Drag Reducing System

Abstract

Systems and methods for reducing drag in vehicles, typically trucks, such as tractor-trailers, have movable moving drag reducing apparatus. This movable drag reducing apparatus is for movement into and out of various positions, in accordance with the location of the vehicle with respect to its distance from an obstacle.

1 . A drag reducing apparatus for a tractor-trailer comprising:
 a cap having a rounded portion, for fitting on the trailer of the tractor-trailer;   a skirt unit, for placement on the tractor of the tractor-trailer, comprising:
 a first skirt; and, 
 a second skirt movable with respect to the first skirt, the second skirt including an internal portion correspondingly configured to the shape of the rounded portion of the cap, the second skirt movable between an extended position into proximity with the cap, for drag reducing, and a refracted position, out of proximity with the cap. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first skirt envelops at least a portion of the second skirt when the second skirt is in the retracted position. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the radius of curvature of the rounded portion of the cap is centered about the fifth wheel of the tractor-trailer. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the rounded portion of the cap is at least partially spherical shaped. 
     
     
         5 . A drag reducing apparatus comprising:
 a body portion comprising:
 a first airflow member including a first curved sheet, and a second sheet, in substantial alignment with the first sheet, the second sheet including curvature corresponding to the curvature of the first sheet, the first sheet and second sheet spaced apart from each other to have a gap for airflow therebetween, the first airflow member including a first end for air ingress and a second end for air egress; a second airflow member including a first curved sheet, and a second sheet, in substantial alignment with the first sheet, the second sheet including curvature corresponding to the curvature of the first sheet, the first sheet and second sheet spaced apart from each other to have a gap for airflow therebetween, the second airflow member including a first end for air ingress and a second end for air egress; the first airflow member and the second airflow member are joined proximate their second ends; and; 
   a head portion, movably attached to the first airflow member, the head portion movable in the first airflow member at least proximate to the first end between a retracted position and an extended position, where at least a portion of the head portion extends out of the first airflow member.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein in the first member, the second sheet extends beyond the first sheet at the first end of the member, such that when the head portion is in the extended position, the head portion extends from the first sheet and covers at least a portion of the distance that the second sheet extends beyond the first sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , additionally comprising: lateral plates extending along the sides of the first and second members for maintaining the first and second airflow members in fixed positions, the plates configured for fitting onto a vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , additionally comprising wing plates, oppositely disposed from each other on each of the lateral plates, the wing plates movable between a first extended position for drag reduction and a second retracted position.