Fuel Saving Vortex Generators

Subtle · Post by **Subtle** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:23 am

No, this not an varation of the popular flux capacitor. It's an intriguing aero device written up in the June 18 Autospeed.

Direct link is www.fuelsavers.com.au

skid542 · Post by **skid542** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:55 pm

As an aerospace engineer student with 6 credits remaining and having spent the last year specializing in drag reduction, these are a semi-valid solution although there is a lot of room for improper implimentation. The website also makes some falacies in their explanation of how it works. I also have my doubts about how 'specialized' these were for cars in that they definately look to be a bit taller than is really neccesary to re-energize the boundary layer.

I plan on doing a good full aero analysis of my car at some point and some vortex generators may be used to smooth things out but they will be smaller and the placement will be a little more specific.

But those are still kinda neat. I'd really like to see the Autospeed article.

Subtle · Post by **Subtle** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:16 pm

Autospeed didn't give it a serious evaluation, but I guess the tabs would assist the coanda effect. Prolly only effective at v. high speed.

wiscon_mark · Post by **wiscon_mark** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:32 pm

Even if it works, I'm not putting little aluminum fins on my car.

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:21 pm

Yeah.....I'd question how these actually work.

AWD_addict · Post by **AWD_addict** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:30 am

Vortex generators are used for aircraft with short take-off and landing kits (STOL).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_generator

They're attached at the leading edge of the wing. So they may help flow the air over the back of cars, but they create drag. Those guys claim they decrease drag, so maybe that's overall?

scuzzy · Post by **scuzzy** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:38 pm

AWD_addict wrote:Vortex generators are used for aircraft with short take-off and landing kits (STOL).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vortex_generator

They're attached at the leading edge of the wing. So they may help flow the air over the back of cars, but they create drag. Those guys claim they decrease drag, so maybe that's overall?

Probably overall they do decrease drag, but like skid said it's very touchy to implementation.

Planes fly at low speed too, think 60 to 80mph during takeoffs and landings (for cessna's) so it's more than likely the low speed at which these have a better effect than high speed.

AWD_addict · Post by **AWD_addict** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:03 pm

Yeah, it's about 58 mph for a short field takeoff in a C152.
I agree, at high speed the VGs would probably just be a hindrance.

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Fuel Saving Vortex Generators

Fuel Saving Vortex Generators