bhallg2k wrote:n smikle wrote:[Image]
This is the give away picture. It shows that the purpose of the tunnel and guide vanes inside it is to help give an even distribution of air-flow through the second set of 4 inch tall guide vanes and finally a even flow over the top of the diffuser. I believe this is to give better pressure characteristics at the diffuser exit and possible better influence towards vortex formation at the sides. Very good Idea. But It must be said that if the ramp was not there, you wouldn't need that foremost set of guide vanes... the second set would have worked OK by itself.
Actually, I think the tunnel is still mostly about keeping the exhaust plume separate from the air flow around the sidepods. The guide vanes at the back aren't so much guide vanes as they are diffuser strakes that extract the air flow through the tunnel, because they initially had problems with it being choked by too much air.
In essence, they have a very legal and literal double diffuser: the normal one below the floor and the new one on top of the floor.
I'm sorry but that does not mesh together. Very very wrong. Especially when you think it is a double diffuser. The very definition of a diffuser goes against your presumption. Double diffuser means two diffusers. The RB8 only has one diffuser as instructed by the rules.
As per the vertical guide vanes, they are nothing new, they have been around. That is why I know that those can function without the tunnel. They work with the small guide vanes inside the tunnel.
I do not disagree that the tunnel is for keeping the "coke bottle" air away from he exhaust. I said so myself paaaages back.
I am taking about the upgrade for silverstone which is the guide vanes inside the tunnel. These internal guide vanes works with the 4 inch tall guide vanes behind them. To even out the flow before it reaches the slotted gurney flap.