Effect of Underbody Geometry on the Fuel Efficiency of Gasoline and Electric Vehicles

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnaswamy Mahadevan ◽  
Fred Barez ◽  
Ernie Thurlow ◽  
Davood Abdollahian
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Drag Force ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Rolling Resistance ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Drag Forces ◽  
Pressure Region

Automotive industry in continuously expected to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. Increasing fuel prices and environmental concerns such as emission of CO2 are two areas in vehicle design improvement. There are multiple factors that affect the fuel economy such as rolling resistance, aerodynamic drag, and weight of the vehicle. As the speed of the vehicle increases, aerodynamic drag force becomes the dominating factor affecting the fuel consumption. This aerodynamic drag is a result of the low-pressure region created at the rear end of the vehicle. This low-pressure region is due to the relative square shape of the vehicle at the rear end which generates vortices. This project aims to investigate the effects of an underbody in reducing the aerodynamic drag forces and its effects on fuel usage. The underbody in vehicles is one such area in improving the aerodynamics of a vehicle which can have an impact on overall drag force. Various underbody geometry modifications were carried out on a 3D model of Fiat 500 Electric and Gasoline versions to simulate the effect of underbody geometry on fuel consumption using the CFD simulation tool ANSYS Fluent. It was concluded that the underbody of vehicle influences the overall aerodynamic drag by 20%. Underbody geometry modification helps in reducing the fuel consumption by decreasing the overall aerodynamic drag of the vehicle.

Method to Reduce Drag Coefficient for Fuel Efficiency in Semi-Truck Trailer and Trailer Stability

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anu R. Nair ◽  
Fred Barez ◽  
Ernie Thurlow ◽  
Metin Ozen
Keyword(s):  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Rolling Resistance ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Improve Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Streamlined Body ◽  
External Forces

Heavy commercial vehicles due to their un-streamlined body shapes are aerodynamically inefficient due to higher fuel consumption as compared to passenger vehicles. The rising demand and use of fossil fuel escalate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to the environment, thus more efficient tractor-trailer design becomes necessary to be developed. Fuel consumption can be reduced by either improving the driveline losses or by reducing the external forces acting on the truck. These external forces include rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. When driving at most of the fuel is used to overcome the drag force, thus aerodynamic drag proves an area of interest to study to develop an efficient tractor-trailer design. Tractor-trailers are equipped with standard add-on components such as roof defectors, boat tails and side skirts. Modification of these components helps reduce drag coefficient and improve fuel efficiency. The objective of this study is to determine the most effective geometry of trailer add-on devices in semi-truck trailer design to reduce the drag coefficient to improve fuel efficiency and vehicle stability. The methodology consisted of CFD analysis on Mercedes Benz Actros using ANSYS FLUENT. The simulation was performed on the tractor-trailer at a speed of 30m/s. The analysis was performed with various types of add-on devices such as side skirts, boat tail and vortex generators. From the simulation results, it was observed that addition of tractor-trailer add-on devices proved beneficial over modifying trailer geometry. Combination of add-on devices in the trailer underbody, rear and front sections was more beneficial in reducing drag coefficient as compared to their individual application. Improving fuel efficiency by 17.74%. Stability of the tractor-trailer is improved due to the add-on devices creating a streamlined body and reducing the low-pressure region at the rear end of the trailer.

A Study on the Aerodynamic Drag of a Non-Pneumatic Tire

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeonu Heo ◽  
Jaehyung Ju ◽  
Doo-Man Kim ◽  
Sangwa Rhie
Keyword(s):  
Drag Force ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Rolling Resistance ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Viscoelastic Materials ◽  
Complex Flow ◽  
Pneumatic Tire ◽  
Rans Method ◽  
Pneumatic Tires

An understanding of the flow around a tire in contact with the ground is important for when designing a fuel efficient tire as aerodynamic drag accounts for about one third of an entire vehicle’s rolling loss [1]. Recently, non-pneumatic tires (NPTs) have drawn attention mainly due to their low rolling resistance associated with the use of low viscoelastic materials in their construction. However, an NPT’s fuel efficiency should be re-evaluated in terms of aerodynamic drag: discrete flexible spokes in an NPT may cause more aerodynamic drag, resulting in greater rolling resistance. In this study, the aerodynamic flow around an NPT in contact with the ground is investigated for i) stationary and ii) rotating cases using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method. The NPT has a more complex flow and a higher drag force than does the pneumatic counterpart.

CFD Analysis of Aerodynamic Drag Reduction in Heavy Vehicles by Changing its Frontal Area: Techinical Note

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Hasen ◽  
S. Elangovan ◽  
M. Sundararaj ◽  
K.M. Parammasivam
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Rolling Resistance ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Frontal Area ◽  
Heavy Vehicles ◽  
Design Engineers ◽  
Ansys Cfx ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag Reduction

Nowadays, fuel efficiency of heavy vehicles became an ultimate issue to the manufacturing and design engineers. The best approach to reduce the fuel consumption is to improve the aerodynamic performance of vehicle. This can be achieved by reducing the drag, because drag coefficient is directly proportional with the fuel consumption. Design engineers trying to improve the heavy vehicle’s performance by manipulating various parameters such as engine parameters, weigh, rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. In this project, efforts were made to increase the aerodynamic performance by changing the frontal area of the container. Computational analysis was carried out at various velocities (50km/hr, 60km/hr, and 70km/hr) by changing the frontal area of the container in heavy vehicles. Different truck geometries were done using CATIA V5 and the simulations were done using ANSYS CFX software. Results were obtained and comparative studies were made. As a result of comparisons between various designs, the cowl of 2h dimension shows better results in reducing the drag when compared with the other designs.

scholarly journals Aerodynamic Analysis on Wind Turbine Aerofoil

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.27) ◽  
pp. 456
Author(s):  
Albi . ◽  
M Dev Anand ◽  
G M. Joselin Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Wind Turbine Blade ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Drag Forces ◽  
Lift And Drag

The aerofoils of wind turbine blades have crucial influence on aerodynamic efficiency of wind turbine. There are numerous amounts of research being performed on aerofoils of wind turbines. Initially, I have done a brief literature survey on wind turbine aerofoil. This project involves the selection of a suitable aerofoil section for the proposed wind turbine blade. A comprehensive study of the aerofoil behaviour is implemented using 2D modelling. NACA 4412 aerofoil profile is considered for analysis of wind turbine blade. Geometry of this aerofoil is created using GAMBIT and CFD analysis is carried out using ANSYS FLUENT. Lift and Drag forces along with the angle of attack are the important parameters in a wind turbine system. These parameters decide the efficiency of the wind turbine. The lift force and drag force acting on aerofoil were determined with various angles of attacks ranging from 0° to 12° and wind speeds. The coefficient of lift and drag values are calculated for 1×105 Reynolds number. The pressure distributions as well as coefficient of lift to coefficient of drag ratio of this aerofoil were visualized. The CFD simulation results show close agreement with those of the experiments, thus suggesting a reliable alternative to experimental method in determining drag and lift.

scholarly journals Numerical Study of the Generic Sports Utility Vehicle Design with a Drag Reduction Add-On Device

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubham Singh ◽  
M. Zunaid ◽  
Naushad Ahmad Ansari ◽  
Shikha Bahirani ◽  
Sumit Dhall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Fuel Efficiency ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Mean Pressure ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag Coefficient ◽  
Total Base ◽  
Aerodynamic Parameters

CFD simulations using ANSYS FLUENT 6.3.26 have been performed on a generic SUV design and the settings are validated using the experimental results investigated by Khalighi. Moreover, an add-on inspired by the concept presented by Englar at GTRI for drag reduction has been designed and added to the generic SUV design. CFD results of add-on model and the basic SUV model have been compared for a number of aerodynamic parameters. Also drag coefficient, drag force, mean surface pressure, mean velocities, and Cp values at different locations in the wake have been compared for both models. The main objective of the study is to present a new add-on device which may be used on SUVs for increasing the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Mean pressure results show an increase in the total base pressure on the SUV after using the device. An overall reduction of 8% in the aerodynamic drag coefficient on the add-on SUV has been investigated analytically in this study.

Study of Aerodynamics on Indian Budget Concept Car

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshay Khera ◽  
Niraj Kumar ◽  
Ambrish Maurya
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Lift Force ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Technical Knowledge ◽  
Aerodynamic Design ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Computer Knowledge

Currently demand of Indian budget cars also called people’s car in India is in great demand and around 1 million cars have been sold in the last financial year with 12% increase of sales in every forthcoming year. These are categorized in sub 4m category of sedan, hatchbacks and medium size SUVs’ and their price ranges between 7 to 11 lakhs. The aerodynamics significantly affects the performance of the vehicle particularly at high speed. The manufactures are more focused on styling and giving a luxury look and other features of the car which sometimes make them to compromise on its aerodynamic design. This may lead to increase in fuel consumption at Indian road conditions. A cost-effective way to reduce fuel consumption, drag coefficient, lift force is to improve aerodynamic behavior and reduce the aerodynamic drag. The software used in this work is Solidworks, Ansys Fluent and commercial CFD post. Consequently, of using this software, it allows us to apply, learn and link technical knowledge of aerodynamics and computer knowledge.

scholarly journals Physical and Aerodynamic Properties of Lavender in relation to Harvest Mechanisation

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Christos I. Dimitriadis ◽  
James L. Brighton ◽  
Mike J. O’Dogherty ◽  
Maria I. Kokkora ◽  
Anastasios I. Darras
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Drag Force ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Ultimate Tensile Stress ◽  
Flower Head ◽  
Drag Forces ◽  
Aerodynamic Properties ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Harvest Moisture

A laboratory study evaluated the physical and aerodynamic properties of lavender cultivars in relation to the design of an improved lavender harvester that allows removal of flowers from the stem using the stripping method. The identification of the flower head adhesion, stem breakage, and aerodynamic drag forces were conducted using an Instron 1122 instrument. Measurements on five lavender cultivars at harvest moisture content showed that the overall mean flower detachment force from the stem was 11.2 N, the mean stem tensile strength was 36.7 N, and the calculated mean ultimate tensile stress of the stem was 17.3 MPa. The aerodynamic measurements showed that the drag force is related with the flower surface area. Increasing the surface area of the flower head by 93% of the “Hidcote” cultivar produced an increase in drag force of between 24.8% and 50.6% for airflow rates of 24 and 65 m s−1, respectively. The terminal velocities of the flower heads of the cultivar ranged between 4.5 and 5.9 m s−1, which results in a mean drag coefficient of 0.44. The values of drag coefficients were compatible with well-established values for the appropriate Reynolds numbers.

scholarly journals Radical Reduction of Aircraft Fuel Consumption by Optimizing Aerofoil by New Evolutionary Algorithms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Muller
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Algorithms ◽  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Fitness Function ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Consumption Reduction ◽  
Fluent Simulation ◽  
Radical Reduction

This work deals with aerofoil aerodynamic features optimization, not only to improve flight features, but also to improve economy, ecology and safety of parameters of flight technique. In cruise mission, occupying the most flight time, the most important parameter is aerodynamic drag, which directly influences the aeroplane operational economy of transportation. Drag reduction is adequately reflected in the fuel consumption reduction. Consumption reduction is also adequately reflected in the flight ecology. In take-off and landing mission, the safety is priority and directly influences the aerofoil geometry. For cruise mission the new modified evolutionary algorithms (EA) are used to parameters incoming to Bezier-PARSEC 3434 parametrization. Such aerofoil is processed and evaluated by the Xfoil program. The change of model parameters results to optimal aerofoil shape. The DCAG (Direct Control Aerofoil Geometry) is unique developed mechanical device, makes possible the change of curvature of aerofoil, and also aerofoil geometry. DCAG is based on the rotary principle, which makes it possible to define the curvature of aerofoil for every roll as well as defining the geometry in the variable parts of aerofoil. For take-off and landing mission the best combination of slots and flaps is choosed. To improve of laminarity and reduce turbulent flow the DCAG is used. The work results to optimization, which is 50 times faster in comparison to ordinary optimization, with minimum of input parameters (flight speed, chord length, range of angles of attack and fitness function). The optimized aerofoil can achieve savings in fuel consumption up to 44% in comparison with unoptimized aerofoil, the aerodynamic drag reduction up to 44%. The output was checked by ANSYS Fluent simulation.

Investigation on the Aerodynamic Efficiency of Braking Spoiler for High Speed Train Applications

2020 ◽  
pp. 2150009
Author(s):  
M. Vikraman ◽  
J. Bruce Ralphin Rose ◽  
S. Ganesh Natarajan
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
High Speed Train ◽  
Passenger Cars ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Braking Performance ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Drag Forces ◽  
Differential Drag

The demand for high speed rail networks is rapidly increasing in developing countries like India. One of the major constraints in the design and implementation of high speed train is the braking efficiency with minimum friction losses. Recently, the aerodynamic braking concept has received good attention and it has been incorporated for high speed bullet trains as a testing phase. The braking performance is extremely important to ensure the passenger safety specifically for the trains moving at more than 120[Formula: see text]km/h. In this paper, an Indian train configuration WAP7 (wide gauge AC electric passenger, Class 7) has been assumed with the locomotive and one passenger car. Aerodynamic braking system design is done by opening a spoiler over the train to amplify the aerodynamic drag at high speeds. The magnitude of braking force depends on the position and orientation of the braking spoiler. It creates differential drag forces at various deflection angles to decelerate the trains instantaneously in proportion to the running speeds. Drag created by the braking spoiler is observed numerically with the help of CFD simulation tools for further validation through wind tunnel experiments. Striking aerodynamic results are obtained with and without braking spoilers on the passenger cars and the spoiler at 40[Formula: see text]–50[Formula: see text] orientation makes greater drag coefficient as compared to the other angles.

scholarly journals Numerical Analysis of Aerodynamic Characteristics of a of High-Speed Car With Movable Bodywork Elements

2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Janson ◽  
Janusz Piechna
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Transient Flow ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Position Angle ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Drag Forces ◽  
And Performance

Abstract This paper presents the results of numerical analysis of aerodynamic characteristics of a sports car equipped with movable aerodynamic elements. The effects of size, shape, position, angle of inclination of the moving flaps on the aerodynamic downforce and aerodynamic drag forces acting on the vehicle were investigated. The calculations were performed with the help of the ANSYS-Fluent CFD software. The transient flow of incompressible fluid around the car body with moving flaps, with modeled turbulence (model Spalart-Allmaras or SAS), was simulated. The paper presents examples of effective flap configuration, and the example of configuration which does not generate aerodynamic downforce. One compares the change in the forces generated at different angles of flap opening, pressure distribution, and visualization of streamlines around the body. There are shown the physical reasons for the observed abnormal characteristics of some flap configurations. The results of calculations are presented in the form of pressure contours, pathlines, and force changes in the function of the angle of flap rotation. There is also presented estimated practical suitability of particular flap configurations for controlling the high-speed car stability and performance.

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