Automated drag reduction in moving objects

Abstract

A vehicle including a drag reduction system is described herein. The drag reduction system includes an eddy disrupter element mounted on a vehicle body and movable with respect to the vehicle body, a plurality of sensors mounted to the vehicle body, and a processor programed to operate the eddy disrupter based on signals received from the sensors. The plurality of sensors include a first sensor mounted near the rear end of the vehicle body and a second sensor mounted near the front end of the vehicle body for measuring fluid pressure adjacent to the vehicle body. The processor is programmed to operate the eddy disrupter element to adjust a position of the eddy disrupter element relative to the surface of the vehicle body based on a comparative analysis of a measured fluid pressure received from the first sensor and a measure fluid pressure received from the second sensor.

1 . A vehicle comprising:
 a vehicle body; and   a drag reduction system including:   a control element mounted on a surface of the vehicle body and movable with respect to the vehicle body, the control element including an elongated panel and a motor coupled to the elongated panel, the elongated panel extending between a first end and a second end, the first end pivotably coupled to the vehicle body, the motor configured to move the elongated panel between a first position including the second end positioned adjacent to the surface of the vehicle body and a second position including the second end spaced a distance outwardly from the surface of the vehicle body;   at least one sensor mounted to the vehicle body and configured to sense pressure adjacent to the vehicle body; and   a processor programmed to:   receive signals indicating sensed pressure from the at least one sensor;   compare the sensed pressure received from the at least one sensor with a threshold condition associated with drag resulting from the vehicle body moving through a fluid to determine if the threshold condition is satisfied; and   operate the control element to adjust a position of the elongated panel relative to the surface of the vehicle body upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to operate the control element through a plurality of movements between the first and second positions upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein operating the control element through a plurality of movements comprises repeatedly deflecting the elongated panel. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein, upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied, the elongated panel is repeatedly deflected for a predefined period of time. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein, upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied, the processor is programmed to oscillate the elongated panel according to a preset program stored in memory of the processor. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to repeat the steps of receiving signals, comparing the sensed pressure with the threshold condition, and operating the control element. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is mounted at, or near, a rear end of the vehicle body. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold condition includes at least one of: a predefined fluid pressure value, and a velocity of the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to continually sense pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is programed to operate the motor to pivot the elongated panel through at least 10 degrees of movement in less than a second of time. 
     
     
         11 . A system for reducing drag on a vehicle, comprising:
 a control element mounted on a surface of a vehicle body and movable with respect to the vehicle body, the control element including an elongated panel and a motor coupled to the elongated panel, the elongated panel extending between a first end and a second end, the first end pivotably coupled to the vehicle body, the motor configured to move the elongated panel between a first position including the second end positioned adjacent to the surface of the vehicle body and a second position including the second end spaced a distance outwardly from the surface of the vehicle body;   at least one sensor mounted to the vehicle body and configured to sense pressure adjacent to the vehicle body; and   a processor programmed to:   receive signals indicating sensed pressure from the at least one sensor;   compare the sensed pressure received from the at least one sensor with a threshold condition associated with drag resulting from the vehicle body moving through a fluid to determine if the threshold condition is satisfied; and   operate the control element to adjust a position of the elongated panel relative to the surface of the vehicle body upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is programmed to operate the control element through a plurality of movements between the first and second positions upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein operating the control element through a plurality of movements comprises repeatedly deflecting the elongated panel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein, upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied, the elongated panel is repeatedly deflected for a predefined period of time. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein, upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied, the processor is programmed to oscillate the elongated panel according to a preset program stored in memory of the processor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is programmed to repeat the steps of receiving signals, comparing the sensed pressure with the threshold condition, and operating the control element. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is programmed to continually sense pressure. 
     
     
         18 . A method of operating a system for reducing drag on a vehicle, the system including at least one sensor coupled to the vehicle and configured to sense pressure adjacent to the vehicle, a control element mounted to a surface of the vehicle, and a processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the control element, the control element including an elongated panel and a motor coupled to the elongated panel, the elongated panel extending between a first end and a second end, the first end pivotably coupled to the vehicle body, the motor configured to move the elongated panel between a first position including the second end positioned adjacent to the surface of the vehicle body and a second position including the second end spaced a distance outwardly from the surface of the vehicle body, the method including the processor performing the steps of:
 receiving signals indicating sensed pressure from the at least one sensor;   comparing the sensed pressure received from the at least one sensor with a threshold condition associated with drag resulting from the vehicle body moving through a fluid to determine if the threshold condition is satisfied; and   operating the control element to adjust a position of the elongated panel relative to the surface of the vehicle body upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the processor is programmed to:
 operate the control element through a plurality of movements between the first and second positions upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied;   wherein operating the control element through a plurality of movements comprises repeatedly deflecting the elongated panel; and   wherein, upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied, the elongated panel is repeatedly deflected for a predefined period of time.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein, upon determining the threshold condition is satisfied, the processor is programmed to oscillate the elongated panel according to a preset program stored in memory of the processor, and/or wherein the processor is programmed to repeat the steps of receiving signals, comparing the sensed pressure with the threshold condition, and operating the control element.