ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 12 -- United States Patent no. 12,296,893, issued on May 13, was assigned to Magna Exteriors Inc. (Aurora, Canada).
"Deployable aerodynamic side panel system" was invented by Anthony J. Povinelli (Romeo, Mich.) and Martin R. Matthews (Troy, Mich.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An active side panel assembly having at least one deployable panel (22) and at least one actuator (30). The deployable panel deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements and provides valueable reduction in vehicle drag, thereby reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Additionally, it allows for the system to retract so the vehicle can still meet ground clearances, ramp angles, off-road...