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Old 10-09-2018, 10:30 AM   #2 (permalink)
MetroMPG
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side skirt detail

GM's side skirt claims caught my attention:





Interestingly, GM's discussion of the device isn't limited to concern about reducing lift. The patent actually mentions drag reduction more:



Quote:
The disclosure relates to active side-skirts for enhancement of aerodynamics of a motor vehicle.


[...]


The main goals of the study are reducing drag and wind noise, minimizing noise emission, and preventing undesired lift forces and other causes of aerodynamic instability at high speeds.


[...]


Such a side-skirt is generally positioned to extend from the vehicle body side and streamline ambient airflow around a same-side rear road wheel of the vehicle. Such positioning of the side-skirt and streamlining of the ambient airflow consequently reduces the aerodynamic drag on the vehicle at the subject body side. Such side-skirts are frequently found on racing cars where they are used to increase overall vehicle efficiency and maximum speed. Generally, the larger the area of the side-skirts, the lower is the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle body.

Full text of the side skirt in the patent application:


Active side-skirts for a motor vehicle - GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
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