ITUD20120034A1 - "APPARATUS FOR THE RECOVERY OF AERODYNAMIC ENERGY IN THE MEANS OF LOCOMOTION EQUIPPED WITH WHEELS, APPLIED IN PARTICULAR TO THE WHEEL RIMS" - Google Patents

Description

Description "EQUIPMENT FOR THE RECOVERY OF AERODYNAMIC ENERGY IN THE VEHICLES OF LOCOMOTION EQUIPPED WITH WHEELS, APPLIED IN PARTICULAR TO THE WHEEL RIMS"

Application sector

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels, applied in the internal circular part of the wheel rims.

It foresees to equip the internal circular surface of the wheel rims with small blades protruding towards the center of rotation of the rim, shaped in a curved shape in order to make the most of the air thrust on them by means of the special distributor, fixed to the car. , which channels the air itself coming from a frontal intake of the vehicle and external to the rim itself. The wheel rim thus perfected behaves like a turbine or impeller, while the distributor and the relative connection for conveying the air are fixed to the structure of the vehicle.

The energy input obtained from the thrust of the air on the vanes of the wheel rim increases as the speed of the vehicle increases.

It is clear that at low speed the air that is conveyed into the distributor and therefore onto the vanes is irrelevant, while at high speed the dynamic flow of air passed through the connection to the distributor has a consistent energy input which ultimately determines a lower power request from the propulsion engine at the same speed, i.e. it allows a higher speed for the same power used.

The state of the art

In the current state of the art, in the construction of motor vehicles or locomotion vehicles in general, or even in the sports car sector, no such apparatus is known for the recovery of the kinetic energy deriving from air that a vehicle encounters in its applied high-speed movement. to the wheel rims.

However, various patents are known (for example JP2009292322, PCT / JP2009 / 070876, W02004088160) which are essentially based on the various three-dimensional geometric shapes of the spokes of the rims to convey the air on the disc brakes. These expedients realize particular shapes of the spokes of the wheel rim thus forming blades in a radial direction or radial fans that take the lateral air and send it towards the disc brake unit and the relative actuation calipers: but this has nothing to what to do with the principle of the present invention.

Furthermore, in the automotive sector, especially sports, air intakes are already used which are used both for the aerodynamics of the bodywork and for other uses, such as for example for cooling the brakes and the various parts of the engine.

Furthermore, particular rim covers are known for the inner part of the rim itself; they have a smooth tubular shape and shaped at the points of connection with the spokes of the rim itself, and are fixed to the rims with connection systems such as screws, for example, as described in US20011018335. This patent provides a particular containment edge for the tire: and therefore has nothing to do with the present invention.

Therefore, wheel rims for motor vehicles in general are not known, provided - on the internal tubular surface - with a plurality of small blades projecting towards the center of rotation of the rim itself.

Purpose of the invention

It is therefore proposed to create an apparatus for the recovery of the aerodynamic energy of a means of locomotion on wheels, produced by its high forward speed, based on the following characteristics:

- converting the aerodynamic force of the air that the car encounters in its movement to reduce the power used by the car itself to maintain speed. This determines a saving of the propulsion energy required by the engine to maintain the speed reached. It is obvious that the aerodynamic force at low speeds is scarce and its contribution is insignificant, while it is evident at medium and high speeds, for example from 90 km / hour and increases exponentially with increasing car speed. ;

- a conveyor is provided with a grip, for example a funnel, arranged in front of the car or other location, for each wheel thus equipped. Said conveyor directs the air towards a distributor, fixed on the car, and positioned touching the inner surface of the circular wheel rim, equipped with small blades projecting radially towards the center of rotation;

- a particular wheel rim is provided, provided on the internal circular surface with a plurality of small fixed vanes shaped as in a turbine, protruding slightly and in a radial direction towards the center of rotation of the wheel.

Therefore, the aerodynamic thrust caused by the speed of the air, through the distributor that directs it directly onto the shaped vanes of the rims, determines a thrust force on the wheel rim: this has never been applied to either normal or sports cars. The invention makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the power used at the high speeds of the vehicle, and therefore to save energy at the same speed reached, consequently reducing energy consumption as well as allowing the vehicle a higher speed with the same energy consumption of the engine.

Essence of the invention

The objectives of the invention are achieved according to the characteristics of the main claim and / or of any other claim reported in this patent text, allowing the realization of an apparatus for the recovery of the aerodynamic energy of the means of locomotion equipped with motorbikes, applied to the wheel rims. particularly built for this purpose.

The apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy is based on technical knowledge already known in the energy production sector, such as rotary, hydraulic, gas or fluid turbines. In this particular case the application turns out to be a novelty since it is applied directly on the rims of the wheels of the cars or on any other means of locomotion equipped with wheels.

As already mentioned, the main part of the invention is the wheel rim which must be of a new conception, while the conveyor and the distributor of the aerodynamic flow are of already known techniques. The conveyor is nothing more than a socket, placed in front of the car or in front of the wheel to be served, facing the forward direction of the vehicle to convey the air and / or wind it encounters, has a roughly funnel shape, and is connected by means of a tube to the distributor fixed to the car which directs the air directly onto the protruding radial vanes of the internal circular surface of the wheel rim.

It has been noticed, while traveling on cars or other means of locomotion, that at a high pace you encounter a wind or a flow of air of considerable speed which is not exploited.

It was decided to use this air flow, equipped with its own speed, to act directly on the wheels of vehicles by exploiting its kinetic energy and distributing it on the circumferential vanes obtained on the inner part of the wheel rims. In this way that small part of energy is exploited, among other things already spent to make the car proceed at that speed, for example to reduce the energy distributed by the engine necessary to maintain the same speed of the vehicle. This use of the air flow therefore allows a saving in fuel consumption for the same speed reached, and also an increase in the speed of the vehicle for the same power coming from the engine.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for recovering the kinetic energy of the air and wind drawn, as the car advances, through a funnel-shaped socket arranged against the direction of advancement of the vehicle, connected by a short tube that ends at the fixed distributor on the car itself, directed on the vanes shaped for the purpose protruding or partially protruding to a limited extent on the internal circular surface of the wheel rim. Said vanes are shaped in such a way as to exploit the thrust of the wind in the same direction of rotation of the wheel to move the car forward. They can be conceived of any geometric shape in order to use the air flow directed on them with the greatest efficiency.

In a first embodiment of the patent, said shaped vanes are formed directly on the mass of the wheel rim, and protrude radially with respect to the center of rotation of the wheel rim.

In a second embodiment of the invention, said shaped vanes suitable for receiving the wind from the distributor are reproduced on the internal circular surface of a tubular-shaped support, made to adhere to the circular internal surface of the wheel rim. Said support, made of metal sheet or other equivalent material (for example molded plastic or fiberglass), is rigidly and directly fixed to the wheel rim through the normal fixing screws of the rim to the wheel hub, and / or also with additional screws on the wheel. internal surface of the rim and / or with tested systems of joints.

A third variant of the present invention consists in using protruding shaped vanes, made of any material, mounted on an adhesive base strip, to be glued on the entire internal circular surface of the wheel rims.

A fourth variant of the present invention is, among other things, the most advantageous in that it provides for the shaping of the inner tubular surface of the wheel rim by obtaining a recessed seat, towards the inner part of the tire, in the shape of an arc of sectional circle, at the in order to house the said vanes so that they can also protrude slightly towards the center of rotation, reducing their overall dimensions, resulting in larger dimensions in order to receive the air thrust and therefore achieve a better energy result. Again with this solution, a greater diameter of the distribution of the vanes is obtained, obtaining greater thrust with the same air flow, and at the same time facilitating the assembly operation of the wheel on the means of locomotion avoiding contact with the vanes as they are less protruding.

Therefore, the invention is particularly useful if mounted on the driving wheels of the means of locomotion, for example on cars, trucks, motorcycles, motorcycles, quads, go-karts, or the like. Moreover, this apparatus is particularly useful also on wheels not equipped with power supply, for example on idle wheels and on the wheels of trailers.

The present invention also finds application on motorcycles or motorcycles in general. In this case, the air intake can be fixed near the hub / fork of the motorcycle or frontally and / or laterally on the fairings with connection to the distributor, the latter located near the wheel rim where the internal circular surface is fitted with the fixed blades to the rim itself.

Finally, the present invention can be used in a different way to the cases mentioned above, that is, using the air flow taken from the front and / or side and not directly on the wheel rims, but using it with a small turbine inside the engine compartment or in the possible housing of the spare wheel compartment by postponing the output movement directly to the mechanical transmission which drives the drive wheels, advantageously contributing to its rotation movement.

Ultimately, the described concept of the present invention is particularly advantageous and economical, since it saves propulsion energy of the vehicle and at the same time performs a cooling function of the braking device, located nearby, for example in the case of motor vehicles, while ensuring a perfect cleaning of the entire wheel rim itself.

Drawings illustrations

These and other characteristics of the present invention will appear evident from the following description by way of a preferential example of embodiment, however not limiting, in the six attached drawing tables, where:

- Fig. 1 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a wheel rim, without a tire to simplify the representation, equipped with blades projecting radially in the inner circular part of the rim itself. A simple front air intake connected to the fixed distributor on the car conveys the air onto the rim blades with flow in the direction of advancement of the wheel; - Fig. 2 shows, in a side section view, the same apparatus represented in the previous figure, highlighting the distributor of the air flow on the vanes of the wheel rim; - Fig. 3 shows, in section view from the side, a wheel rim equipped with blades protruding towards the center of rotation mounted on a special adhesive tape applied to the internal surface of the wheel rim;

- Fig. 4 shows, in side section view, a normal wheel rim on which a particular tubular support for the vanes will be mounted;

- Fig. 5 shows, in side section view, the particular tubular support equipped with protruding and radial vanes arranged on the internal surface. The support is of suitable size to be mounted in the inner part of the wheel rim;

- Fig. 6 shows, in section view from the side, the rim rotates completely assembled with the paddle holder support and the air flow distributor in the operating position. The support is fixed together with the wheel rim through the fixing screws to the motor hub of the car;

- Fig. 7 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a view similar to Fig. 1 but highlighting the deformation of the tubular inner surface of the rim with a hollow shape on the whole circumference, in the form of an arc of a section circle, in order to to house the radial shaped vanes; - Fig. 8 shows, in section view from the side, the mota circle of the previous figure highlighting the seat shaped like a circular arc, in section, of the inner surface of the mota circle. Shaping that develops within the space of the tire and is sufficient to contain in its external recess the blades suitable for receiving the flow of air coming from the distributor.

As can be seen from the attached figures, the apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels is applied in particular to wheel rims 1. In fact, mota rims are usually obtained by stamping steel sheets or obtained by die-casting of light alloys, and have - on the vertical parts - the through holes 9 for their fastening with screws 11 to the motor hub of the car (not shown).

In a first preferred embodiment, the wheel rims 1 have on the inner circumferential surface shaped vanes 2 projecting radially towards the center of rotation of the rim itself, even at a constant pitch. Said vanes are shaped and profiled according to the best possible geometric conformation to exploit the thrust of the air flow 6 coming from the distributor 3. They are directed in the direction of favoring the rolling of the wheel in the direction of advancement of the vehicle.

The apparatus comprises an air intake 5, preferably positioned in front of the wheel, for capturing the aerodynamic flow of the air during the rapid advancement of the vehicle. This flow is conveyed through a suitable flexible tube 4 to the distributor 3 fixed to the car. The distributor follows and touches the paddles 2 of the wheel even if the latter is forced to steer. The aerodynamic flow of the air directed on the blades discharges its energy on them, favoring the advancement of the wheel and at the same time freeing itself, favoring the cooling of the brakes located nearby.

In a second version of the present invention, applicable for wheel rims already in use and not conceived with the blades 2 obtained directly on the rim itself, the use of a particular adhesive tape 7 is envisaged on which blades are made protruding. This particular adhesive tape is made to adhere to the inner tubular surface of the wheel rim 1 and thus performs the same functions as the vanes formed directly on the wheel rim.

In addition, always in the case of traditional wheel rims already in use and without vanes 2, the use of a particular support 8, made of metal sheet or other equivalent material (for example molded plastic and fiberglass) tubular in shape with perpendicular attachments for fixing to the base wheel rim, equipped with radial blades 2 projecting inwards. This tubular support 8 of optimal dimensions to be inserted in the internal part of the base rim, has the holes 10 which coincide with the holes 9 of the rim, to facilitate the simultaneous tightening of the two elements together by means of the screws 11 to the wheel hub of the car. . In this way there is a constant series of vanes useful for the purpose of the invention without having to replace the old wheel rims,

Finally, another advantageous solution of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, where the rim rotates 1 with the tire 13 exhibits an outward deformation, along the entire internal circumference, in the form of a hollow arc of a cross section. 12, able to house inside the radial shaped vanes 2.1 which can also protrude radially and served by the distributor 3.

The invention, of course, is not limited to the examples of embodiment described above, starting from which other forms and other embodiments can be provided, and the details of execution can in any case vary without thereby departing from the essence of the invention as stated. and claimed hereinafter.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1 ^ Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels, engines and / or pipelines, such as cars, special vehicles, motorcycles, motor vehicles, trucks, trailers and cars, usable when these vehicles advance at an average speed or high so as to use the energy of the air and / or wind that the vehicle encounters to capture it with suitable sockets 5 and convey it with tube 4 to the distributor 3, fixed to the vehicle, to the wheel rims 1, characterized by the fact that the '' use of at least one wheel rim 1 on said means, equipped on the internal circular surface with a plurality of vanes 2, also with constant pitch, protruding slightly in a radial direction with respect to the center of rotation of the wheel, and shaped in order to exploit the thrust of the flow of air conveyed by the distributor 3 thus favoring the rotation of the wheel itself in the same direction of advancement of the vehicle. 2 ^ Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels according to the first claim, characterized in that the internal radial vanes 2 protruding from the circular tubular surface of the wheel rim 1 are obtained directly from the mass of the material of the rim itself or each fixed to the rim, able to cooperate in coordination with the respective distributor 3 fixed to the means of locomotion. 3 ^ Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels according to the first claim, characterized in that the internal radial vanes 2 projecting towards the center of rotation of the wheel are mounted on an adhesive tape 7 which is made to adhere it rotates 1 over the entire inner tubular surface of the rim, so as to cooperate in coordination with the respective distributor 3 fixed to the means of locomotion. 4th Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels according to the first claim, characterized in that the radial vanes 2 projecting towards the center of rotation of the wheel are obtained on a base support 8 in pressed metal sheet o deep-drawn, or material suitable for the purpose (example: plastic, resins ...), tubular in shape with vertical fixing wall to the wheel wheel by means of the holes 10 coinciding with the holes 9 of the rim through normal screws 11. 5 - Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels according to the first claim, characterized in that the wheel rim 1 with tire holder 13 has a shape 12 in the form of an arc of a circle of cross section or other configuration equivalent of any shape, on the entire internal circumference of the circle itself.> <6 ^> Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels according to the first and fifth claims, characterized by the fact that the seat 12 obtained by shaping on the entire internal circumference of the rim 1 is able to accommodate radial blades shaped 2.1 also at constant pitch, which may also protrude slightly towards the center of rotation of the wheel with respect to the remaining internal surface of the rim in order to facilitate the use of a suitable air flow distributor 3. 7 <^> Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels according to the first claim, characterized in that the air flow distributor 3 is able to receive one or more air flows also conveyed by more collection points 5 and also directly from further sockets on the vending machine itself 3. 8 <^> Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels according to the first claim, characterized in that the air flow distributor 3, fixed and connected in the plate that acts as a hub to the wheel of the vehicle of locomotion (example: as in the fixing of part of the brake group), it is equipped with directional adjustments of air flow on fins 2 or 2.1. 9 <^> Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels according to the first claim, characterized in that the air flow inlets 5 are oriented with a direction in opposition to the motion of the vehicle and / or according to any three-dimensional direction with respect to that of advancement of the said means and / or also laterally on the fairings of the same means. 10 <^> Apparatus for the recovery of aerodynamic energy in means of locomotion equipped with wheels according to the first and eighth claims, characterized in that the air flow distributor 3 can also be partially detached from the conveyor 4 to collect further flows air and also to allow further freedom of movement between them (example: when turning the wheel rims).