DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] This disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles, more particularly to an collapsible deflector systems mounted on the automobiles.
BACKGROUND
[002] Constant consumption and reliance on fossil fuels for automobiles such as heavy commercial vehicles (for example but not limited to trucks, mini-trucks, etc.) has led to a decrease in crude oil stock, as a result of which the necessity to improve efficiency of fuel consumption has become a crucial part of automobile design. During design stages, aspects related to aerodynamics for designing a body of the automobile are carefully explored, such that the body thus designed may streamline passage of air therethrough. Any irregular shape of the body of the automobile may result in air resistance against the vehicle. For example, during motion of the automobile, incoming air opposite to the direction of motion of the vehicle may act as a resistance to the motion. This resistance may be referred to as aerodynamic drag occurring on the automobile, which may decelerate, or retard the motion of the automobile. To counter the deceleration, the driver may increase acceleration of the automobile, thereby affecting speed, performance and increasing fuel consumption. Various attempts have been made to reduce air drag and improve fuel efficiency, such as using streamlined body designs and adding external accessories such as wind deflectors. However, most of these solutions require complex designs and installation, which can be expensive and time-consuming. In some cases, the external accessories may end up increasing payload on the automobile, thereby accounting for increased fuel consumption especially when such automobiles travel long distances at high speeds.
[003] Therefore, there is a need for a simple, effective, and cost-efficient assembly that can be mounted to any automobile to reduce air drag and improve fuel efficiency.
SUMMARY
[004] In an embodiment, an inflatable mount system is disclosed. The inflatable mount system may include a mounting frame, and a collapsible deflector mounted on the mounting frame. The collapsible deflector may include an array of inlet ducts, an array of outlet ducts, and an inflatable portion disposed between the array of inlet ducts and the array of outlet ducts. In an embodiment, the inflatable portion may attain a predefined shape when inflated.
[005] In an embodiment, a vehicle with an inflatable mount system is disclosed. The inflatable mount system may include a mounting frame, and a collapsible deflector mounted on the mounting frame. The collapsible deflector may include an array of inlet ducts, an array of outlet ducts, and an inflatable portion disposed between the array of inlet ducts and the array of outlet ducts. In an embodiment, the inflatable portion may attain a predefined shape when inflated
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles.
[007] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle with an inflatable mount system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[008] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible deflector of FIG.1 in a deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[009] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible deflector of FIG.1 in an inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[010] FIG 4 illustrates a sectional view of the inflatable mount system along section A-A in an inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[011] FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of inlet ducts in a deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[012] FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of the inlet ducts in the inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[013] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of an assembly of the inlet ducts with the cabin deflector, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[014] FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of an inlet duct valve in closed condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[015] FIG.8 illustrates a sectional view of the inlet duct valve in opened condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[016] FIG. 9A illustrates a side view of the vehicle with the collapsible deflector in the deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[017] FIG. 9B illustrates a side view of the vehicle with the collapsible deflector in the inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[018] FIG. 9C illustrates a front view of the vehicle with the collapsible deflector in the deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[019] FIG. 9D illustrates a front view of the vehicle with the collapsible deflector in the inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[020] FIG. 10A illustrates a side view of the vehicle with a cabin deflector with the collapsible deflector in a deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[021] FIG. 10B illustrates a side view of the vehicle with the cabin deflector with the collapsible deflector in an inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[022] FIG. 10C illustrates a front view of the vehicle with the cabin deflector with the collapsible deflector in a deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[023] FIG. 10D illustrates a front view of the vehicle with the cabin deflector with the collapsible deflector in an inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[024] The foregoing description has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other devices, systems, assemblies and mechanisms for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, to its device or system, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
[025] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a system or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[026] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGs. 1-10D. It is to be noted that the system may be employed in any vehicle including but not limited to a passenger vehicle, a utility vehicle, a commercial vehicle, and any other vehicle which may have scope for installation of inflatable mount.
[027] Conventionally, vehicles such as mini-trucks, trucks, lorries may accompany a storage container trailing, or positioned behind the driver cabin, for transporting materials from between various locations. However, in some instances, the container may be larger than the driver cabin, and may not be aerodynamically designed to reduce drag caused by incoming air gust on the vehicle. For example, during motion of the automobile, incoming air opposite to the direction of motion of the vehicle may cause a wake region, or a region with low air speed, which may act as a resistance to the motion. This resistance may be referred to as aerodynamic drag occurring on the automobile, which may decelerate, or retard the motion of the automobile. To counter the deceleration, the driver may increase acceleration of the automobile, thereby affecting speed, performance and fuel consumption.
[028] To this end, a vehicle with an inflatable mount system 102 may be disclosed. Referring now to FIG. 1, a side view 100 of a vehicle is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As mentioned earlier, and by way of an example, the vehicle may include mini-truck, truck, lorries, or any other category vehicle configured to carry a storage container Further, the vehicle may include an inflatable mount system 102, a cabin deflector 104, and a container 106.
[029] In an embodiment, with continued reference to FIG.1, and illustrated earlier, the vehicle may include the inflatable mount system 102. Further, the inflatable mount system 102 may be mounted on the vehicle. For example, the inflatable mount system 102 may be mounted on the container 106. Alternatively, the inflatable mount system 102 may be mounted to side, front, back of the vehicle (not shown in figure), such that the collapsible deflector when inflated, may cover the at least one surface of the container.
[030] In an embodiment, the cabin deflector 104 may be mounted on the driver cabin, and in combination with the inflatable mount system 102, may provide a better aerodynamic flow of the incoming air through the vehicle, thereby reducing drag on the vehicle. In an embodiment, the inflatable mount system 102 may be operated in an inflated condition and in a deflated condition, which is illustrated in detail with conjunction to FIGs. 2-3.
[031] Now, referring to FIG. 2, which illustrates a perspective view 200 of the collapsible deflector 202 in a deflated condition in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view 300 of the collapsible deflector 202 in an inflated condition in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[032] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the inflatable mount system 102 may include a mounting frame 202, and a collapsible deflector 204 affixed to the mounting frame 202. Further, the mounting frame 202 may include one or more receptacle points 206a, 206b, … 206e (hereinafter referred to as receptacle points 206). The collapsible deflector 204 may be affixed to the mounting frame 202 using the receptacle points 206. For example, the receptacle points 206 may be configured to receive the collapsible deflector 204, and affix the collapsible deflector 204 on the mounting frame 202.
[033] In an embodiment, the collapsible deflector 202 may include an array of inlet ducts (not shown in FIGs. 2 and 3; illustrated as array of inlet ducts 502a, 502b, and 502c in FIGs. 5A, 5B and 6), and an array of outlet ducts 212a, 212b, and 212c (hereinafter referred to as outlet ducts 212. The array of inlet ducts and the outlet ducts 212 may be configured to allow transmission of air throughout the collapsible deflector 202. For example, air may enter the collapsible deflector 202 through the array of inlet ducts and may exit the collapsible deflector 202 through the outlet ducts 212. Such transmission of air may be continuous, i.e., air may enter the collapsible deflector 202 through the array of inlet ducts and may simultaneously exit the collapsible deflector 202 through the outlet ducts 212.
[034] In an embodiment, the collapsible deflector 202 may include an inflatable portion 210 disposed between, and connected to the array of inlet ducts and the outlet ducts 212. The inflatable portion 210 may be made of air impervious material, i.e., material specialized in preventing diffusion of air through a surface area, or through web, of the material. Examples of such materials may include but not limited to plastic, polymer, nylon or parachute material, and the like. The inflatable portion 210 may be configured to attain a predefined shape, when inflated. The inflatable portion 210 may be inflated by air entering through the array of inlet ducts.
[035] In an embodiment, and explained earlier by way of example, the inflatable mount system 102 may be operated in the inflated condition and the deflated condition. In an embodiment, the inflatable mount system 102 as illustrated by FIG. 2 illustrates the inflatable mount system 102 in the deflated condition. The inflatable mount system 102 may be operated in the deflated condition when the vehicle may be stationary, or in a state of motion below a predefined speed. It must be noted that the array of inlet ducts and the outlet ducts 212 may be closed in the deflated condition. Accordingly, when the vehicle in the state of motion may exceed the predefined speed, the inflatable mount system 102 may be operated in the inflated condition, which is illustrated by FIG. 3. In the inflated condition, the inflatable portion 210 may be inflated to the predefined shape. The predefined shape may include an aero foil shape, a conical shape or any shape which may be in-line to the cabin deflector 104. Such shape may be attained by co-operation of the array of inlet ducts, the outlet ducts 212, and one or more tethers. This is explained in detail in conjunction with FIGs. 4-6. The predefined shape may be configured to aerodynamically divert the incoming air on the vehicle such that the drag on the vehicle caused by the incoming air may be reduced.
[036] Now, FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view 400 of the inflatable mount system 102 along section A-A in an inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments. The inflatable portion 210 may include a plurality of tethers 402 to provide the predefined shape to the inflatable portion 210. The plurality of tethers 402 may be internally stitched in the inflatable portion 210, such that when the collapsible deflector may operate in the inflated condition, the plurality of tethers 402 may be transversely inclined along an upper surface of the container 106, and in-line to the cabin deflector 104, and hold the inflatable portion 210 in the predefined shape. Further, in the deflated condition, the plurality of tethers 402 may rest on the upper surface of the container 106. In an embodiment, the material of plurality of tethers 402 may be same as the material of the inflatable portion 210.
[037] In an embodiment, the air entering through the array of inlet ducts may be configured to inflate the inflatable portion 210 until the predefined shape may be attained by the inflatable portion 210 using the one or more tethers 402, after which the air may exit through the outlet ducts 212. The inflated condition may be realized when the vehicle is in motion, more particularly, when the vehicle may be travelling above the predefined speed. For example, when the vehicle may be travelling beyond a speed of 50 kilometers/hour, the inflatable mount system 102 may be operated in the inflated condition. In the same embodiment, in the inflated condition, the inlet ducts 502 may be opened and the outlet ducts 212 may be closed, such that the inflatable portion 210 may be filled up to a predefined volume to attain the predefined shape. After inflating, when the volume of the inflatable portion 210 reaches the predefined volume, the outlet ducts 212 may be opened accordingly, to allow release of extra air at a predefined flow rate to maintain inflated condition of the inflatable portion 210. When the inflatable portion 210 attains the predefined shape, incoming air may be transitioned smoothly, or in a laminar flow on the inflatable portion 210. Therefore, drag on the vehicle due to the incoming air may be reduced accordingly.
[038] Now, referring to FIG. 5A, which illustrates a front view 500A of the inlet ducts 502 in the deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 5B illustrates a front view 500B of the inlet ducts 502 in the inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG.6 illustrates a front view 600 of an assembly of the inlet ducts 502 with the cabin deflector 104, in accordance with some embodiments.
[039] In an embodiment, with continued reference to FIGs. 5A-5B and explained earlier, the inflatable mount system 102 may include the array of inlet ducts 502a, 502b, and 502c (hereinafter referred to as inlet ducts 502). Further, as illustrated earlier, and with reference to FIG.5A, the inlet ducts 502 may be closed during the deflated condition. Also, with reference to FIG.5B, the inlet ducts 502 may be opened during inflated condition.
[040] In an embodiment, the inlet ducts 502 may be positioned at an upper region of the cabin deflector 104, such that the gust of incoming air to the vehicle may flow in a streamline manner along the cabin deflector 104 towards the inlet ducts 502. In an embodiment, the inlet ducts 502 may be parallelly arranged, to allow maximum collection of air to inflate the inflatable portion 210. Assembly of the inlet ducts 502 with the cabin deflector 104 may be explained in detail, with conjunction to FIG.6.
[041] In an embodiment, with continued reference to FIG.6 and explained earlier by way of an example, the inlet ducts 502 may be assembled to the cabin deflector 104. Preferably, the upper region of the cabin deflector 104 may include an enclosure 602. The enclosure 602 may include a plurality of inlet grooves 604a, 604b, and 604c, each associated with the inlet ducts 502a, 502b, and 502c. For example, the plurality of inlet grooves 604a, 604b, and 604c may be configured to adjoin the inlet ducts 502a, 502b, and 502c, respectively using any fastening methods commonly known in the art. In another embodiment, the enclosure 602 may be a part of the cabin deflector 104.
[042] In an embodiment, as illustrated earlier, the inlet ducts 502 may be operated in accordance with inflated condition and the deflated condition, such that the inlet ducts 502 may be opened during the inflated condition and the inlet ducts 502 may be closed during deflated condition. Opening and closing of the inlet ducts may be enabled using inlet duct valves, which is explained in detail with conjunction to FIGs. 7-8.
[043] Now, referring to FIG.7, which illustrates a sectional view 700 of an inlet duct valve 702 in a closed configuration, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG.8 illustrates a sectional view 800 of an inlet duct valve 702 in an opened configuration, in accordance with some embodiments.
[044] In an embodiment, the inlet duct valve 702 may include an first valve lever 704a, a second valve lever 704b oppositely disposed and offset to the first valve lever 704a. The first valve lever 704a, and the second valve lever 704b may define an inlet of the inlet duct valve 702, which may allow passage of air into the inflatable portion 210. Further, the inlet duct valve 702 may include a first pivot valve lever 706a, a second pivot valve lever 706b, an first stopper 708a, and a second stopper 708b. In the same embodiment, the first valve lever 704a may be pivoted at a first pivot point 712a, and the second valve lever 704b may be pivoted at a second pivot point 712b, such that the first valve lever 704a, and the second valve lever 704b may rotate about the first pivot point 712a and the second pivot point 712b respectively.
[045] In an embodiment, the first pivot valve lever 706a may be rested on the first valve lever 704a, and the second pivot valve lever 706b may be rested on the second valve lever 704b, such that the first pivot valve lever 706a may rotate in unison with the first valve lever 704a, and the second pivot valve lever 706b may rotate in unison with the second valve lever 704b, about the first pivot point 712a and the second pivot point 712b respectively. Further, the first stopper 708a may be configured to contact the first pivot valve lever 706a to restrict the motion of the first valve lever 704a, and the second stopper 708b may be configured to contact the second pivot valve lever 706b to restrict the motion of the second valve lever 704b.
[046] In an embodiment, with continued reference to FIG.7, the inlet duct valve 702 may be operated in closed configuration. The closed configuration may be accessed, especially when the inflatable mount system 102 may be operated in deflated condition. In the closed condition, the speed of air current 710 entering the inlet ducts 502 may be substantially low, corresponding to the speed of the vehicle staying below the predefined threshold. Therefore, the impinging force by the air current 710 especially when the vehicle is travelling under a low speed may not be sufficient to rotate the first valve lever 704a, the second valve lever 704b about the first pivot point 712a and the second pivot point 712b respectively, thereby sealing shut the inlet duct valve 702.
[047] In an embodiment, now referring to FIG.8, the inlet duct valve 702 may be operated in opened configuration. The opened configuration may be accessed, especially when the inflatable mount system 102 may be operated in the inflated condition. As illustrated earlier, the inflated condition may be triggered when the vehicle may travel under high speeds, or speeds above a predefined threshold. For example, when the vehicle may travel at a speed of 50 kilometers/hour against a threshold of 40 kilometers/hour, the inflated condition may be triggered. Naturally, at high speed, the air current 710 may impinge the first valve lever 704a and the second valve lever 704b with a higher impinging force, thereby forcing the first valve lever 704a and the second valve lever 704b to rotate about the first pivot point 712a in a counterclockwise direction and the second pivot point 712b in a clockwise direction, respectively. Further, the first pivot valve lever 706a may be rotated in unison with the first valve lever 704a, and the second pivot valve lever 706b may be rotated in unison with the second valve lever 704b, to open the air inlet, or a passage for the air current 710 to pass through the inlet duct valve 702, to inflate the inflatable portion 210 of the inflatable mount system 102. Further, the degree of rotation of the first pivot valve lever 706a and the second pivot valve lever 706b may be restricted by the first stopper 708a and the second stopper 708b, respectively. Restricting the rotation of the first pivot valve lever 706a and the second pivot valve lever 706b may restrict the rotation of the first valve lever 704a and the second valve lever 704b respectively, such that the passage of the air current 710 may be confined up to a predefined region, i.e., prevent excessive opening of the inlet duct valve 702.
[048] In an embodiment, while the inflatable portion may be transitioned from the opened configuration to the closed configuration as the speed of the vehicle decreases to a speed below than the predefined threshold, the first valve lever 704a and the second valve lever 704b may rotate about the first pivot point 712a in a clockwise direction and the second pivot point 712b may rotate in a counterclockwise direction. Further, the first pivot valve lever 706a may be rotated in unison with the first valve lever 704a, and the second pivot valve lever 706b may be rotated in unison with the second valve lever 704b, to close the passage for the air current 710, thereby attaining the closed configuration. Therefore, the outlet ducts 212 may be opened, and hence, the inflatable portion 210 may be deflated.
[049] FIG. 9A illustrates a side view 900A of the vehicle with the inflatable mount system 102 in the deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9B illustrates a side view 900B of the vehicle with the collapsible deflector in the inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9C illustrates a front view 900C of the vehicle with the collapsible deflector in the deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9D illustrates a front view 900D of the vehicle with the collapsible deflector in the inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[050] In an alternative embodiment, the inlet ducts 502 may be directly provisioned in the inflatable mount system 102, instead of using the enclosure 602 (refer to FIG.6). Again, referring to FIGs. 9A-9D, preferably, the inlet ducts 502 may be configured to receive the gust of incoming air directly thereto, without any influence of the cabin deflector 104, to operate the inflatable mount system 102 in inflated condition and the deflated condition, as illustrated in previous embodiments. However, absence of the cabin deflector 104 may not efficiently reduce the drag on the vehicle. Therefore, to efficiently reduce the drag, the inflatable mount system 102 with the inlet ducts 502 may be assembled with the cabin deflector 104, which may be illustrated by FIGs. 10A-10D.
[051] FIG. 10A illustrates a side view 1000A of the vehicle with a cabin deflector 104 with the inflatable mount system 102 in a deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 10B illustrates a side view 1000B of the vehicle with the cabin deflector 104 with the inflatable mount system 102 in an inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 10C illustrates a front view 1000C of the vehicle with the cabin deflector 104 with the inflatable mount system 102 in a deflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 10D illustrates a front view 1000D of the vehicle with the cabin deflector 104 with the inflatable mount system 102 in an inflated condition, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[052] As may be appreciated, to increase the efficiency of reducing drag on the vehicle, the inflatable mount system 102 with the inlet ducts 502 may be assembled with the cabin deflector 104. Such assembly, as illustrated earlier, the cabin deflector 104 may be configured to streamline the incoming gust of air towards the inlet ducts to operate the inflatable mount system 102 in inflated condition and the deflated condition, as illustrated in previous embodiments.
[053] In an alternative embodiment, various pressure sensors, or air flow sensors, may be mounted on the inflatable mount system 102, or within the inflatable portion 210 to detect consistent air flow between the inlet ducts 502 and the outlet ducts 212. Any anomaly in the consistency of the flow therebetween may be detected by the sensors, and hence, a damaged condition, such as tear of the inflatable portion 210, or a leak occurring therein, may be diagnosed, or detected accordingly.
[054] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[055] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
,CLAIMS:1. An inflatable mount system (102), comprising:
a mounting frame (202); and
a collapsible deflector (204) affixed to the mounting frame, the collapsible deflector (204) comprising:
an array of inlet ducts (502a, 502b, 502c);
an array of outlet ducts (212a, 212b, 212c); and
an inflatable portion (210) disposed between, and connected to the array of inlet ducts (502a, 502b, 502c) and the array of outlet ducts (212a, 212b, 212c), wherein the inflatable portion (210) attains a predefined shape when inflated.
2. The inflatable mount system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined shape comprises an aero foil shape.
3. The inflatable mount system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable portion (210) is inflated when air passes through from the array of inlet ducts (212a, 212b, 212c) to the array of outlet ducts.
4. The inflatable mount system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflatable portion (210) comprises:
a plurality of tethers (402) stitched internally therein, wherein the plurality of tethers (402) are configured to shape the inflatable portion (210) in the predefined shape when the inflatable portion (210) is inflated.
5. The inflatable mount system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting frame (202) comprises:
a plurality of receptacle points (206a-206e) configured to receive the collapsible deflector (204).
6. The inflatable mount system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each inlet duct from the array of inlet ducts (502a. 502b, 502c) comprises:
an inlet duct valve (702), wherein the inlet duct valve (702) comprises:
a first valve lever (704a), wherein the first valve lever (704a) is pivoted about a first pivot point (712a);
a first pivot valve lever (706a) connected to the first valve lever (704a);
a second valve lever (704b) oppositely disposed and offset to the first valve lever (704a), wherein the second valve lever (704b) is pivoted about a second pivot point (712b); and
a second pivot valve lever (706b) connected to the second valve lever (704b), wherein the first valve lever (704a) and the second valve lever (704b) define an air inlet to allow passage of air through the inlet duct valve (702) into the inflatable portion (210).
7. The inflatable mount system (102) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inlet duct valve (702) operates in:
an open configuration, wherein the first pivot valve lever (706a), with the first valve lever (704a) is rotated about the first pivot point (712a) in a counterclockwise direction, and the second pivot valve lever (706b), with the second valve lever (704b) is rotated about the second pivot point (712b) in a clockwise direction to open the air inlet; and
a closed configuration, wherein the first pivot valve lever (706a), with the first valve lever (704a) is rotated about the first pivot point (712a) in a clockwise direction, and the second pivot valve lever (706b), with the second valve lever (706a) is rotated about the second pivot point (712b) in a counterclockwise direction to close the air inlet.
8. A vehicle, comprising:
inflatable mount system (102), comprising:
a mounting frame (202); and
a collapsible deflector (204) affixed to the mounting frame, the collapsible deflector (204) comprising:
an array of inlet ducts (502a, 502b, 502c);
an array of outlet ducts (212a, 212b, 212c); and
an inflatable portion (210) disposed between, and connected to the array of inlet ducts (502a, 502b, 502c) and the array of outlet ducts (212a, 212b, 212c), wherein the inflatable portion (210) attains a predefined shape when inflated.
.
9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the predefined shape comprises an aero foil shape.
10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inflatable portion (210) is inflated when air passes through from the array of inlet ducts (212a, 212b, 212c) to the array of outlet ducts.
11. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the inflatable portion (210) comprises:
a plurality of tethers (402) stitched internally therein, wherein the plurality of tethers (402) are configured to shape the inflatable portion (210) in the predefined shape when the inflatable portion (210) is inflated.
12. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mounting frame (202) comprises:
a plurality of receptacle points (206a-206e) configured to receive the collapsible deflector (204).
13. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein each inlet duct from the array of inlet ducts (502a. 502b, 502c) comprises:
an inlet duct valve (702), wherein the inlet duct valve (702) comprises:
a first valve lever (704a), wherein the first valve lever (704a) is pivoted about a first pivot point (712a);
a first pivot valve lever (706a) connected to the first valve lever (704a);
a second valve lever (704b) oppositely disposed and offset to the first valve lever (704a), wherein the second valve lever (704b) is pivoted about a second pivot point (712b); and
a second pivot valve lever (706b) connected to the second valve lever (704b), wherein the first valve lever (704a) and the second valve lever (704b) define an air inlet to allow passage of air through the inlet duct valve (702) into the inflatable portion (210).
14. The vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inlet duct valve (702) operates in:
an open configuration, wherein the first pivot valve lever (706a), with the first valve lever (704a) is rotated about the first pivot point (712a) in a counterclockwise direction, and the second pivot valve lever (706b), with the second valve lever (704b) is rotated about the second pivot point (712b) in a clockwise direction to open the air inlet; and
a closed configuration, wherein the first pivot valve lever (706a), with the first valve lever (704a) is rotated about the first pivot point (712a) in a clockwise direction, and the second pivot valve lever (706b), with the second valve lever (706a) is rotated about the second pivot point (712b) in a counterclockwise direction to close the air inlet.