Means for maintaining attached flow of a flowing medium

Claim 2

Means to maintain flow of a flowing medium attached to the exterior of a flow control member having a flow control surface, said means including: a first generally triangularly shaped channel submerged in the flow control surface, said triangularly shaped channel having: an apex portion facing the flow of the flowing medium; an end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said apex portion; a floor surface extending from the flow control surface at said apex portion to said end portion; a first sidewall extending between the flow control surface and said floor surface and extending between said apex portion and said end portion, said first sidewall forming a first sidewall edge between said first sidewall and the flow control surface, said first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium; and a second sidewall extending between the flow control surface and said floor surface and extending between said apex portion and said end portion, said second sidewall forming a second sidewall edge between said second sidewall and the flow control surface, said second sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said second sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby first and second counterrotating vortices form over said first and second sidewall edges in said first channel which thin the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent flow control surface and provide turbulent mixing within said first channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to the flow control surface and said floor surface.

Claim 3

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 1 further including: a first intersection between said first sidewall and said floor surface; and a second intersection between said second sidewall and said floor surface, said first and second intersections having local radii not greater than one half the local elevation distance from said floor surface to the flow control surface.

Claim 4

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 1 further including: a second generally triangularly shaped channel submerged in the flow control surface, said second triangularly shaped channel having: a second channel apex portion facing the flow of the flowing medium; a second channel end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said second channel apex portion; a second channel floor surface extending from the flow control surface at said second channel apex portion to said end portion; a second channel first sidewall extending between the flow control surface and said second channel floor surface and extending between said second channel apex portion and said second channel end portion, said second channel first sidewall forming a second channel first sidewall edge between said second channel first sidewall and the flow control surface, said second channel first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said second channel first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, said second channel first sidewall intersecting said second sidewall of said first channel adjacent said floor surfaces of said first and second channels; and a second channel second sidewall extending between the flow control surface and said second channel floor surface and extending between said second channel apex portion and said second channel end portion, said second channel second sidewall forming a second channel second sidewall edge between said second channel second sidewall and the flow control surface, said second channel second sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said second channel second sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby first and second counterrotating vortices form over said second channel first and second sidewall edges in said second channel which thin the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent flow control surface and provide turbulent mixing within said second channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to the flow control surface and said second channel floor surface.

Claim 5

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 1 further including: a second generally triangularly shaped channel submerged in said floor surface of said first channel, said second triangularly shaped channel having: a second channel apex portion facing the flow of the flowing medium positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said first channel apex portion; a second channel end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said first channel end portion; a second channel floor surface extending from said first channel floor surface at said second channel apex portion to said second channel end portion; a second channel first sidewall extending between said first channel floor surface and said second channel floor surface and extending between said second channel apex portion and said second channel end portion, said second channel first sidewall forming a second channel first sidewall edge between said second channel first sidewall and said first channel floor surface, said second channel first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said second channel first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium; and a second channel second sidewall extending between said first channel floor surface and said second channel floor surface and extending between said second channel apex portion and said second channel end portion, said second channel second sidewall forming a second channel second sidewall edge between said second channel second sidewall and said first channel floor surface, said second channel second sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said second channel second sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby third and fourth counterrotating vortices form over said second channel first and second sidewall edges in said second channel which thin the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent first channel floor surface and provide turbulent mixing within said second channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to said first channel floor surface and said second channel floor surface.

Claim 6

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 1 further including: at least a last generally triangularly shaped channel positioned with respect to said first channel so that a plurality of similiar submerged generally triangularly shaped channels are formed in series from upstream to downstream in the flow of flowing medium and in the flow control surface, said last triangularly shaped channel having: a last channel apex portion facing the flow of the flowing medium positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel apex portion; a last channel end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel end portion; a last channel floor surface extending from said upstream adjacent channel floor surface at said last channel apex portion to said last channel end portion; a last channel first sidewall extending between said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel apex portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said upstream adjacent channel floor surface, said last channel first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said last channel first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium; and a last channel second sidewall extending between said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel apex portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel second sidewall forming a last channel second sidewall edge between said last channel second sidewall and said upstream adjacent channel floor surface, said last channel second sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said last channel second sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby third and fourth counterrotating vortices form over said last channel first and second sidewall edges in said last channel which thin the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent upstream adjacent channel floor surface and provide turbulent mixing within said last channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface.

Claim 7

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 5 wherein the flow control surface has a trailing edge, said last channel second sidewall extending to the trailing edge of the flow control surface.

Claim 8

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 6 wherein said last channel first sidewall extends to the trailing edge of the flow control surface.

Claim 9

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 6 including: a second series of said channels similiar to said first series of channels positioned with said last channel second sidewall of said first series intersecting said last channel first sidewall of said second series.

Claim 10

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 5 wherein said last channel floor surface includes: a first generally triangularly shaped protrusion extending from said last channel floor surface, said generally triangularly shaped protrusion having: a front portion facing the flow of the flowing medium; an apex portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said front portion; a top surface extending from said last channel floor surface at said to said apex portion; a first sidewall extending between said last channel floor surface and said top surface and extending between said front portion and said apex portion, said first sidewall forming a first sidewall edge between said first sidewall and said top surface, at least a portion of said first sidewall being positioned at an angle to the flow of the flowing medium; and a second sidewall extending between said last channel floor surface and said top surface and extending between said front portion and said apex portion, said second sidewall forming a second sidewall edge between said second sidewall and said top surface, at least a portion of said second sidewall being positioned at an angle to the flow of the flowing medium, whereby fifth and sixth counterrotating vortices form over said first and second sidewall edges of said first generally triangularly shaped protrusion which thin the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent top surface and provide turbulent mixing within said last channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached.

Claim 11

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 1 wherein said first floor surface extends upwardly to intersect with the flow control surface adjacent said rear portion of said second sidewall edge.

Claim 12

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 10 further including: at least a last generally triangularly shaped channel positioned with respect to said first channel so that a plurality of similiar submerged generally triangularly shaped channels are formed in a first series from upstream to downstream in the flow of flowing medium and in the flow control surface, said last triangularly shaped channel having: a last channel apex portion facing the flow of the flowing medium positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel apex portion; a last channel end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel end portion; a last channel floor surface extending from said upstream adjacent channel floor surface at said last channel apex portion to said last channel end portion submerged from the flow control surface; a last channel first sidewall extending between said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel apex portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said upstream adjacent channel floor surface, said last channel first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said last channel first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium; and a last channel second sidewall extending between said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel apex portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel second sidewall forming a last channel second sidewall edge between said last channel second sidewall and said upstream adjacent channel floor surface, said last channel second sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said last channel second sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby third and fourth counterrotating vortices form over said last channel first and second sidewall edges in said last channel which thin the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent upstream adjacent channel floor surface and provide turbulent mixing within said last channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface.

Claim 13

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 11 wherein the flow control surface has a trailing edge, said last channel second sidewall extending to the trailing edge of the flow control surface.

Claim 14

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 12 including: a second series of said channels similiar to said first series of channels positioned with said last channel second sidewall of said first series intersecting said last channel first sidewall of said second series.

Claim 15

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 10 further including: at least a last generally triangularly shaped channel positioned with respect to said first channel so that a plurality of similiar submerged generally triangularly shaped channels are formed in a first series from upstream to downstream in the flow of flowing medium and in the flow control surface, said last triangularly shaped channel having: a last channel apex portion facing the flow of the flowing medium positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel apex portion; a last channel end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel end portion; a last channel floor surface extending from said upstream adjacent channel floor surface at said last channel apex portion to said last channel end portion at a point of intersection to the flow control surface; a last channel first sidewall extending between said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel apex portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said upstream adjacent channel floor surface, said last channel first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said last channel first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium; and a last channel second sidewall extending between said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel apex portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel second sidewall forming a last channel second sidewall edge between said last channel second sidewall and said upstream adjacent channel floor surface, said last channel second sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said last channel second sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby third and fourth counterrotating vortices form over said last channel first and second sidewall edges in said last channel which thin the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent upstream adjacent channel floor surface and provide turbulent mixing within said last channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface.

Claim 16

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 14 wherein at least a portion of said first channel floor surface is positioned at an acute angle with respect the adjacent sidewall.

Claim 17

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sidewall edges are relatively sharp edges.

Claim 18

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sidewall edges form an ogee shape with the flow control surface.

Claim 19

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 17 wherein said ogee shape of said first and second sidewall edges is so shaped as to maintain an angle of attack to the local flow of the flowing medium thereover at least at said central portions thereof.

Claim 20

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 1 wherein said first channel includes: a third sidewall extending from said first channel floor surface generally facing said first sidewall; a fourth sidewall extending from said first channel floor surface generally facing said second sidewall and intersecting said third sidewall adjacent said first channel end portion; and a roof surface extending from said first channel floor surface to said end portion of said first channel between said third and fourth sidewalls and forming third and fourth sidewall edges therewith, at least portions of which are positioned at an angle of attack with the local flow of the flowing medium whereby a series/parallel arrangement of at least three channels is formed.

Claim 21

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sidewall edges extend above the adjacent flow control surface.

Claim 22

Means to maintain flow of a flowing medium attached to the exterior of a flow control member having a flow control surface by thinning the boundry layer thereof, said means including: a first channel formed in the flow control surface, said first channel having: a forward portion generally facing the flow of the flowing medium; an end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said forward portion; a floor surface extending from the flow control surface at said forward portion to said end portion; and a first sidewall extending between the flow control surface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said first sidewall forming a first sidewall edge between said first sidewall and the flow control surface, said first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby a first counterrotating vortex forms over said first sidewall edge in said first channel which thins the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent flow control surface and provides turbulent mixing within said first channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to the flow control surface and said floor surface.

Claim 23

Means to maintain flow of a flowing medium attached to the exterior of a flow control member having a flow control surface by thinning the boundry layer thereof, said means including: a first channel formed in the flow control surface, said first channel having: a forward portion generally facing the flow of the flowing medium; an end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said forward portion; a floor surface extending from the flow control surface at said forward portion to said end portion; and a first sidewall extending between the flow control surface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said first sidewall forming a first sidewall edge between said first sidewall and the flow control surface, said first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby a first counterrotating vortex forms over said first sidewall edge in said first channel which thins the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent flow control surface and provides turbulent mixing within said first channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to the flow control surface and said floor surface.

Claim 24

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 21 further including: at least a last channel positioned with respect to said first channel so that a plurality of similiar submerged channels are formed in series from upstream to downstream in the flow of flowing medium and in the flow control surface, said last channel having: a last channel forward portion generally facing the flow of the flowing medium positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel forward portion; a last channel end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel end portion; a last channel floor surface extending from said upstream adjacent channel floor surface at said last channel forward portion to said last channel end portion; and a last channel first sidewall extending between said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said upstream adjacent channel floor surface, said last channel first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said last channel first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby a second counterrotating vortex forms over said last channel first edge in said last channel which thins the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent upstream adjacent channel floor surface and provides turbulent mixing within said last channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface.

Claim 25

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 22 further including: a fence bounding the flow control surface generally parallel to said first and last channels, said first sidewalls and said floor surfaces of said first and last channels intersecting said fence at said end portions thereof.

Claim 26

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 22 further including: a fence bounding the flow control surface generally parallel to said first and last channels, said floor surfaces of said first and last channels intersecting said fence at said end portions thereof.

Claim 27

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 22 wherein the flow control surface has a trailing edge, said last channel first sidewall extending to the trailing edge of the flow control surface.

Claim 28

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 25 including: a second series of said channels similiar and sidewardly reversed to said first series of channels positioned with said last channel first sidewall of said first series intersecting said last channel first sidewall of said second series.

Claim 29

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 21 further including: at least a last channel positioned with respect to said first channel so that a plurality of similiar submerged channels are formed in a first series from upstream to downstream in the flow of flowing medium and in the flow control surface, said last having: a last channel forward portion generally facing the flow of the flowing medium positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel forward portion; a last channel end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel end portion; a last channel floor surface extending from said upstream adjacent channel floor surface at said last channel forward portion to said last channel end portion submerged from the flow control surface; and a last channel first sidewall extending between said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said upstream adjacent channel floor surface, said last channel first sidewall edge having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a central portion, said last channel first sidewall central portion being positioned out of alignment with the flow of the flowing medium, whereby a second counterrotating vortex forms over said last channel first sidewall edge in said last channel which thins the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent upstream adjacent channel floor surface and provides turbulent mixing within said last channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface.

Claim 30

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 27 wherein the flow control surface has a trailing edge, said last channel first sidewall extending to the trailing edge of the flow control surface.

Claim 31

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 28 including: a second series of channels similiar and sidewardly reversed to said first series of channels positioned with said last channel first sidewall of said first series of channels intersecting said last channel first sidewall of said second series of channels.

Claim 32

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 21 wherein said first floor surface extends upwardly to intersection with the flow control surface at said forward portion, said means to maintain attached flow further including: at least a last channel positioned with respect to said first channel so that a plurality of similiar submerged channels are formed in a first series from upstream to downstream in the flow of flowing medium and in the flow control surface, said last channel having: a last channel forward portion generally facing the flow of the flowing medium positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel forward portion; a last channel end portion positioned downstream in the flow of flowing medium from said upstream adjacent channel end portion; a last channel floor surface extending from said upstream adjacent channel floor surface at said last channel forward portion to said last channel end portion at a point of intersection with the flow control surface; and a last channel first sidewall extending between said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said upstream adjacent channel floor surface, at least a portion of said last channel first sidewall edge being positioned at an angle to the flow of the flowing medium, whereby a second counterrotating vortex forms over said last channel first sidewall edge in said last channel which thins the boundry layer of the flow of flowing medium at the adjacent upstream adjacent channel floor surface and provides turbulent mixing within said last channel so that the flow of flowing medium remains attached to said upstream adjacent channel floor surface and said last channel floor surface.

Claim 33

The mean maintain attached flow as defined in claim 30 including: a fence bounding the flow control surface generally parallel to said first and last channels, said floor surfaces of at least said first channel intersecting said fence at said end portions thereof.

Claim 34

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 21 wherein said first flow surface extends upwardly to intersection with the flow control surface at said forward portion and said end portion of said first channel.

Claim 35

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 21 wherein said first sidewall edge forms an ogee shape with the flow control surface, said ogee shape being so shaped as to maintain an angle of attack to the local flow of the flowing medium thereover at least at said central portion thereof.

Claim 36

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 21 wherein at least a portion of said floor surface is positioned at an acute angle with respect to said first side wall.

Claim 37

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 21 wherein said first channel includes: a second sidewall extending from said first channel floor surface generally facing said first sidewall; a third sidewall extending from said first channel floor surface generally facing away from said first sidewall and intersecting said second sidewall adjacent said first channel end portion; and a roof surface extending from said first channel floor surface to said end portion of said first channel between said second and third sidewalls and forming second and third sidewall edges therewith, at least portions of which are positioned at an angle of attack with the local flow of the flowing medium whereby a series/parallel arrangement of channels is formed.

Claim 38

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 21 wherein said first channel includes: a fence bounding the flow control surface generally parallel to said first channel, said first sidewall intersecting said fence at said end portion.

Claim 39

A body having a usual direction of motion through a medium, a front, a rear, and rear side areas which rear side areas each include: a flow control surface; a first channel formed in said flow control surface, said first channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said forward portion; a floor surface extending from said flow control surface at said forward portion to said end portion; and a first sidewall extending between said flow control surface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said first sidewall forming a first sidewall edge between said first sidewall and said flow control surface, said first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said body; and a last channel formed in said flow control surface, said last channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said forward portion of said last channel; a floor surface extending from said flow control surface at said last channel forward portion to said last channel end portion; and a first sidewall extending between said flow control surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said flow control surface, said last channel first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said body.

Claim 40

A body having a usual direction of motion through a medium, a front, a rear, and rear side areas which rear side areas each include: a flow control surface; a first channel formed in said flow control surface, said first channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said forward portion; a floor surface extending from said flow control surface at said forward portion to said end portion; and a first sidewall extending between said flow control surface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said first sidewall forming a first sidewall edge between said first sidewall and said flow control surface, said first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said body; and a last channel formed in said flow control surface, said last channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said forward portion of said last channel; a floor surface extending from said flow control surface at said last channel forward portion to said last channel end portion; and a first sidewall extending between said flow control surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said flow control surface, said last channel first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said body.

Claim 41

The body defined in claim 37 wherein said first channel further includes: a second sidewall extending between said flow control surface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said second sidewall forming a second sidewall edge between said second sidewall and said flow control surface, said second sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said body.

Claim 42

The body defined in claim 38 wherein said last channel further includes: a second sidewall extending between said flow control surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel second sidewall forming a last channel second sidewall edge between said last channel second sidewall and said flow control surface, said last channel second sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said body.

Claim 43

A motor vehicle having a usual direction of motion, said body including a front, a rear, and right and left rear fender areas, said rear fender areas each having a flow control surface, and means to maintain flow of the medium attached to the exterior of said rear fender areas having said flow control surface, said means including: a first channel formed in each said fender surface, said first channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said forward portion; a floor surface extending from said fender surface at said forward portion to said end portion; and a first sidewall extending between said fender surface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said first sidewall forming a firt sidewall edge between said first sidewall and said fender surface, said first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said motor vehicle.

Claim 44

A motor vehicle having a usual direction of motion, said body including a front, a rear, and right and left rear fender areas, said rear fender areas each having a flow control surface, and means to maintain flow of the medium attached to the exterior of said rear fender areas having said flow control surface, said means including: a first channel formed in each said fender surface, said first channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said forward portion; a floor surface extending from said fender surface at said forward portion to said end portion; and a first sidewall extending between said fender surface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said first sidewall forming a firt sidewall edge between said first sidewall and said fender surface, said first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said motor vehicle.

Claim 45

The motor vehicle defined in claim 40 wherein said first channel further includes: a second sidewall extending between said fender surface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said second sidewall forming a second sidewall edge between said second sidewall and said fender surface, said second sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said motor vehicle.

Claim 46

The motor vehicle defined in claim 40 further including: a last channel formed in said fender surface, said last channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said forward portion of said last channel; a floor surface extending from said fender surface at said last channel forward portion to said last channel end portion; and a first sidewall extending between said fender surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said fender surface, said last channel first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said motor vehicle.

Claim 47

The motor vehicle defined in claim 42 wherein said last channel further includes: a second sidewall extending between said fender surface and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel second sidewall forming a last channel second sidewall edge between said last channel second sidewall and said fender surface, said last channel second sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of alignment with the usual direction of motion of said motor vehicle.

Claim 48

The motor vehicle defined in claim 42 further including: a rear area connecting said floor surfaces of said last channels in said right and left fender areas.

Claim 49

The motor vehicle defined in claim 44 wherein said rear area includes a cusp portion pointing opposite from the usual direction of motion of said motor vehicle.

Claim 50

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 40 wherein said last channel includes a protrusion formed by: a second sidewall extending from said last channel floor surface generally facing said first sidewall; a third sidewall extending from said last channel floor surface generally facing away from said first sidewall and intersecting said second sidewall adjacent said last channel end portion; and a roof surface extending from said last channel floor surface to said end portion of said last channel between said second and third sidewalls and forming second and third sidewall edges therewith, at least portions of which are positioned at an angle of attack with the local flow of the flowing medium whereby a series/parallel arrangement of channels is formed.

Claim 51

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 46 wherein said protrusion includes a tail light assembly positioned near said last channel end portion.

Claim 52

An automobile having a usual direction of motion, a front, a rear, and right and left rear downforce creating tunnels generally aligned with the usual direction of motion, each rear downforce creating tunnels including: an upper undersurface; and a first channel formed in said upper undersurface, said first channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said forward portion; a floor surface extending from said upper undersurface at said forward portion to said end portion; a first sidewall extending between said upper undersurface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said first sidewall forming a first sidewall edge between said first sidewall and said upper undersurface, said first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of longitudinal alignment with said tunnel; and a second sidewall extending between said upper undersurface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said second sidewall forming a second sidewall edge between said second sidewall and said upper undersurface, said second sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of longitudinal alignment with said tunnel.

Claim 53

An automobile having a usual direction of motion, a front, a rear, and right and left rear downforce creating tunnels generally aligned with the usual direction of motion, each rear downforce creating tunnels including: an upper undersurface; and a first channel formed in said upper undersurface, said first channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said forward portion; a floor surface extending from said upper undersurface at said forward portion to said end portion; a first sidewall extending between said upper undersurface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said first sidewall forming a first sidewall edge between said first sidewall and said upper undersurface, said first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of longitudinal alignment with said tunnel; and a second sidewall extending between said upper undersurface and said floor surface and extending between said forward portion and said end portion, said second sidewall forming a second sidewall edge between said second sidewall and said upper undersurface, said second sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of longitudinal alignment with said tunnel.

Claim 54

The automobile as defined in claim 48 further including: a last channel formed in said upper undersurface, said last channel having: a forward portion generally facing the front; an end portion positioned closer to the rear than said last channel forward portion; a floor surface extending from said upper undersurface at said last channel forward portion to said last channel end portion; a first sidewall extending between said floor surface of said first channel and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel first sidewall forming a last channel first sidewall edge between said last channel first sidewall and said floor surface of said first channel, said last channel first sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of longitudinal alignment with said tunnel; and a second sidewall extending between said floor surface of said first channel and said last channel floor surface and extending between said last channel forward portion and said last channel end portion, said last channel second sidewall forming a last channel second sidewall edge between said last channel second sidewall and said floor surface of said first channel, said last channel second sidewall edge having at least a portion positioned out of longitudinal alignment with said tunnel.

Claim 55

The automobile as defined in claim 48 wherein each of said tunnels includes: a fence bounding said upper surface generally parallel to said first channel, said first sidewall intersecting said fence at said end portion.

Claim 56

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 48 wherein said first channel includes: a fence bounding said upper surface generally parallel to said first channel, said floor surface intersecting said fence at said end portion.

Claim 57

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 49 further including: a fence bounding said upper surface generally parallel to said first and last channels, said first sidewalls and said floor surfaces of said first and last channels intersecting said fence at said end portions thereof.

Claim 58

The means to maintain attached flow as defined in claim 49 further including: a fence bounding the flow control surface generally parallel to said first and last channels, said floor surfaces of said first and last channels intersecting said fence at said end portions thereof.