Help choosing vortex generators

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by AeroModder

The problem here is that article is for VGs used on airplane wings. The VGs are placed closer to the leading edge on wings, where VGs on cars are on the trailing edge.

Their purpose is the same though : keeping the airflow on the surface, rather than having it separating.

On aircraft, you'll often see VG in front of control surfaces to improve / restore their effectiveness.

Surely they add drag, but you gain from the air not separating.
The trick is to gain more than you lose ... I'm off to buy some lottery tickets

[Vekke]

Quick side question. Is vortex generator shape/looks protected by patents etc?

So can I made my own tool and do my own copy version etc...

I also changed my SGII display to MPG when I was in 3 l/100km category. Usually that 3 liters were there all the time, when value moved 0.1L I did not notice no difference in my driving etc. With MPG on display changes are constant when you are doing P&G specially under 100 mpg after that the range is again rough.

[AeroModder]

Tuft tested the Airtabs on my Tempo. No difference in the movement of the tufts from the delta VGs, except that they seem a bit tighter (probably because the airtabs are further upstream). Both sets of VGs produce the counter-rotating vorticy shape on the rear glass. This could be from the way the rear end is shaped, though. I'm going to try adding small fences to detach airflow from the sides, so it doesn't try to stay attached and curl onto the rear glass.

The problem with positioning the airtabs is that they're larger and stiffer, and won't conform to curves as easy as the smaller delta VGs. This makes placement much more difficult.

I thought the pair of counter-rotating vorticies from each VG would straighten the flow, but I was mistaken.

EDIT: Moving the Airtabs back resulted in some unusual flow. The top row of tufts all pointed towards the inside, while all the other pointed towards the outside... The edges still pointed up from a recirculation bubble.

[ConnClark]

Originally Posted by AeroModder

Tuft tested the Airtabs on my Tempo.

Note that airtabs are not designed to keep the boundary layer attached to the surface. They are designed to create wake of horizontal vortices that act like a boat tail shape.

[AeroModder]

Ah. No wonder they weren't that good.

[SL8Brick]

I've been using the "Vortekz" fins for over 3yrs and have installed them on 6 different vehicles. I like the fact that the fin kits are well made, can be painted-to-match, and can be installed permanently in a reasonable amount of time. And, yes, I'm not gonna lie to ya'...I like the way they look. But I also think their design appears less 'aerodynamically obtrusive' than some other alternatives. However, I shall not be so bold as to speculate on any potential benefits in my applications because that would be less than scientific.

[ChazInMT]

Vekke, I'm pretty sure that Patents & Such can only be acted upon by someone if you try to sell the patented thing and make money off of it. It's not like the police will come & kick down your door if they see you with a copy of something. The individual, or company that owns the patent would have to take legal action against you to get you to quit selling them, so if you just make it for yourself....I'd say you're safe. (**Disclaimer** I could be wrong, not a lawyer myself....so don't go dragging me into some Finnish court if you take my advice and the cops kick down your door after all!)

[Frank Lee]

Vekke wants to make things to sell, you see.

[Vekke]

I have to do my own research on that patent issue but conserning that is no new invention I doupt that is has any valid patents at the moment. Some new parts migth have model protection but even that is hard to get if similar products on the market are many.