection 90 and bottom projection 90 as well
identified
16 in Figure 6 throughout Figure 10. The top projection 90 and bottom
projection 90 allow
17 to collect air toward the middle of the bulge 88 of the aerodynamic gap-
reducer 54 and
18 channel the flow of air toward the top and the bottom of the trailer 18.
The top projection
19 90 and bottom projection 90 are allowing high and complete side portions
66, 70 to
collect air on the entire sides of the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54. The bottom
portion 62
21 of the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 is longitudinally longer than the
upper portion 58 to
22 provide an angle a from a profile 94 of the bulge 88 that is better seen
in Figure 19
23 below. The edge 112, designed at angle a from the profile 94 of the
bulge 88 of the
24 aerodynamic gap-reducer 54, is going to be generally vertical when
mounted on the
trailer 18 and the angle a is going to locate the bottom portion 62 more
forwardly than
26 the top portion 58. The angle a is between a two degree angle (2 ) and a
ten degree
27 angle (10 ). Preferably about a five degree angle (5 ) and ideally about
four point nine
28 degree angle (4.9 ). More precisely, Figures 15 throughout Figure 17 are
illustrating the
29 same gap reducer 54 as in Figure 11 throughout Figure 18 with exemplary
dimensions.
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1 A= about 259 cm (about 102 inches), B= about 81,3 cm (about 32 inches),
C= about
2 30,5 cm (about 12 inches), and D= about 30,5 cm (about 12 inches).
3 [00101] Figure 20 is illustrating another possible embodiment
of the aerodynamic
4 gap-reducer 54 that was previously shown in Figure 4. This embodiment has
no angular
projection 90 like the previous embodiment and includes a plurality of
external
6 reinforcement ribs 92 extending across the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54.
The external
7 ribs 92 can be visible for aerodynamic purposes as much as for aesthetic
purposes but
8 could alternatively be located inside the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 and
not be visible
9 without departing from the scope of the present application. This
embodiment of the
aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 is more precisely depicted in Figure 21 throughout
Figure
11 24 that are illustrating the same aerodynamic gap reducer 54 as shown in
Figure 19 and
12 Figure 20 with exemplary approximated dimensions. A= about 259 cm (about
102
13 inches), E= about 40,6 cm (about 16 inches), F= about 218,4 cm (about 86
inches), G=
14 about 50,8 cm (about 20 inches), H= about 29,2 cm (about 11.5 inches),
I= about 30,5
cm (about 12 inches) and J= about 16,5 cm (about 6.5 inches). Exemplary
radiuses:
16 R1= about cm (about 14 inches), R2= about 14 cm (about 5.5 inches), R3=
about 330,2
17 cm (about 130 inches), R4= about 25,4 cm (about 10 inches), R5= about
38,1 cm
18 (about 15 inches) and R6= about 24,5 cm (about 10 inches).
19 [00102] Moving now to Figure 25 illustrating an embodiment with
a plurality of
internal ribs 116. The internal ribs 116 are located inside the aerodynamic
gap-reducer
21 54 and are generally not visible from the outside. The smooth exterior
design of the
22 aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 allow a free flow of air over the aerodynamic
gap-reducer
23 54 and other graphical applications using the smooth surface as base for
printing a logo
24 or another design on the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54. The internal ribs
116 can be
accompanied with external ribs 92, independent or not from each other, and can
be
26 used individually or collectively without departing from the scope of
the present
27 application. Figures 26 throughout Figure 29 are illustrating the same
gap reducer 54 as
28 shown in Figure 25, with the ribs 116 not visible from the outside, with
exemplary
29 approximated dimensions.
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1 [00103] The front portion 46 of a trailer 18 can be damaged and
the front face wall
2 120 thereof can be crooked as illustrated in Figure 30 a) and 30 b). The
flange 108
3 located at the bottom portion 62 of the gap-reducer 54 is disposed
parallel with the front
4 face wall 120 and is configured to be secured thereto. The flange 108 can
be thinner
and optionally include varying thickness portions 124 to further help follow
the contour
6 of the front face wall 120 of the trailer 18. The varying thickness
portions 124 can
7 alternatively be embodied as thinner portions, slotted portions, flexible
portions or local
8 modifications in the material, among other possible variations. The
varying thickness
9 portions 124 are visible in Figure 31 and Figure 32. The varying
thickness portions 124
can alternate with portions adapted to receive fasteners 104.
11 [00104] Figure 33 throughout Figure 36 are exemplifying the gap-
reducer 54
12 typically installed on a trailer 18. The fasteners 104 securing the side
portions 66, 70 of
13 the gap-reducer 54 are secured in a strong corner channel 126 of the
trailer 18 for
14 added stiffness and preventing weakening the trailer 18. The, for
example, aluminum
corner channel 126 can be a simple angle or a radius or a chamfer-like corner
16 depending of the trailer's 18 design.
17 [00105] Moving now to Figure 37 illustrating an aerodynamic gap-
reducer 54 with
18 sizes and radiuses design. In a possible embodiment, upper radius 128 is
about 10
19 inches, lower radius 134 is about 25,4 cm (about 10 inches), side
radiuses 132 about
38,1 cm (about 15 inches) and central radius 136 of about 330,2 cm (about 130
inches).
21 [00106] The trailer 18 corners' can have various shapes. Two
non-limitative
22 examples are illustrated in Figure 38 a) and 38 b), respectively curved
corner 142 and
23 wedged corners 146. Figure 39 illustrates a curved corner 142 on a
trailer 18 and Figure
24 40 illustrates a wedged/chamfered corner 146 on a trailer 18.
[00107] Figure 41 depicts an embodiment where the matching corners 150 are
26 pre-cut to smallest radius of the curved edge 142 of the trailer. In the
present situation a
27 curved matching corner 150 has an edge corresponding to the shape of the
trailer 18.
28 The corresponding edge 142' is shaped in the gap-reducer 54 and is ready
to match
29 corresponding curved corner 142 of the trailer 18. Alternatively, Figure
42 depicts an
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1 embodiment where the matching removable modular corner 150 is added on
and
2 secured to the aerodynamic gap reducer 54 and the edge 142' of the
modular matching
3 corner 150 is ready to match the shape of the corresponding corner 142 of
the trailer.
4 [00108] Figure 43 depicts an embodiment where the matching
corners 150 are
pre-cut to smallest shape of the edge 146 of the trailer. In the present
situation a curved
6 corner 146' is shaped in the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 and is ready to
match
7 corresponding corner 146 of the trailer 18. Figure 44 depicts an
embodiment where the
8 matching removable modular matching corner 150 is shaped with wedge 146',
is added
9 onto the aerodynamic gap reducer 54 and is ready to match corresponding
wedged
corner 146 of the trailer 18. Alternatively, modular replaceable matching
corners 150 or
11 different designs are sold as separate parts, or as a "matching kit"
offering to adapt a
12 generic aerodynamic gap-reducer 54 to a plurality of trailer 18 shapes.
13 [00109] Figures 44 depict an embodiment where the matching
corner 150 is pre-
14 cut to a particular design. In the present situation a wedged corner
146' is shaped in the
gap-reducer 54 and is ready to match corresponding wedged corner 146 of the
trailer
16 18.
17 [00110] Figure 45 and Figure 46 depict an embodiment where the
matching
18 corners 150 are pre-marked, or partially cut, with one or a plurality of
particular shapes
19 to match a variety of trailer 18 designs. In the present situation a
wedged corner 146'
and two different curved corners 142' are pre-marked or pre-cut in the gap-
reducer 54.
21 The corners 150 just have to be adjusted to the desired shape in order
to match the
22 trailer's 18 corners 142, 146 shape. An additional embodiment of the
matching corners
23 150 is depicted in Figure 47. The matching corner 150 includes a pre-cut
pattern 154
24 embodied with a series of cavities 158 facilitating the removal of
portions of the
matching corners 150 by simply cutting the extending portions 162 to the right
26 dimensions. Each extending portions 162 can be sectioned with a tool
such as a small
27 reciprocating saw or the like.
28 [00111] Figure 48 throughout Figure 53 are illustrating the
cooperation between a
29 road tractor 14 and attached trailer 18 equipped with a gap-reducer 54.
These Figures
16
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1 are illustrating a progressive vehicle 10 turn to appreciate the relative
movement
2 between the road tractor 14, the sleeper 96, the wind fairing 100, the
trailer 18 and the
3 aerodynamic gap-reducer 54. It can also be noted how the gap-reducer 54
gets forward
4 inside the sleeper 96 and the wind fairing 100 to effectively catch and
manage the
airflow around the vehicle 10 without interfering with the movements of the
trailer 18 and
6 the road tractor 14. Seen from the side, the aerodynamic gap-reducer 54
extends
7 further in front than the rear part of the sleeper 96 and/or the wind
fairing 100 and still
8 allow tight turns.
9 [00112] A vehicle 10 is illustrated in Figure 54 and in Figure
55 with a typical cross
wind. The cross wind effecting the vehicle 10 with wind directed to the
vehicle 10 at an
11 angle different of zero (0 ) degree in respect with the longitudinal
axis of the vehicle 10.
12 Figure 56 illustrate a prior art front aerodynamic fairing 166 including
an opened central
13 portion 170 in which cross wind entering between the tractor 14 (not
illustrated) is
14 getting trapped in the opened central portion 170 and creates additional
turbulences
likely to increase the drag of the vehicle 10. This phenomenon is illustrated
in Figure 41
16 with a cross wind coming from the left. The same phenomenon can occur
with a cross
17 wind coming from the right. In contrast, the gap reducer 54 of the
present invention
18 includes a closed volume and the central portion 174 of the gap reducer
54 channels
19 more efficiently and in a more laminar fashion cross winds toward the
side of the trailer
18 thus creating less drag and increasing the fuel economy of the vehicle 10.
21 [00113] Finally, Figure 58 and Figure 59 are illustrating an
additional embodiment
22 of the gap reducer 54. The gap reducer 54 has a significant size, can be
cumbersome
23 to handle and expensive to ship. The embodied gap reducer 54 is
separated in a
24 plurality of parts 54.1, 54.2 sized and designed to be assembled
together via a
connecting portion 178. The connecting portion 178 is embodied with superposed
26 sections, external section 182 and internal section 186, adapted to be
secured with
27 fasteners and result in a smooth and even exterior surface of the gap
reducer 54, hence
28 preventing causing turbulences of air flowing about the surface of the
gap reducer 54.
29 The connecting portion 178 can be shaped directly in the gap reducer 54
or made with
additional parts without departing from the scope of the present application.
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1 [00114] While the invention has been described in connection
with what is
2 presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,
it is to be
3 understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed
embodiments and
4 elements, but, to the contrary, is intended to cover various
modifications, combinations
of features, equivalent arrangements, and equivalent elements included within
the spirit
6 and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the dimensions of features
of various
7 components that may appear on the drawings are not meant to be limiting,
and the size
8 of the components therein can vary from the size that may be portrayed in
the figures
9 herein. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and
variations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of the
appended claims
11 and their equivalents.
12
=
18
