ARTICULATING BASE FLAPS FOR AERODYNAMIC BASE DRAG REDUCTION AND STABILITY OF A BLUFF BODY VEHICLE

摘要

An aerodynamic base drag reduction and stability control apparatus and method uses a plurality of articulable base flaps each hingedly connected near one of a left side edge, a right side edge, a top side edge, and a bottom side edge of a rear end base of a vehicle so that each of the base flaps have a corresponding range of motion between a first position subject to direct impingement by a free stream adjacent the vehicle in motion and a second position not subject to direct impingement by the free stream. And a controller independently actuates the base flaps to corresponding desired positions relative to the free stream and within the corresponding ranges of motion to produce a desired combined aerodynamic drag reducing and/or stabilizing effect on the vehicle in motion.