Abstract The invention describes a pair of air foils having a positive dihedral angle with respect to each other. The air foils are inverted and generate a force in a downward direction that is normal to the lifting plane of the air foils. The downward force generates a vertical component which is added to the weight of the vehicle for improving traction and also generates a horizontal component. With the vehicle moving in the direction it is pointing the horizontal components generated by each air foil are equal and opposite and hence balance each other. During a turn in which the vehicle yaws, the inboard air foil generates more downward force and a greater horizontal force than the outboard air foil. The asymmetrically generated forces result in an increased vertical component and an increased horizontal component on that side of the car going into the turn thereby counteracting the centrifugal forces which increase stability of the vehicle in the turn.
A racing car having outboard front wheels and rear wheels comprising a streamlined body constructed according to the area body rule, a first pair of symmetrical air foils having a positive dihedral angle with respect to each other for generating a force in a downward direction normal to the lifting plane of said air foils, said first pair of air foils being located on said body substantially abeam said front wheels, the size of said first air foils being determined as a function of the weight distribution on said front wheels, and a second pair of symmetrical air foils having a positive dihedral angle with respect to each other for generating a force in a downward direction normal to the lifting plane of said air foils, said second pair of air foils being located on said body between said front wheels and said rear wheels in an area of substantially constant air flow, the size of said second air foils being determined as a function of the weight distribution on said rear wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A racing car having outboard front wheels and rear wheels comprising a streamlined body constructed according to the area body rule, a first pair of symmetrical air foils having a positive dihedral angle with respect to each other for generating a force in a downward direction normal to the lifting plane of said air foils, said first pair of air foils being located on said body substantially abeam said front wheels, the size of said first air foils being determined as a function of the weight distribution on said front wheels, and a second pair of symmetrical air foils having a positive dihedral angle with respect to each other for generating a force in a downward direction normal to the lifting plane of said air foils, said second pair of air foils being located on said body between said front wheels and said rear wheels in an area of substantially constant air flow, the size of said second air foils being determined as a function of the weight distribution on said rear wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A racing car according to claim 1 in which the dihedral angle on said first and second pair of air foils are the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A racing car according to claim 1 in which the weight distribution of said rear wheels is twice the weight on said front wheel and in which the second pair of air foils are sized to generate twice the vertical down force as said first pair of air foils.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A racing car accorDing to claim 1 in which the first pair of air foils substantially cover the wheel supports for the front wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A racing car according to claim 1 in which each of said air foils are independently movable.