Mercedes AMG F1 W04

[henra]

Except that diffuser slows flow down

The job a diffuser has to do is to accelerate air at its throat: this is where downforce is created. Then (and only then), because of its geometry, it inevitably slows the flow down.

Exactly.
The trick is not the slowdown behind the throat but the acceleration to a higher speed upstream, i.e. as you pointed out in the throat. This results from the fact that air can be considered incompressible at these speeds. Therefore the speed in a given volume flow is linear to the cross section at any given point along the flow (if we leave spillage aside).
In a perfect world it would slow down only back to the original speed of the air.That would be the Maximum downforce you could extract from a diffuser of a given geometry.
Every further slowdown means a loss of downforce but is in reality inevitable due to drag effects around all the bodywork.
Therefore you want as good an airflow above the diffuser as possible. This will directly affect the downforce.

[stefan_]

Canada 2013 - Wednesday (05.06.2013)

[beelsebob]

So now we finally see it – Merc's fabled suspension frame!

Shame the pic isn't better lit.

[ThumbsUp]

So now we finally see it – Merc's fabled suspension frame!

Shame the pic isn't better lit.

Hello, I'm pretty new, although I registered about a year ago. I never ever posted something. So here is my first post! I changed the brightness and contrast for a fair bit.

Grtz Jarno

[turbof1]

Good job! It shows the pick up points perfectly.

I assume that each time that they want to change the positioning of the pick up points, they have to make a new casing? Or is the casing modular?

[Huntresa]

Good job! It shows the pick up points perfectly.

I assume that each time that they want to change the positioning of the pick up points, they have to make a new casing? Or is the casing modular?

Modular would make most sense since its made for easy switching, and switching the entire case cant be as easy as if it were to be modular.

[turbof1]

Of course you still have to ensure the whole gives enough stiffness. 1 solid structure is better at that then several pieces put together.

[WillerZ]

There needn't be any stiffness issue with a modular design. Think of it as less than the sole structural element for the suspension mounting and more as an adapter which transfers the load from the pickup points to the mounting points for the cover on the gearbox casing.

I am not saying that this is definitely what Mercedes are doing, but it would definitely make sense. It seems pretty obvious to me that relocating the suspension is not the only reason they have gone this way: it also means they can reshape the back end for aerodynamic gain without incurring a gearbox penalty.

[stefan_]

Canada 2013 - Thursday (06.06.2013)

[gray41]

[MercedesAMG]

http://img2.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Mer ... 690798.jpg

A new engine-cover.

[mantikos]

http://img2.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Mer ... 690798.jpg

A new engine-cover.

Huh?

[Ferraripilot]

New engine cover difference shown below. The area MB have essentially deleted was before used as a venting area so we can probably safely assume this venting area is now smaller. This new found area should convert to more air blowing the beam wing.


new

old

[turbof1]

Can somebody make a comparison between the monaco and montreal gearboxes? I think they had to shrink it in order to get the new bodywork to fit.

[mantikos]

New engine cover difference shown below. The area MB have essentially deleted was before used as a venting area so we can probably safely assume this venting area is now smaller. This new found area should convert to more air blowing the beam wing.


new
http://i42.tinypic.com/bje8zq.jpg
old
http://i42.tinypic.com/z50n5.jpg

Thank you for clarifying - appreciate it.