My Latest CFD work

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Hello again.

So, that's the February exams over, so now I can continue with my biggest passion, Aerodynamics. And as you can see above, I used the in-house Fluid Simulation that Solidworks provides. Yes, Solidworks does not have the best CFD software, but I do have Ansys, and I am currently doing some work here. But more on that soon.

Here you can see two simulations I have performed, one involved fluid flow around a cylinder, which represents a tyre. The other is a simple wing or aerofoil. Starting with the cylinder, I applied a velocity of 100 m/s which is about 220mph at the cylinder. And as you can see, the flow is laminar before it comes into contact with the cylinder.

As the flow interacts with the surfaces, the flow remains attached to the surface of the cylinder, until a stage where the flow becomes detached, thus causing drag. This is one of the biggest factors to take into account when designing a race car.

The flow detachment is down to the boundary layer, where it can no longer run along the surface, and so causing turbulence in the form of a wake, as the lines demonstrate. 

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

For the second simulation, I performed the same, but on a fairly aggressive aerofoil geometry, as you can see. In the image above, you can see the velocity of the air, as it passes over/under the aerofoil. The red demonstrates the highest velocity speed, where the lowest is shown in blue. This speed and pressure difference is what causes downforce for race car wings.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Here is another screenshot, which shows the pressure plots in Pa. You can see the most pressure is caused by the air stalling, at the very tip of the aerofoil shape.

You can expect lots more CFD simulations from me in the near future too, both in Ansys and Solidworks. Take care guys!

2018 IMechE Pipe Climber challenge

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Hello, how are we?

As part of my course, I have designed a device for the IMechE's 2018 challenge. An internal pipe climber device. And before I explain it, this is my first concept, where testing is due very soon. So keep a lookout on here, for updates!

So, the design revolves around a chassis (red) which sees two DC motors (yellow) mounted in the middle. The output shaft has a pulley (purple) at the end, which goes to an axle at the top of the chassis. The drive is done via two elastic bands.

The battery (pink) is mounted at the bottom for the moment, all is left for this design is to model the wires from the battery to the motors.

Below you can see the device going up the pipe, where I learned how to do simulations. And amazingly it worked. The next stage of the project is to finish building the live model.  My biggest issues now are having enough tension from the elastic bands that it overcomes the coefficient of friction from my big drive wheels (green). To add, the torque from the motors must be greater than Mg (mass x gravitational force) which usually is 9.81.

Ill comment on how well testing goes very soon. But for now, back to some maths.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Autosport Show Technical Highlights 2017

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

So I went to Autosport Show on Saturday with some mates of mine, I must say, 2017 was an epic year for #ASI18. After being bombarded with assignments from Uni, I finally took some time to make a quick post, here are some interesting finds I saw. Enjoy.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

2018 Yaris rear wing for WRC.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Rear wheel arch louvres.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Citroen's 2018 WRC car.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Like Toyota, it has a big rear wing.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

I like this, Praga (Google them!) rear suspension is vertically mounted heave spring and damper. Gearbox shaft runs between them?

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Ladies and gentlemen, Ginetta's LMP1 car for Manor racing.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Side angle of the there new LMP1 car.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Under the skin of the Ginetta.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Rear deck view of the LMP1 Ginetta.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The 2017 Force India was a joy to see.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Rear view of the Force India 2017 racer.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Force India 2017 front wing.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Mitshibushi Evo WTAC car, with a very nice aero concept.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Rear aero view.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Side aero of the Evo WTAC car.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

This is very interesting, as it's a possible Garage 56 entry for Le Mans. This carbon tub is made by Carl for Welter racing. More info here: http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articles/the-return-of-welter-racing/

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The front pushrod suspension of the Welter Racing LMP car.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Side view of Ferrari F2004.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The rear of the F2004,

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

2017 Ferrari. Looks good!

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Rear wing sees swan neck pylons as mounts.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

The rear of the 2017 Ferrari. 

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Finally, the new Bentley GT3 car.

Pic: Stefan Ruitenberg

Which sees a big change with the front aerodynamics.