Pickup truck aerodynamics

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by aerohead

Here's a link to a Tesla pickup concept
Endless-sphere.com • View topic - Tesla Will Make A Pickup Truck

That rendering isn't from Tesla. It's a Photoshopped 1ton chevy.

[bondo]

Hello aerohead. I have been running a tonneau cover and this rear cab spoiler device for a few months now. I am getting an interesting fuel efficiency bump at freeway speeds.

What may be going on to lower aerodynamic drag?

Thanks,

Bondo

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by bondo

Hello aerohead. I have been running a tonneau cover and this rear cab spoiler device for a few months now. I am getting an interesting fuel efficiency bump at freeway speeds.

What may be going on to lower aerodynamic drag?

Thanks,

Bondo

Brett,you're 'sculpting' more air!
The extension is just like a box-cavity,capturing locked-vortices off the roof and both sail panels of the cab.
The outer flow is skipping over the vortices,decelerating,and building pressure,such that when it does separate behind the cavity,the vorticity and turbulence over the tonneau is at a higher static pressure; and also,all the flow is cambered down and in which also improves kinetic energy transfer into the 'wake' above the tonneau cover.
John Gilkison made one for the T-100 back in the 90's,and with a half-tonneau we were seeing 9% mpg,just like Texas Tech with their wing/half-tonneau combo.
Another patent?
She's sweet,just like all your top tier creations! Great going!

[bondo]

Originally Posted by aerohead

Brett,you're 'sculpting' more air!
The extension is just like a box-cavity,capturing locked-vortices off the roof and both sail panels of the cab.
The outer flow is skipping over the vortices,decelerating,and building pressure,such that when it does separate behind the cavity,the vorticity and turbulence over the tonneau is at a higher static pressure; and also,all the flow is cambered down and in which also improves kinetic energy transfer into the 'wake' above the tonneau cover.
John Gilkison made one for the T-100 back in the 90's,and with a half-tonneau we were seeing 9% mpg,just like Texas Tech with their wing/half-tonneau combo.
Another patent?
She's sweet,just like all your top tier creations! Great going!

You're explanation of what may be going on with the wing is why you are such an asset to ecomodder. I, like so many others here, gain from your insight. It is so fitting that a lot of members here have answered the call to make donations to help you out with the cost of your upcoming wind tunnel test in September. I plan to give a little more as the date nears and my hats off to all the other members who have ponied up so far.

I have filed a patent on this device and am excited about the prospect. As with the percentage of 9% you mention, I am seeing around a 10% increase in fuel efficiency with the rear cab spoiler/ tonneau cover combination. Of course the tonneau cover is responsible for a large percentage of the fuel efficiency increase. Since the spoiler will be extremely cost effective to produce, maybe I will actually benefit monetarily from this device and use the profits to get the Aerolid and aero-extender to market also.

Maybe Venture Capitalists will see the merit in such products rather than just smart phone apps!

Thanks again,

Bondo

[aerohead]

Bondo,that's great!
I have no idea what it takes to capture the attention of pickup owners as far as new products go.
Steve Howard is still smarting from the fact that he won't be getting one of your Aerolids for his 1st-gen Tundra.He was so excited to see your F-150 on I-35E!
Appreciate your words,and considering that you took the full hit to have your work wind tunnel tested,you're a bit of an inspiration to us.
The wind tunnel experience in Utah will be educational to say the least,and we should have some verification on some of the streamlining relationship claims which have been published for so long now.
I really appreciate everyone's help on this one.I broke down 1,550 miles from home on one of the test trips and it will be good to have a few extra sheckels on hand for the parts store if necessary.
Best to you on the new creation and it's underwriting of the other projects.It's based on mature science and should benefit all customers.

[TheTestPilot]

any benefit in attatching this device to the tailgate?

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by bondo

Hello aerohead. I have been running a tonneau cover and this rear cab spoiler device for a few months now. I am getting an interesting fuel efficiency bump at freeway speeds.

What may be going on to lower aerodynamic drag?

Thanks,

Bondo

I get excited by your work! Keep it up!

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by TheTestPilot

any benefit in attatching this device to the tailgate?

Something similar perhaps:

[bondo]

Originally Posted by TheTestPilot

any benefit in attatching this device to the tailgate?

Attaching a box cavity to the tailgate of a pickup was discussed in this thread last year.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...uck-26367.html

Did fabricate a boat tail assembly that fits upon the open tailgate and then folds away into the truck bed when not needed. Figured it was best not to have it open box so you can have extra covered cargo hauling capacity.

Bondo

[freebeard]

Nice. Did it fold away or roll away?

Thanks for adding the link. I skimmed the first and last of it and found this in the last post. I'd missed it before.

Patent US6959958 - Aerodynamic combination for improved base drag reduction - Google Patents

It would appear that a box or detached plate perimeter should fall on the Template line. Other experimenters tested a detached plate with the middle 50% removed.



I interpret the single data point as a mod to their best performing candidate.