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Fuel Saving Vortex Generators
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:23 am
by Subtle
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
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:55 pm
by skid542
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.
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:16 pm
by Subtle
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.
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:32 pm
by wiscon_mark
Even if it works, I'm not putting little aluminum fins on my car.
Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:21 pm
by Legacy777
Yeah.....I'd question how these actually work.
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:30 am
by AWD_addict
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?
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:38 pm
by scuzzy
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.
Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 9:03 pm
by AWD_addict
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.