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Title: Advanced Aerodynamic Devices to Improve the Performance, Economics, Handling, and Safety of Heavy Vehicles

Abstract

Research is being conducted at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) to develop advanced aerodynamic devices to improve the performance, economics, stability, handling and safety of operation of Heavy Vehicles by using previously-developed and flight-tested pneumatic (blown) aircraft technology. Recent wind-tunnel investigations of a generic Heavy Vehicle model with blowing slots on both the leading and trailing edges of the trailer have been conducted under contract to the DOE Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies. These experimental results show overall aerodynamic drag reductions on the Pneumatic Heavy Vehicle of 50% using only 1 psig blowing pressure in the plenums, and over 80% drag reductions if additional blowing air were available. Additionally, an increase in drag force for braking was confirmed by blowing different slots. Lift coefficient was increased for rolling resistance reduction by blowing only the top slot, while downforce was produced for traction increase by blowing only the bottom. Also, side force and yawing moment were generated on either side of the vehicle, and directional stability was restored by blowing the appropriate side slot. These experimental results and the predicted full-scale payoffs are presented in this paper, as is a discussion of additional applications to conventional commercial autos, buses, motormore » homes, and Sport Utility Vehicles.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Georgia Tech Research Institute Aerospace (US)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies (EE-33) (US)
OSTI Identifier:
771019
Report Number(s):
SAE/TPS-2001-01-2072
ISSN 0148-7191; TRN: US200207%%184
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: Government/Industry Meeting, Washington, DC (US), 05/14/2001--05/16/2001; Other Information: Supercedes report DE00771019; PBD: 14 May 2001; PBD: 14 May 2001
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS; AERODYNAMICS; BUSES; ECONOMICS; PERFORMANCE; SAFETY; STABILITY; TRUCKS; AUTOMOBILES; MOBILE HOMES

Citation Formats

Englar, Robert J. Advanced Aerodynamic Devices to Improve the Performance, Economics, Handling, and Safety of Heavy Vehicles. United States: N. p., 2001. Web.
Englar, Robert J. Advanced Aerodynamic Devices to Improve the Performance, Economics, Handling, and Safety of Heavy Vehicles. United States.
Englar, Robert J. 2001. "Advanced Aerodynamic Devices to Improve the Performance, Economics, Handling, and Safety of Heavy Vehicles". United States.
@article{osti_771019,
title = {Advanced Aerodynamic Devices to Improve the Performance, Economics, Handling, and Safety of Heavy Vehicles},
author = {Englar, Robert J},
abstractNote = {Research is being conducted at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) to develop advanced aerodynamic devices to improve the performance, economics, stability, handling and safety of operation of Heavy Vehicles by using previously-developed and flight-tested pneumatic (blown) aircraft technology. Recent wind-tunnel investigations of a generic Heavy Vehicle model with blowing slots on both the leading and trailing edges of the trailer have been conducted under contract to the DOE Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies. These experimental results show overall aerodynamic drag reductions on the Pneumatic Heavy Vehicle of 50% using only 1 psig blowing pressure in the plenums, and over 80% drag reductions if additional blowing air were available. Additionally, an increase in drag force for braking was confirmed by blowing different slots. Lift coefficient was increased for rolling resistance reduction by blowing only the top slot, while downforce was produced for traction increase by blowing only the bottom. Also, side force and yawing moment were generated on either side of the vehicle, and directional stability was restored by blowing the appropriate side slot. These experimental results and the predicted full-scale payoffs are presented in this paper, as is a discussion of additional applications to conventional commercial autos, buses, motor homes, and Sport Utility Vehicles.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/771019}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon May 14 00:00:00 EDT 2001},
month = {Mon May 14 00:00:00 EDT 2001}
}

Conference:
Other availability
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