Aerodynamics play a critical role in the success of a competitive solar vehicle. In particular, the topics addressed are minimizing the drag forces acting on the ca. surface while providing an effective angle of solar exposure, ventilation, manoeuvring stability, maintenance accessibility, and component functional duality, while simultaneously maintaining stringent racing regulations. Starting with a conceptual design, modifications were analysed through a commercial CFD (computational fluid dynamic) package in order to evaluate drag and lift characteristics. By visualizing wind tunnel flow as a means of support of the coded model, the computational design has been validated. Although the design of the GWU (George Washington University) Solar Car, 'Sunforce I', was geared towards the November 1993 Word Solar Challenge held in Australia, results of the fourth place finish in the US Sunrayce 1993 were used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the design.
Aerodynamic design of the George Washington University Solar Car Sunforce 1
Aerodynamische Konstruktion des Solarautos Sunforce 1 an der George Washington University
International Journal of Vehicle Design ; 18 , 2 ; 213-232
1997
20 Seiten, 9 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 5 Quellen
Article (Journal)
English
Aerodynamic Design of the George Washington University Solar Car
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|Aerodynamic Design of The George Washington University Solar Car
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|Aerodynamic design of the George Washington univeristy solar car sunforce 1
Online Contents | 1997
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