Model at a reduced scale of a tire for aerodynamic tests in a wind tunnel
AssigneeFerrari S.P.A.
InventorMatteo Burzio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reduced scale model of a tire for aerodynamic tests in a wind tunnel, the model having a hollow toroidal shape, is made of a single molded plastic material homogeneous throughout the model, is deformable, and is shaped so as to reproduce externally the deformed shape of the tire under load when this is set in conditions of operation under the action of centrifugal loads and/or ground loads.
Claims17
A reduced scale model of a real tire for aerodynamic tests in a wind tunnel, the model having a hollow toroidal shape, is deformable and has a reduced scale relative to a real tire,
- wherein the model is constituted by a single moulded plastic material homogeneous throughout the model, and
- wherein the model is shaped so as to reproduce externally the deformed shape of the real tire under load when placed in conditions of operation under the action of centrifugal loads and/or ground loads.
A method for providing a model at a reduced scale of a real tire for aerodynamic tests in a wind tunnel, the model having a hollow toroidal shape, being deformable, having a reduced scale relative to such a real tire, and being made of a single plastic material, which is moulded and is homogeneous throughout the model;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- moulding a first, toroidal, element having a first substantially constant thickness and representing the tread of the real tire to be imitated;
- moulding two second, disk-shaped, elements having a second variable thickness and representing the sides of the real tire to be imitated;
- and
- connecting to the first, toroidal, element the second, disk-shaped, elements in such a way that the second, disk-shaped, elements are set within the first, toroidal, element and are arranged perpendicular and on opposite sides with respect to the first, toroidal, element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.