Patent For C8 Adjustable Splitter System For A Motor Vehicle Granted to GM

[John]

This adjustable splitter system patent was granted yesterday to GM. It was originally applied for on September 25, 2017.



This patent was found, no surprise, by Jeremy Welborn (aka “jagamajajaran”), who has singlehandedly found more than half of the potential C8 patents. Thank you Jeremy!

For a descriptive list of the other 14 previous, potential Corvette ME patents for the 2020 and later C8 Corvette:

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...-c8-me-patents

The purpose/description of the patent, as per the abstract is to be an adjustable splitter to configure air flow with “first and second portions, with the second one affixed to the first portions.” Further there is a “controlling mechanism” for the purpose “to vary a magnitude of aerodynamic downforce.”

By having the controlling mechanism be able to adjust the second of portions of the splitter, where the first portion configured to be attached to the vehicle body, the amount of front end downforce can easily and continually be adjusted/regulated. As one example by having the portions aligned together against the vehicle body, the least downforce is created, leading to the greatest forward acceleration (less downforce), while conversely at the end of a straightaway, the lower portion could be lowered from the vehicle body to as much as its lowest position, creating significant downforce and deceleration forces

Front air dam: An air dam can be one of those magic improvements, increasing downforce and reducing drag at the same time. It can also improve engine cooling by increasing the air flow rate through the radiator. An air dam reduces drag by reducing the rate of air flow under the car, which reduces drag caused by all of the protrusions and cavities under the car. Everything that you see under the car is a drag source, so hiding that mess behind an air dam is a simple way to reduce drag.

An air dam can increase downforce by reducing the average air pressure under the car. Maximizing downforce from an air dam requires its lower edge to be very near the pavement, so it has to be flexible to survive in the real world. An air dam is a simple device, so making one that works well is an easy fabrication project.

https://nasaspeed.news/tech/aero/air...e-whole-point/

Here is the complete patent thanks to USPTO.

[John]

Specific USPTO patent document:

http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...DN/20190092402

[MidEngine]

Is this the third or fourth active arrow C8 patent? This could be on a high-performance version.

[ltomn]

Keep in mind that it's shown on a front engine car! I understand that may just be the illustration but the rendering does say a bit.

[meyerweb]

Nothing in this patent says it's for the C8. And companies patent lots of things that never actually get used in production. This, and the other "C8" patents that have been discussed on this site may, or may not, ever appear on a Corvette. C8 or otherwise.

[MidEngine]

That could well be on a Z06 or Zora.

[Daviboss10]

Keep in mind that it's shown on a front engine car! I understand that may just be the illustration but the rendering does say a bit.

If they made a mid engined rendering it would give it away... Also keep in mind that the rendering is exactly a C7, and like meyerweb said, most of these might never see the light of day.

[John]

We are now up to 16 patents that have been granted in the last two year’s that each could apply to the C8. Guessing that some would become reality.

[MidEngine]

This patent is intriguing. It will differentially force the front end down when wanted for cornering.

[Buzzsaw]

hope the offer it before my order gets turned in