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In aerodynamics, the lift-to-drag ratio (or L/D ratio) is the lift generated by an aerodynamic body such as an aerofoil or aircraft, divided by the aerodynamic drag caused by moving through air. It describes the aerodynamic efficiency under given flight conditions. The L/D ratio for any given body will vary according to these flight conditions.
The term drag area derives from aerodynamics, where it is the product of some reference area (such as cross-sectional area, total surface area, or similar) and the drag coefficient. In 2003, Car and Driver magazine adopted this metric as a more intuitive way to compare the aerodynamic efficiency of various automobiles.
For the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans, the French manufacturer fielded two cars: a P87 chassis and a P88 chassis; both equipped with minor technical updates and therefore renamed them the P489, recognizable on the outside by a different rear wing. The main objective of the team was not to reach new top speed records, aiming instead to finish the ...
Spoilers are added to cars primarily for styling and either have little aerodynamic benefit or worsen the aerodynamics. The term "spoiler" is often mistakenly used interchangeably with "wing". An automotive wing is a device designed to generate downforce as air passes around it, not simply disrupt existing airflow patterns.
Nonplanar wings: results for the optimal aerodynamic efficiency ratio ε. The parameter ε is the optimal aerodynamic efficiency ratio [25] and represents the ratio between the aerodynamic efficiency of a given non-planar wing and the corresponding efficiency of a reference classical cantilevered wing with the same wing span and total lift ...
The aerodynamic efficiency of a wing is described by its lift/drag ratio, with a wing giving high lift for little drag being the most efficient. A higher aspect ratio gives a higher lift/drag ratio and so is more efficient.
Thus, a long, narrow wing has a high aspect ratio, whereas a short, wide wing has a low aspect ratio. [ 1 ] Aspect ratio and other features of the planform are often used to predict the aerodynamic efficiency of a wing because the lift-to-drag ratio increases with aspect ratio, improving the fuel economy in powered airplanes and the gliding ...
His 1961 car attempted to use the shaped underside method but there were too many other aerodynamic problems with the car for it to work properly. His 1966 cars used a dramatic high wing for their downforce. His Chaparral 2J "sucker car" of 1970 was revolutionary.