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Feasibility Study of a Fan-Driven Device Generating Downforce for Road Cars

Author

Listed:
  • Maciej Szudarek

    (Institute of Metrology and Biomedical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 02-525 Warszawa, Poland)

  • Adam Piechna

    (Institute of Automatic Control and Robotics, Warsaw University of Technology, 02-525 Warszawa, Poland)

  • Janusz Piechna

    (Institute of Aeronautics and Applied Mechanics, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-665 Warszawa, Poland)

Abstract

This paper, submitted to the special issue of Energies “Future of Road Vehicle Aerodynamics”, proposes and justifies the use of an old idea of generating downforce by actively drawing air from under the car body and exhausting it to the outside. Instead of traditional moving mechanical-curtain elements, a new method for sealing the clearance under the body with an air curtain is proposed. Basic information on the geometry and flow characteristics of such a solution suitable for use in automobiles is presented. The performance of such a fan-driven device generating downforce is studied over a wide range of driving speeds. The device allows for significantly improved vehicle acceleration, shorter braking distances, and extension of the range of safe cornering speeds. The paper shows the successive stages of development of the idea, from the 2D model to the 3D model, and an attempt to implement the device on a sports car. The distributions of pressure, velocity, pathlines and values of aerodynamic forces obtained at assumed fan compressions for different driving speeds are presented. The advantages and disadvantages of the analyzed device are discussed, and further optimization directions are outlined.

Suggested Citation

  • Maciej Szudarek & Adam Piechna & Janusz Piechna, 2022. "Feasibility Study of a Fan-Driven Device Generating Downforce for Road Cars," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-27, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:15:p:5549-:d:876478
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jakub Broniszewski & Janusz Ryszard Piechna, 2022. "Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of a Competitive Car during Brake-in-Turn Manoeuvre," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Maciej Szudarek & Janusz Piechna, 2021. "CFD Analysis of the Influence of the Front Wing Setup on a Time Attack Sports Car’s Aerodynamics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-29, November.
    3. Janusz Ryszard Piechna & Krzysztof Kurec & Jakub Broniszewski & Michał Remer & Adam Piechna & Konrad Kamieniecki & Przemysław Bibik, 2022. "Influence of the Car Movable Aerodynamic Elements on Fast Road Car Cornering," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-28, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Krzysztof Wiński & Adam Piechna, 2022. "Comprehensive CFD Aerodynamic Simulation of a Sport Motorcycle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-27, August.

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