| 主权项 |
1. An apparatus for reducing vehicle propulsory counterforces countervailing drag-induced resistive forces upon an automotive vehicle employing a wheel assembly exposed to headwinds impinging thereon above the level of an axle when the vehicle is in forward motion, comprising:
said wheel assembly employing a structural spoke fastening an outer rim to a central hub of said wheel assembly and disposed to reduced drag from a headwind impinging on a longitudinal section of said spoke when the longitudinal section is positioned directly above the axle in a most elevated position within an upper region of said wheel assembly comprising a major upper drag-inducing surface of said wheel assembly located wholly above the level of the axle, with said region comprising the primary vehicle-drag-inducing wheel surface of said wheel assembly; the longitudinal section in the most elevated position extending downwards from the level of a critical elevation which is centered around the primary vehicle-drag-inducing wheel surface; the longitudinal section in the most elevated position extending above the level of the critical elevation; the longitudinal section comprising a plurality of cross-sectional profiles spaced lengthwise along the longitudinal section, wherein each said cross-sectional profile is substantially oval in shape; the longitudinal section comprising a major axis of each said cross-sectional profile aligned in the same streamlined orientation within said wheel assembly for reduced drag from headwinds; the longitudinal section disposed on an exterior lateral side of said wheel assembly wherein the longitudinal section is exposed to oncoming headwinds impinging thereon; and the longitudinal section in the most elevated position reducing the vehicle propulsory counterforce needed to countervail an effective vehicle drag force comprising a mechanically magnified upper wheel drag force from the headwind impinging thereon when the vehicle is operated nominally under a range of external headwind conditions. |
