Forming aluminum for a cooling outlet fairing

[gereed75]

Dan, Lot's of data points here with results that I will call disparate for now. I will drop you an e-mail to discuss further. Don't be discouraged, if nothing else, we're learning and you have an excuse to fly more.

Looking forward to Bob's and other's results. Latter

[Bob Axsom]

Just got home from the airport. Spent the last 9.5 hours there and only got one flow fence made and installed. I need a little sleep and cleanupthen head back to do the left flow fence. They are all rectangles, trhe center is 4"x24" and sides are 3"x22" (approximately).

Bob Axsom

[Bob Axsom]

This photo shows the right flow fence and the center separator fin. I finished building the left flow fence today (yes building - you wouldn't believe the tedious details) but I have not installed it yet. I should get it done late tonight.

Bob Axsom

[Bob Axsom]

I finished the left flow fence installation at 06:18. The sun isn't up yet and the plane is in semi race configuration without lights so I can't test it yet. I'm sleepy but the sky is lighting up a little I guess I'll hang around for a few more minutes and do the test.

Bob Axsom

[hydroguy2]

got my fingers crossed for you....and patiently waiting the results

[Bob Axsom]

The speed was 184.3 kts or 1/2kt faster than the test with the center separator alone. I think this is a keeper. The sound is pretty awesome as well.

Bob Axsom

P.S. for Ron Lee no effect on temps.

BA

[gereed75]

Definitely getting my vote for Perseverence of the Year award!! This quote coming from you was what I wanted to hear;

Originally Posted by Bob Axsom

; I think this is a keeper.

I know that you have some further ideas and some work to go that I think will yield more substantial results. But good enough for now and best of luck this weekend.

PS...Those puppies are not going anywhere!! I have less screws holding on my whole fairing than on one of your strakes !!

[hydroguy2]

good job, Bob. Now go get rested up for the Texoma race.

Is there any concern about flexing or distortion of the fences at speed? or are they pretty stiff?

I was buttoning up my temporary mods yesterday, going to test fly once the evening calm arrived. BUT got called to work unexpectedly. Hope to get out there this afternoon(leaving work early) to finish and maybe fly.

[David Paule]

Bob,

Later, when you've got some time, it might be productive to extend the cowl bottom surface aft to cover some of these new strakes and make the exit duct longer.

If you do it, perhaps you could make its length adjustable.

Dave

[Bob Axsom]

Originally Posted by David Paule

Bob,

Later, when you've got some time, it might be productive to extend the cowl bottom surface aft to cover some of these new strakes and make the exit duct longer.

If you do it, perhaps you could make its length adjustable.

Dave

Dave - I wanted to approach this incrementally so that I would gain some first hand knowledge about the effects of the parts. So far I have the effect of a long semi-central rectangular separator/fin and that with two similar flow fences all of which are now replaceable with screws. At some point I will put a bottom on it and try various lengths and shapes - I think you can see this has essentially an infinite number of combinations that can be tested. I already have bought the "0" condition Aluminum sheet to make the bottom closure plate out of.

Brian - all three of the major test components are made of 0.090" (~3/32") thick 2024 T3 aluminum mounted on 1/16"x3/4"x3/4"x20+" 6061 aluminum angle. It is very substantial and that is another parameter I can work with.

Bob Axsom

I'm going back to bed...