IP Library Granted Patent US 9,663,157
Granted Patent B2
US 9,663,157 · App. 14/666,019 · Granted May 30, 2017

Aerodynamic system and adjustable fairings

Inventors: Joshua Butler (Austin, TX); Kyle Walker (Austin, TX); Redza Shah (Austin, TX); Timothy Uys (Leander, TX)
Assignee: Flowbelow Aero, Inc.
B62D35/008B62D25/166B62D27/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,663,157
App. No.
14/666,019
Granted
May 30, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments provide an aerodynamic fairing system that may comprise a base configured to mount to a vehicle, an arm coupled to the base at a proximate end and extending laterally, an a fairing mounted to the arm having an inboard and an outboard surface. The fairing outboard surface may provide an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow to an angle to the rear. The arm may a fixed or adjustable length arm. The arm may provide a mounting area for a mud flap such that aerodynamic system may act as a mud flap hanger. Embodiments also provide an adjustable mud flap hanger.

Claims (24)

1. A fairing assembly adapted to couple to a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

an arm configured to be coupled to a frame of a vehicle; and

a fairing coupled to the arm, the fairing positioned on an outboard side of the vehicle, the fairing having an inboard surface and an outboard surface, the fairing outboard surface comprising an aerodynamic outer surface to direct longitudinal air flow in a rearward angle.

2. The fairing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fairing is adjustably mounted to the arm.

3. The fairing assembly of claim 2 , wherein the fairing is adjustable horizontally, vertically or rotationally.

4. The fairing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the arm is adjustable longitudinally.

5. The fairing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the arm is deflectable relative to a vehicle frame.

6. The fairing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fairing has a continuous aerodynamic surface from a leading edge to a trailing edge.

7. The fairing assembly of claim 6 , wherein the leading edge or trailing edge is curved to accommodate a tire.

8. The fairing assembly of claim 7 , wherein the fairing is shaped to fit between tires on a tandem axle.

9. The fairing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fairing is shaped for use on either side of the vehicle.

10. The fairing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the arm comprises one or more mud flap mounts to mount a mud flap.

11. A method for providing a fairing assembly on a vehicle, comprising:

coupling an arm to a frame of a vehicle; and

coupling a fairing to the arm, wherein the fairing is positioned on an outboard side of the vehicle, the fairing having an inboard surface and an outboard surface, the fairing outboard surface comprising an aerodynamic outer surface to direct longitudinal air flow in a rearward angle.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fairing is adjustably mounted to the arm.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the fairing is adjustable horizontally, vertically or rotationally.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the arm is adjustable longitudinally.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the arm is deflectable relative to a vehicle frame.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fairing has a continuous aerodynamic surface from a leading edge to a trailing edge.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the leading edge or trailing edge is curved to accommodate a tire.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the fairing is shaped to fit between tires on a tandem axle.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fairing is shaped for use on either side of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the arm comprises one or more mud flap mounts to mount a mud flap.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 28, 2023
From: PLEXUS FUND IV-A, L.P., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.
Reel/Frame 065969/0733 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: CADENCE BANK, N.A.
To: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.
Reel/Frame 056463/0650 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.
To: CADENCE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 050793/0016 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 30, 2019
From: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.
To: PLEXUS FUND IV-A, L.P., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 050237/0609 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2015
From: BUTLER, JOSHUA; WALKER, KYLE; SHAH, REDZA; UYS, TIMOTHY
To: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.
Reel/Frame 035657/0878 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 14070294 · Nov 1, 2013
Provisional Application 61746386 · Dec 27, 2012
Provisional Application 61721314 · Nov 1, 2012
Related Publication 20150232137A1 · Aug 20, 2015