Spring mounted Grill Block

[DonR]

I do like the "automated" operation. For non automated system one could use a push/pull cable system. For those with the know how, a temperature controlled actuator could be used to control the cable system.

[jedi_sol]

Ingenious!

[cfg83]

Hello -

I *finally* got a good video uploaded with sound. The way I mounted the camera, it didn't have a degree of freedom to orient it horizontal, but I don't think it matters because the information is there. Saturn is named after the Saturn V Rocket of the Apollo Space Program, so maybe "aiming up" is appropriate :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=138XWDMy62w

Me still happy.

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

Hello -

I switched to these springs from OSH :



They are dimensionally identical to the previous springs. It is hard to determine their "load", but they are a lot stiffer. I went to Century Springs and found this list below :



The first entry is my original spring, so it has a "Rate" of 0.57. I can't tell for sure, but at a minimum, I am now working with a rate of 2.6. This is not good. As you can see in the YouTube, the grill block is not closing anymore :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQuZraqMGuM

Here is the 0/53 MPH angle comparison :



It's definitely twitchier. However, the video emphasizes the *ends* of the grill block, which have no support, so I think I am ok.

I will leave these springs on for now because I want to see the IAT and FWT temps. I may still have enough coverage for good freeway performance.

In the meantime, I am going to look for springs with the same length, but lower "Rate". I will need to find a match among one of these :



CarloSW2

.

[Piwoslaw]

Are stronger springs pulling more on the licence plate? Is that OK?

BTW CarloSW2, I watched both videos and has your voice changed?

[cfg83]

Piwoslaw-

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Are stronger springs pulling more on the licence plate? Is that OK?

BTW CarloSW2, I watched both videos and has your voice changed?

They are pulling on the license plate, but I am monitoring it. It's ok right now, but I'll tell you if it flys off.

As for the voice, my wife helped me on the second video, .

CarloSW2

[Blue Bomber Man]

Okay couple things:

First off great idea! I think you might be able to stick with the strong springs if you just lower the initial angle that the coroplast or move the connection point on the flap you could probably get it to move at the speed you want.

Any chance I could get more info on your wheel covers? They look pretty slick and may prove to be an easy solution for my wheels. I have aluminum alloys that came stock.

[ai_vin]

The alternative to using stronger springs is to reduce the size of the coroplast so it catches less wind.

[MetroMPG]

Neat thread, CarloSW2!

[evolutionmovement]

I had a similar idea for a deployable airdam meant for high-speed stability that used pneumatic cylinders that took their air supply from waste air from a turbocharger (small compressed air tank could be filled externally and replenished by waste air that normally was vented to atmosphere via blow-off valve). The idea could be used in a normally aspirated car by just using the external air source (or a compressor for air suspension). It was to be manually actuated as I thought rigging it up to a pitot tube would be too ridiculous. Never ended up building it, but I did write it into one of my books, not that that's a proof of concept, but I can't see why it wouldn't work.