CA2651688A1 - Aerodynamic trailer skirts - Google Patents

Aerodynamic trailer skirts Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2651688A1
CA2651688A1 CA002651688A CA2651688A CA2651688A1 CA 2651688 A1 CA2651688 A1 CA 2651688A1 CA 002651688 A CA002651688 A CA 002651688A CA 2651688 A CA2651688 A CA 2651688A CA 2651688 A1 CA2651688 A1 CA 2651688A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
skirt
trailer
skirt panel
panel
aerodynamic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
CA002651688A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2651688C (en
Inventor
Mathieu Boivin
Philippe Desjardins
Mathieu Desjardins
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Transtex Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=40898461&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=CA2651688(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority to CA2689751A priority Critical patent/CA2689751C/en
Priority to CA2797778A priority patent/CA2797778C/en
Priority to CA2689745A priority patent/CA2689745C/en
Priority to CA2689749A priority patent/CA2689749C/en
Priority to CA2689748A priority patent/CA2689748C/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA2689747A priority patent/CA2689747C/en
Priority to CA2689746A priority patent/CA2689746C/en
Priority to CA2668323A priority patent/CA2668323C/en
Publication of CA2651688A1 publication Critical patent/CA2651688A1/en
Publication of CA2651688C publication Critical patent/CA2651688C/en
Application granted granted Critical
Active legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
    • B62D35/001—For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/08—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation
    • B60R13/0861—Insulating elements, e.g. for sound insulation for covering undersurfaces of vehicles, e.g. wheel houses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
    • B60R19/56—Fittings damping bouncing force in truck collisions, e.g. bumpers; Arrangements on high-riding vehicles, e.g. lorries, for preventing vehicles or objects from running thereunder
    • B60R19/565—Fittings damping bouncing force in truck collisions, e.g. bumpers; Arrangements on high-riding vehicles, e.g. lorries, for preventing vehicles or objects from running thereunder on vehicle sides
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S180/00—Motor vehicles
    • Y10S180/903—Airstream reactive vehicle or vehicle structure
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining

Abstract

A resilient skirt assembly is provided, the assembly comprising a skirt panel adapted to connect to a trailer to direct at least a portion of the amount of air on the side of the trailer; and a skirt support adapted to connect the skirt to a trailer, the skirt support having a resilient strut providing lateral support to the skirt panel, the resilient strut allowing substantial lateral pivotal movement of the skirt panel between a skirt panel unloaded position and a skirt panel loaded position. A method of assembling a skirt assembly and a skirt kit are also provided.

Description

4 [0001] CROSS-REFERENCE

[0002] The present application relates to and claims priority from United 6 States Provisional Patent application No. 61/024,217, filed January 29, 2008, 7 entitled AERODYNAMIC TRAILER SKIRT.

9 [0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates to aerodynamic trailer skirts, and also relates to 11 a resilient skirt and attachment mechanism thereof.

13 [0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

14 [0006] Road tractors are used to pull road trailers on roads to transport cargo.
Aerodynamic apparatuses are installed on the road tractor and/or on the road 16 trailer in order to reduce the aerodynamic air drag and improve fuel efficiency.
17 [0007] Trailer skirts made of rigid material are installed on both sides of a 18 trailer to help manage the flow of air around and underneath the trailer.
Brackets, 19 also made of rigid material, are affixed to the trailer to secure the skirts positioned thereto. These skirts are secured to the bottom portion of the trailer, or on the 21 sides of the trailer's floor, to ensure proper positioning when the vehicle is moving.
22 [0008] People who are familiar with the trucking industry know that trailers 23 are subject to hazardous road conditions. The skirts, because of their position under 24 the trailer's floor and their proximity with the road, are significantly vulnerable and might easily enter in contact with surrounding obstacles. The brackets holding the 1 skirts, when put under significant stress, plastically bend and/or break to effect the 2 skirts' position in respect to the road trailer thus reducing the efficiency of the 3 skirts. Moreover, the skirt itself might bend and/or break if they contact a foreign 4 object. This also increases the operation cost and the maintenance time that is required.

6 [0009] The shape of the skirts, and their respective positions on the road 7 trailer, have a significant effect on the aerodynamics efficiency of the road trailer.
8 [0010] Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an improved aerodynamic 9 skirt assembly over the existing art. There is a need in the art for such a resilient skirt assembly that can be easily installed and economically manufactured.

12 [0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

13 [0012] It is one aspect of the present invention to alleviate one or more of the 14 drawbacks of the background art by addressing one or more of the existing needs in the art.

16 [0013] Accordingly, one object of one or more embodiments of this invention 17 provides an improved trailer skirt over the prior art.

18 [0014] An object of the invention provides a skirt assembly adapted to be 19 installed on a road trailer to reduce the aerodynamic drag produced by the movement of the road trailer when pulled by a road tractor. The skirt assembly 21 comprising a skirt panel sized and designed to channel air about the trailer. The 22 skirt assembly, once installed on the road trailer; being substantially vertically 23 disposed under the road trailer between the road trailer wheels and the trailer 24 supports (and could even be extended in front of the trailer supports) with a curved shape defined from the front of the skirt panel to a distance of about between 1,5 26 meter to 3.5 meters.

1 [0015] One object of the invention provides a resilient trailer skirt assembly 2 that is adapted to bend when it contacts a foreign object and recovers its original 3 position and shape thereafter.

4 [0016] One other object of the invention provides a resilient skirt assembly that can be easily installed and economically manufactured.

6 [0017] Another object of the invention provides a skirt panel adapted to be 7 installed on a road trailer with a rear edge disposed next to the forwardmost road 8 trailer rear wheel to keep a gap therebetween to a minimum. The skirt panel being 9 adapted to forwardly extend next to the road trailer support [0018] Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides 11 a trailer skirt assembly made of composite materials offering a significant range of 12 elastic deformation.

13 [0019] Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides 14 a strut adapted to secure a skirt panel to a road trailer, the strut being made of a resilient material adapted to sustain significant deformation and adapted to 16 substantially regain its original position without breaking.

17 [0020] Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides 18 strut supports made of non-metallic material.

19 [0021] One other aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides a trailer skirt that is sized and designed to allow a temporary deflection of, 21 inter alia, a bottom portion of the skirt panel.

22 [0022] A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides 23 a fastening system for easily securing the skirt panel to the trailer; the fastening 24 system uses a limited number of parts to reduce the assembly time and the weight added to the trailer.

1 [0023] A further aspect of one or more embodiments of the invention provides 2 a skirt assembly comprising a plurality of support angles adapted to secure the skirt 3 panel to the road trailer.

4 [0024] According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, support angles made of composite material is provided.

6 [0025] According to an aspect of the present invention a resilient strut shaped 7 in one piece is provided.

8 [0026] A further aspect of one or more embodiments provides a resilient strut 9 adapted to be directly connected to the skirt panel.

[0027] One additional aspect of the present invention provides an opening in 11 the skirt panel adapted to allow access to a fuel tank located underneath the road 12 trailer, the opening being adapted to be optionally provided with a door.

13 [0028] Another additional aspect of the present invention provides a skirt 14 panel composed of a plurality of skirt panel modules, at least one panel module being adapted to be removed or pivoted about a hinged mechanism to allow access 16 under the road trailer.

17 [0029] Another aspect of the present invention provides a substantially 18 progressive curvature on the forward portion of the skirt panel.

19 [0030] One other aspect of the invention provides a method of installing 'a skirt assembly on a road trailer comprising installing fastening a portion of a skirt 21 panel substantially on the edge of a road trailer floor and securing a forwardmost 22 portion of the skirt panel at a predetermined position on the trailer to define the 23 shape of the skirt panel.

24 [0031] Another aspect of the invention provides a radius on the skirt panel adapted to mate the shape of the road trailer wheel to reduce the air gap 26 therebetween.

1 [0032] One another aspect of the invention provides a skirt panel extension 2 adapted to selectively reduce the gap between the road trailer wheels and the skirt 3 panel when the road trailer wheels, disposed on a moveable trailer buggy, are 4 longitudinally moved about the road trailer to change the load distribution of the road trailer.

6 [0033] Another aspect of the present invention provides an aerodynamic skirt 7 adapted to be mounted to a trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising a skirt panel 8 defining a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be 9 proximally mounted toward a center of the trailer, the rear portion being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer.

11 [0034] One other aspect of the present invention provides a method of 12 installing a skirt assembly on a trailer, the method comprising securing upper 13 supports to the trailer, securing a skirt panel to the upper supports, and securing 14 struts between the trailer and the skirt panel.

[0035] An aspect of the present invention provides a skirt assembly kit 16 comprising a skirt panel adapted to be disposed on a trailer to route air about the 17 road trailer, a plurality of upper supports adapted to secure the skirt panel to the 18 road trailer and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road 19 trailer.

[0036] Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present 21 invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
22 However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific 23 examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by 24 way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this 26 detailed description.

27 [0037] Additional and/or alternative advantages and salient features of the 28 invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken 1 in conjunction with the annexed drawings, disclose preferred embodiments of the 2 invention.

4 [0038] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Referring now to the drawings which form a part of this original 6 disclosure:
7 [0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a road tractor and a road trailer with 8 a skirt assembly secured thereto;
9 [0041] Figure 2 is a left elevational view of the road tractor of Figure 1;
[0042] Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the road tractor of Figure 1;

11 [0043] Figure 4 is a left-front perspective view of a portion of a floor section 12 of the road trailer of Figure 1;

13 [0044] Figure 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the floor section of Figure 4;
14 [0045] Figure 6 is a right elevational section view of a portion of the road trailer and the skirt assembly of Figure 1;

16 [0046] Figure 7 is a rear elevational section view of a portion of the road 17 trailer and the skirt assembly of Figure 1;

18 [0047] Figure 8 is a rear efevational view of a portion of the securing 19 mechanism of the skirt to the road trailer's floor;

[0048] Figure 9 is a section view of a portion of the road trailer's floor with 21 the securing mechanism attached thereto;

22 [0049] Figure 10 is a rear elevational section view of a portion of the skirt's 23 securing mechanism;

1 [0050] Figure 11 is a rear elevational section view of a portion of the skirt's 2 securing mechanism;

3 [0051] Figure 12 is a rear elevational section view of an alternate embodiment 4 of a portion of the skirt' securing assembly;

[0052] Figure 13 is a rear elevational section view of an alternate embodiment 6 of a portion of the skirt' securing assembly of Figure 12 when deflected;

7 [0053] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a road tractor and a road trailer with 8 a skirt assembly secured thereto and a skirt panel module in the opened position;
9 and [0054] Figure 15 is a left-front perspective view of a portion of a floor section 11 of the road trailer of Figure 14;

13 [0055] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

14 [0056] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described bellow with reference to the drawings.

16 [0057] Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a road tractor 10 with a road trailer 17 attached thereto equipped with a pair of skirt assemblies 30, installed on each side 18 of the road trailer 20, adapted to deflect and direct the airflow around the road 19 trailer 20. Each skirt assembly 30 includes a skirt panel 32, adapted to be disposed on the side of the road trailer 20, and a plurality of securing members adapted to 21 secure the skirt panel 32 to the road trailer 20. The securing members are not 22 illustrated on Figures 1, 2 and 3 and will be discussed in more details later in this 23 specification. Once installed on the road trailer 20, the skirt assembly 30 helps 24 channel the flow of air around the road trailer 20 to reduce the air drag of the vehicle when the road trailer 20 moves on the road, pulled by the road tractor 10.
26 [0058] The skirt assembly 30 of the present embodiment is mostly located 27 under the road trailer 20, between the wheels 12 of the road tractor 10 and the 1 wheels 26 of the road trailer 20. The skirt panels 32 can alternatively extend 2 forward up to the trailer supports 14 of the road trailer, and be secured thereto, 3 thus preventing complex skirt panel 32 arrangements through the trailer supports 4 14. The skirt panels 32 are substantially vertically positioned on each side of the road trailer 20 with a clearance with the ground by illustratively about 15-25 6 centimeters (about 6 to 10 inches). The air management around the trailer 20 7 provided by the skirt assembly 30 reduces the air drag created by the road trailer 8 20 by directing the flow of air around the road trailer 20. The flow of air would 9 otherwise turbulently move around and below the road trailer 20 to create substantial air drag. The airflow management around the road trailer 20 provided 11 by the skirt assembly 30 helps maintain laminar airflow around the road trailer 20 12 that helps diminish fuel consumption of the road tractor 10. The skirt assembly 30 13 also improves the safety of the vehicle by providing a barrier that can significantly 14 prevent foreign objects to get under the road trailer 20.

[0059] The skirt panel 32 can also be used to display advertising thereon.
16 Each skirt panel 32 provides additional display area in addition to the road trailer's 17 wall 22.

18 [0060] As illustrated, the skirt panel 32 is shaped with an optional progressive 19 height from the forwardmost portion 34. The skirt panels 32 can alternatively also be installed at an angle, in respect to the vertical, on the road trailer 20 to change 21 the airflow pattern around the road trailer 20 and more precisely adjust the 22 aerodynamics to a specific vehicle shape.

23 [0061] It can be appreciated from Figure 3 that each skirt panel 32 is installed 24 directly on the side of the road trailer 20 and, when seen from above, have a front portion 34 that progressively proximally leans toward the center 24 of the road 26 trailer 20. The recessed front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 improves the 27 collection of the turbulent airflow generated by the road tractor 10 thus improving 28 the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt assembly 30. Additional explanation about 29 the shape of the skirt panel 32 will be provided in further details below.

1 [0062] Figure 4 is a perspective image of the skirt assembly 30 installed on 2 the left side of a road trailer 20 from which is only illustrated a series of frame 3 members 23 forming a portion of the road trailer floor frame 22. A series of angle 4 supports 40 are secured to the trailer to secure the juxtaposed skirt panel thereto. The angle supports 40 could be omitted altogether and the skirt panel 6 could alternatively be attached directly to the road trailer 20 without deviating from 7 the scope of the present application. The rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 is 8 preferably positioned on the edge of the road trailer's wall 28. It is also 9 encompassed by the present invention that the skirt panel 32 be installed a little in recess about the side of the road trailer 20 to avoid winches, lights, toolbox or 11 ladders located on the side/edge of the road trailer 20. In contrast, it can be 12 appreciated that the front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 is progressively 13 positioned and secured toward the center 24 of the road trailer 20. The skirt panel 14 32 is secured adjacent to the frame 22 with a series of angle supports 40 secured to both the frame members 23 and the skirt panel 32. Lower, the skirt panel 32 is 16 secured to the road trailer 20 with a series of intervening resilient struts 42 also 17 secured to both the frame members 23 and the skirt panel 32. Additional details 18 about the angle supports 40 and the resilient struts 42 are provided later in 19 reference with Figure 7 through Figure 11.

[0063] Still referring to Figure 4, it can be appreciated that the upper series of 21 holes 35 disposed on a top portion of the skirt panel 32 is used to fasten the skirt 22 panel 32 to respective angle supports 40 that, themselves, are secured to frame 23 members 23 of the road trailer 20. A number of connection points between the skirt 24 panel 32 and the road trailer 20 are used to ensure the skirt panel 32 is well secured to the road trailer 20 and will not vibrate or deflect (some deflection can be 26 acceptable under certain conditions) during operation. The series of holes 27 disposed on a lower portion of the skirt panel 32 are adapted to fasten to an end of 28 each resilient strut 42. Similarly, the other end of the resilient strut 42 is connected 29 to the frame members 23 of the road trailer 20 via a fastener mechanism that will be discussed below in details.

1 [0064] A curved portion 38 is defined on the rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 2 32 and preferably corresponds to the exterior shape of the adjacent wheel 26 of the 3 road trailer 20. In so doing, it is possible to install the skirt panel 32 close to the 4 wheel 26 without risking any contact therebetween. The skirt panel 32 should be installed as close as possible to the road trailer wheels 26 to maximize its 6 efficiency. It is preferable to leave a distance between the wheel 26 of the road 7 trailer 20 and the skirt panel 32 to avoid any risk of interference therebetween.
8 [0065] The wheels 26 of a road trailer 20 are commonly adapted to be 9 longitudinally adjustable to distribute the mass of the road trailer 20 in a desired =fashion. The adjustment of the position of the axels of a road trailer 20 is desirable, 11 for instance, when a heavy load is carried or during thaw and freeze periods. In this 12 respect, and to avoid reinstalling the skirt panel 32 in various positions on the road 13 trailer 20, it might be desirable to install the skirt panel 32 in respect with the 14 forwardmost possible position of the axels of the road trailer 20. That would prevent to remove and reposition the skirt panel 32 when the trolley's 16 position is 16 modified.

17 [0066] The road trailer wheels 26 are mounted on a road trailer buggy 16 18 adapted to move the wheels 26 along a portion of the road trailer's length to 19 distribute the weight of the road trailer 20 in a desired fashion. The skirt assembly 30 is preferably permanently secured to the road trailer 20 taking in consideration 21 the forwardmost position of the trailer buggy 16. The gap between the skirt panel 22 32 and the road trailer's wheels 26 is however increased when the trailer buggy 16 23 is move toward the rear of the road trailer 20 thus likely reducing the aerodynamic 24 efficiency of the skirt assembly 30. The present invention provides a skirt panel extension module 33 adapted to reduce the gap between the skirt panel 32 and the 26 road trailer's wheels 26 to prevent any aerodynamic efficiency reduction.
The skirt 27 panel extension modules 33 are secured to the road trailer in a similar fashion. The 28 skirt panel extension module 33 can be provided in various lengths to fill gaps of 29 various sizes. They can also be provided as skirt panel extension modules 33 kit. An alternate embodiment provides a sliding skirt panel extension 33 that is 1 permanently secured to the road trailer 20 and extendable to the desired length 2 when the trailer buggy 16 is moved.

3 [0067] A skirt panel extension 33, illustrated on Figure 6, can alternatively be 4 added between the skirt panel 32 and the wheels 26 when the axles of the road trailer 20 are located in a rearward position leaving an increased distance 6 therebetween to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt assembly 30.
A
7 reasonable distance between the skirt panel 32 and the wheels 26 could be 8 between about 15 centimeters and about 30 centimeters although a shorter 9 distance, or even a superposition of the skirt panel 32 (or skirt panel module(s) 33) over the wheel 26, can be achieved.

11 [0068] Figure 5 is a top elevational view of the road trailer frame 22. As 12 mentioned above, it can be appreciated from Figure 5 that the skirt panel 32 is 13 disposed inwardly on the forward portion of the road trailer 20 and is progressively 14 located on the edge of the road trailer's wall 28 toward the rear end of the road trailer 20. A departure angle support 60 and a cooperating forward angle support 16 64 are secured to the road trailer to correctly locate the skirt panel 32 on the road 17 trailer 20. The departure angle support 60 and the forward angle support 64 are 18 installed on the trailer 20 prior to install the skirt panel 32. The rear portion 36 of 19 the skirt panel 32 is secured to the road trailer 20 up to the departure angle support 60 and then the skirt panel 32 is bent to reach the forward angle support 21 64 and secured thereto. That bent locates the skirt panel 32 to the road trailer 20 22 and defines the shape of the skirt panel 32 with the desired progressive proximal 23 bent. The remaining angle support 62 and resilient struts 42 are installed thereafter 24 to further secure the assembly.

[0069] The rear portion 36 of the skirt panel 32 is intended to be secured to 26 the road trailer to leave only a minimum gap with the road trailer wheels 26 to 27 improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the skirt assembly 30. The skirt panel 32 28 extends to the front of the road trailer 20 and defines a curve portion on its front 29 portion 34. A long skirt 32 appears to be more efficient than a shorter skirt panel 32 and should therefore extend as far as possible to the front of the road trailer 32.

1 However, for reasons of complexity, the front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 is 2 likely to stop at the trailer supports 14. It is nonetheless encompassed by the 3 present invention that the skirt panel 32 alternatively extends in front of the trailer 4 supports 14.

[0070] In an embodiment of the invention adapted to fit a standard 16.1 6 meters (53 feet) road trailer 20 the forward end of the departure angle support 60 7 is located at a distance dl from the forward end of the skirt panel 32. A
forward 8 angle support 64 is secured to the frame at a distance d2 from the side edge of the 9 road trailer 20. Distance d, is about between 1.5 meter and 3 meters, preferably about between 2 meters and 2.5 meters and most preferably about between 2.1 11 meters and 2.4 meters. Distance d2 is about between 0.20 meter and 0.40 meter, 12 preferably about between 0.25 meter and 0.35 meter and most preferably about 13 0.27 meter and 0.32 meters. More precisely, distance dl is preferably about 2.29 14 meters and distance d2 is preferably about 0.31 meter in a preferred embodiment.
Corresponding angle supports 40 and resilient struts 42 are installed to further 16 secure the skirt panel 32 at the desired position.

17 [0071] A left side elevational view schematically illustrating, on Figure 6, the 18 overall size of the skirt panel 32. Length d3 of the skirt panel 32 is about between 5 19 meters and 9 meters, preferably about between 6 meters and 8 meters and most preferably about between 6.5 meters and 7.5 meters. The height d4 of the skirt 21 panel 32 is about between 0.5 meter and 1 meter, preferably about between 0.6 22 meter and 0.9 meter and most preferably about between 0.7 meter and 0.8 meter.
23 And the forwardmost height d5 of the skirt panel 32 is about between 0.3 meter and 24 0.7 meter, preferably about between 0.4 meter and 0.6 meter and most preferably about between 0.45 meter and 0.5 meter. More precisely, distance d4 is preferably 26 about 0.76 meter and distance ds is preferably about 0.48 meter in a preferred 27 embodiment.

28 [0072] Alternate embodiments providing a skirt assembly sized and designed 29 to fit road trailers of different lengths can be inferred from the dimensions 1 discussed above. For instance, a skirt assembly can be designed to fit a 14.6 2 meters (48 feet) road trailer 20 or any other road trailer 20 sizes and lengths.

3 [0073] As further illustrated on Figure 6, the skirt panel 32 is provided with a 4 series of holes 35 used to connect the skirt panel 32 to the road trailer 20. The series of holes 34 disposed on the upper portion of the skirt panel 32 is used to 6 connect the skirt panel 32 to the frame 22 of the trailer 20 whereas, in a similar 7 fashion, the series of holes 35 disposed on the bottom portion of the skirt panel 32 8 is used to connect the skirt panel 32 to the frame via a resilient strut 42.
The holes 9 35 can be factory pre-drilled or can be drilled during installation to ensure desired customization. Rivets or bolts are placed in the holes 35 to secure the skirt panel 32 11 to the trailer frame 22 or the support assembly. Other appropriate fastening 12 mechanism variations well known in the art are encompassed by the present 13 disclosure and can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.
14 [0074] An opening 70 is defined in the skirt panel 32 to allow access to an optional fuel tank disposed on the road trailer 20 to fuel an onboard generator or 16 freezer. Such a fuel tank is commonly disposed under the floor 22 of the road 17 trailer 20 and is most likely hidden by the skirt assembly 30. The opening is sized, 18 designed and located on the skirt panel 32 to allow access to the fuel tank. A door 19 (not illustrated) can optionally be added to close the opening 70.

[0075] Turning now to Figure 7 where is illustrated the resilient struts 42 and 21 angles support 40 assembly with the frame 22 and the skirt panel 32. The rear 22 elevational view shows that the front portion 34 of the skirt panel 32 is proximally 23 recessed from the left lateral side of the trailer 20 by, illustratively, about 30 24 centimeters. It can also be appreciated that the skirt panel 32 is held to the road trailer frame 22 via the series of angled support 40 on its upper portion. The lower 26 portion of the skirt panel 32 is connected to the resilient strut 42 at an angle al, 27 which is an angle of about 45 in the present illustrative embodiment and could be 28 different without departing from the present description.

29 [0076] In one embodiment, the resilient strut 42 has a rectangular section and is made of composite material. Recommended multilayer composite material, 1 or reinforced thermoplastic manufactured by Transtex Composites Inc is used in the 2 present embodiment. The composite material forming the resilient struts 42 of the 3 illustrative example is shaped in a rectangular section to allow the resilient strut 42 4 to bend when the skirt panel 32 is pushed toward the center of the road trailer 20 (proximally) when, for instance, contacting an obstacle or having a force applied 6 thereon. The resilient strut 42 bends, allowing a significant displacement of the 7 bottom portion of the skirt panel 32, is adapted to retrieve its original position when 8 the force is removed from the skirt panel 32. The resilient strut 42 is preferably 9 made of a one-piece material where both ends are slightly angled 44 to evenly contact the skirt panel 32 and the road trailer frame member 23. In so doing, no 11 additional intervening parts are required between the resilient strut 42 and both the 12 skirt panel 32 and the road trailer frame member 23.

13 [0077] The resilient struts 42 of the present embodiment is about 4 14 millimeters thick and can reach a radius of 20 centimeters without going into plastic deformation or breaking. Generally, the thinner the resilient strut 42 is, the shorter 16 will be its maximum radius of curvature. A lateral proximal displacement of about 17 60 centimeters of the bottom portion of the skirt panel 32 is possible. The lower 18 portion of the skirt panel 32 can even reach, under certain circumstances, a 19 position parallel with the trailer 20 floor. The skirt assembly 30 and the skirt panel 32 will recover their original positions when the force causing the bending is 21 removed. Further, the bending of the resilient struts 42 provides energy absorption 22 in case of impact from another vehicle for example. It can be noted that a distal 23 displacement of the skirt panel 32 is possible. A distal displacement of the skirt 24 panel 32 will occur when a properly directed force is applied to the skirt panel 32 to bend the skirt panel 32.

26 [0078] Figures 8 and 9 depict with more details the connection mechanism 27 between the resilient struts 42 and the trailer frame members 23. One of the 28 resilient strut 42 ends is juxtaposed on the lower surface of the road trailer frame 29 22. A set of holes, identified with holes axes 54, are used to fasten two clamps 50, one on each side of the frame 22, to secure the resilient strut 42 to the road trailer 1 frame 22. The clamps 50 are illustratively made of a shaped stainless steel plate 2 material to prevent corrosion.

3 [0079] Figure 10 illustrates the connection between the resilient strut 42 and 4 the skirt panel 32. The end of the resilient strut 42 is positioned to the surface of the skirt panel 32 and secured thereto. Any types of fasteners 56 can be used to 6 fasten both parts together. Rivets are preferably used although a bolt could also fit 7 into the holes 54 performed in the skirt panel 32 and the resilient strut 42, and 8 illustrated with hole axes 54 to secure the assembly. Glue or resin could 9 alternatively be applied between the resilient strut 42 and the skirt panel 32 to secure the resilient strut 42 and the skirt panel 32 together and is also 11 encompassed by the present invention.

12 [0080] Figure 11 shows the assembly between the upper portion of the skirt 13 panel 32 and one of the angled supports 40. The angle support 40 is disposed next 14 to the edge of the road trailer 20 to position the exterior surface of the skirt panel 32 significantly co-planar with the lateral wall of the road trailer 20.
Again, any 16 types of fasteners can be used to fasten both parts together. Rivets are preferably 17 used but a bolt could also fit into the holes 34 in the skirt panel 32 and the angled 18 support 40 to secure the assembly. Here again, glue or resin could alternatively be 19 applied between the angle support 40 and the skirt panel 32 to permanently secure the angle support 40 and the skirt panel 32 together.

21 [0081] Figure 12 and Figure 13 illustrate an alternate embodiment where the 22 resilient strut 42 is fixed to the trailer frame 22 and the skirt panel 32 differently.
23 Instead of installing the resilient strut 42 with both ends slightly angled to mate 24 with the skirt panel 32, both ends of the resilient strut 42 are further angled to contact the skirt panel 32 from the opposite side. This alternate layout assembly 26 reduces the stress on the resilient strut 42, when the skirt panel 32 is deflected, for 27 instance, under a force F, by expending the radius,of curvature of the resilient strut 28 42 throughout the resilient strut 42 ergo significantly reducing local stress points in 29 the resilient strut 42.

1 [0082] In another unillustrated embodiment, the section of the resilient strut 2 42 has a shape adapted to increase its stiffness. A "U" shape resilient strut 42 can 3 be manufactured. Alternatively, an embossed portion on a planar shaped resilient 4 strut 42 can also be manufactured. Preferably the selected shape should prevent dirt and road debris to keep stuck on the resilient strut 42. The shape can also be 6 uneven along the length of the resilient strut 42 to provide an uneven flex to the 7 resilient strut 42.

8 [0083] As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in view of the 9 present specification, the nature of the material used to build the skirt panel 32 and the resilient strut 42 can vary. These materials are also contemplated to fall within 11 the scope of the invention if they lead to the flexibility and resilience required to 12 build a resilient skirt assembly 30.

13 [0084] Turning now to Figure 14 and Figure 15, illustrating the road tractor 10 14 and the road trailer 20. In this embodiment the skirt panel 32 is constructed with a plurality of skirt panel modules 80. A skirt module 86 is adapted to be pivoted 16 about hinges 84 to give access under the road trailer 20. A support member 82 is 17 also provided to maintain the skirt panel module 86 in its opened position.
The 18 support member 82 being composed of a suspension means and a damper means.
19 [0085] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to 21 be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments 22 and elements, but, to the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications, 23 combinations of features, equivalent arrangements, and equivalent elements 24 included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the dimensions of features of various components that may appear on the drawings are 26 not meant to be limiting, and the size of the components therein can vary from the 27 size that may be portrayed in the figures herein. Thus, it is intended that the 28 present invention covers the modifications and variations of the invention, provided 29 they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. An aerodynamic skirt adapted to be mounted to a trailer, the aerodynamic skirt comprising:

a skirt panel defining a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be proximally mounted toward a center of the trailer, the rear portion being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer.
2. The aerodynamic skirt of claim 1, wherein, when the aerodynamic skirt is installed on the trailer, a rearwardmost end of the skirt panel is disposed adjacent to a wheel of the road trailer.
3. The aerodynamic skirt of claim 2, wherein the rearwardmost end of the skirt defines a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the wheel of the road trailer.
4. The aerodynamic skirt of claims 1 to 3, wherein the skirt panel is a plurality of skirt panel modules adapted to cooperate therebetween.
5. The aerodynamic skirt of claim 4, wherein, when the aerodynamic skirt is installed on the trailer, at least one skirt panel module is adapted to be moveable between an aerodynamic position and a retracted position to allow access under the trailer.
6. The aerodynamic skirt of claim 5, comprising a securing mechanism adapted to secure the at least one skirt panel module in the retracted position.
7. The aerodynamic skirt of claims 1 to 6, wherein the skirt panel progressively proximally bends from the substantially longitudinally mounted rear portion toward the proximally mounted front portion.
8. The aerodynamic skirt of claim 7, wherein, when the aerodynamic skirt is installed on the trailer, the skirt panel begins to progressively proximally bends toward the front portion from the substantially longitudinally mounted rear portion at a distance between about between 1.5 meter and 3 meters from the forwardmost end of the skirt panel.
9. The aerodynamic skirt of claims 7 and 8, wherein the front portion of the skirt panel proximally retracts of a distance about between 0.20 meter and 0.40 meter from a side of the road trailer.
10. The aerodynamic skirt of claims 1 to 9, wherein a top and bottom edges of the front portion of the skirt panel are non-parallel.
11. The aerodynamic skirt of claims 1 to 10, wherein the skirt panel is made of composite material.
12. The aerodynamic skirt of claims 1 to 11, wherein the skirt panel is adapted to be secured to the road trailer with a plurality of resilient struts adapted to bend when a load extending an aerodynamic load generated by the air routed around the road trailer is applied to the skirt panel.
13. The aerodynamic skirt of claims 1 to 12, wherein, when not installed on the trailer, the skirt panel is made of a substantially planar material, the skirt panel being adapted to be bent when installed on the road trailer to achieve a desired shape.
14. A method of installing a skirt assembly on a trailer, the method comprising:
securing upper supports to the trailer;

securing a skirt panel to the upper supports; and securing struts between the trailer and the skirt panel.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein securing the upper supports to the trailer is defining a non-linear upper supports layout, the method comprising:

bending the skirt panel to secure the skirt panel to the upper supports and to define a shape to the skirt panel.
16. The mthod of claim 15, wherein the skirt panel defines a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being adapted to be proximally mounted to the trailer, the rear portion being adapted to be substantially longitudinally mounted to the trailer.
17. The method of claims 14 to 16, wherein the skirt panel is a plurality of skirt panel modules, the method comprising:

securing at least one skirt panel module to the trailer with an intervening mechanism adapted to position the at least one skirt panel in an aerodynamic position and a retracted position allowing access under the road trailer.
18. A skirt assembly kit comprising:

a skirt panel adapted to be disposed on a trailer to route air about the road trailer;

a plurality of upper supports adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer; and a plurality of struts adapted to secure the skirt panel to the road trailer.
19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the skirt panel is a plurality of skirt panel modules.
20. The kit of claim 19, comprising a mechanism adapted to position at least one skirt panel module in an aerodynamic position and in a retracted position allowing access under the road trailer
CA2651688A 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic trailer skirts Active CA2651688C (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2689746A CA2689746C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt securing mechanism
CA2689745A CA2689745C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt shape
CA2689749A CA2689749C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt support member
CA2689748A CA2689748C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt opening
CA2689751A CA2689751C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt wheel interface
CA2689747A CA2689747C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt panel
CA2797778A CA2797778C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt
CA2668323A CA2668323C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Resilient aerodynamic trailer skirts

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US2421708P 2008-01-29 2008-01-29
US61/024,217 2008-01-29

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CA2689751A Division CA2689751C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt wheel interface
CA2689747A Division CA2689747C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt panel
CA2689748A Division CA2689748C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt opening
CA2689746A Division CA2689746C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt securing mechanism
CA2689749A Division CA2689749C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt support member
CA2689745A Division CA2689745C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt shape
CA2668323A Division CA2668323C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Resilient aerodynamic trailer skirts
CA2797778A Division CA2797778C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt

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CA2689748A Active CA2689748C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt opening
CA2689749A Active CA2689749C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt support member
CA2689745A Active CA2689745C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt shape
CA2689746A Active CA2689746C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt securing mechanism
CA2651688A Active CA2651688C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic trailer skirts
CA2689747A Active CA2689747C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt panel
CA2668323A Active CA2668323C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Resilient aerodynamic trailer skirts
CA2689751A Active CA2689751C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt wheel interface
CA2797778A Active CA2797778C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt

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CA2689749A Active CA2689749C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt support member
CA2689745A Active CA2689745C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt shape
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CA2668323A Active CA2668323C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Resilient aerodynamic trailer skirts
CA2689751A Active CA2689751C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt wheel interface
CA2797778A Active CA2797778C (en) 2008-01-29 2009-01-27 Aerodynamic skirt

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US8292351B2 (en) 2012-10-23
US20100098481A1 (en) 2010-04-22

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