1990-09-01

An Application of Wing Aerodynamic Principles to the Reduction of Road Vehicle Air Drag Loads 901866

A wind tunnel program examined front end modifications for Cab-Over-Engine tractors. A Design based on a wing airfoil was used to produce a wind weighted drag reduction of ten percent.
The truck was considered to be a small aspect ratio “Wing” with a plane of symmetry on the road surface. The shape was able to achieve smooth flow at the vehicle side when the incoming flow was yawed from the truck's longitudinal axis. Drag measurements were made and tufts on the body and smoke off the body were observed.
The wind tunnel results were supported by data obtained from a road test. Comments by operators currently driving equipped trucks tend to support the work and point to handling qualities advantages related to the design.

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