This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Aerodynamic Drag Reduction of a Racing Motorcycle Through Vortex Generation
Technical Paper
2003-32-0037
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
For any high performance vehicle the aerodynamic properties are significant when attempting to optimize performance. For ground vehicles the major aerodynamic forces are drag and down-force. The focus of this research was to determine the feasibility of vortex generation as a method to reduce the aerodynamic drag of a racing class motorcycle.
Wind tunnel tests were performed on a full-scale racing motorcycle in the Closed Loop Tunnel (CLT) at West Virginia University (WVU) and in Old Dominion University's (ODU) Langley Full Scale Tunnel (LFST) at various airspeeds. Counter-rotating vortices were generated using small commercially available vortex generators (VGs).
The largest reduction in drag was 10%, which was measured in the WVU CLT. The LFST tests showed no measurable increase or decrease in drag. This led to the conclusion that the airspeed and test section blockage ratio influenced the optimum configuration and size of the vortex generators. This preliminary research shows that the use of small vortex generators can reduce the overall drag.
Recommended Content
Citation
Angle, G. and Huebsch, W., "Aerodynamic Drag Reduction of a Racing Motorcycle Through Vortex Generation," SAE Technical Paper 2003-32-0037, 2003, https://doi.org/10.4271/2003-32-0037.Also In
References
- Angle G. M., II “Aerodynamic Drag of a Racing Motorcycle through Vortex Generation” West Virginia University Morgantown, WV 2002
- Ashill, P. R. Fulker, J. L. Hackett, K. C. “Research at DERA on Sub Boundary Layer Vortex Generators (SBVGs),” AIAA Paper 2001-0887
- Barlow, J. B. Rae W. H., Jr. Pope, A. Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Testing 3rd John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York 1999
- Beauvais, F. N. Tignor, S. C. Turner, T. R. “Problems of Ground Simulation in Automotive Aerodynamics,” 1978
- Carr, G. W. Eckert, W. “A Further Evaluation of the Ground-Plane Suction Method for Ground Simulation in Automotive Wind Tunnels,” SAE Paper 940418 1994
- Cogotti, A. “Aerodynamic characteristics of car wheels. Impact of aerodynamics on vehicle design,” Int. J. of Vehicle Design London 1983
- Hackett, J. E. Baker, J. B. Williams, J. E. Wallis, S. B. “On the influence of ground movement and wheel rotation in tests on modern car shapes,” SAE Paper 870245 1987
- Hucho, W. H. Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles 4th SAE, Inc. Warrendale, Pa. 1998
- Katz, J. Walters R. “Investigation of Wind-Tunnel Wall Effects in High Blockage Testing,” AIAA Paper 95-0438 March 1995
- Mercker, E. Breuer, N. Berneburg, H. Emmelmann, H. J. “On the Aerodynamic Interference Due to the Rolling Wheels of Passenger Cars,” SAE Paper 910311 1991
- Mercker, E. Knape, H.W. “Ground simulation with moving belt and tangential blowing for full-scale automotive testing in a wind tunnel,” SAE Paper 890367 1989
- Mercker, E. Wiedemann, J. “Comparison of Different Ground Simulation Techniques for Use in Automotive Wind Tunnels,” SAE Paper 900321 1990
- Stapleford, W. R. Carr, G. W. “Aerodynamic Characteristics of Exposed Rotating Wheels,” 1970
- Tuluie, R. Ericksen, G. “Racing Motorcycle Design Process Using Physical and Virtual Testing Methods,” SAE Paper 2000-01-3576 2000
- Wheeler, G. O. “Low Drag Vortex Generators,” 1991
- Wheeler, G. O. “Means for Maintaining Attached Flow of a Flowing Medium,” June 1984