U.S. patent application number 11/298066 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-14 for self-contained adjustable air foil and method.
Invention is credited to Darrick Charles Weaver.
Application Number | 20070132275 11/298066 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38090078 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070132275 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weaver; Darrick Charles |
June 14, 2007 |
SELF-CONTAINED ADJUSTABLE AIR FOIL AND METHOD
Abstract
An auxiliary air foil device for mounting on a vehicle is
disclosed. The air foil device includes an enclosure comprising a
base plate, a plurality of side walls, and an air foil panel. The
air foil panel is pivotable between an open position and a closed
position. In the closed position, the outside air flow will be
substantially isolated from the volume within the enclosure. The
open position provides access from outside of the enclosure to a
volume within the enclosure. An actuator interconnects the
underside of the air foil panel with the interior side of the base
plate and allows for selective moving of the air foil panel between
the open and closed positions. The actuator is pivotably connected
to the base plate and the air foil panel, such that as the actuator
changes length the rotational position of the air foil panel with
respect to the base plate is also changed. In use, depending upon
the application desired, the auxiliary air foil device of the
present invention may be used as an air brake for the vehicle, as a
means for increasing air flow into an engines air intake or cooling
systems, as an adjustable spoiler, as a vacuum source for exhaust
or other systems, or the like. The air foil device may be oriented
with the pivoted edge of the air foil panel oriented towards either
the front or rear end of the vehicle, and apertures in the base
plate may be connected through the vehicle surface to optional air
ducting means for delivering additional airflow or requiring
it.
Inventors: |
Weaver; Darrick Charles;
(McKinney, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUICKPATENTS, INC.
31877 DEL OBISPO
SUITE 202
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
CA
92675
US
|
Family ID: |
38090078 |
Appl. No.: |
11/298066 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/180.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 35/007 20130101;
Y02T 10/82 20130101; B62D 35/005 20130101; B60H 1/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/180.1 |
International
Class: |
B60J 9/04 20060101
B60J009/04 |
Claims
1. An auxiliary air foil device for mounting on a vehicle having an
outer surface, the air foil device comprising: an enclosure
comprising a base plate, a plurality of side walls, and an air foil
panel, the base plate mounted to the outer surface of the vehicle,
an interior side of the base plate attached proximate to a lower
edge of each side wall, one edge of the air foil panel pivotably
connected to an upper edge of at least one of the side walls, the
air foil panel pivotable between an open position wherein a volume
within the enclosure is accessible from outside of the enclosure,
and a closed position wherein the volume within the enclosure is
substantially isolated from outside of the enclosure; and an
actuator interconnecting an underside of the air foil panel with
the interior side of the base plate, the actuator for selectively
moving the air foil panel between the open and closed
positions.
2. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 1 wherein the actuator is
an electrically driven motor and screw assembly.
3. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 1 wherein the actuator is
a pneumatic actuator.
4. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 1 wherein the actuator is
a hydraulic actuator.
5. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 1 wherein the base plate
and air foil panel are each generally rectangular in shape, and the
plurality of side walls numbers exactly four.
6. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 1 wherein the base plate
and air foil panel are each generally triangular in shape, and the
plurality of side walls numbers exactly three.
7. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 1 wherein the air foil
panel is smaller in area than the base plate, and wherein each side
wall is slanted, such that the air foil device presents reduced
aerodynamic drag.
8. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 1 wherein the base plate
further includes at least one aperture for ingress of air into the
vehicle when the air foil panel is not in the closed position.
9. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 1 further including a
protective pad for mounting between the vehicle and the base
plate.
10. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 1 further including an
aerodynamic cover for mounting over the actuator.
11. The auxiliary air foil device of claim 5 wherein the air foil
panel is substantially larger than the base plate, and further
including a second enclosure comprising, a second base plate, a
plurality of second side walls, an interior side of the second base
plate attached proximate to a lower edge of each second side wall,
one edge of the air foil panel pivotably connected to an upper edge
of at least one of the second side walls, the air foil panel
pivotable between the [an] open position wherein a volume within
the second enclosure is accessible from outside of the second
enclosure, and the [a] closed position wherein the volume within
the second enclosure is substantially isolated from outside of the
second enclosure; and a second actuator interconnecting an
underside of the air foil panel with the interior side of the
second base plate, the actuator and the second actuator both
cooperating for selectively moving the air foil panel between the
open and closed positions.
12. A method of selectively increasing aerodynamic drag on a
vehicle, comprising: a.) providing an auxiliary air foil device as
recited in claim 1; b.) mounting the auxiliary air foil to an
outside surface of the vehicle with the one edge of the air foil
panel oriented towards the rear of the vehicle; c.) connecting the
actuator to a control device for selectively causing the actuator
to move the air foil panel between the open and closed positions to
impart more or less aerodynamic drag to the vehicle,
respectively.
13. A method of selectively increasing airflow into a vehicle
engine air intake system, comprising: a.) providing an auxiliary
air foil device as recited in claim 8; b.) mounting the auxiliary
air foil to an outside surface of the vehicle; c.) providing an air
duct between the aperture of the base plate of the auxiliary air
foil device and the engine air intake system. d.) connecting the
actuator to a control device for selectively causing the actuator
to move the air foil panel between the open and closed positions to
impart more or less airflow into the engine air intake system,
respectively.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein steps (c) and (d) are
reversed.
15. A method of selectively increasing airflow into a vehicle
engine cooling system, comprising: a.) providing an auxiliary air
foil device as recited in claim 8; b.) mounting the auxiliary air
foil to an outside surface of the vehicle; c.) providing an air
duct between the aperture of the base plate of the auxiliary air
foil device and the engine cooling system. d.) connecting the
actuator to a control device for selectively causing the actuator
to move the air foil panel between the open and closed positions to
impart more or less airflow into the engine cooling system,
respectively.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein steps (c) and (d) are reversed.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of US Patent
Application 2004/0212219A1, filed on Apr. 22, 2003, which is hereby
incorporated in its entirety by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to air foil devices for vehicles, and
more particularly to a self- contained adjustable air foil for
attaching to an existing vehicle, or the like.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0004] Consumer automobiles and other vehicles rarely have active
air foil systems installed that allow the vehicle to take advantage
of the wind stream passing around the vehicle for use as added
braking or air flow into the engine air intake or cooling systems.
While some vehicles have static structures to direct air flow into
the engine, such as static air scoops or the like, or for
aerodynamically pulling the vehicle closer to the ground for better
traction, few vehicles have active, moving means for directing air
flow in a variable manner on an as-needed basis. Moreover, there
are very few options for adding such an active air foil system on
existing vehicles.
[0005] One prior art device, taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,56,145 to
Pettey on May 20, 2003, teaches an adjustable air foil mountable to
a vehicle as an auxiliary spoiler. However, such a device is not
well suited for other air foil applications, such as direction air
into an engine cooling or air intake system, for example. Further,
when such a device is in its un-deployed position for minimizing
the amount of aerodynamic drag that it creates, a significant
amount of additional drag is still created due to the open,
uncovered design of such a device. The pivot points and actuator of
such a device generate significant air resistance, and as such this
device guarantees adding at least some aerodynamic drag regardless
of whether or not its air foil is in a deployed or un-deployed
position.
[0006] Another prior art device for selectively creating drag is
taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,069 to Spears on Aug. 8, 2000. This
type of device is, however, reasonably good at presenting very
little additional drag to the vehicle when in a closed position.
However, this prior art device is not suitable for use on any
vehicle other than a trucking cab, such as on automobiles or the
like, due to its specific shape requirements for diverting airflow
up and over a trailer. Further, use as an auxiliary air intake
device for other applications is not contemplated.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a relatively inexpensive air
foil device that can be attached to an existing vehicle and that is
suitable for use in a variety of applications. Such a needed device
would add very little aerodynamic drag when in an un-deployed or
closed position, and would adequately add drag or redirect air flow
into an engine for use in the cooling system or air intake system,
or the like. Installation of such a device on an existing vehicle
would result in a minimum of damage to the outer surface of the
vehicle. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present device is an auxiliary air foil device for
mounting on a vehicle. The air foil device includes an enclosure
comprising a base plate, a plurality of side walls, and an air foil
panel. The base plate includes an interior side that is attached
proximate to a lower edge of each of the side walls. One edge of
the air foil panel is pivotably connected at a plurality of hinges
to an upper edge of at least one of the side walls. As such, the
air foil panel is pivotable between an open position and a closed
position. In the closed position, the outside air flow will be
substantially isolated from the volume within the enclosure.
[0009] The open position provides access from outside of the
enclosure to a volume within the enclosure. Consequently, if the
one edge of the air foil panel is oriented closest to a rear end of
the vehicle, an underside of the air foil will act as a scoop to
redirect air into the enclosure. On the other hand, if the one edge
of the air foil panel is oriented closest to a front end of the
vehicle, the air foil panel in the open position will act as a
spoiler and will reduce air pressure at the underside of the air
foil panel, resulting in a Venturi effect imparted upon the volume
inside the enclosure.
[0010] An actuator interconnects the underside of the air foil
panel with the interior side of the base plate and allows for
selective moving of the air foil panel between the open and closed
positions. The actuator is pivotably connected to the base plate
and the air foil panel, such that as the actuator changes length
the rotational position of the air foil panel with respect to the
base plate is also changed.
[0011] In use, depending upon the application desired, the
auxiliary air foil device of the present invention may be used as
an air brake for the vehicle, as a means for increasing air flow
into an engines air intake or cooling systems, as an adjustable
spoiler, as a vacuum source for exhaust or other systems, or the
like. The air foil device may be oriented with the pivoted edge of
the air foil panel oriented towards either the front or rear end of
the vehicle, and apertures in the base plate may be connected
through the vehicle surface to optional air ducting means for
delivering additional airflow or requiring it.
[0012] As such, the active air foil device of the present invention
is extremely versatile as an add-on accessory for vehicles,
particularly road vehicles. The present device adds very little
aerodynamic drag when in an un-deployed or closed position, and
adequately adds drag or re-directs air flow into an engine for use
in the cooling system or air intake system, or the like.
Installation of such a device on an existing vehicle results in a
minimum of damage to the outer surface of the vehicle. Other
features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the invention,
illustrating an auxiliary air foil device for selectively providing
additional air flow into an engine cooling or air intake
system;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the invention as
shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3-A is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken
generally alone lines 3-3 of FIG. 2, and further illustrating an
air foil panel in an open position;
[0016] FIG. 3-B is a cross-sectional view of the invention, taken
generally alone lines 3-3 of FIG. 2, and further illustrating an
air foil panel in a closed position;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the invention
wherein the air foil panel and a base plate are generally
triangular in shape;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of the invention,
illustrating the auxiliary air foil device for selectively
providing spoiling aerodynamic drag proximate the rear of a vehicle
and wherein the base plate and air foil panel are generally
rectangular in shape;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of hydraulic actuator of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the actuator illustrated in
FIG. 8;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a pneumatic actuator of the
invention; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an electric in-line screw
motor actuator of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an auxiliary air foil device 10 for
mounting on a vehicle 20. The vehicle 20, such as a truck
illustrated in FIG. 1, or a high performance automobile shown in
FIG. 7, has an outer surface 25 that is suitably flat for mounting
of the air foil device 10, the outer surface 25 being immediately
adjacent to a stream of air flowing around the vehicle 20 when the
vehicle 20 is in motion.
[0026] The air foil device 10 includes an enclosure 30 comprising a
base plate 40, a plurality of side walls 50, and an air foil panel
60. The base plate 40 includes an interior side 45 that is attached
proximate to a lower edge 55 of each of the side walls 50. One edge
63 of the air foil panel 60 is pivotably connected at a plurality
of hinges 68 to an upper edge 57 of at least one of the side walls
50. As such, the air foil panel 60 is pivotable between an open
position 70 and a closed position 80 (FIGS. 3-A and 3-B). In the
closed position 80, the outside air flow will be substantially
isolated from the volume within the enclosure 30.
[0027] The open position 70 provides access from outside of the
enclosure 30 to a volume within the enclosure 30. Consequently, if
the one edge 63 of the air foil panel 60 is downwind of the
airflow, that is, oriented closest to a rear end 28 of the vehicle
20 when the vehicle 20 is moving in a forward direction, an
underside 65 of the air foil panel 60 will act as a scoop to catch
or redirect air into the enclosure 30.
[0028] On the other hand, if the one edge 63 of the air foil panel
60 is oriented closest to a front end 29 of the vehicle, the air
foil panel 63 in the open position 70 will act as a spoiler and
will reduce air pressure at the underside 65 of the air foil panel
60, resulting in a Venturi effect upon the volume inside the
enclosure. Such a suction action may be desired in engine control
systems, exhaust systems, cab environmental systems, refrigeration
systems on trucks, or the like.
[0029] The base plate 40, side walls 50, and air foil panel 60 are
all preferably made from a rigid and strong sheet metal or
fiberglass panel material. As such, the air foil device 10 can
withstand the significant aerodynamic forces imparted thereto, and
the outside surfaces of the air foil device 10 may be painted or
otherwise finished to match or augment the appearance of the
vehicle 20.
[0030] An actuator 90 interconnects the underside 65 of the air
foil panel 60 with the interior side 45 of the base plate 60. The
actuator 90 allows for selective moving of the air foil panel 65
between the open and closed positions 70,80. The actuator 90 may be
an electrically driven motor and screw assembly 100 (FIG. 11), such
as is common in the art, that includes an electric inline screw
motor 240 and a movable threaded rod 250. Both ends of such an
actuator 90 are held to the base plate 40 and the air foil panel 60
by a journal block 190 and a journal 180. Alternately, the actuator
90 may be a pneumatic actuator 110 (FIG. 10) having pneumatic
cylinder 220 and a pneumatic cylinder rod 230, or a hydraulic
actuator 120 (FIGS. 8 and 9) having a hydraulic cylinder 200 and a
hydraulic cylinder rod 210. The actuator 90 preferably includes an
aerodynamic cover (not shown) for reducing drag forces experienced
by the actuator 90 when the air foil panel is in the open position
70. The actuator 90 is pivotably connected to the base plate 40 and
the air foil panel 60, such that as the actuator 90 changes length
the rotational position of the air foil panel 60 with respect to
the base plate 40 is also changed.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base plate
40 and the air foil panel 60 are each generally triangular in
shape, and the plurality of side walls 50 numbers exactly three
(FIGS. 4-6). In such an embodiment, the actuator 90 is centered
with respect to the width of the base of the triangle, thereby
providing balance between the forces affecting either side of the
air foil panel 60.
[0032] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the base plate
40 and the air foil panel 60 are each generally rectangular or
square, and the plurality of side walls 50 numbers exactly four
(FIGS. 1, 2 and 7). In an elongated rectangular embodiment,
illustrated in FIG. 7, the air foil panel 60 and the base plate 40
are each elongated rectangles, the length of which is substantially
the length of the vehicle 20. In such an embodiment, the air foil
device 10 acts as a rear spoiler for increasing the traction of the
vehicle 20 and two actuators 90 are included.
[0033] In a further embodiment wherein the device 10 is used as a
vehicle spoiler, two enclosures 30 may be included for surrounding
each of two actuators 90 (not shown). In such an embodiment the air
foil panel 60 is supported by the two enclosures 30 and moved
between the open and closed positions 70,80 by each actuator 90
cooperating together. Each enclosure 30 is aerodynamically shaped
to reduce drag experienced by the vehicle 20.
[0034] In use for the application of providing selectively
increasing drag on the vehicle 20, at least one auxiliary air foil
device 10 is mounted to the outside surface 25 of the vehicle 20
with its one edge 63 of the air foil panel 65 oriented towards the
rear 28 of the vehicle 20. The actuator 90 is operatively connected
to a control device 160 for selectively causing the actuator 90 to
move the air foil panel 60 between the open and closed positions
70,80 to impart more or less aerodynamic drag to the vehicle 20,
respectively. The control device 160 may be a brake light signal
wire, for example, or a manually controlled switch (not shown). A
control line (not shown) may be fed through an aperture 130 of the
base plate, through an aperture formed in the surface 25 of the
vehicle 20 (not shown), in order to be connected to the control
device 160. Alternatively, the actuator 90 may be battery powered
and the control device may be a wireless control (not shown).
Regardless, connecting an actuator 90 to a control device 160 is
well known in the art, and any number of suitable methods may be
employed.
[0035] In use for the application of providing selectively
increasing airflow into a vehicle engine air intake system, at
least one auxiliary air foil device 10 is mounted to the outside
surface 25 of the vehicle 20 with its one edge 63 of the air foil
panel 65 oriented towards the rear 28 of the vehicle 20. The
actuator 90 is operatively connected to a control device 160 for
selectively causing the actuator 90 to move the air foil panel 60
between the open and closed positions 70,80 to impart more or less
airflow into the engine air intake system, respectively. The
control device 160 may be a throttle control, for example, or a
manually controlled switch (not shown).
[0036] In use for the application of providing selectively
increasing airflow into a vehicle engine cooling system, at least
one auxiliary air foil device 10 is mounted to the outside surface
25 of the vehicle 20 with its one edge 63 of the air foil panel 65
oriented towards the rear 28 of the vehicle 20. The actuator 90 is
operatively connected to a control device 160 for selectively
causing the actuator 90 to move the air foil panel 60 between the
open and closed positions 70,80 to impart more or less airflow into
the engine cooling system, respectively. The control device 160 may
be an engine temperature sensor, for example, or a manually
controlled switch (not shown).
[0037] In use for the application of providing a selective spoiling
effect on a moving vehicle 20, at least one auxiliary air foil
device 10 is mounted to the outside surface 25 of the vehicle 20
near the top rear 28 of the vehicle 20 with its one edge 63 of the
air foil panel 65 oriented towards the front 29 of the vehicle 20.
The actuator 90 is operatively connected to a control device 160
for selectively causing the actuator 90 to move the air foil panel
60 between the open and closed positions 70,80 to impart more or
less airflow spoiling effect to the air flowing over the top of the
vehicle 20. The control device 160 may be a brake light signal
wire, for example, or a manually controlled switch (not shown).
[0038] With any of the foregoing embodiments of the invention, the
air foil panel 60 may be smaller in area than the base plate 40,
resulting in at least one sloped side wall 50. Such an air foil
device 10 is more aerodynamic and results in less drag caused by
the device 10. Further, a protective pad 140 (FIGS. 3-A and 3-B),
such as a Teflon.RTM. or other suitably protective barrier may be
used between the base plate 40 and the vehicle surface 25 to
protect the vehicle surface 25 in the event that the air foil
device 10 is ever removed from the vehicle 20. Ideally, the base
plate 40 is bolted to the vehicle 20 with bolts 42 or other
suitable fastening hardware. Alternately, high performance epoxy
resins or other suitably strong adhesives may be used, provided
same can withstand the substantial aerodynamic drag forces that the
air foil device 10 is subjected to, particularly with the air foil
panel 65 in the open position 70 and the vehicle 20 traveling at a
high rate of speed.
[0039] Preferably, at least one aperture 130 is included in the
base plate 40 for ingress of air into the vehicle 20 when the air
foil panel 60 is not in the closed position 80. As such, an air
duct 170 may be fixed between each aperture 130 and an engine air
intake system 22 or an engine cooling system 23 for providing
additional airflow to these engine systems. Such additional air
flow is not limited to engine systems, but could also be used for
added air flow into environmental systems such as air conditioning
or heating units (not shown).
[0040] While a particular form of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, a variety of shapes of base
plates and air foil panels may be used. Further, a variety of types
of actuators may be used. Accordingly, it is not intended that the
invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *