Actuated Car Airfoil
Format
SOECS Senior Project Demonstration
Abstract/Artist Statement
The primary problem for this senior design project was to address two needs of an existing racecar, improved handling and braking. Prior to installation of the new wing system, the racecar was in need of a rear wing to generate additional downforce on the rear axle of the car. This was because at higher speeds the rear end of the racecar drifted, due to a lack of traction through corners. However, the wing was designed for a secondary function as well, to improve the overall braking power of the racecar. This was done by allowing the wing to rotate about the supports; an air pocket will be created between the wing and endplates generating a force that opposes the forward motion of the racecar and ultimately increases the overall deceleration of the racecar. The rotation of the wing is controlled by a decelerometer attached to an actuator powered by a compressed gas. When the threshold for deceleration measured in forward g-forces is broken, the wing rotates increasing the surface area and subsequently increasing the drag on the wing. The weight of the wing and all system components were minimized to keep the overall weight of the racecar from increasing drastically. Implementing the dual purpose wing provided an advantage to the racecar by increasing the overall performance of the car in both handling and braking.
Location
Pacific Geosciences Center
Start Date
30-4-2005 2:00 PM
End Date
30-4-2005 5:00 PM
Actuated Car Airfoil
Pacific Geosciences Center
The primary problem for this senior design project was to address two needs of an existing racecar, improved handling and braking. Prior to installation of the new wing system, the racecar was in need of a rear wing to generate additional downforce on the rear axle of the car. This was because at higher speeds the rear end of the racecar drifted, due to a lack of traction through corners. However, the wing was designed for a secondary function as well, to improve the overall braking power of the racecar. This was done by allowing the wing to rotate about the supports; an air pocket will be created between the wing and endplates generating a force that opposes the forward motion of the racecar and ultimately increases the overall deceleration of the racecar. The rotation of the wing is controlled by a decelerometer attached to an actuator powered by a compressed gas. When the threshold for deceleration measured in forward g-forces is broken, the wing rotates increasing the surface area and subsequently increasing the drag on the wing. The weight of the wing and all system components were minimized to keep the overall weight of the racecar from increasing drastically. Implementing the dual purpose wing provided an advantage to the racecar by increasing the overall performance of the car in both handling and braking.