Quote:
Originally Posted by Madact
but the "grand unified theory of fluid dynamics" it ain't.
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True Dat.
I think as well as the things you mentioned regarding the layer of air within 2 inches of the vehicle, the template prevents the gross swirls of air extending out a couple of yards around and many 10's to 100's of yards behind the the vehicle as well. I really think the template serves its biggest gains in minimizing the long persistent turbulent wake that is being dragged about by any particular vehicle.
We ram through the air, the more we disrupt it and make it swirl about to and fro, the longer it stays in motion after we pass, then the more energy we have put into the air to make it move, and the less efficient we'll be.
The "whole lot more complex" thing you mention has to do with the fact that having the template overlayed and followed on one aspect of the vehicle does not the uber efficient shape make if other aspects are not considered.
It would be real simple if we lived in a 2D world, the template would always be the aspiration to achieve. But that silly ol 3D thing really takes us from a X + Y = Z formula to an equation so complex, the most powerful computers we have are not able to accurately predict whats going to happen when any variable is changed on a vehicle.
Your "* Flow hasn't been tripped turbulent too early" line is the only issue I have with what you said. On vehicles in ground effect, laminar flow is never assumed to exist anywhere ever, there are only degrees of turbulent.
Handy Approximation.....I'll take 2 at that price.
Check please!
BTW I hope you realize my "Thee Template © ®™" was meant to be taken with 3 lumps of sarcasm.