Deployable fairing for transport vehicle
US11613313B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 2020 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/82
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A deployable fairing for a transport vehicle comprises a flexible, internally pressurizable enclosure supported by a structural frame. The structural frame comprises a plurality of rigid structural members forming at least two subframes that are pivotally coupled to one another and is foldably movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The enclosure moves with the structural frame, unfolds when the structural frame moves into the expanded configuration and folds in upon itself when the structural frame moves into the collapsed configuration. Moving the structural frame into the expanded configuration develops tension on at least part of the outer surface of the enclosure, and movement of the structural frame into the collapsed configuration releases the tension. When the enclosure is internally pressurized while the structural frame is in the expanded configuration, the outer surface of the enclosure is structurally stiff and conforms to a predefined aerodynamic shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.