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Are ground effect vehicles more efficient?
The basic design principle is that the closer the wing operates to an external surface such as the ground, when it is said to be in ground effect, the more efficient it becomes. An airfoil passing through air increases air pressure on the underside, while decreasing pressure across the top.
How does a ground effect vehicle work?
Wing-in-ground effect craft, also known as ground-effect vehicles, cruise over the surface of the sea at heights of up to 7 metres, using wings to generate lift. They rely on the aerodynamic interaction between the wings and the surface and operate over flat areas, such as frozen lakes or plains; like a hovercraft.
What happens when a wing is in ground effect?
The aerodynamic centre of a wing shifts when it is in ground effect. Out of ground effect, the wing produces lift by accelerating air downwards. In ground effect the ground prevents the air from being deflected downwards, and more lift is produced due to increased pressure underneath the wing.
What’s the difference between out of ground and ground effect?
Out of ground effect, the wing produces lift by accelerating air downwards. In ground effect the ground prevents the air from being deflected downwards, and more lift is produced due to increased pressure underneath the wing. This pressure has a different distribution than out-of-ground effect pressure, hence the change in pitching moment.
How is the ground effect used in cars?
Ground effect is a term applied to a series of aerodynamic effects used in car design, which has been exploited to create downforce, particularly in racing cars.
Why does the ground affect the pitching moment?
In ground effect the ground prevents the air from being deflected downwards, and more lift is produced due to increased pressure underneath the wing. This pressure has a different distribution than out-of-ground effect pressure, hence the change in pitching moment.