Issued since 2016
US 11,814,112 - INNER WHEEL SKIRT REDUCING VEHICLE DRAG
An inner wheel skirt panel centrally located under the body of a vehicle reduces overall vehicle drag by inhibiting air from otherwise being displaced laterally inward by the passing wheels of the moving vehicle. Maintaining air to remain generally static while passing under the vehicle through the central open-space between the wheels increases the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce overall drag developed between the front and rear of the vehicle.
CA 3,081,976 - LATERALLY INSET TRAILER SKIRT REDUCING VEHICLE DRAG
An inwardly disposed trailer skirt panel assembly disposed laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The trailer skirt panel assembly is suspended underneath a rearward body component of a truck or semitrailer, extending forwards in front of a rearward wheel assembly. The trailer skirt panel assembly stabilizes otherwise laterally displaced air passing under the central portion of the moving vehicle, further increasing the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce drag thereon.
US 11,618,512 - LATERALLY INSET TRAILER SKIRT REDUCING VEHICLE DRAG (April-04-2023)
An inwardly disposed vehicle skirt panel assembly disposed laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The vehicle skirt panel assembly is suspended underneath a rearward body component of a truck or semitrailer, extending forwards in front of a rearward wheel assembly. The vehicle skirt panel assembly stabilizes otherwise laterally displaced air passing under the central portion of the moving vehicle, further increasing the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle. Maintaining air generally static while passing under the vehicle increases the effective pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce drag thereon.
Technology tested in ARC wind tunnel, as well as several times on road with MVT Solutions in Pecos, Texas on test track. Offers potential low cost application to Class 5-8 trucks with open wheels. (Can also be used in combination with Inner Wheel Skirt Panels - US 10,946,902 - for additional drag reduction in crosswinds.)
US 11,400,988 - UPPER WHEEL DEFLECTOR PANEL (Aug-2-2022)
A laterally extending aerodynamic deflector panel disposed upstream in front of an otherwise exposed uppermost portion of a vehicle wheel assembly, and arranged to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging upon drag-magnified uppermost wheel surfaces to thereby minimize overall vehicle drag. Technology tested in ARC wind tunnel, as well as several times on road with MVT Solutions in Pecos, Texas on test track. Offers potential low cost application to Class 5-8 trucks with open wheels. (Can also be used in combination with Inner Wheel Skirt Panels - US 10,946,902 - for additional drag reduction in crosswinds.)
US 11,345,187 - MINIMIZING DRAG-INDUCED FORCES ON A WHEELED VEHICLE
A method and apparatus for shielding critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces combined with drag forces on the apparatus itself. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1 – 6. Each fairing shields a critical primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon. (All AERODEFENDER™ Wheel Fairing products to be covered by this patent.)
‘Wheel Fairing Reducing Vehicle Drag’ teaches that minimally shielding only the faster-moving upper wheel can maximize vehicle aerodynamic efficiency, especially when facing punishing headwinds. “Previous aerodynamic fenders were simply too large, inducing too much drag by extending too far downward, thereby negating the dramatic performance gains achievable from efficiently shielding only the most critical drag-inducing uppermost wheel,” said Inventor Garth Magee, founder of NULL WINDS Technology.
“A small upper wheel fairing eliminates the highly magnified drag on the faster-moving upper wheel, enabling the use of wider, more stable tires without significant loss in propulsive efficiency or crosswind stability. The aero gains are so significant that most road bike cyclists experience a remarkable 10-20 percent increase in speed when facing even moderately strong headwinds.”
The invention teaches that exposed upper wheels needlessly increase vehicle drag, since winds on the uppermost wheel often exceed twice the vehicle speed. (Faster winds induce far more drag, especially under headwind conditions.) Thus, all open wheel vehicles are needlessly inefficient—especially vehicles having wider tires—being inherently handicapped against headwinds by the exposed upper wheel.
AERODEFENDER™ has been extensively tested with proven performance. The invention also teaches that faster vehicles gain the most, thereby having application for automotive vehicles and racecars. And shielding the upper wheel also increases lateral steering traction by reducing the drag-induced ground slip force, thereby noticeably enhancing stability at speed.
Evaluated and currently endorsed by Hawaii Ironman winner, Olympian and road cycling legend John Howard (www.johnhowardsports.com), the invention provides a new standard for minimizing drag on bicycles, as well as for other open-wheel vehicles, from motorcycles to racecars. While noticeably reducing the pedaling effort required against headwinds, the invention can also extend battery range on electric bicycles in windy conditions, or when simply cycling generally above 15 mph under static conditions.
US 11,220,131 - DRAG-REDUCING SHAFT TAILFIN FOR VEHICLES
A streamlined tailfin pivotably attached to a shaft-shaped member disposed on a vehicle provides for reduced drag in winds varying in direction impinging thereon. A tailfin disposed on a bicycle spoke reduces drag by a factor of 3 to 5, making a bicycle wheel nearly transparent to crosswinds and thereby increasing stability and safety. A tailfin disposed on a sailboat fixed line can also reduce drag substantially. Other applications become apparent for optimally reducing drag on a shaft-shaped member disposed on any vehicle, such as on aircraft or automobiles.
CA 2,932,830 - MINIMIZING DRAG-INDUCED FORCES ON A WHEELED VEHICLE
An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction means includes: a streamlined wheel cover positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; a streamlined wind-deflecting fairing positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe diposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; and a streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a wheel spoke, which thereby may pivot about the spoke in response to varying crosswinds.
US 10,960,940 - LATERALLY INSET TRAILER SKIRT AND INNER WHEEL SKIRT PANEL, EACH REDUCING VEHICLE DRAG
A system having an inwardly disposed trailer skirt combined with an inner wheel skirt panel, with each being located laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The system inhibits lateral displacement of air under the vehicle to increase the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle, thereby reducing overall vehicle drag.
US 10,946,902 - INNER WHEEL SKIRT REDUCING VEHICLE DRAG
A wind-diverting panel centrally located under the body of a vehicle inhibits air from otherwise being displaced laterally inward by the passing wheels (front or rear) of the moving vehicle. Maintaining air to remain generally static while passing under the vehicle through the central open-space between the wheels increases the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce overall drag between the front and rear of the vehicle.
US 10,850,779 - LATERALLY INSET TRAILER SKIRT REDUCING VEHICLE DRAG
An inwardly disposed trailer skirt disposed laterally inset toward the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle is partially shielded from direct exposure to headwinds. The trailer skirt is suspended underneath a rearward body component of a truck or semitrailer, extending forwards in front of a rearward wheel assembly, while shielding only the uppermost drag-inducing portion of the wheel assembly. The trailer skirt stabilizes the generally static air passing under the central portion of the moving vehicle, further increasing the effective air pressure being developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce drag thereon.
Used in combination with patented inner wheel skirt panel (US 10,556,629), the system provides maximum stabilization of the central air column passing under the vehicle, yielding optimally reduced overall vehicle drag.
US 10,556,629 - INNER WHEEL SKIRT REDUCING VEHICLE DRAG
An inner wheel skirt panel centrally located under the body of a vehicle reduces overall vehicle drag by inhibiting air from otherwise being displaced laterally inward by the passing wheels of the moving vehicle. Maintaining air to remain generally static while passing under the vehicle through the central open-space between the wheels increases the effective air pressure developed immediately behind the vehicle to reduce overall drag developed between the front and rear of the vehicle.
Proven performance, road tested by MVT Solutions demonstrated improved fuel economy on semitrailers in Pecos, Texas, 2018. This revolutionary invention offers improved fuel economy on class 5-8 trucks and semitrailers, which will likely extend to even light trucks and SUV's. Inventor seeks partner in developing this proven cost-effective drag-reducing technology.
US 10,399,612 - WHEEL SKIRT SHIELDING UPPER TIRE SIDEWALL
An upper wheel skirt assembly for increasing the propulsive efficiency of a semitruck tractor having rearward wheels otherwise exposed to headwinds comprising a wheel skirt panel assembly mounted laterally adjacent to a wheel assembly and disposed to shield upper sidewalls of the wheel assembly from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon. (Issues September 3, 2019)
Proven performance, road tested by MVT Solutions demonstrated improved fuel economy in Pecos, Texas, late 2017. Inventor seeks partner in developing this proven cost-effective drag-reducing technology.
US 9,567,016 - WHEEL FAIRING DEFLECTING WIND ONTO LOWER WHEEL
A more aerodynamically efficient replacement for truck trailer skirts, shields only the critical upper wheel surfaces from headwinds using a minimally sized deflector panel.
An upper wheel fairing assembly for increasing the propulsive efficiency of a wheeled vehicle having wheels otherwise exposed to headwinds, comprising a deflector panel or skirt panel assembly mounted upstream in front of a rearward wheel set, ideally extending downward to not lower than the level of the axle, and arranged to deflect headwinds from impinging upon the high drag-inducing mechanically advantaged upper wheel surfaces downward onto the low drag-inducing mechanically disadvantaged lower wheel surfaces.
Proven performance, road tested by MVT Solutions demonstrated improved fuel economy in Pecos, Texas, late 2017. Inventor seeks partner in developing this proven cost-effective drag-reducing technology.
US 10,538,280 - WHEEL FAIRING REDUCING VEHICLE DRAG
‘Wheel Fairing Reducing Vehicle Drag’ teaches that minimally shielding only the faster-moving upper wheel can maximize vehicle aerodynamic efficiency, especially when facing punishing headwinds. “Previous aerodynamic fenders were simply too large, inducing too much drag by extending too far downward, thereby negating the dramatic performance gains achievable from efficiently shielding only the most critical drag-inducing uppermost wheel,” said Inventor Garth Magee, founder of NULL WINDS Technology.
“A small upper wheel fairing eliminates the highly magnified drag on the faster-moving upper wheel, enabling the use of wider, more stable tires without significant loss in propulsive efficiency or crosswind stability. The aero gains are so significant that most road bike cyclists experience a remarkable 10-20 percent increase in speed when facing even moderately strong headwinds.”
The invention teaches that exposed upper wheels needlessly increase vehicle drag, since winds on the uppermost wheel often exceed twice the vehicle speed. (Faster winds induce far more drag, especially under headwind conditions.) Thus, all open wheel vehicles are needlessly inefficient—especially vehicles having wider tires—being inherently handicapped against headwinds by the exposed upper wheel.
AERODEFENDER™ has been extensively tested with proven performance. The invention also teaches that faster vehicles gain the most, thereby having application for automotive vehicles and racecars. And shielding the upper wheel also increases lateral steering traction by reducing the drag-induced ground slip force, thereby noticeably enhancing stability at speed.
Evaluated and currently endorsed by Hawaii Ironman winner, Olympian and road cycling legend John Howard (www.johnhowardsports.com), the invention provides a new standard for minimizing drag on bicycles, as well as for other open-wheel vehicles, from motorcycles to racecars. While noticeably reducing the pedaling effort required against headwinds, the invention can also extend battery range on electric bicycles in windy conditions, or when simply cycling generally above 15 mph under static conditions.
US 9,878,745 - UPPER WHEEL FAIRING REDUCING CRITICAL VEHICLE DRAG
A method and apparatus for shielding critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces combined with drag forces on the apparatus itself. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1 – 6. Each fairing shields a critical primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon. (All AERODEFENDER™ Wheel Fairing products to be covered by this patent.)
US 10,502,656 - SERVO APPARATUS SUPPORTING SELF-PROPELLED VEHICLE
A servo-controlled vehicle-supporting apparatus maintaining an unrestrained and freely self-propelled vehicle longitudinally stationary thereon. When employed inside a wind tunnel, the power transferred through groundward contact with the vehicle wheels can be directly measured, thereby indicating the propulsive power required to overcome total drag forces on a vehicle as if driving on a roadway.
This patent is currently for license or sale, together with corresponding patents: US 9,766,153 & EU 3152541.
US 9,766,153 - MEASURING VEHICLE DRAG IN A WIND TUNNEL
A method and apparatus for measuring the propulsive power required to overcome drag forces on a vehicle mounted within a wind tunnel. The apparatus includes a running belt platform driven by a dynamometer and supporting the vehicle, to be vehicle placed inside a wind tunnel and controlled by a closed-loop servo control system, which maintains the vehicle centered on the running belt under varying operating speeds and headwind conditions. The power dissipated in drag is measured as the power transferred through groundward contact with the wheels of the vehicle.
This patent is currently for license or sale, together with corresponding patents: US 10,502,656 & EP 3152541.
US 9,290,041 - STREAMLINED TAILFIN FOR BICYCLE WHEEL SPOKE
A streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a bicycle wheel spoke reduces drag by swiveling as a wind vane in both headwinds and crosswinds. (All SPOKE FIN™ spoke tailfin and AEROCROSS™ wheel products are covered by this patent.)
US 10,773,543 - STREAMLINED TAPERED BICYCLE WHEEL SPOKE
A longitudinally tapered wheel spoke having a thin aerodynamic cross-sectional profile proximate to the wheel rim and tapering to a round profile toward the central hub, with the tapered section optimized to minimize drag against a combined headwind and crosswind impinging upon the primary vehicle-drag-inducing uppermost region of the wheel assembly.
US 9,796,430 - MINIMIZING DRAG-INDUCED FORCES ON A WHEELED VEHICLE
A vehicle exhaust pipe disposed for gases ejected therefrom to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging directly upon critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces upon the primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surfaces.
AU 2103364096 - MINIMIZING DRAG-INDUCED FORCES ON A WHEELED VEHICLE
An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction means includes: a streamlined wheel cover (1) positioned on a vehicle (3) to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; a streamlined wind-deflecting fairing (14) positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe (34) disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; an automotive spoked wheel having streamlined oval-shaped wheel spokes arranged in one or more rows for greater axial strength; a streamlined tailfin (20) rotatably attached to a wheel spoke (21), which thereby may pivot about the spoke in response to varying crosswinds; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.
TW I613105 - Apparatus for reducing propulsory counterforce and apparatus for reducing drag on a vehicle
An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction means includes: a streamlined wheel cover (1) positioned on a vehicle (3) to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; a streamlined wind-deflecting fairing (14) positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe (34) disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; an automotive spoked wheel having streamlined oval-shaped wheel spokes arranged in one or more rows for greater axial strength; a streamlined tailfin (20) rotatably attached to a wheel spoke (21), which thereby may pivot about the spoke in response to varying crosswinds; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.
EP 2934908 - STREAMLINED TAILFIN FOR BICYCLE WHEEL SPOKE
A streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a bicycle wheel spoke reduces drag by swiveling as a wind vane in both headwinds and crosswinds. (All SPOKE FIN™ spoke tailfin and AEROCROSS™ wheel products are covered by this patent.)
EP 3152541 - Method and apparatus for measurement of aerodynamic properties of a wheeled vehicle
A method and apparatus for measuring the propulsive power required to overcome drag forces on a vehicle mounted within a wind tunnel. The apparatus includes a running belt platform driven by a dynamometer and supporting the vehicle, to be vehicle placed inside a wind tunnel and controlled by a closed-loop servo control system, which maintains the vehicle centered on the running belt under varying operating speeds and headwind conditions. The power dissipated in drag is measured as the power transferred through groundward contact with the wheels of the vehicle.
This patent is currently for license or sale, together with corresponding patents: US 9,766,153 & US 10,502,656.
MX 368988 - STREAMLINED TAILFIN FOR BICYCLE WHEEL SPOKE
A streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a bicycle wheel spoke reduces drag by swiveling as a wind vane in both headwinds and crosswinds. (All SPOKE FIN™ spoke tailfin and AEROCROSS™ wheel products are covered by this patent.)
CA 2,932,830 - MINIMIZING DRAG-INDUCED FORCES ON A WHEELED VEHICLE
An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction means includes: a streamlined wheel cover (1) positioned on a vehicle (3) to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; a streamlined wind-deflecting fairing (14) positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe (34) disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; and a streamlined tailfin (20) rotatably attached to a wheel spoke (21), which thereby may pivot about the spoke in response to varying crosswinds.
New Patents Issuing Soon:
Several More Still Pending in US and Canada as of November, 2023.