Tractor Trailer Boat tail

[RH77]

Originally Posted by instarx

I grew up in a trucking family...

I have always thought that a bunch of "truck-trains" would make sense. Trucks with tractors would be driven onto a train, the drivers would retire to the lounge/sleeping car to travel in comfort to a hub near their final destination. The trucks would then be driven off the train and head for the factory docks.

Consequently, I grew up in a Railroad family. I can say that the influential Intermodal depots would instigate a "payload only" initiative. Plus there's safety and emergency concerns. Changing a railroad's operating procedure happens every 25 years or more.

Norfolk Southern had a neat idea with the "Triple Crown" or "Roadrailer" service several years ago (still in operation on a limited basis and with Amtrak). The trailer has the ability to attach railroad trucks between the rear axles or at other attachment points, and be shipped using maritime operations (3 modes):



In the meantime, many point-to-point, LTL, and the vast majority of intermodal services will rely on truckers to do the runs.

RH77

[Concrete]

Small truck versions hard and inflated





credit to aerohead gallery!

[FastTrack]

Originally Posted by trikkonceptz

What's sad is I was researching this to see if I am re-inventing the wheel here and all I found was a company that got money to build what they called a boat tail ... Try not to cry to hard; Ken Visser Research Page

The sad news is they saw a positive change with something so primitive. But in my opinion is so wrong on so many levels.

Well, I think this automated inflatable boat tail design is a whole lot better. There is no requirement for the driver to do anything. It automatically deploys at highway speeds. Then it stows before arriving at the dock. Its called the SmartTail by ATS. ATS Aerodynamic Trailer Systems - SmartTail and WindTamer products to reduce aerodynamic drag

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by FastTrack

Well, I think this automated inflatable boat tail design is a whole lot better. There is no requirement for the driver to do anything. It automatically deploys at highway speeds. Then it stows before arriving at the dock. Its called the SmartTail by ATS. ATS Aerodynamic Trailer Systems - SmartTail and WindTamer products to reduce aerodynamic drag

Maybe it will make a go of it in the market.
With nothing more than a cruise control logic and a potentiometer to adjust set-points,the driver shouldn't have to be bothered by it.I came up with a simple reversing valve which allows the inflation fan to do the evacuation of the
envelope.
If they would allow the lower portion to be 'bagged',they could do away with a lot of dangerous splash and spray along with additional drag reduction.
Steven Chu might dictate terms to D.O.T. and ask for resignations from anyone who doesn't want to play ball.

[freebeard]

This thread went quiet in 2011. then I posted this in 2013:


Then in 2020 (I learn today), at Georgia Tech, they developed the Aerodyme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5IU-hvDyDY

Basically, the same idea, doubled up and split in half, with a mechanical stowing mechanism in lieu of aerohead's inflatable system.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Then in 2020 (I learn today), at Georgia Tech, they developed the Aerodyme:

Basically, the same idea, doubled up and split in half, with a mechanical stowing mechanism in lieu of aerohead's inflatable system.

With the design being open down the middle, I wonder how it might get caught and ripped out by strong sidewinds?

[freebeard]

Push-button stowable for adverse conditions. Not sure how it communicates with different tow vehicles. Wifi/Bluetooth?