Drag Reduction

Experimental and numerical studies have been conducted to examine the effectiveness and feasibility of drag reduction using a wide variety of unventilated planar-sided cavity devices on the aft face of tractor-trailers. Wind tunnel parametric studies, conducted on over 100 different design geometries using a 1:15 scale Peterbilt 379 tractor and 48 foot trailer, investigated cavity length, boat tail angle and inset from the trailer edge. Full scale prototype testing has exhibited savings of about 0.5 mpg, or up to 9%.

ATDynamics (recently sold to Stemco http://www.stemco.com/product/trailertail/) commercialized our technology.

Funding for the project has been generously provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), under the direction of Joseph R. Wagner, Sr. Project Manager.

Ken Visser

Associate Professor

Dept of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Clarkson University

PO Box 5725

CAMP Building 361

T: (315) 268 7687

visser@clarkson.edu

Publications
Kehs, J., Visser, K., Grossmann, J., Horrell, C., and Smith, A., “Experimental and Full Scale Investigation of Base Cavity Drag Reduction Devices for Use on Ground Transport Vehicles” The Aerodynamics of Heavy Vehicles III: Trucks, Buses, and Trains, Lecture Notes in Applied and Computational Mechanics , Vol. 79, Dillmann, Andreas; Orellano, Alexander; (Eds.), 2016, Hardcover, ISBN: 978-3-319-20121-4 Kehs, J., Visser, K., Grossman, J., Niemiec, J. et al., "A Comparison of Full Scale Aft Cavity Drag Reduction Concepts With Equivalent Wind Tunnel Test Results," SAE Int. J. Commer. Veh. 6(2):2013, doi:10.4271/2013-01-2429. Kehs, J.P, Visser, K.D., Grossman, J., Niemiec, J. Smith, A. and Horrell, C.M.., “A Comparison of Full Scale Aft Cavity Drag Reduction Concepts With Equivalent Wind Tunnel Test Results,” SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress and Exhibition, Rosemont, IL, Oct 2013. Grover, K.D, and Visser, K.D., “Class 8 Vehicle Fuel Savings using Sealed Single and Dual Open Aft Cavities” The Aerodynamics of Heavy Vehicles II: Trucks, Buses, and Trains, Lecture Notes in Applied and Computational Mechanics , Vol. 41, McCallen, Rose; Browand, Fred; Ross, James (Eds.), 2008, XII, 567 p. 465 illus. With CD-ROM., Hardcover, ISBN: 978-3-540-85069-4 Grover, K. and Visser, K.D., “Over-the-Road Tests of Sealed Aft Cavities on Tractor Trailers,” SAE 2006 Transactions Journal of Commercial Vehicles, No. 2006-01-3529, pp.170, March 2007. Grover, K. and Visser, K., "Over-the-Road Tests of Sealed Aft Cavities on Tractor Trailers," SAE Technical Paper 2006-01-3529, 2006, doi:10.4271/2006-01-3529. Coon, J.D, and Visser, K.D., “Drag Reduction of a Tractor-Trailer Using Planar Boat Tail Plates,” The Aerodynamics of Heavy Vehicles: Trucks, Buses, and Trains, Lecture Notes in Applied and Computational Mechanics , Vol. 19, McCallen, Rose; Browand, Fred; Ross, James (Eds.), 2004, XII, 567 p. 378 illus. With CD-ROM., Hardcover, ISBN:3-540-22088-7 Maragno, D. and Visser, K.D., “Experimental Optimization of Non-Ventilated Aft Cavities for Tractor Trailer Drag Reduction ,” 2003 SAE International Truck and Bus Meeting and Exhibition. Fort Worth, Texas, November 10-12, 2003.