GB1564970A - Aerodynamic spoilers for high speed railway vehicles - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AERODYNAMIC SPOILERS FOR HIGH SPEED RAILWAY VEHICLES (71) We, MESSERSCHMITT - BOLKOW- BLOHM GESSELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTING, of 8000 Mtinchen, German Federal Republic a Company organised and existing under the laws of the German Federal Republic, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to an improved vehicle for high speeds, especially a railway vehicle, generally meaning speeds up to 300 km/h and over.

With such vehicles the noses are of aerodynamic design to reduce air resistance and to counter the effect of air pressure waves particularly those produced when two trains pass on adjacent tracks. Such design however renders the train more susceptible to side winds and gusts. This is because of the greater radii of curvature causing the airflow to prevail longer on the lee side resulting in the formation of larger reduced pressure areas.

According to this invention there is provided a vehicle for high speeds wherein an aerodynamic spoiler is provided one on each side of the vehicle and symmetrical about the median plane, the spoilers being movable from a retracted position where they lie flush with the surface contour of the vehicle to an extended position in accordance with a localised reduction in the prevailing external pressure. This considerably reduces the sensitivity of a trains for example to side winds and gusts when travelling at high speeds. The invention also provides for a symmetrical arrangement of spoilers one on each side of the nose in such a way that in the case of an oblique approach air flow the spoiler or spoilers on the leeward side are extended as a result of the local reduced pressure. The spoilers may be located in window struts of the vehicle.They can also be positioned one on each side in the region of the roof and preferably are at the front part of a train formed by the vehicles. The spoilers may move outwards on a guide means, in a direction approximately perpendicular to the surface contour of the vehicle. They may also be extended by pivoting about a hinge connection. The spoilers preferably are secured in a retracted position by a prestressed spring, in such a way that a threshold value above which the spoilers move outwards is made adjustable by selecting the appropriate degree of prestressing of the springs. When the distance between two symmetrically positioned spoilers is reduced then, in the extreme case only one spoiler is provided on the median plane of the vehicle.

The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view showing the nose profile of a high-speed railway vehicle, Figure 2 is a section on A-A of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a section as in Figure 2, but subject to an oblique approach air-flow, Figure 4 shows the nose as in Figure 3, with a spoiler extended, Figure 5 shows a part of Figure 4 to an enlarged scale, Figure 6 shows a spoiler with a hinge or swivel joint to the vehicle, Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a railway vehicle, and Figures 8 and 9 are sections on B-B of Figure 7 showing the spoiler retracted.

and extended respectively.

In Figure 1 the nose 1 of a vehicle has spoilers 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the frontal approach air-flow without any lateral component (y) and with an increased pressure zone 4 and a reduced pressure zone 5 on each side. In the case of the oblique approach air-flow shown in Figure 3 the pressure dis tribution is asymmetrical producing an under sirable lateral force. This pressure distribution, by extension of the spoiler 2, is converted into a pressure distribution as shown in Fig. 4 where reduced pressure is greatly reduced producing a favourable effect on the lateral forces and thus on the running characteristics of the vehicle.

One construction for the spoiler is shown in Fig. 5. In this case the spoiler is movable outwards in a direction aproximately perpendicular to the contour of the vehicle at that point due to the reduced localised low pressure at that point. A spring 6 resisting movement of the spoiler is chosen so that a threshold value of reduced pressure from which the spoiler extends can be selected.

A further example of a spoiler is shown in Figure 6 where the movable edge 7 is pivoted to the structure of the vehicle by a hinge or the like rotary connection 8 whereby in the event of local reduced pressure it will move out from the contour of the vehicle and takeup the position 9. Here again, a spring may be used to determine the threshold value for the extension movement of the spoiler.

In another version of the invention (not illustrated) the spoiler is positioned in a window strut.

In order to reduce lateral forces acting on the nose of the vehicle the spoilers will generally be positioned in areas subject to only slight local reduced pressure when normal frontal air-flow is present. In the event of oblique low pressure the spoilers move outwards to a greater or lesser degree depending on the pressure.

The spoilers 3 (Figure 1) are positioned to reduce the lift caused by gusts and side winds which can produce considerable vertical directed forces z, having a particularly unfavourable effect in the case of lightweight structure. The spoilers 3 could be provided over the entire length of a railway train, but it is in the front part that they prove to be particularly effective.

In a further embodiment (not illustrated) provides that in the zone of the nose of the vehicle the symmetrically positioned spoilers are replaced by at least one spoiler in the median plane of the vehicle in the region of the nose.

When retracted the spoilers fit as nearly as possible flush with and into the contour of the vehicle.

As shown in Figure 7 the front portion of a railway vehicle similar to Figure 1 has spoilers 7 arranged as shown. Figures 8 and 9 show the spoilers pivoted to the vehicle body by a hinge connection 8.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A vehicle for high speeds wherein an aerodynamic spoiler is provided one on each side of the vehicle and symmetrical about the median plane, the spoilers being movable from a retracted position where they lie flush with the surface contour of the vehicle to an extended position in accordance with a localised reduction in the prevailing external pressure.

2. A vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the spoilers are symmetrically arranged one on each side of the nose of the vehicle in such a way that an oblique approach air-flow causes that spoiler on the leeward side to move outwards effected by localised reduced pressure.

3. A vehicle in accordance with Claims 1 or 2, wherein the spoilers are incorporated in window struts.

4. A vehicle in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein spoilers are located one on each side in the roof of the vehicle.

5. A vehicle in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the spoiler surfaces are movable outwards in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface contour of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the spoiler surfaces are movable outward by a hinge connection.

7. A vehicle in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the spoilers are retained in the retracted position by a prestressed spring means.

8. A vehicle in accordance with Claim 7, wherein the reduced pressure value at which the spoilers move outwards is set by the degree of prestressing of the spring means.

9. A modification of the vehicle claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one spoiler is located along the median plane of the vehicle.

10. A railway vehicle or a train embodying such a vehicle constructed and arranged function substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. outwards in a direction aproximately perpendicular to the contour of the vehicle at that point due to the reduced localised low pressure at that point. A spring 6 resisting movement of the spoiler is chosen so that a threshold value of reduced pressure from which the spoiler extends can be selected. A further example of a spoiler is shown in Figure 6 where the movable edge 7 is pivoted to the structure of the vehicle by a hinge or the like rotary connection 8 whereby in the event of local reduced pressure it will move out from the contour of the vehicle and takeup the position 9. Here again, a spring may be used to determine the threshold value for the extension movement of the spoiler. In another version of the invention (not illustrated) the spoiler is positioned in a window strut. In order to reduce lateral forces acting on the nose of the vehicle the spoilers will generally be positioned in areas subject to only slight local reduced pressure when normal frontal air-flow is present. In the event of oblique low pressure the spoilers move outwards to a greater or lesser degree depending on the pressure. The spoilers 3 (Figure 1) are positioned to reduce the lift caused by gusts and side winds which can produce considerable vertical directed forces z, having a particularly unfavourable effect in the case of lightweight structure. The spoilers 3 could be provided over the entire length of a railway train, but it is in the front part that they prove to be particularly effective. In a further embodiment (not illustrated) provides that in the zone of the nose of the vehicle the symmetrically positioned spoilers are replaced by at least one spoiler in the median plane of the vehicle in the region of the nose. When retracted the spoilers fit as nearly as possible flush with and into the contour of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 7 the front portion of a railway vehicle similar to Figure 1 has spoilers 7 arranged as shown. Figures 8 and 9 show the spoilers pivoted to the vehicle body by a hinge connection 8. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A vehicle for high speeds wherein an aerodynamic spoiler is provided one on each side of the vehicle and symmetrical about the median plane, the spoilers being movable from a retracted position where they lie flush with the surface contour of the vehicle to an extended position in accordance with a localised reduction in the prevailing external pressure.

2. A vehicle in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the spoilers are symmetrically arranged one on each side of the nose of the vehicle in such a way that an oblique approach air-flow causes that spoiler on the leeward side to move outwards effected by localised reduced pressure.

3. A vehicle in accordance with Claims 1 or 2, wherein the spoilers are incorporated in window struts.

4. A vehicle in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein spoilers are located one on each side in the roof of the vehicle.

5. A vehicle in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the spoiler surfaces are movable outwards in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface contour of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the spoiler surfaces are movable outward by a hinge connection.

7. A vehicle in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the spoilers are retained in the retracted position by a prestressed spring means.

8. A vehicle in accordance with Claim 7, wherein the reduced pressure value at which the spoilers move outwards is set by the degree of prestressing of the spring means.

9. A modification of the vehicle claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one spoiler is located along the median plane of the vehicle.

10. A railway vehicle or a train embodying such a vehicle constructed and arranged function substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.