refraction question?

Smokey 6 litre · 27 Nov 2003, 15:43 (Ref:796174)

i was wondering whether it is possible to have a car with a window, split in two, and angled either side?

im not sure how well these picture illustrate the question but is it allowed, or possible.

So far i've worked out that the refraction through glass always comes out paralell to the way it went in (assuming the both sides of the glass are paralell.

The image is poor but does anyone know what im talking about?

Smokey 6 litre · 27 Nov 2003, 15:44 (Ref:796175)

This what my car would look like...an evil Toyota GT1!

Smokey 6 litre · 27 Nov 2003, 15:45 (Ref:796177)

finally!

paul-collins · 27 Nov 2003, 15:51 (Ref:796182)

You mean like this?

Gilles · 27 Nov 2003, 16:03 (Ref:796192)

Definitely yes because a DB Panhard already run Le Mans in the early 60's with such a window.

Fogelhund · 27 Nov 2003, 16:20 (Ref:796203)

Quote:

Originally posted by Gilles
Definitely yes because a DB Panhard already run Le Mans in the early 60's with such a window.

Well, I think the rules may have changed since the early sixties a few times. Not sure if it is legal or not.

**skycafe** · 27 Nov 2003, 16:51 (Ref:796228)

I wasn't surprised to scroll down and see the Mosler Raptor get mentioned. If paul-collins hadn't done it, I would have.

I hope there is a rule against this, it is just ugly!

Robert

Smokey 6 litre · 28 Nov 2003, 12:28 (Ref:797011)

it must reduce drag a lot, especially if you blend it smootly into the front bodywork!

Guess i'd better keep designing then!

johnw · 28 Nov 2003, 13:45 (Ref:797101)

Early Morris Minor, VW Camper?

RacingManiac · 28 Nov 2003, 17:12 (Ref:797274)

Aero is exactly the reason why Mosler did it. He is a big fan of split window. In fact he would of done it to MT900 as well if it weren't for the "T" in the MT900 (something Trenn, I forgot his firstname), who penned the car and gave very strong protest about the idea(threatening pulling out of the project).....

pirenzo · 28 Nov 2003, 17:13 (Ref:797276)

why? What benefit would refracting light have? Or do you mean is you had a wedge shaped windscreen would you get odd views out if it?

**skycafe** · 28 Nov 2003, 19:53 (Ref:797427)

Quote:

Originally posted by johnw
Early Morris Minor, VW Camper?

Porsche Gmund Coupe also!

Mosler's use of the screen is more vertical then your illustration. They were splitting the air around the cabin. If you look at some of the screen treatments in fomula cars you would see the same effect, as it would help keep a vortex from forming as the air tumbles over the roof, or in a forumla car, up and over driver's head, roll structure, airbox, etc., so you could have a clean flow to rear wing. Me thinks!

I don't think you would have a problem with refraction too much, as you can go to a road car and look off to the side through the frong windscreen without a problem.

Your central driver position is interesting.

dretceterini · 28 Nov 2003, 20:43 (Ref:797486)

Literally hundreds of cars (especially before WW2) had V-windscreens..mainly because it was easier to use 2 pieces of glass than try to make a curved piece

**skycafe** · 28 Nov 2003, 22:32 (Ref:797563)

Far cheaper too. Bending glass is a challenge.
Same windscreens used in early cabin aircraft. DC3 would be a good example.

Dauntless · 30 Nov 2003, 14:46 (Ref:799271)

Yep, my Stinson V77 has flat windows too. (This isn't my airplane, but is an identical model and only a few serial numbers apart from mine.)

Smokey 6 litre · 1 Dec 2003, 09:01 (Ref:800034)

Quote:

Originally posted by pirenzo
Or do you mean is you had a wedge shaped windscreen would you get odd views out if it?

yes, i was wondering if it was allowed, and if it was would it distord the drivers view of the track.

Fab · 1 Dec 2003, 13:15 (Ref:800305)

Quote:

Originally posted by Dauntless
Yep, my Stinson V77 has flat windows too. (This isn't my airplane, but is an identical model and only a few serial numbers apart from mine.)

Wonderful machine !

jase · 1 Dec 2003, 13:19 (Ref:800308)

Quote:

Originally posted by Smokey 6 litre
yes, i was wondering if it was allowed, and if it was would it distord the drivers view of the track.

While a great idea, surely the spar in the middle of the screen would obscure a portion of the forward view (depending on driver position)?

pirenzo · 1 Dec 2003, 17:32 (Ref:800518)

yep. View wouldn't be distorted noticably, unless the glass was at an extreme angle or the glass itself was very thick in which case it would have the effect of squashing the view sideways, kinda like narrow screen

pirenzo · 1 Dec 2003, 17:33 (Ref:800522)

actually, angle wouldn't have much effect anyhow thinking about it

egor · 2 Dec 2003, 10:49 (Ref:801340)

On modern military aircraft, some have a weapon system that uses a device that looks through a wedged type screen/cover.
The way it is manufactured, the join in the screen is not seen when viewed from behind by the weaponary, it is a sort of optical illusion.
This could be used for a racing car design but, the draw backs could be the expense to manufacture it and it would look ugly.

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