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Author Topic: GM and Others Canning Spare Tires to Meet Gov’t Fuel Economy Targets  (Read 501 times)

Online MrNuke

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Re: GM and Others Canning Spare Tires to Meet Gov’t Fuel Economy Targets
« Reply #24 on: November 15, 2011, 01:31:23 PM »
Making it a hybrid with a skirt like a hovercraft would be a good idea.

I remember reading papers on it back in the late 90s of small APC's using this type of setup by using an open fan system with a 4" thick skirt system surrounding the wheels. They pulled the plug on it once the right govt official got greased from the Stryker project.  >:(

There were some issues with the noise generated, and electric designs were non viable back then yet.
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Online Zindo

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Re: GM and Others Canning Spare Tires to Meet Gov’t Fuel Economy Targets
« Reply #25 on: November 15, 2011, 02:43:48 PM »
Quote from: MadSmith on November 10, 2011, 09:07:45 PM
Hmmm...  You use extra-soft rubber tires for added traction, yes?

I've always wanted to try out a neat idea:

Press a button, and the suspension lowers.  The ground effects skirt has a bottom that's maybe an inch of dense bristles, which now contact the ground, forming a semi air-seal.  Then a big suction fan activates.  Perhaps in the trunk, venting upwards.  It might double as a really powerful intercooler.  Anyway, the fan, either electric or perhaps powered by a leaf blower or lawn mower engine, sucks the air out from under the car, forming a moderate vacuum. 

Assuming a vehicle footprint of 6ft width and 17ft length, that's 72in x 204in = 14688 square inches of surface area.

1 atmosphere is 14.7psi.  If it can generate just a 2% atmospheric pressure difference, you are looking at downforce of over 4000lbs. 

Not mass.  Downforce.  LOTSA grip.

Needless to say, the ground effect skirt must be customized to seal around either the inside or outside of the tires when the air or hydraulic suspension lowers the body.  And the under body needs sealing as well.

Adjustable downforce, even at a standstill.  You don't lose grip where you need it most, when slowing down around corners, or from a standing start.

In the early 70's, Alfa Romeo used that concept along with what passed then as 'Ground effects' on their F1 cars and it worked so well that the FIA, in it's epic idiocy, outlawed it for use on tracks! Alfa then withdrew from F1 competition!

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« Last Edit: November 15, 2011, 02:47:52 PM by Zindo »
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Online GreggAndrews

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Re: GM and Others Canning Spare Tires to Meet Gov’t Fuel Economy Targets
« Reply #26 on: November 15, 2011, 05:33:23 PM »
...

I'd like to see this on an 800+hp SK...  8)
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