Aerodynamic Investigation on the Effect of Varying Through-Hub Flow on a Formula One Front Wheel Assembly

Sprot, A.J.; Minto, J.; Sims-Williams, D.B.; Dominy, R.G.

Abstract

For open wheel race cars the front wheel flow and the interaction of its wake with downstream components is of significant importance. Considerable effort goes into the design of front wing end plates, barge boards and underfloor components in order to manage the front wheel flow. In this study a 50% scale Formula One front wheel assembly has been tested in the Durham University 2m2 open jet wind tunnel to evaluate the effect of through-hub flow on its cooling drag and flow structures. Varying the amount of through-hub flow gave rise to a negative cooling drag trend whereby increasing the flow through the hub resulted in a decrease in drag.

Citation

Sprot, A., Minto, J., Sims-Williams, D., & Dominy, R. (2011). Aerodynamic Investigation on the Effect of Varying Through-Hub Flow on a Formula One Front Wheel Assembly. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems, 4(1), 929-944. https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-1431

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Dec 29, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 27, 2014
• Journal: SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems
• Print ISSN: 1946-3995
• Electronic ISSN: 1946-4002
• Publisher: SAE International
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 929-944
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-1431