IP Library Granted Patent US 10,442,478
Granted Patent B2
US 10,442,478 · App. 15/647,035 · Granted Oct 15, 2019

Vehicle aerodynamic improvement apparatus and system

Inventor: Jesse Regan (Denver, CO)
Assignee: ROCKETAIL, LLC
B62D35/002B62D35/001B62D37/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,442,478
App. No.
15/647,035
Granted
Oct 15, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

System and apparatus for improving aerodynamics of a vehicle including: a plurality of stiffeners offset from each other; a first airfoil configured as a thin-form sheet; a second airfoil coupled to the first airfoil using the plurality of stiffeners, wherein a trailing edge of the first airfoil overlaps a leading edge of the second airfoil; an airflow inlet defined by a leading edge of the first airfoil and a pair of stiffeners of the plurality of stiffeners; and an airflow outlet defined by by the trailing edge of the first airfoil, the leading edge of the second airfoil, and the pair of stiffeners.

Claims (24)

1. An apparatus for improving aerodynamics of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of stiffeners offset from each other;

a first airfoil configured with a thin-form sheet,

wherein the thin-form sheet of the first airfoil is configured in a curved shape,

wherein the curved shape has substantially similar arc lengths for an outboard surface and an inboard surface of the first airfoil;

a second airfoil coupled to the first airfoil using the plurality of stiffeners, wherein a trailing edge of the first airfoil overlaps a leading edge of the second airfoil;

an airflow inlet defined by a leading edge of the first airfoil and a pair of adjacent stiffeners of the plurality of stiffeners;

an airflow outlet defined by the trailing edge of the first airfoil, the leading edge of the second airfoil, and the pair of stiffeners; and

a hinge unit coupled to the inboard surface of the first airfoil and configured to mount to an external surface of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second airfoil is configured to be partially overlapped by the first airfoil to reduce airflow separation from the first airfoil.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising

a locking rod configured to attach to a door of the vehicle for auto deploying and retracting of the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second airfoil is configured as a stabilizer.

5. A system for improving aerodynamics of a vehicle, the system comprising:

first and second aerodynamic units, each aerodynamic unit including a first airfoil configured with a thin-form sheet and a second airfoil interconnected to the first airfoil using a plurality of stiffeners,

wherein a trailing edge of the first airfoil overlaps a leading edge of the second airfoil,

wherein the first and second aerodynamic units are configured to mount to side surfaces of the vehicle; and

a third aerodynamic unit configured in a convex form and configured to mount to a top surface of the vehicle,

wherein the third aerodynamic nit extends beyond a boundary region and into a region of the general airflow.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein each aerodynamic unit further includes:

an airflow inlet defined by a leading edge of the first airfoil and a pair of adjacent stiffeners of the plurality of stiffeners; and

an airflow outlet defined by the trailing edge of the first airfoil, the leading edge of the second airfoil, and the pair of adjacent stiffeners.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the third aerodynamic unit is mounted substantially perpendicular to general airflow surrounding the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein a radius of curvature of the third aerodynamic unit is configured to be approximately between 1 and 1.75 inches.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2020
From: ROCKETAIL, LLC
To: STREHL, LLC
Reel/Frame 054489/0756 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2020
From: ROCKETAIL, LLC
To: STREHL LLC
Reel/Frame 054031/0478 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2019
From: REGAN, JESSE
To: ROCKETAIL, LLC
Reel/Frame 049394/0650 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 15093733 · Apr 7, 2016
Related Publication 20170305478A1 · Oct 26, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,344,323