Hydrodynamic studies improve F1 fuel flow
A
BAE Systems product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Mar 13, 2006
BAE Systems has helped Formula 1 Team McLaren Mercedes prepare for the 2006 Formula 1 season by improving fuel management in its cars via smoothed particle hydrodynamics.
BAE Systems has helped Formula 1 Team McLaren Mercedes prepare for the 2006 Formula 1 season by improving fuel management in its cars via smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) - a technique that can simulate the movement of fluids in containers and pipes, first applied to the management of fuel in aircraft tanks.
As part of its technology partnership with Team McLaren Mercedes - which is celebrating its tenth year in 2006 - the BAE Systems Advanced Technology Centre has supplied computer modelling which enabled a redesign of Team McLaren Mercedes' fuel tanks, leading to more accurate determination of the fuel remaining and improvements to the car's centre of gravity.
These advances have already enhanced track performance as the redesigned fuel tank was used on the Team McLaren Mercedes 2005 car - the MP4-20, the fastest on the grid throughout the season.
Dr Robert Banim, Principal Engineer at the BAE Systems Advanced Technology Centre, said: "We were able to change the way Team McLaren Mercedes measures and visualises fuel slosh".
"The fuel tank redesign based on the simulation results had a direct, positive impact on last year's car".
A similar technique is now being used to assist the design of the gearbox by modelling the movement of oil through the connecting pipes, the gearbox enclosure and the rotating gears.
This test programme started in January 2005 with the results being fed into the design of the 2006 car.
BAE Systems and Team McLaren Mercedes are currently working on technologies with the aim of enhancing performance and McLaren's chance of track success, with recent notable advances in carbon fibre techniques and wireless systems.
BAE Systems aims to take as much from Team McLaren Mercedes as it gives, particularly when it comes to studying the speed of the build and operations processes in Formula 1.
Ron Dennis, Chairman and CEO of McLaren Group said: "By anybody's standards, BAE Systems is a technology power house".
"It provides us with great technology at all levels, whether it be aerodynamics, simulation, mechanical design or IT".
"We share the same commitment to innovation and the pursuit of excellence through leading edge technology and we both have world-class aspirations".
"It is a true partnership in every sense".
Memorable events during the decade long partnership include: Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard testing their handling skills in a Eurofighter Typhoon flight simulator; Ron Dennis officially opening the BAE Systems led Systems Engineering Innovation Centre (SEIC) at Loughborough University; and a Eurofighter Typhoon racing a Team McLaren Mercedes F1 car.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
