Aerodynamic Investigation on the Effect of Varying Through-Hub Flow on a Formula One Front Wheel Assembly

Sprot, A.J.; Minto, J.; Sims-Williams, D.B.; Dominy, R.G.

doi:10.4271/2011-01-1431

Aerodynamic Investigation on the Effect of Varying Through-Hub Flow on a Formula One Front Wheel Assembly

Sprot, A.J.; Minto, J.; Sims-Williams, D.B.; Dominy, R.G.

Authors

A.J. Sprot

J. Minto

Professor David Sims-Williams d.b.sims-williams@durham.ac.uk
Professor

R.G. Dominy

Abstract

For open wheel race cars the front wheel flow and the interaction of its wake with downstream components is of significant importance. Considerable effort goes into the design of front wing end plates, barge boards and underfloor components in order to manage the front wheel flow. In this study a 50% scale Formula One front wheel assembly has been tested in the Durham University 2m2 open jet wind tunnel to evaluate the effect of through-hub flow on its cooling drag and flow structures. Varying the amount of through-hub flow gave rise to a negative cooling drag trend whereby increasing the flow through the hub resulted in a decrease in drag.

Citation

Sprot, A., Minto, J., Sims-Williams, D., & Dominy, R. (2011). Aerodynamic Investigation on the Effect of Varying Through-Hub Flow on a Formula One Front Wheel Assembly. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems, 4(1), 929-944. https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-1431

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Jun 1, 2011
Deposit Date	Dec 29, 2011
Publicly Available Date	Mar 27, 2014
Journal	SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars - Mechanical Systems
Print ISSN	1946-3995
Electronic ISSN	1946-4002
Publisher	SAE International
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	4
Issue	1
Pages	929-944
DOI	https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-1431