Quote:
Originally Posted by Cd
I see a LOT of big rigs that drive without a trailer. It seems to me that a simple spring loaded accordion structure could be placed behind the cab of the vehicle.
The structure would not only act as a Kammback for the rig when operated alone, but would also seal the gap when driven with a trailer. ( It would simply be compressed )
I know we discussed this sort of thing before, but I wanted to start a fresh post.
( This sort of spring loaded structure could also be added to the back of the trailer as a partial boattail , but as those of us that have worked around rigs know, the trailer that is picked up usually doesn't belong to the driver of the rig. Plus, there is the added complexity of having to open the doors which swing to the sides )
I see this Kammback idea as a small step towards making big rigs more fuel efficient, but without any hassle for the driver. )
So ... why would this NOT work ?
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Cd,Hucho has a chapter of his book dedicated to big-rigs with all the numbers 'n stuff.Also,The Dallas Public Library,downtown,has a technical library on one of the floors.They have "Automotive Engineering" periodicals which,from late 1970s,to 1980s,have myriad research paper reports on big-rigs,again with a lot of predictions for mpg.---------------------- You're on a good path,but you may find that many ideas have been fully fleshed-out over the last three decades.----------------- The big challenge is to commercialize the stuff.I think even Kamm said that coming up with ideas was the easy part.It was selling the idea which posed the greatest challenge.----------- You may have to do like bondo(Brett Herndon) and just go for it.