Flow attachment around sidepods and its associated drag

[trinidefender]

So we have all seen various teams use various methods, usually consisting either of vortex generators or aerodynamic slots (look like small wings over the front portion of the sidepods), to maintain flow attachment over the top of the sidepods.

Keeping the flow attached has benefits twofold;
1. Reducing drag
2. Reducing turbulent airflow to the rear of the car aiding in the production of downforce.

Included in the link is a bit of information on a similar concept for an aviation application on a C-130 Hercules military cargo plane.

http://aviationweek.com/technology/drag ... 22ad345230

[markc]

Nice. Patent application here: https://www.lens.org/lens/patent/US_8226038_B2
Published July 2012

[wesley123]

From Lockheed-Martin themselves, which doesn't require you to register; https://lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/ ... orange.pdf

While essentially the same, I believe the purpose for F1 cars are more to push airflow around the side instead of over the top. And the wing or VGs are just different ways to achieve this goal. Most cars use a wing element over the sidepod, but those that still utilize the vertical elements all have them located at the outside portion, where the sidepod takes a steep downward curve to merge into the side. I believe it is only McLAren that uses these VGs. The rest that use the vertical elements have them connected to the wing element.

I believe the point in F1 is to 'push' air outwards down the side of the sidepod, utilizing the vortices(or wing element) to keep the flow attached in this quick vertical turn.