Anybody see these on the road yet? (Transport trailer add-on taper)

[Sven7]

The full roof opening up could be interesting but I doubt they'd do it based on the fact that rain could get in. Yes, there are ways around this including a rubber bellows that opens in the space between the roof and trailer wall. But I don't think they would put something like that into production... would they?

Anyway hopefully they have designers like me to overcome these obstacles

[larrybuck]

The easiest way I see to quickly at a loading dock to get Bubble-butt, or almost any rear extension would to have it be able to be quicklyraised like a car's hatchback, and then slide forward, and lock into position atop the trailer roof.

Most current docks would have better height clearance then fiddling w something that hinges to the sides, and takes up room.
It would just be a 20second thing added to the normal openings of the dual doors anyway!

My first thought when I saw these futuristic trucks w the ultra high driving perch was: I wonder how many joints there are in the steering!!!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by larrybuck

My first thought when I saw these futuristic trucks w the ultra high driving perch was: I wonder how many joints there are in the steering!!!

I don't know about +20 years ago, but I would guess that a GM style of electric steering could be employed now.

[wyatt]

Originally Posted by Shepherd777

Hi Wyatt -

Thanks for the kind words regarding following through.

Actually, what you are calling the "Bubble Butt" was the most aerodynamically clean boat-tail that our SolidWorks FloWorks CFD program has ever produced on a 53' dry van freight trailer.

I do have press releases, build pics, and a web site on the 1983 truck and the current SuperTruck being built. The SuperTruck is not finished yet, but we hope it will be ready for testing next month. So I'll probably start a seperate thread on the project in this aero forum of EcoModder, even though we use, like most folks here, more than just aero to get optimum fuel mileage. I just wanted to wait a little before revealing more details. If I get too involved and spend too much time in posting and replying to questions, I'll never get the damn truck finished.

By "aerodynamically clean" do you mean "lowest drag"? If so, I would be really surprised. I wonder how good of a job the CFD does. I haven't worked with it in a few years, but the one I used back then was very good in the "stress/strain" realm, and very bad in the "fluid flow" realm (it could be tricked into almost anything). I suppose things have come a long way since then, but I know NASA still backs up all CFD work with wind tunnel testing to ground their models, and if you have the means, a small scale wind tunnel test might not be a bad idea (if you haven't already).
Be sure to post a link to the new thread when you start one, I would be interested in following.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by kach22i

Anyone else see a little XB-70 in the design above?

I see a lot of wasted length & space in the Colani designs..

On this side of the pond, with its crowded cities and villages and more stringent limitations - legal and practical - on truck length, just about all tractors are cab-over-engine.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by euromodder

On this side of the pond.......... just about all tractors are cab-over-engine.

I've noticed that, and that they race them, and are quite creative in getting some aero out of the designs using air-curtains and the like.

Adding to what other have pointed out, that it's the rear not the front which counts the most, and that we might be stuck with a box of certain length and floor height for quite some time. I have to say that attention/discussion is warranted for those edge of box add-on's such as vortex generators and removable tail cones.

[key_key]

da i az sam na sashtoto mnenie. radvam se che tuk moga da se zapoznaq detailno s dosta intersni neshta

[kach22i]

I trust that most everyone will see this post as "on topic".

Efficient Utilitarian Truck Looks Good.............November 29, 2011
Efficient Utilitarian Truck Looks Good | New Energy and Fuel

Mercedes has pushed for a working group of truck and trailer manufacturers under the umbrella of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, which has carried out further tests on the aerodynamics of semi-trailer tractors. Within the framework of the study, measurements in the wind tunnel at Mercedes-Benz concluded that modifications to the cab such as a supposedly aerodynamic extension result in merely minimal improvements where wind resistance is concerned.

They also learned there is much more potential in aerodynamic measures at the tail end of the trailer; a minor extension of the tail end in the form of a “boat tail” brings significant benefits. Four flaps measuring just 400 mm in length and positioned at an angle reduce the wind resistance of the entire semi-trailer tractor by nearly 10%. In arithmetical terms this corresponds to virtually 3% less fuel consumption or more than 1,000 liters of diesel a year. This is also shown by the simulations, which have been carried out for the aero trailer.

[kach22i]

Did anyone else notice that the side skirts vent a little to the tail?
.................................................. .................................

Virgin's teardrop lorries?

Click link to view video:
Virgin Media Sustainability - The Little Red Box

Here, this is better (the real thing - not a cartoon):
Aerodynamic Teardrop Trailer


Don-Bur Launch The Teardrop MK2


Jumpy little site ain't it?
Trailer Aerodynamics

Fuel consumption is primarily attributable to 3 things: (1) resistance to inertia, (2) rolling resistance and (3) aerodynamics.

DON-BUR'S "EcoStream" Aerodynamic Curtainsided Double Deck Trailer Under Test
EcoStream Under Test




DON-BUR: DeckStreamer

Despite the recognised 10-18% fuel saving attributable to the EcoStream, there is an unavoidable loss of load-space. For those operators who are normally able to max-fill the area over the swan-neck, an EcoStream profile lowers the maximum potential.

[kach22i]

Another "add" to the list of aero-trucks.

Mobile Surgical Services Freightliner
Mobile Surgical Services Freightliner

This radical looking truck is actually a 2001 Freightliner Argosy which has had an eXtreme makeover. Hard to believe when it looks like something from the future! The front of the truck was designed and made in New Zealand.

I've seen those "Air Curtain" type things on some European racing trucks.