does anyone kno a rough estimate for the unsprung mass in kgs at each wheel of an F1 car.....I have my major group design study in tomorrow (being a typical students we're leaving the most difficult bit til last so we can have a good panic!) I need a rough figure to carry FEA on r design.
Just a comment about the four drawings under the caption Wire spring vs Pneumatic valve comparison.
It shows one of the theoretical advantages of the pneumatic system, the variation of the “spring rate” as a function of rpm achievable varying the inner pressure. Actually I don’t know if such a system is currently used, I’ve heard contrasting opinion about that, maybe Scarbs knows more.
In that particular case there’s also a spring so varying the nitrogen pressure inside the chamber you can move between the two extremes, the return actuated exclusively by the relatively soft spring (4 & 5), perfect for low rpm since the low spring rate reduces the friction hence the power absorbed, and for highest rpm an exclusively pneumatic return with the coil spring always compressed (2 & 3).
Furthermore there’s the advantage that in case of loss of pressure the valves still work thanks to the spring, although you have a limitation on rpm, you can safely reach the pits to re-pressurize the system.
As I said I don’t know if it’s actually used, but that’s the concept.
