Vehicle drag reduction assembly

摘要

A drag reduction assembly is mountable on a vehicle or other object experiencing relative motion in a fluid environment. The assembly comprises at least one shell of flexible web material movable between non-deployed and deployed positions. In addition, the shell is configured to provide at least an outer flow surface in the deployed position (e.g., a curved surface) to reduce the effects of aerodynamic drag. In many embodiments, intake apertures such as NACA ducts may be provided to allow a portion of the flowing fluid into the shell. The flowing fluid will cause the shell to assume automatically the deployed position. In cases where fluid enters the shell, an exit location is provided in the shell to permit such fluid to exit and rejoin fluid on the outside.

主权项

1. A drag reduction assembly mountable on a vehicle, said assembly comprising:
at least one shell of flexible web material, said at least one shell being connectable to the vehicle to be movable between non-deployed and deployed positions; said at least one shell being configured to provide an inner flow surface and an outer flow surface in the deployed position along which air flows as the vehicle experiences relative motion with respect thereto; said drag reduction assembly further defining at least one intake aperture through which a portion of the moving air will enter and flow along said inner flow surface, another portion of the moving air flowing in parallel thereto along said outer flow surface; and said drag reduction assembly further defining an air exit location at which the portion of the moving air flowing along the inner flow surface of said at least one shell will flow out at said exit location so as to exit said at least one shell such that the air flowing along the inner flow surface and the air flowing along the outer flow surface facilitates maintaining said at least one shell in the deployed position, wherein said at least one shell comprises a plurality of battens that are rigid or semirigid.