Aerodynamic structures secured to the underbody of cargo bodies

摘要

An aerodynamic underbody fairing or “skirt” that is attached to the rear wheels or “bogeys” of a truck cargo body which typically can be slidably adjusted forward and aft along the cargo body. The various embodiments allow for a skirt that attaches to the bogeys of a truck cargo body and extends rearward to the rear plane of the trailer, and is of a retractable nature to allow for slidable adjustment of bogeys forward and aft along the cargo body for the purpose of continuing streamlined flow along the side of a truck cargo body already equipped with a side skirt forward of the bogeys. In the various embodiments of the invention, the retractable nature of the invention allows for a continuous skirt surface in-plane with the side of the truck cargo body extending from the bogeys to the rear plane of the truck cargo body, regardless of bogey position.

主权项

1. An aerodynamic structure comprising:
a first panel secured to an underbody of a cargo body and at least partially rearward of a wheel assembly, the first panel defining a first panel leading edge proximal to the wheel assembly and a first panel trailing edge distal to the wheel assembly such that the first panel leading edge is secured adjacent to a first side of the cargo body; and a second panel secured to the underbody of the cargo body and at least partially rearward of the wheel assembly, the second panel defining a second panel leading edge proximal to the wheel assembly and a second panel trailing edge distal to the wheel assembly such that the second panel leading edge is secured adjacent to a second side of the cargo body that is opposed to the first side of the cargo body,
wherein the wheel assembly is positionable in at least one of a first position and a second position such that, a first distance between the first panel trailing edge and the second panel trailing edge in the first position is greater than a second distance between the first panel trailing edge and the second panel trailing edge in the second position, andwherein the first panel and the second panel each have a substantially fixed length.