Improving Fuel Efficiency of Tractor Trailer Trucks with Deturbulator Aero-Drag Reduction 2008-01-2602

A new method for streamlining tractor-trailer trucks based on weakening turbulent vortices in regions of separated flow using a flexible surface Deturbulator tape patented by the author. Minimal Deturbulator application on the tractor-cab sides yielded 4% improved fuel mileage by de-energizing recirculating vortices in the tractor-trailer gap. The entire trailer, especially flatbeds with loads can be encapsulated within a quiescent separated bubble by extending Deturbulator application to the tractor. It makes the truck appear more streamlined to the airflow evidenced by 13-30% fuel economy improvement. The Deturbulator configured as a replaceable strip provides a cost effective fuel savings add-on for already streamlined class-8 tractors, which does not impede normal operations..