• Energy Research

The aim of this study was to extend the safety limits of fast moving cars by the application, in a controlled way, of aerodynamic forces which increase as the square of a car’s velocity and, if left uncontrolled, dramatically reduce car safety. This paper presents the methods, assumptions, and results of numerical and experimental investigations by modeling and simulation of the aerodynamic characteristics and dynamics of a small sports car equipped with movable aerodynamic elements operated by an electronic subsystem for data acquisition and aerodynamics active automatic control.

The aim of this study was to extend the safety limits of fast moving cars by the application, in a controlled way, of aerodynamic forces which increase as the square of a car’s velocity and, if left uncontrolled, dramatically reduce car safety. This paper presents the methods, assumptions, and results of numerical and experimental investigations by modeling and simulation of the aerodynamic characteristics and dynamics of a small sports car equipped with movable aerodynamic elements operated by an electronic subsystem for data acquisition and aerodynamics active automatic control.

In the case of road cars, road safety is the primary factor. The geometry of high-speed road cars has no regulatory restrictions. In addition to the high engine power and effective shape, they can use various types of additional movable aerodynamic elements to adjust their aerodynamic characteristics to the road conditions. Based on the geometry of a two-seater prototype of such a vehicle, a numerical analysis of the influence of a number of additional movable aerodynamic elements on its aerodynamic characteristics was performed. Several of them were installed on the prototype. An electronic system recording a number of motion parameters of the entire car body and some of its movable elements installed on the body was designed and built. The system has been adapted to program the motion of additional aerodynamic elements according to the set algorithms of their activation, temporarily changing the aerodynamic characteristics of the car. An experimental study of the effect of changes in the aerodynamic characteristics of the prototype on its dynamic properties during a drive through a test road section was carried out. It was shown to what extent an average driver can increase the safe speed of the curve of the road using the possibilities of moving aerodynamic elements installed on it.

In the case of road cars, road safety is the primary factor. The geometry of high-speed road cars has no regulatory restrictions. In addition to the high engine power and effective shape, they can use various types of additional movable aerodynamic elements to adjust their aerodynamic characteristics to the road conditions. Based on the geometry of a two-seater prototype of such a vehicle, a numerical analysis of the influence of a number of additional movable aerodynamic elements on its aerodynamic characteristics was performed. Several of them were installed on the prototype. An electronic system recording a number of motion parameters of the entire car body and some of its movable elements installed on the body was designed and built. The system has been adapted to program the motion of additional aerodynamic elements according to the set algorithms of their activation, temporarily changing the aerodynamic characteristics of the car. An experimental study of the effect of changes in the aerodynamic characteristics of the prototype on its dynamic properties during a drive through a test road section was carried out. It was shown to what extent an average driver can increase the safe speed of the curve of the road using the possibilities of moving aerodynamic elements installed on it.