Aerodynamic study of suv/trailers

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Gschuld

https://eprints.usq.edu.au/24620/1/Briskey_2013.pdf

Another study on the subject

George

The final design indicated a 29.4% drag reduction, compared to the original caravan, resulting in a 29.4% reduction in fuel consumption.
This is the first time I've seen such a 1:1 relationship reported.
Or I've over-simplified the presentation.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Gschuld

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.car...ek-look-35676/

A new camper trailer design from Australia with aerodynamics front and center.

George

It's nice to see an RV without a graveyard on the roof. Full wheel skirts. Frenched awning supports.
I'll go ahead and give them credit for a smooth underside without looking.
I hope their rewarded in the marketplace.
A lightweight enclosure on top of the tow bar would approximate a gap-filler.
Elegant!
Something very similar was at a local truck stop last weekend. A cross between Airstream and Argossy. Completely unadulterated!
And then there was the Happy Camper, festooned with 'Boot Hill' on top. Skylights, opening vents, and a disproportionately-large Coleman AC unit, right at the rear.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Perhaps they aren't checking carefully down at the patent office. Except for the wheel well covers, and flush awning, not too much that is special. Im not a fan of having your propane inside, and the bathroom could be better thought out.

Any patent Airstream had would be long expired by now right? I also doubt Airstream was the first to round the corners of a trailer but maybe they were the first to put it on paper or bought it from whoever did. I still think that basic design is almost 100 years old.

[freebeard]

Still 15 years to go.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airstream

History
Refurbished Airstream trailer, California, March 21, 2013
The company was created by Wally Byam who began building trailers out of Masonite in his backyard in Los Angeles during the late 1920s.[2] Byam published a magazine selling "how-to" kits to customers wishing to build their own trailers. In 1936, Byam introduced the "Airstream Clipper", which was essentially a rebadged 1935 Bowlus Road Chief, with the door relocated from the front to the side. The design cut down on wind resistance and thus improved fuel efficiency. It was the first of the now familiar sausage-shaped, silver aluminum Airstream trailers.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowlus_(company)

The first Bowlus was designed and built by Hawley Bowlus in 1934.[6] Bowlus was a designer, aerospace engineer and the builder of the Spirit of St. Louis aircraft.[7] From 1934 to 1936, over eighty Bowlus were built at Bowlus’ family ranch in San Fernando, California.

I oncet saw a Bowlus in a trailer park in Corvallis. I think I've got a picture somewhere.



Wally Byam's first trailers looked more like a Basecamp.

[Piotrsko]

There's a patent process where you incrementally improve/change the original patent and get another 15(?) Years. Drug patents are done this way. However, afaik, anybody could file the improvement which could get interesting.

[aerohead]

I think the utility patents protect for 17-years. Design patents, 12-years.

[jeff88]

Originally Posted by Gschuld

https://eprints.usq.edu.au/24620/1/Briskey_2013.pdf

What is an "underhood air clearer(s)" as referenced on page 13?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by jeff88

What is an "underhood air clearer(s)" as referenced on page 13?

I just read page-13.
I believe that it should have read ' air cleaners.'
The context would be: exterior-mounted engine air cleaner cannisters, exposed on the sides of, and to the airstream of conventional tractors.
By relocating the air cleaner to under the hood, it would remove the excrescence and it's interference drag.
I noticed some additional typographical errors.

[jeff88]

Originally Posted by aerohead

exterior-mounted engine air cleaner cannisters

Are we talking about these things?

http://www.lifeasatrucker.com/images...r-21798624.jpg

[aerohead]

Exactly!