Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Video: clever, simple demo of teardrop shape -pointy end first vs. blunt end first

NeilBlanchard · 03-09-2009, 10:34 PM

Hi,

I think that you'll have to trust that two pointy ends would not be as good as the bunt end first. There is a reason that the Schlor "Pillbug" looks like this:

The drag coefficient of the Pillbug is just 0.13, which is lower than anything I have heard of, except the Aptera Typ-1 at 0.11. An early scale model of the Mercedes Boxfish had a Cd of 0.06 -- and it is decidedly blunt!

Just about every airplane wing also shows that the blunt end is better/lower drag.

03-09-2009, 10:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
NeilBlanchard Master EcoModder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth Posts: 7,907 Mica Blue - '05 Scion xA RS 2.0 Team Toyota 90 day: 42.48 mpg (US) Forest - '15 Nissan Leaf S Team Nissan 90 day: 156.46 mpg (US) Number 7 - '15 VW e-Golf SEL TEAM VW AUDI Group 90 day: 155.81 mpg (US) Thanks: 3,475 Thanked 2,950 Times in 1,844 Posts	Hi, I think that you'll have to trust that two pointy ends would not be as good as the bunt end first. There is a reason that the Schlor "Pillbug" looks like this: The drag coefficient of the Pillbug is just 0.13, which is lower than anything I have heard of, except the Aptera Typ-1 at 0.11. An early scale model of the Mercedes Boxfish had a Cd of 0.06 -- and it is decidedly blunt! Just about every airplane wing also shows that the blunt end is better/lower drag. __________________ Sincerely, Neil http://neilblanchard.blogspot.com/