Document
(12) United States Patent (io) Patent No.: US 7,261,353 B2
Storms (45) Date of Patent: Aug. 28,2007
DIVIDERS FOR REDUCTION OF (56) References Cited AERODYNAMIC DRAG OF VEHICLES U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS WITH OPEN CAVITIES 2,090,961 A * 8/1937 Nelson et al. .............. 280/831 Inventor: Bruce L. Storms, Arnold, CA (US) 3,820,475 A * 6/1974 Beeson ........................ 410/32 3,850,332 A * 11/1974 Marko 220/551 Assignee: AerospaceComputing, Inc., Mountain 4,011,826 A * 3/1977 Yee .......................... 114/65A View, CA (US) 4,368,673 A * 1/1983 Dvorscak .................... 105/248 4,569,289 A * 2/1986 Gielow et al. 105/1.1 4,898,101 A * 2/1990 Harter ........................ 105/247 Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this Notice: 4,909,154 A * 3/1990 Walker et al. ............... 105/1.1 patent is extended or adjusted under 35 5,029,532 A * 7/1991 Snead ........................ 105/239 U.S.C. 154(b) by 106 days.
5,226,371 A * 7/1993 Dingle ....................... 105/358 5,488,912 A * 2/1996 Pileggi et al. 105/422 Appl. No.: 111097,052 6,267,427 B1 * 7/2001 Ziehl ......................... 296/37.6 Filed: Apr. 1, 2005
* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner-D. Glenn Dayoan Prior Publication Data Assistant Examiner-Melissa Black US 200610181111 A1 Aug. 17, 2006 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fenwick & West LLP Related U.S. Application Data (57) ABSTRACT Provisional application No. 601653,603, filed on Feb.
A drag-reduction concept for vehicles with open cavities 15. 2005.
includes dividing a cavity into smaller adjacent cavities Int. C1. through installation of one or more vertical dividers. The dividers may extend the full depth of the cavity or only B62D 35/00 (2006.01) B61D 45/00 (2006.01) partial depth. In either application, the top of the dividers are typically flush with the top of the bed or cargo bay of the U.S. C1. .................. 296124.4; 2961180.4; 1051355; vehicle. The dividers may be of any material, but are strong 4101129; 114172 enough for both wind loads and forces encountered during Field of Classification Search ................ 1051358, cargo loadingiunloading. For partial depth dividers, a struc- 1051359,360,355; 2201500, 553, 554, 263, tural angle may be desired to increase strength.
2201264, 1.5, 1.6, 2; 2961183.1,24.4, 183.2, 2961180.1, 180.4; 4101129, 141, 142; 114172 See application file for complete search history. 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets Triangular Divider Support 340
/
7, ,Perforations 280
Dividers 360
A Cargo Bay 1 I O
U.S. Patent Aug. 28,2007 Sheet 1 of 7 US 7,261,353 B2
115b -
\
125a
5a
1A
115b
25a
125b
US 7,261,353 B2
U.S. Patent Aug. 28,2007 Sheet 2 of 7
U.S. Patent Aug. 28,2007 Sheet 3 of 7 US 7,261,353 B2
Divider Guides/Supports
U.S. Patent Aug. 28,2007 Sheet 4 of 7 US 7,261,353 B2
Perforated Divider
(welded or bolted) 140
Perforations 280
FIG. 2C
US 7,261,353 B2
U.S. Patent Aug. 28,2007 Sheet 5 of 7
Triangular Divider Support 340
Dividers 360
FlG. 3A
U.S. Patent Aug. 28,2007 Sheet 6 of 7 US 7,261,353 B2
FIG" 3B
U.S. Patent Aug. 28,2007 Sheet 7 of 7 US 7,261,353 B2
<3------
Csal-car motion - 41 0
duced down flow, 440
I
425a
- 41 0
FIG,
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DIVIDERS FOR REDUCTION OF each of these transport vehicles would save wear and tear, AERODYNAMIC DRAG OF VEHICLES save energy, and reduce overall fuel consumption.
WITH OPEN CAVITIES Devices to reduce aerodynamic drag do exist, but are either too cumbersome, too costly, or a combination of both.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED 5 Most prior art deals with cavity coverings. For example, APPLICATIONS open rail cars can be fitted with a soft or hard covering.
However, such coverings must be manually installed result- ing in increased manpower and time, which reduces pro- This application claims priority under 35 UsC § 119(e) to ductivity.
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 601653,603 titled Automated soft covers eliminate or reduce the need for ‘‘Dividers for Reduction of Aerodynamic Drag of Vehicles 10 manpower and provide some time savings. However, auto- with Open Cavities”, Filed Feb. 15, 2005, the contents of mated soft covers require machinery to roll the covers over which are herein incorporated by reference.
or retract the covers from the cargo bay. This machinery adds extra weight to the vehicle so that fuel savings are STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS 15 significantly reduced or eliminated. Further, soft coverings also are prone to quicker wear and tear so that the frequency n i S invention was made with Government support under of repair and replacement also reduce or eliminate hoped for contract number ~ ~ ~ 2 - 0 3 1 4 4 awarded by NASA, The savings. Moreover, because most open cargo and open bay Government has certain rights in the invention.
vehicles are designed for long life with a minimum of 20 moving parts, flexible covers and moving doors end up BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION being very poor options.
In addition, hard covers also have several drawbacks.
1. Field of the Invention Hard covers add weight to the vehicle. The added weight The present invention generally relates to the field of requires an increased need for Power to move the transport transportation vehicles, and specifically, to devices to reduce aerodynamic drag of vehicles having open cavities, 25 vehicle so that any fuel savings from reduction of aerody- namic drag are significantly reduced or eliminated due to the 2. Description of the Related Art increased weight. In most instances, the added weight of a Open beds, bays, and cavities are inefficient cargo-bay will also reduce the amount of cargo that from an aerodynamic perspective. For example, in rail may be transported due to weight restrictions, transport systems covering an Open container car has 30 From the above, there is a need for a system and process been shown to reduce drag by as much as 40%. However, to reduce aerodynamic drag in open cargo bays and beds of covering the bed Or practical due the bay is vehicles, which can help energy efficiency and help realize size, the required hardware, and the effort involved. As a energy savings, result, these vehicles typically operate uncovered on long journeys (up to 1000 miles for coal cars).
35 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To provide a more detailed example of how inefficient Open cargo and bays on transport vehicles, consider an The present invention includes a system and a method for example of transportation in the coal industry. Coal accounts reducing aerodynamic drag in vehicles with open beds or for almost 50% of the total electricity production in the cargo bays, ~~~~l~~ of such vehicles include train cars, United States alone. Of the total coal consumption, almost 40 truck trailers, pickup trucks, and any other container with an two-thirds is carried by rail. By far the most important rail open cavity, In one embodiment, a drag-reduction concept commodity, as of 2002 coal ~COunted for almost 44% of divides a cavity into smaller adjacent cavities by installing tonnage, 25% of carloads, and 21% of revenue. In 2002, one or more vertical dividers. These dividers may or may not almost 7.9 million carloads of coal were hauled via rail. extend the entire height of the cavity depending on the Moreover, over 85% of all railroad coal shipments are 45 application, The dividers typically run the width of the carried by unit trains of50 Or more carloads. Typically, these vehicle. Further, some embodiments may include use of shipments transport the coal without interruption from the longitudinal dividers, loading facilities to the power plants.
In one example embodiment, a coal car includes a long Due to the increasing use of low sulfur western coal in rectangular bay that is divided into four nominally square Power Plants throughout the Country, the average coal haul 50 cavities by installing three dividers. The dividers may extend has risen significantly in recent years from 558 miles in 1992 the full depth of the cavity or only partial depth, In either to 696 miles in 2001. Over the Same Period, however, the application, the top of the dividers are typically flush with revenue per ton-mile decreased by 23% due to the competi- the top of the bed or cargo bay, The dividers may be of any tive environment for coal transportation created by alternate material, but are configured to be strong enough for both energy sources, transportation modes, and railroads. 5 5 wind loads and forces encountered during cargo loading/ The potential for energy savings by reducing the aerody- unloading. For partial depth dividers, a structural angle may namic drag of coal cars is significant. A previous study of be desired to increase strength.
aerodynamic drag of coal cars suggests that a 25% reduction Once installed, the dividers are configured to remain rigid.
in drag of the empty cars would correspond to a 5% fuel For example, in existing vehicles, the dividers may include savings for a round trip. Since coal transport consumes 60 metal plates that are retrofitted into the vehicle by welding approximately 1.5 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually, a the plates to opposite walls of the vehicle. In other example 5% fuel savings would total 75 million gallons per year. This embodiments, brackets may be installed into opposite walls corresponds to 2% of all Class I railroad fuel consumption. of a vehicle to allow a plate to be slid into the brackets and Moreover, fuel consumption issues affecting open coal secured through friction or some securing means such as railcars also affects other open container transport vehicles, 65 screws, bolts, ties, adhesive, or semi-permanent weldings.
for example, railroad grain cars, container ships, truck Thus, the principles of the present invention are applicable trailers, and even pickups. Reducing aerodynamic drag in for both permanent and semi-permanent configurations.
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The present invention significantly reduces drag of a coal The present invention includes incorporating a divider car at zero yaw angle. Further, the present invention may system in an open air vehicle to improve aerodynamic flow.
also significantly reduce drag for crosswind. The drag reduc- An open air vehicle includes vehicles having an open bed or tion is due to the fact that the flow over the smaller adjacent cargo bay. Examples of open air vehicles include rail coal cavities is more uniform with reduced down flow and 5 cars (or other open top rail vehicles such as grain cars), open pressure on the back of the cargo bay. Aregular recirculating top truck containers, open top cargo ships, pick up trucks, flowfield fills each cavity created by the dividers. and the like. For ease of discussion, the present invention will be discussed with reference to rail coal cars, although In addition, the dividers are configured to advantageously those skilled in the art will understand that the principles allow cargo such as grain, coal, or dirt to be loaded or i o disclosed herein are applicable to other open air vehicles.
unloaded with little to no interference. Moroever, the prin- ciples and benefits of the present invention are also appli- Referring now to FIGS. (“FIGS.”) 1A and l B , they illustrate examples of fixed dividers for use in an open air cable to other open bed or cargo bay vehicles, for example, vehicle in accordance with the present invention. The cargo trucks, pickup trucks, grain rail cars, container ships, example embodiments include a cargo bay 110 with a or the like, hence, providing transport systems utilizing the 15 plurality of dividers 130, 140. The cargo bay 110 is struc- present invention with energy savings and efficiency.
tured to include four walls 115a, 115b and 125a, 125b and The features and advantages described in the specification a base (or floor or bottom).
are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional In the illustrated embodiments, the cargo bay is a cavity features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary created by a rectangular shell of two long length (or elon- skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and 20 gated) walls 115a, 115b (generally 115) and two short length claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used 125a, 125b (generally 125) walls with the base. Generally, in the specification has been principally selected for read- the height of the four walls 115,125 is typically the same (or ability and instructional purposes, and may not have been substantially the same). In rail car, cargo truck trailer, cargo selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject ship, or pickup truck vehicle configurations, the elongated matter.
25 walls (or sidewalls) 115 typically form sides of the vehicle, and the short length walls 125 form a front wall and a back BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS wall of the vehicle. The back wall of the vehicle is typically the wall that is opposite the direction of motion (or direction The invention has other advantages and features which of propulsion) of the vehicle. Note that vehicles such as will be more readily apparent from the following detailed 30 pick-up trucks would have dividers that are approximately description of the invention and the appended claims, when the height of a bed of the pickup, but could also extend taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in above the top of the bed.
which: In the example of FIG. lA, two dividers 130 are solid and FIGS. (“FIG.”) 1A and 1B illustrate examples of fixed one divider 140 is perforated. In other embodiments, all the dividers for use in an open air vehicle in accordance with the 35 dividers may be solid or all may be perforated. An example present invention.
of a perforated divider is illustrated in FIG. 2C as a rigid FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate examples of removable member with perforations (e.g., openings, such as holes) 280 dividers for use in an open air vehicle in accordance with the as shown in the magnified window view. It is noted that the present invention.
dividers (both solid and perforated) are configured of a rigid FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of triangular 40 material, for example, a metal (e.g., steel, iron, aluminum), dividers for use in an open air vehicle in accordance with the rigid rubber, a plastic (e.g., rigid polycarbonate), wood, or a present invention.
composite of such materials. Perforated dividers allow the FIG. 4 illustrates an example of flow streamlines in a rail flow of cargo like coal or grain between adjacent compart- coal car without dividers and with dividers in accordance ments resulting in a more even load.
with the present invention.
In the illustrated embodiment, the dividers 130, 140 are 45 configured so a top of the dividers 130, 140 is substantially DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE flush (e.g., flush or almost flush with) the elongated walls PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 115a, 115b of the cargo bay 110 and a bottom of the dividers 130, 140 is substantially flush (e.g., flush or almost flush The Figures (“FIG.”) and the following description relate 50 with) with the bottom of the walls 115a, 115b of the cargo to preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of bay 110. The bottom of the walls 115, 125 of the cargo bay illustration only. It should be noted that from the following 110 typically join (e.g., connected to or molded into) the discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures and base or floor of the cargo bay 110. The illustrated embodi- methods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as ments show the installed dividers 130, 140 located equidis- viable alternatives that may be employed without departing 5 5 tant from each other to create four compartments 120 from from the principles of the claimed invention.
the cargo bar 110. It is noted, however, in alternative Reference will now be made in detail to several embodi- embodiments that the divider need not be flush with the top ments of the present invention(s), examples of which are (andor bottom) of the elongated walls 115a, 115b, for illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that example, in configurations such as pick up cargo beds.
wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may In the example of FIG. l B , there are again three dividers 60 be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like 160, 170 (in this example also there are two solid dividers functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the present 160 and one perforated divider 170) spaced equidistant invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the apart. However, in this embodiment, while the top of the art will readily recognize from the following description that dividers 160, 170 are substantially flush with the top of the alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illus- 65 walls 115a, 115b of the cargo bay 110, the bottoms of the trated herein may be employed without departing from the dividers 160,170 do not reach the bottom of the walls 115a, principles of the invention described herein. 115b or base of the cargo bay 110. Rather, the dividers are
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configured to only run a partial length of opposite walls Two points of the triangular divider 360 can be fixedly or 115a, 115b of the cargo bay 110. Here, compartments 180 removably attached as pairs along a substantially top edge of created by the dividers are “open” along bottom edges of the the elongated wall 115a, 115b of the cargo bay 110 as dividers 160, 170. Hence, as an example, if the cargo bay described in the previous embodiments. The third point of 110 was loaded with coal, coal from one compartment could 5 the triangular divide is fixedly or removably attached to the push into another compartment by slipping under the base of the cargo bay 110 or to a brace structure 330.
divider, e.g., 170. Triangular dividers may be attached to the existing cargo bay bracing typical of modern coal car construction (i.e, The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be bracing is not part of invention).
configured so that the dividers are fixedly attached to the The brace structure 330 may traverse from one elongated i o elongated walls 115a, 115b, of the cargo bay 110. The wall 115a to the other elongated wall 115b between the base dividers may be welded, bolted, attached with adhesive, and top of each elongated wall 115a, 115b, e.g., the middle.
molded with the elongated 115a, 115b walls of the cargo bay As with the other embodiments previously described, the 110, or otherwise substantially permanently fixed in place.
triangular dividers 360 may also be configured of a substan- FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate examples of removable 15 tially rigid material. Additionally, the triangular dividers 360 dividers for use in an open air vehicle in accordance with the may be spaced equidistant apart within the cargo bay 110.
present invention. Again, for these example embodiments, a FIG. 4 illustrates an example of flow streamlines in a rail cargo bay 110 is illustrated with one or more dividers spaced coal car without dividers and with dividers in accordance equidistant apart. The embodiments in FIGS. 2A through 2C with the present invention. In the illustration of the rail coal illustrate removably configured dividers for use in the cargo 20 car without dividers (top), air flow is shown to create drag bay 110. In these embodiments, removable dividers 230,260 by exerting a high pressure region against a back wall 425a are held in place in the cargo bay 110 through divider guides of the rail car (i.e., the short wall that is away from the (or supports) 240 on the elongated walls 115a, 115b of the direction of movement). In the illustration of the rail coal car cargo bay 110.
with dividers (bottom), the air flow over the top of the coal Each divider guide 240 is secured to the elongated walls 25 car drops significantly less than without dividers, into the 115a, 115b of the cargo bay 110 in pairs, Le., one on one wall cargo bay. As a result, the high pressure region on the back 115a and one opposite on the facing wall 115b. One pair is wall 425a of the cargo bay is reduced along with overall configured to be along the top edge of the elongated walls drag.
115a, 115b of the cargo bay 110 and the other pair is located It is noted that the cavity may be of shapes other than a along the bottom edge of the elongated wall 115a, 115b of 30 rectangle, e.g., a square, hexagon, or the like, with the the cargo bay 110 or along the elongated wall 115a, 115b principles disclosed herein still applicable. Further, it is where the bottom of the divider 230, 260 would reach, e.g., noted that the embodiments described herein may be mixed half way down the wall in the case of the short divider 260.
and matched, e.g., triangular dividers 360 with full dividers Each divider guide 240 includes an opening that is 130 or 230 andor with short dividers 160, 260. In each marginally greater than the thickness of the divider 230,260 35 instance, the top of the dividers is illustrated as being so that the divider 230, 260 can slide through the divider substantially flush with a top of the walls of the cargo bay guide 240 as illustrated in the magnified views of FIGS. 2A 110. This configuration beneficially provides for more uni- through 2C. In addition, the bottom pair of divider guides form air flow across the top of the cargo bay 110, and thus, 240 may also be configured to have a bottom itself so that reduces overall aerodynamic drag. However, it is noted that the bottom of the divider 230, 260 rests along a bottom of 40 other configurations may also help reduce drag. For the divider guide 240.
example, having a divider that is Y 4 of the cargo bay depth It is noted that the divider guides 240 can be made of any below the top of the cargo bay or of the cargo bay depth materials that provides substantial rigidity to ensure that the higher than the top of the cargo bay still provides the benefit dividers remain in place when secured by them. The divider of reducing aerodynamic drag.
guides may be made of a metal, a substantially rigid rubber, It is also noted that although the dividers have been 45 a polycarbonate, wood, or a combination of materials. In illustrated and described as being spaced equidistant apart addition, in alternate embodiments, the divider guides 240 within the cargo bay, they need not always be spaced in such can be configured to so that the dividers 230,260 are secured a configuration. Rather, alternative embodiments need only in place using, for example, a nut and bolt configuration, a have the dividers spaced sufficiently apart so that air pres- tie or strap system, an industrial clip configuration, or 50 sure against the back wall is reduced and overall aerody- removable adhesive. Note that each configuration of FIGS.
namic drag is decreased.
2A through 2C provides a modular design that allows for use The present invention significantly reduces drag of a coal of the cargo bay 110 without the dividers 230, 260 if so car at zero yaw angle. Further, the present invention also desired.
significantly reduce drag for crosswind. The drag reduction FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example of triangular 5 5 is due to the fact that the air flow over the smaller adjacent dividers for use in an open air vehicle in accordance with the cavities is more uniform with reduced down flow and present invention. In the example embodiments, the trian- pressure on the back of the cargo bay. As an example, the gular dividers 360 can be frame structures, e.g., three brace dividers direct air flow across the top of the cargo bay out the structures assembled in a triangular pattern, to which a rear to reduce wind resitance caused by pressure on the back triangular plate is coupled (e.g., where the triangular bracing 60 of the cargo bay. Moreover, a regular recirculating flowfield already may be in place within the cargo bay) or a substan- fills each cavity created by the dividers.
tially solid component in a triangular configuration. The In addition, the dividers are configured to advantageously triangular dividers 360 may be held into place by being allow cargo such as grain, coal, or dirt to be loaded or welded or bolted onto opposing elongated walls 115a, 115b. unloaded with little to no interference. Moroever, the prin- Alternatively, the triangular dividers 360 may be held into 65 ciples and benefits of the present invention are also appli- place with a triangular divider support 340 that functions cable to other open bed or cargo bay vehicles, for example, similar to the divider support 240 described previously. cargo trucks, pickup trucks, grain rail cars, container ships,
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or the like, hence, providing transport systems utilizing the configured to traverse between two opposite facing present invention with energy savings and efficiency. walls and the bottom comer of each divider configured In each embodiment, the cargo bay (or container) 110 is to be attached to a floor of the cargo bay, each divider configured to appropriately couple a vehicle that is pro- containing a plurality of perforations distributed at least pelled. For example, a railcar hitch or a trailer hitch for 5 a surface ofthe divider adiacent to the bottom coupling to, respectively, a locomotion engine (or other rail corner, car) or a truck (or pickup). In another example, the cargo bay wherein two opposite facing walls of the four walls are may be coupled by integrating with a vehicle configured for longer than other walls of the four walls and the top of propulsion such as a cargo bed of a pickup truck or a each divider is fixedly attached to each longer wall of container shin.
the cargo bay.
Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will 2. The cargo bay of claim 1, wherein the plurality of appreciate still additional alternative structural and func- tional designs for a system and a process for reducing perforations is distributed across substantially all of the aerodynamic flow across vehicles with an open bed, cargo divider.
bay or other open cavity through the disclosed principles of 15 3, The cargo vehicle of claim 1, wherein the divider is the present invention. Thus, while particular embodiments the Same height as the two opposite facing and applications of the present invention have been illus- sides of the cavity, trated and described, it is to be understood that the invention 1, wherein the divider is 4. The cargo bay Of is not limited to the precise construction and components Opposite facing disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes and 20 substantially the Same height as at least Of the four variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the 5. The cargo bay of claim 1, wherein the cargo bay method and apparatus of the present invention disclosed comprises a railcar.
herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the 6, The cargo bay of claim 1, wherein the cargo bay invention as defined in the appended claims.
25 comprises a container ship.
What is claimed is: 7. The cargo bay of claim 1, wherein the cargo bay 1. A cargo bay configured to reduce aerodynamic drag, the comprises a truck trailer.
cargo bay comprising: 8. The cargo bay of claim 1, wherein the Cargo bay a cavity formed by four walls and a floor, each wall 3o comprises a pickup truck.
having a top edge and a bottom edge; and a plurality of triangular plate dividers, each having a top
* * * * *
edge and a bottom comer, the top edge of each divider