Application of Advanced Aerodynamic Technology to Ground and Sport Vehicles

摘要

The operational aerodynamic performance, efficiency, control, and safety of ground-based and water-borne vehicles is shown to be positively improved by the application of pneumatic aerodynamic technology. This Circulation Control technology employs tangential blowing from one or more slots to augment or reduce as needed the forces and moments acting on the vehicle. In this paper, advanced pneumatic technology will be shown to produce promising results similar to aircraft applications, but for ground or water-based vehicles. In some cases, new capabilities not associated with aircraft will also be discussed. Confirmation of this pneumatic technology on non-aircraft vehicles, both commercial and competitive, will be shown in the form of experimental wind-tunnel results as well as full-scale demonstrator vehicles, both ground- and water-based. Competitive land and water racing vehicles are included, where pneumatic aerodynamic technology is also shown to offer much promise.