Aerodynamic brake and method of aerodynamically braking a vehicle
US11524764B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2021 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An aerodynamic brake includes a rigid panel having a panel leading edge portion and a panel trailing edge portion. The aerodynamic brake also includes a flexible sheet having a sheet lower edge portion coupled to the vehicle body, and a sheet upper edge portion coupled to the panel leading edge portion. The aerodynamic brake further includes a panel actuator configured to move the rigid panel between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the rigid panel is located proximate the vehicle body and covers the flexible sheet in a folded state. In the deployed position, the panel leading edge portion is moved away from the vehicle body and the flexible sheet is in an open state exposable to an oncoming airflow for generating aerodynamic drag for slowing the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.