|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
16 Mar 2004, 21:27 (Ref:907537) | #1 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 338
|
HPV aerodynamics
G'day all,
Just after some advice on body shape for a human powered vehicle (HPV). I'm managing a school team that has entered an event, the RACV Energy Breakthrough, which requires the students to design, construct and compete in a 24hr race. All three parts count towards the final score. My question is, has anyone had any experience with body shapes for this type of vehicle. Our vehicle is pretty standard three wheel design (two steerind, one driven) and max speed is expected to be around 60km/h. I feel that we need to be concerned about weight and drag as lift at these speeds will not be a concern. Any suggestions will be appreciated, but please keep in mind that we are self funded so exhotic materials are out Cheers Col'n |
||
__________________
Think drifting is tough. Try it on gravel, in the dark, amonst trees............... |
17 Mar 2004, 03:04 (Ref:907851) | #2 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 706
|
Presumably, you are building a recumbant to reduce frontal area. Therefore you could go for a classic teardrop shape.
Take a look at some of the solar challenge cars for inspiration - also built for very low drag and weight. |
||
__________________
"If a man could be crossed with a cat, it would improve the man but deteriorate the cat." Mark Twain |
18 Mar 2004, 21:15 (Ref:909776) | #3 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 338
|
Thats the idea. Still waiting on the rule book to see what our final dimensions should be. Even though a few teams seem to do what they want and get away with it.
|
||
__________________
Think drifting is tough. Try it on gravel, in the dark, amonst trees............... |
19 Mar 2004, 15:31 (Ref:910856) | #4 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 299
|
Also see what you can find from the Goodwood Soapbox Challenge. There have been some very serious entries (McLaren, Prodrive, Lotus). Egos have outreached sense, and the top entries have spent rather too long in the world's finest wind tunnels. Seating/shape are generally quite well suited to pedalling on some models.
Promatecme's P3 challenger even canted over into the corners (with all four wheels leaning as well). Which might be very effective if the course is a bit tight (and will sacre the opposition witless) |
||
|
21 Mar 2004, 22:25 (Ref:914368) | #5 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 338
|
sounds good. Is there a link available so I can look at some of these vehicles?
|
||
__________________
Think drifting is tough. Try it on gravel, in the dark, amonst trees............... |
25 Mar 2004, 05:37 (Ref:918741) | #6 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 208
|
Gday Coln72. What style of faring compound are you looking at using or have you used previously? A plastic composite mould, fibreglass or corflute? In the past I’ve found corflute to be a good compromise between cost, weight and strength. The downside is it can restrict the body shape. If you looking for something different, maybe you at a moulded shell similar Ben Goodall and the TriSled boys have developed recently (www.trisled.com.au.) Aero wise it looks super and goes like a bat out of hell! I guess it depends on the sort of budget you guys can muscle up. PS are you thinking about heading to Murray Bridge in September as well?
|
||
__________________
Adelaide is the world's best street circut. |
25 Mar 2004, 21:19 (Ref:919505) | #7 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 338
|
Big Mac,
Budget will only allow us corflute at the moment over an aluminium frame to support it and to give some side impact protection. Would love to mould a body like that trisled model but as we have no budget at all its a dream. Lack of budget has also killed any ideas of going to Murry Bridge as well. How about you, are you coming to Maryborough in November? |
||
__________________
Think drifting is tough. Try it on gravel, in the dark, amonst trees............... |
27 Mar 2004, 11:00 (Ref:921124) | #8 | |||
Llama Assassin and Sheep Botherer
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,212
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
28 Mar 2004, 23:02 (Ref:922361) | #9 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 338
|
Keep it quiet Armco, they cant prove it was me..........
|
||
__________________
Think drifting is tough. Try it on gravel, in the dark, amonst trees............... |
29 Mar 2004, 11:37 (Ref:922719) | #10 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 299
|
Go to Google and type in Goodwood +soapbox, and it will turn up 422 results.
|
||
|
29 Mar 2004, 22:20 (Ref:923412) | #11 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 338
|
Have already, but thanks anyway
|
||
__________________
Think drifting is tough. Try it on gravel, in the dark, amonst trees............... |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
saloon car aerodynamics | Kev_205 | Racing Technology | 3 | 24 Jan 2005 05:40 |
aerodynamics is f1 the best ? | scotf | Racing Technology | 15 | 25 Jul 2003 15:22 |
F1 Aerodynamics question | Champ69 | Formula One | 19 | 15 Aug 2002 12:34 |
I need an aerodynamics Lesson | The Beer Baron | IRL Indycar Series | 19 | 3 Mar 2002 00:42 |
Aerodynamics again!! | angst | Formula One | 16 | 14 Oct 2000 16:49 |