The State of New York is awarding ATDynamics a $499,645 grant to develop active flow control technology designed to reduce aerodynamic drag by modifying airflow at the rear of tractor-trailers, the company announced. ATDynamics says it also will match roughly half of the funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
“To carry on our role as a pioneer in trailer aerodynamics, we’re providing the long-haul trucking industry with a technology that is well established in aerospace engineering,” says Andrew Smith, chief executive officer of San Francisco-based ATDynamics. “With support from New York State, we can turn active flow control into a trucker-tough product that is cost-effective for our fleet customers and OEM partners.”
ATDynamics says it has plans down the road to market active flow control toward other aerodynamic uses, including containers, straight trucks and other ground-freight applications. “Active flow control is well suited for fleets with roll-door trailers that right now aren’t compatible with swing-door TrailerTail technology,” says Chuck Horrell, the company’s vice president of engineering. “We are engineering AFC to integrate directly into the rear frame of a roll-door trailer.”
ATDynamics says it will be evaluating active flow control technology in real-world conditions throughout New York State beginning next year. “NYSERDA is partnering with ATDynamics to reduce oil use and diesel emissions while providing New York freight carriers with a tool for holding down their fuel costs,” says Francis J. Murray Jr., NYSERDA president and CEO.
