They've been looking at similar designs over the last 30 years in an attempt to make semi's (semi-trailers/articulated trucks/etc.) more fuel efficient, especially on long hauls, but don't seem to have gotten anywhere.
Quote from: Old Wombat on October 09, 2017, 01:55:13 PMThey've been looking at similar designs over the last 30 years in an attempt to make semi's (semi-trailers/articulated trucks/etc.) more fuel efficient, especially on long hauls, but don't seem to have gotten anywhere.About the only approaches I've seen on the road, here, are streamlined front ends, efforts to reduce turbulence and drag under the trailer, and efforts to reduce the trailer base drag. Of course, these last two have the advantage of being retrofitable to existing trailers.
Electric engines (and sometimes, batteries) do need cooling - its usually passive cooling or if active liquid cooling is required, the radiators are much smaller.
What's happening between the tractor and trailer on that Yacht? Looks like smooth metal, but I'm sure it's just an over enthusiastic illustrator. It has to be something like the accordion bellows you see on some long busses or trolley cars.
In fact it's just a gap. But the end of the trailer is rounded and can turn. The end piece of the truck is empty space where the rounded front of the trailer moves.