POTSDAM - Clarkson University has been assigned a patent (8,079,634) on the development of tractor-trailer attachments that reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency. The attachments, being …
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POTSDAM - Clarkson University has been assigned a patent (8,079,634) on the development of tractor-trailer attachments that reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency.
The attachments, being manufactured by ATDynamics as TrailerTails, were developed by Dr. Ken Visser, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Energy Systems at Clarkson University, along with Kevin Grover, Potsdam, and Luis Eduardo Marin, Plattsburgh.
The California company that manufactures the parts based on Clarkson's design was recently honored by the state's governor.The patent describes the device as a “sealed AFT cavity drag reducer.”
The researchers worked with Lavalle Transportation of Potsdam, which carried early versions of the devices on their trucks.
The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: “A drag reducing device utilizing sealed aft cavities designed to limit interference with existing truck and trailer designs is described. The invention comprises one or more sealed aft cavities affixed to the rear of a traditional commercial straight truck or trailer, or any other blunt (or mostly blunt) aft faced vehicle. A means is provided by which the device is stowed to allow normal operation of the straight truck, trailer or vehicle. Drag is reduced by the streamlining of the rear of the vehicle, postponing and narrowing the flow separation downstream of the trailing edge as well as increasing the pressure on the back of the vehicle with the open to the rear, sealed aft cavity. The concept described focuses on the utilization of (a) sealed aft cavity(ies) to limit the effects of blunt body drag and the means for attachment and stowage for loading and unloading cargo.”
The patent application was filed on Oct. 25, 2006 (11/586,489). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,079,634&OS=8,079,634&RS=8,079,634