Red Bull RB8 Renault

[gandharva]

Launch Analysis: Red Bull RB8

http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2012/02/2 ... -bull-rb8/

[horse]

So this arrangement with pillar and conventional looking endplates is just a first step. I excpect new endplates to come out in next test or in melbourne

It has reduced the size of the actuator, also. Perhaps the importance of this area has increased now that diffuser blowing is banned.

[shelly]

Yes it could be. I think that you would always want a drs actuator as small as possible, and the pillar allows for that.

But if you want to have a fancy shaped endplate, or a fancy shaped beam wing, than probably it is easier to give the pillar the structural role.

My idea about blowing is that there is a lot of low pressure/downforce to exploit when you manage to accelerate a vortex along its axis, and then make this accelerated vortex flow beneath a down-facing surface.

The accelerated vortex has a much lower inner pressure because it's narrower and forced to "rotate" more quickly, for angular momentum conservation (this is called vortex stretching).

I think this acceleration of vortices can be more effective than simply blowing against a surface, which is anyway effective.

Last year ebd (and fee) expoited vortex acceleration in my opinion, by blowing inside the footplate vortex (or the low bargeboard vortex in the case of fee)

With 2012 exhausts' position, besides tip vortices from the brake ducts, a kinked beam wing (abrupt change of section in top view), a deeply cutout endplate or even a beam wing without endplates could be the generators of powerful enough vortices to be accelerated, if the velocity from the exhausts has not decayed too much.

We will see if new developments guve credit or are in contrast with this pet theory

[RB7ate9]

Interesting. You don't often see Red Bull copying a Ferrari concept (DRS/wing pillar).

I agree, I think the thinness of the letterbox betrays the fact that the volume flow rate through there is much higher and more direct than placing a hole in the front of the nose that will lose more energy by the time it gets to the cockpit.

No. Just no.

I look forward to your explanation.

[hardingfv32]

Also, an added benefit is to add energized flow over the sidepods. Seems like a simple enough modification, I wonder why this wasn't as prevalent on 2011 cars?

More accurately, why was this not done in the last 10-20 years on any formula car?

I does not work!

Brian

[tjaeger]

Hmmm.... I do not remember seeing this before.

[img]http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/4585/338v.png[img]

Any idea what it is used for? Purpose?

Could that be the exist of air collected at the slot in the hump of the front wing? Would this add any value, advantage?

Based on the pointed elliptical shape of the exhaust, this must be Newey's latest innovation to be copied by every other team

If it was Newey's should it not have a gurney on it?

[RB7ate9]

Also, an added benefit is to add energized flow over the sidepods. Seems like a simple enough modification, I wonder why this wasn't as prevalent on 2011 cars?

More accurately, why was this not done in the last 10-20 years on any formula car?

I does not work!

Brian

One explanation could be that having that disturbance wouldn't be offset with aero benefits. Perhaps even with any high-pressure build-up, the exit doesn't have enough flow to either create a smoother boundary layer, add energized air to the rear flow, or overcome the turbulence from such a sharp cut. The presence of assorted exits on the sidepods next to the cockpit during race weekends suggest a benefit, but whether or not it extends beyond simply being more effective at cooling the driver during hot days is questionable, as, at first, I had thought that this was a new development until someone pointed out that these have been on cars for years.

If only I had all the hi-rez photos, data outputs, team radio recordings, race video, and the design team with me so I could really find out the truth!

[Shrieker]

Why would Red Bull go back to central pillar for flap actuation after all the effort? I was thinking the other day if you apply enough force, you can twist/bend the entire rear wing assembly. That surely could bring a substantial gain when the DRS is activated.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Testing front wing. Right click>view image







RB8 Exhaust

[PlatinumZealot]

The rack that holds the sensors look like its CNC machined from one slab of billet aluminum..$$$$ no matter why they left FOTA.

[bhall]

I agree, I think the thinness of the letterbox betrays the fact that the volume flow rate through there is much higher and more direct than placing a hole in the front of the nose that will lose more energy by the time it gets to the cockpit.

No. Just no.

I look forward to your explanation.

The general consensus thus far has been that the stepped noses do not inflict much of a drag penalty, because of the way air flows over the top of the nose. This is borne out when you make a comparison between RB7's nose inlet and RB8's "letterbox." The "letterbox" is much, much larger, because the airflow into it is nowhere near as direct or abundant.

(Sorry for the terse rejection of your idea earlier.)

[JimiJams]

The rack that holds the sensors look like its CNC machined from one slab of billet aluminum..$$$$ no matter why they left FOTA.

Can you further explain why this is considered a costly solution?

[Richard]

The "letterbox" is much, much larger, because the airflow into it is nowhere near as direct or abundant.

That actual hole in the letterbox doesn't appear to be that big. I recall it is limited to the same area as the nose inlet, or the ducted inlet Schumacher use last year.

I agree the surrounding ramp does seem to be shaped like a dam which would infer that you can have a relatively large disruption at that point without too much penalty.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

The "letterbox" is much, much larger, because the airflow into it is nowhere near as direct or abundant.

That actual hole in the letterbox doesn't appear to be that big. I recall it is limited to the same area as the nose inlet, or the ducted inlet Schumacher use last year.

I agree the surrounding ramp does seem to be shaped like a dam which would infer that you can have a relatively large disruption at that point without too much penalty.

I can't wait to get a picture of the RB8 bulkhead with the nose off! We will get one. Might not be until Monza, but we'll get one.

[Richard]

I can't wait to get a picture of the RB8 bulkhead with the nose off! We will get one. Might not be until Monza, but we'll get one.

You'll get one at FP1 on 15 March, they have to have open garage doors are race weekends. We sometimes get some good pics the day before when they are setting up.