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Old 03-20-2009, 02:33 PM   #11 (permalink)
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There is almost no drag from the use of ram air to inflate something like this. After inflation, the only air flow needed at the inlet is to make up for leaks, so only a small opening is needed. It builds up a small zone of stagnant, high-pressure air, a miniature of the one in front of the car.

The problem of deploying and recovering such a shape is much easier with a small blower available. A non-rounded shape can be achieved by hard inflation of some struts or panels, and the fabric gathered back to storage by suction.

Another useful technique might borrow from party noisemakers, which unroll a light spring by inflating a paper tube, and are rolled up by the spring when not inflated. If more rigid structure is wanted, to carry the license plate or lights, we can also use the trick of common steel measuring tapes, which extend rigidly from a coil. Two tapes in a pocket could be very effective. Of course, it might be easier to make lightweight LED lights and license mountings.

Airliners typically deploy wing flaps using a system of rails to move them from storage. We might copy some or all of those tricks, too.

On the legal front, perhaps you could get endorsements from some officers or magistrates to justify a very low bribe?

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