Air deflector assembly

Abstract

An air deflector assembly for reducing aerodynamic drag on a tractor-trailer vehicle, a full truck or similar automotive vehicles which includes a deflector panel pivotally mounted above the roof of the tractor for deflecting a portion of the air flow passing over the roof upwardly and over the top of the trailer. The deflector panel is reinforced on its rear side by a stiffener having a plurality of diagonally extending segments which increases the torsional stiffness of the panel and permits the use of a single support strut. The strut, which is adjustable so as to permit the panel to be positioned in a retracted position and one or more operating positions, extends between the central portion of the stiffener and a frame mounted to the roof of the truck. Means are provided near the forward end of the frame for pivotal mounting of the deflector panel. In one embodiment of this invention the strut can be extended or retracted by an electrically powered worm drive which can be controlled from the driver's compartment. In another embodiment the strut has two telescopically engaging members which can be locked so as to fix the position of the air deflector panel by means of a removable locking pin.