Low drag cycle wings

[keybaud]

A friend of mine, Andy, is looking at developing low drag cycle wings and he's currently got a design that will theoretically reduce the wing drag by 37% and the lift by 80%. His explanation of the impact of this is as follows:

 

"For a car of 550kg with even weight distribution, that results in a 52% increase in grip at 140mph steady state (~300bhp car over Avon Rise at Castle Combe). Make of that what you will!"

 

He has plans to go into production and is taking expressions of interest with stated tyre sizes, but he doesn't have any prices yet. He still has some work to do to reduce drag and lift further and he wants me to point out that they are legal for sprinting/hill climbing in road going specialist production. He hasn't looked at diffusers to balance the rear, as they are already available from many outlets.

 

If anyone wants me to put them in touch with Andy, drop me a BM. I'll also update this thread as things develop.

[tbird]

isn't that what the CSR cycle wing does,how would these differ

 

Tim

[OliverSedlacek]

Do they stop the front wheels throwing water at the windscreen when you turn a corner? That's a goal worth pursuing!

[tbird]

Mud Flaps fix that, Ikea Flexible chopping boards being one of the materials of choice if the black ones still available (unless you want to colour coordinate of course) Discussion Here

 

Tim

[keybaud]

There are no available items that will do what Andy's wings will do. They are using the same concept that F1 teams use to reduce drag and increase downforce. This is achieved by creating a low pressure vortex to the sides of the wheel, which allows high pressure air in front of the wheel to be pulled sideways, thus reducing the lift and drag created by the high pressure in this area.

 

The CSR wings may reduce drag by small amount compared to older cycle wings, but it will only be a small reduction.

 

Mud flaps do not reduce the high pressure in front of the wheel, so do not have the same effect.

 

As for where the water goes, I don't know.

 

Edited by - keybaud on 3 Oct 2013 13:06:53

[The Laddie]

Although probably no longer available the Freestyle Louvered cycle wings had an immediately noticible effect upon the reduction of drag, (acceleration increased) but I cannot comment upon increase of grip.

[myothercarsa2cv]

Any pics? Or is it top secret?

[AntonyH]

I'm certainly curious, dependent on appearance and cost.

 

As per myothercarsa2cv - any pics?

[keybaud]

Quoting myothercarsa2cv: 

Any pics? Or is it top secret?

 

The only pic I've seen is a dynamic flow simulation that has something grey in the middle and lots of rainbow lines going towards it and around it. I'll post a link to it when I get home.

[andy couchman]

I believe that the CSR front wings may have had input from people at Cranfield, including a professor of aerodynamics, so will be interesting to see how Andy's design compares to the CSR's.

 

Andy

[tbird]

Mud flaps do not reduce the high pressure in front of the wheel, so do not have the same effect.

 

Twas in response to water spray 😬

 

The CSR wings may reduce drag by small amount

I suspect the CSR wings increase drag slighly as they are designed to give a small amount of downforce, along with the winglets, didn't think it was possible to both reduce drag and increase downforce at the same time , they do reduce some of the turbulence around the wheels simply by fitting more closely, this has the side effect of reducing lift slightly.

 

Interested to see results from your friends tests

 

 

 

Tim

 

 

Edited by - tbird on 3 Oct 2013 21:48:00

[AntonyH]

To be fair, the OP said the wings reduced lift, not that they generated downforce.

 

[tbird]

It was this I was commenting on in a later post Anthony,

 

There are no available items that will do what Andy's wings will do. They are using the same concept that F1 teams use to reduce drag and increase downforce. This is achieved by creating a low pressure vortex to the sides of the wheel, which allows high pressure air in front of the wheel to be pulled sideways, thus reducing the lift and drag created by the high pressure in this area.

I am no expert, just wondered if it was possible, not so much for mine but if drag can be reduced while increasing downforce it could be very useful on brothers car which is having problems with lift at high speed.

 

Tim

[AntonyH]

 

Ah, indeed! I've always understood that aerodynamic lift (up or down) comes at the expense of drag.

 

Willing to be proved wrong, of course, but I'd equally happily settle for a reduction in drag and lift!

 

[elie boone]

I think they will cover much more of the wheel, starting somewhere at the steering rack arm and could have closed sides, lets wait and see.

 

Edited to say that the louvered front wings can be bought on e-bay, but i have seen that the LMP1 discard them completely leaving just 1 big hole for some reason.

 

Edited by - elie boone on 4 Oct 2013 08:12:43

[Z3MCJez]

Quoting AntonyH: 

Ah, indeed! I've always understood that aerodynamic lift (up or down) comes at the expense of drag.

 

If you've got lift (or downforce) you've got drag. However, you could design something that has more downforce with less drag than something else. It's what F1 teams invest oodles of money in, and they end up with vanes everywhere.

 

Jez

[6speedmanual]

Early CSR prototype front wings were more enclosed at the sides and came lower down the front. Eventually compromise was moved towards more conventional appearance and easier wheel changing.

 

Peter

[keybaud]

Spoke to Andy today and the design does cover the wheel, to some extent, but he is looking at the option of making it in multiple parts. This would allow the side part to be removed to access the wheel, whilst leaving the top bit in place. He is still looking at designs and materials, so it will be some time until they are available; however, he is following this thread and I can reply on his behalf to any further questions.

[tbird]

Jez cheers I did not think that through properly did I 😔 I did not consider a complete redesign of a unit which worked more efficiently, brain got stuck at using same unit (cycle wing in this case) and adding something to improve down force,

I will sit in corner writing "I am Thick" until advised otherwise

 

Tim

[elie boone]

I fear that there is only a very small market for these wings, so be carefull how much dosh goes into the project. On this terms i am out 😬