Wheel cavity flow control device and method for reducing the aerodynamic drag of ground vehicles

摘要

The invention relates to the reduction of aerodynamic drag for moving ground vehicles; specifically to an improved method and device for the reduction of aerodynamic drag of ground vehicles by reducing the mass and velocity of the flow interacting with the cavity of a wheel. The flow passing around a ground vehicle imparts a drag force to the vehicle when it interacts with a wheel. The ground vehicle class of particular interest is a tractor-trailer truck system consisting of a motorized lead vehicle pulling one or more non-motorized vehicles. The subject invention is designed to control the flow from entering the cavity of a wheel from the side of a ground vehicle system.