I suspect I tried to fit too much into a short post where I tried to start a discussion about the aerodynamics of the Sauber car. Sorry about that.
trinidefender wrote:
And I suspect this post shows what you know about aerodynamics.
I am just a thermal hydraulics person. My knowledge of the fluid flow might be limited compared to yours.
trinidefender wrote:
You said "narrows like a water drop as it goes back." Just a question but have you ever stopped and wondered why water drops are the shape that they are? They are that shape because as the water droplets fall, the airflow moving around them shapes them into the shape that causes the least possible drag. The less drag there is then the less you disturb the airflow moving around an object. They are aiming for the shape that creates the least possible disturbance to the airflow moving around it. Now as the airflow passes the widest part the nose tip tapers inwards drawing air back inwards to go between the front wing pylons. In my eyes it may be ugly but I do not believe it is a bad concept per se.
I will limit the initial part of the discussion only to the nose and its placement with respect to the central section of the front wing so that not to confuse anyone. If you look at the nose tip, it has a very rectangular cross section and a flat top. The flat top with the flat nose will generate quite a bit of downforce.
The part that made me feel uncomfortable is the very large curvature of the bottom portion of the nose tip. That will draw quite a bit of the air downwards. The nose tip is aligned pretty forward of the front wing's neutral section. So, in the absence of any curvature upwards as far as I see, the downward flow from underneath the tip will get compressed against the wing itself. It will create a high pressure section between the front of the wing and the bottom portion of the tip. That will cost a little in terms of efficiency.
The good thing is that, the fast flowing air (compressed further by the inward shaped pylons) will create a low pressure section under the nose. But that makes me wonder why they kept the continuation water drop shaped. (Please note water drop is not used in a literal sense, just like the way we use pelican nose or butterfly suspension) a more aggressive upward swing underneath the nose could have lowered the pressure at that location even further.
trinidefender wrote:
Please people....stop with these "this part looks simple/under-developed/ugly/whatever" posts so the X/Y/Z part/car is rubbish posts.
I agree that the rubbish posts and trolling should be kept to a minimum. A constructive way to approach this will be accomplished when people share their knowledge (I guess especially on aerodynamics) instead of making disparaging remarks about others.
Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep thoughts can be winnowed from deep nonsense.
Carl Sagan
