Improving the aerodynamics of a cooling system of a Formula Student car
Siitonen, Henri Mikael (2011)
Siitonen, Henri Mikael
Mikkelin ammattikorkeakoulu
2011
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2011121318218
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2011121318218
Tiivistelmä
Now days the aerodynamics is the last frontier in which the race teams try to gain those precious seconds and levels of grip. The rules try to make the playing field even so that the competition would be fair. Still the teams come up with new innovations which then will give them the edge. For an automotive engineer it is vital to know the basics in aerodynamics, because also in the commercial side the cars are made more aerodynamic in order to achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption.
In SAE Formula Student the aerodynamics haven’t played a big role in the past, but as the rules are very strict regarding the engine, powertrain, etc. what is left is the aerodynamics. Only few teams have incor-porated aerodynamics in their design and some of those teams have been quite successful. The main reason why the teams haven’t spent time in developing the aerodynamics is the low speed in which the car operates. But this doesn’t mean that the aerodynamics should be forgotten, it just means that one shouldn’t focus in getting more downforce but to make the car more streamline to reduce the drag. Also use it to improve the cooling system!
In this thesis the basics of aerodynamics will be presented briefly, also the basics of an internal combus-tion engine cooling system. Then the different ways of measuring the air flow and air speed is explained. These different ways of measuring are then evaluated, in according to which of them are suited to be used in the tests. Lastly the actual modifications that were done to the car and the results that were achieved.
In SAE Formula Student the aerodynamics haven’t played a big role in the past, but as the rules are very strict regarding the engine, powertrain, etc. what is left is the aerodynamics. Only few teams have incor-porated aerodynamics in their design and some of those teams have been quite successful. The main reason why the teams haven’t spent time in developing the aerodynamics is the low speed in which the car operates. But this doesn’t mean that the aerodynamics should be forgotten, it just means that one shouldn’t focus in getting more downforce but to make the car more streamline to reduce the drag. Also use it to improve the cooling system!
In this thesis the basics of aerodynamics will be presented briefly, also the basics of an internal combus-tion engine cooling system. Then the different ways of measuring the air flow and air speed is explained. These different ways of measuring are then evaluated, in according to which of them are suited to be used in the tests. Lastly the actual modifications that were done to the car and the results that were achieved.