Browse Topic: Underbodies

Items (8)
Assessment of Broadband Noise Generated by a Vehicle Sunroof at Different Flow Conditions using a Digital Wind Tunnel2015-01-23216/15/2015
For the automotive industry, the quality and level of the wind noise contribution has a growing importance and therefore should be addressed as early as possible in the development process. Each component of the vehicle is designed to meet its individual noise target to ensure the wind noise passenger comfort level inside the vehicle is met. Sunroof broadband noise is generated by the turbulent flow developed over the roof opening. A strong shear layer and vortices impacting on the trailing edge of the sunroof are typical mechanisms related to the noise production. Sunroof designs are tested to meet broadband noise targets. Experimentally testing designs and making changes to meet these design targets typically involves high cost prototypes, expensive wind tunnel sessions and potentially late design changes. To reduce the associated costs as well as development times, there is strong motivation for the use of a reliable numerical prediction capability early in the vehicle design process. Previous investigations have shown the possibility to use transient CFD/CAA simulations based on Lattice Boltzmann Methods to assess the wind noise performance of mirrors, wipers, underbody designs and buffeting performance of sunroofs and open side windows. This paper presents the use of this computational approach on two production vehicles to assess the broadband noise generated by a fully open sunroof. Computational predictions of mesh deflectors as well as yaw effect were validated against wind tunnel measurements. Also, detailed flow analysis was performed to understand the noise generation mechanisms and to explain the effect of the mesh deflector and flow yaw angle on the interior noise. Accurate prediction of the wind noise performance of the sunroof and the insight provided by the flow analysis proves that this computational approach can be used to make design decisions during the vehicle development process.
Oettle, NicholasBissell, AndrewSenthooran, SivapalanMeskine, Mohammed
A Computational Approach to Assess Buffeting and Broadband Noise Generated by a Vehicle Sunroof2015-01-15324/14/2015
Car manufacturers put large efforts into reducing wind noise to improve the comfort level of their cars. Each component of the vehicle is designed to meet its individual noise target to ensure the wind noise passenger comfort level inside the vehicle is met. Sunroof designs are tested to meet low-frequency buffeting (also known as boom) targets and broadband noise targets for the fully open sunroof with deflector and for the sunroof in vent position. Experimentally testing designs and making changes to meet these design targets typically involves high cost prototypes, expensive wind tunnel sessions, and potentially late design changes. To reduce the associated costs as well as development times, there is strong motivation for the use of a reliable numerical prediction capability early in the vehicle design process. In the past, a computational approach based on a Lattice Boltzmann Method has been extensively validated for assessing the wind noise performance of mirrors, wipers, underbody designs and buffeting performance of sunroofs and open side windows. This paper presents the use of this computational approach on the Range Rover production vehicle to assess the sunroof buffeting performance with and without a mesh deflector added, which are commonly used to improve the buffeting performance. This approach was extended to assess the broadband noise generated by the deflector up and the sunroof at vent position. Computational predictions were validated against wind tunnel measurements for all these configurations. Also detailed flow analysis was performed to provide insight into the noise generation mechanisms. Accurate prediction of the wind noise performance of the sunroof and the insight provided by the flow analysis prove that this computational approach can be used to make design decisions during the vehicle development process.
Oettle, NicholasMeskine, MohammedSenthooran, SivapalanBissell, AndrewBalasubramanian, GanaPowell, Robert
Application of the Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST) to Analyze Thermal Performance of Vehicle Underbody Components2015-01-04384/14/2015
This paper describes the application of the Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST) method [1] to investigate the effect of uncertainty in design parameters on the thermal system performance of vehicle underbody components. The results from this study will pinpoint the design parameters which offer the greatest opportunity for improvement of thermal system performance and reliability. In turn, this method can save engineering time and resources. An analytical model was developed for a vehicle underbody system consisting of a muffler, heat shield, and spare tire tub. The output from this model was defined as the temperature of the spare tire tub. The majority of the input parameters in this model deviate from their nominal values due to environmental factors, wear and ageing, and/or variation in the manufacturing process. Using MATLAB software package, the model was simulated with input parameters which were simultaneously and sinusoidally varied at distinct frequencies over their respective uncertainty ranges. Finally, the Fourier transform was applied to the output of the model to convert the response into the frequency domain to allow the amplitude of each of the distinct frequencies to be recognized. The amplitude of each frequency was used as an indication of the effect of the corresponding parameter's variation on the temperature of the spare tire tub. Reducing the amount of variation in the most influential parameters and/or reducing the system sensitivity to these parameters will have the greatest improvement on the overall thermal performance of the system.
Lehman, AshleyStoilov, VesselinSobiesiak, Andrzej
Drag Force Reduction of a Bluff-Body with an Underbody Slant and Rear Flaps2008-01-259910/7/2008
The drag reduction device of a bluff-body was developed by slanting the rear underbody as a hip-up shape and adding flaps to the rear-end. The experiments were conducted in an open-jet low turbulence wind tunnel while the bluff-body model was varied in both slant angles and rear flap configurations. Drag forces, surface pressures around the body, and the velocity distribution in wake were measured experimentally. The surface flow at the underbody was visualized by the oil-paint method. Force measurements showed that an underbody slant with rear flaps reduced the drag force. The most effective setting occurred when the underbody was slanted three degrees with the enclosure that had the upper, side and lower flaps. In spite of the negative pressure and the trailing vortex at the underbody, the underbody slant was useful to diminish the velocity defect in wake, which led to an increase in the rear-end pressure. Since the upward flow from the slanted underbody was blocked by the rear flaps, the vortex shedding into wake was repressed. In conclusion, in order to reduce the drag force of a bluff-body with the underbody slant, it is important to suppress the trailing vortex formation at the slanted underbody and the vortex shedding into wake as well as to raise the lowered pressure.
Kowata, ShinsukeHa, JongsooYoshioka, ShuyaKato, TakumaKohama, Yasuaki
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