Reduced truck fuel consumption through aerodynamic design
Full-scale fuel consumption and drag tests were performed on a conventional cab-over-engine tractor-trailer combination and a version of the same vehicle with significant forebody modifications. The modified configuration had greatly increased radii on all front corners and edges of the tractor and a smooth fairing of the modified tractor top and sides extending to the trailer. Concurrent highway testing of the two configurations showed that the modified design used 20 to 24% less fuel than the baseline configuration at 88.5 km/hr (55 mph) with near-calm wind conditions. Coastdown test results showed that the modified configuration reduced the drag coefficient by 0.43 from the baseline value of 1.17 at 88.5 km/hr (55 mph) in calm wind conditions.
- Research Organization:
- NASA Dryden Flight Res. Center, Edwards, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 6491247
- Journal Information:
- J. Energy; (United States), Journal Name: J. Energy; (United States) Vol. 1:5; ISSN JENED
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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