The *Ultimate* Aerodynamic Car? Dave Cloud's "Dolphin"

[NeilBlanchard]

The upper part is a good strong arch? That would seem to stiffen it along the length?

[Big Dave]

Great pix. Shows the component layout nicely.

I wonder how it handles in a cross-wind or doing the old collision-avoidance maneuver?

I would think it is better than the Aptera seemed to be in another thread.

Still...gorgeous work.

[The Toecutter]

If crosswinds pose a problem, that can be remedied without adding a noticable amount of drag. Recall the Tatra T87 or the Mercedes Benz C111-III that both used a dorsal ridge to help point the nose of the car forward during crosswinds. It will need to have special attention paid to the way it is shaped though, otherwise it could make the problem worse.

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

The upper part is a good strong arch? That would seem to stiffen it along the length?

An arch is a lovely thing for holding up a distrubuted load, such as an aqueduct. Modern, thin arches can be used with care to keep them in compression all over. However, as compression members in a truss, they are just pre-buckled struts. In this case, the lower part of the triangle has a right angle bend it it as well, somewhat stabilized by it's opposite number on the other side. Perhaps some sheet stock has been added to give some shear webbing between the two lower tubes. Hauling lead takes some decent bridge work.

[RobertSmalls]

In the interest of knowing what's achievable with my Insight, I would love to calculate his Cd.

To calculate CdA, I would need to know power to the wheels @ steady-state 65mph (or some other high speed). The same figure at 5mph would determine Crr, but I'm prepared to guess 0.008.

And obviously, Cd is CdA/A. So, how tall is the vehicle? I presume it's still 62" wide.



Neil, would you pass my questions along to Mr. Cloud?

[bgd73]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Yes, it is heavy! 3,200 pounds -- but the batteries can be changed. The body is amazing...

I read about this at another forum.. the weight fot my attention. Seems a realist for actual use on roads.
.

the back end is too skinny. Me and aero would end up looking like a curvy lambo, or ferrari that exists...
and when the gumballers flew by my dads loaded rig, and shook it...

it seems the aeros are most annoying of all.. they rid of everything they are plowing perfectly.

drawbacks yet again.
I could guess aero is like opening the exhaust on a hot rod. Everyone is annoyed but the owner.

[dcb]

who is annoyed? you won't notice anything air-pressure wise if this thing flew past you.

What are you on about?

[NeilBlanchard]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

In the interest of knowing what's achievable with my Insight, I would love to calculate his Cd.

To calculate CdA, I would need to know power to the wheels @ steady-state 65mph (or some other high speed). The same figure at 5mph would determine Crr, but I'm prepared to guess 0.008.

And obviously, Cd is CdA/A. So, how tall is the vehicle? I presume it's still 62" wide.



Neil, would you pass my questions along to Mr. Cloud?

Yes, I can email him; and/or he may be reading this thread. I can measure the frontal area very accurately with a straight-on front photograph, with a yardstick positioned at the tallest point of the car. I'll ask him for that, too.

[NeilBlanchard]

And Dave Cloud has responded:

17.3 sq.ft 42" tall. 60 mph @ 7200 w.

[orange4boy]

Mr Cloud,

We also need the watts at like 5 mph or so as well so we have an idea of the CRR which makes a big difference when everything else is so efficient. If that is off by even .001 then it throws out the Cd about .02 at 60 mph.

Thanks.