GB2270658A

GB2270658A - Vertical aerofoils for vehicles.

Info

Publication number: GB2270658A
Application number: GB9219036A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard John Topliss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-09-07
Filing date: 1992-09-07
Publication date: 1994-03-23
Also published as: GB9219036D0

Abstract

Forward pointing vertical aerofoils or fins 11 are attached to the corners of a vehicle such that the airflow over each aerofoil or fin 11, produces a force towards the middle of the vehicle. Whilst travelling in a straight line these forces cancel out Whilst travelling round a corner. The greater airflow over the aerofoils or fins 11 along the outer edge produces a greater force into the middle of the vehicle than from the aerofoils or fins 11 along the inner edge of the vehicle. This produces a resultant force from the aerofoils or fins into the corner; a centripetal force. <IMAGE>

Description

AERODYNAMICS FOR TEE coRNIIN OF VBBICLES This invention relates to aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles.

When a vehicle goes round a corner, it is limited in its speed by the magnitude of the inward force caused by friction between the road and its tyres. If the centripetal force is increased, the vehicle will be able to travel at a higher speed round the corner. In the circumstances of, say, a motor race this is of paramount importance.

According to the present invention there is provided aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles comprising of vertical aerofoils or fins manufactured from suitably light and strong materials attached by appropriate means to the corners of the vehicle.

The specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 represents, in perspective, a simplified diagram of a vehicle with vertical aerofoils fitted.

Figure 2 represents, in perspective, a simplified diagram of a vehicle with vertical fins fitted.

Figure 3 shows the vehicle represented in figure 1 moving along a straight road.

Figure 4 shows the vehicle represented in figure 1 moving round a left hand bend of a road.

Figure 5 shows the vehicle represented in figure 2 moving along a straight road.

Figure 6 shows the vehicle represented in figure 2 moving round a left hand bend in a road.

Figure 7 shows an example of how the aerofoils used in figure 1 may be incorporated and used in a racing car.

Referring to the drawing, figure 1 consists of a suitable vehicle 10, and four forward pointing aerofoils 11 ,with the most curved face innermost.

As the vehicle 10 moves forward down a road, shown in figure 3, the airflow 13 over each aerofoil 11 produces a force F towards the middle of the vehicle . These forces cancel each other out producing no resultant force.

As the vehicle 10 travels round a corner shown in figure 4, the outer edge X of the vehicle 10 must travel faster than the inner edge Y. Thus the airflow over aerofoils A and B is greater than over aerofoils C and D.

Thus there is an overall resultant force into the corner due to the aerofoils of Fa + Pb - Fc - Fd. This adds to the centripetal force from the friction between the tyres and the road. Thus according to the equation for circular motion: P = ç /r where, P = centripetal force on vehicle 10 N = mass of vehicle 10 v = speed of vehicle 10 r = radius of bend Thus the maximum speed of the vehicle round the corner is increased by the aerofoils.

A similar theory applies if the aerofoils in figure 1 are replaced by fins, shown in figure 2. Whilst vehicle 14 is travelling along a straight road, shown in figure 5 the forces on each fin 15, due to the change in momentum of the airflow 16 over the fins, are all towards the middle of the vehicle and cancel each other out. However whilst cornering, shown in figure 6, the greater airflow over fins E and G, due to the greater speed of outer edge X of the vehicle 14, compared with that of fins H and J produce an extra resultant force into the corner allowing greater speed round a corner.

Whilst a vehicle is cornering, aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles supplements the centripetal force caused by friction between the road and the vehicles tyres with a centripetal force caused by air resistance; friction between the vehicle and the air. Aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles relies on the difference in speed of the inner edge and outer edge of a vehicle whilst going round a corner.

Figure 7 shows how the system could be incorporated in a racing car.

Claims

CLAN

1. Aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles comprising of vertical aerofoils or fins manufactured from suitably light and strong materials and attached by appropriate means to the corners of a vehicle.

2. Aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles as claimed in claim 1 such that airflow over each aerofoil or fin provides a force towards the middle of a vehicle whilst it is moving forward.

3. Aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 such that there is greater airflow over the aerofoils or fins on the outer edge of a vehicle whilst it is moving round a corner than over the aerofoils or fins along the inner edge of a vehicle.

4. Aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles as claimed in claim 3 such that the greater airflow over the aerofoils or fins along the outer edge of a vehicle, whilst cornering, produce a greater force towards the middle of a vehicle than the aerofoils or fins along the inner edge of a vehicle.

5. Aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles as claimed in claim 4 such that there is a resultant force into the corner due to the aerofoils or fins; a centripetal force, whilst a vehicle is cornering.

6. Aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles as claimed in claim 5 such that due to the resultant force into the corner due to the aerofoils or fins, a vehicle is able to corner at a higher speed than without the aerofoils or fins.

7. Aerodynamics for the cornering of vehicles as described herein with reference to figures 1-7 of the accompanying drawing.