- Only three weeks to the 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Audi R18 TDI New tested extensively in the climatic wind tunnel
- Valuable information for the cockpit, windscreen and wipers
Premiere of Audi Sport: The Audi R18 TDI, the Audi Sport Team Joest on 11/12. June at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans is launched, the first Audi sports cars, using the new climatic wind tunnel has been developed.
Audi R18 TDI especially when the possibility of using the climatic wind tunnel of the series colleagues, was for the Audi Sport technicians particularly valuable. The new LMP1 is the first closed Le Mans sports car from Audi R8C since in 1999. “The climatic wind tunnel is a good example for the intensive cooperation with the Technical Development (TE), explains Dr. Martin Muehlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. “The PD develops further and we at Audi Sport as part of the TE may draw on these resources.Conversely, the colleagues will benefit from the series development of our knowledge of motor racing. “
When R18 TDI were at work in the climatic wind tunnel at the center three sections: an optimal indoor ventilation, the windshield and the testing of the wiper. “We can leave it on the findings of the climatic wind tunnel, which we have a very high-quality tools available,” says Christopher Reinke, technical project manager for the R18 TDI. “All we have so far tested in the climatic wind tunnel, has been confirmed in test operations on the track.”
In the climatic wind tunnel, the ventilation of the closed cockpit was optimized so that the R18 TDI in Le Mans will get along without air conditioning. Since it costs weight and performance, is dispensed like to be picked. Also, the separation of rain water and solids such as sand, stones and rubber output were simulated. “We have in this area in the climatic wind tunnel at the 1:1 car gained many valuable insights and changed some things, especially in aviation management,” says Dr. Martin Muehlmeier. “The reflective foil on the roof has been validated with findings from the climatic wind tunnel. These are all important details to guarantee the driver in the cockpit a good climate. “
The silver foil supported, that the cockpit through the sun does not heat up too much. The rules of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) provides that the interior temperature while driving may not exceed 32 degrees when the outside temperature is 25 degrees. Is it warmer, can heat up the interior by up to seven degrees. These strict requirements of the R18 TDI has a result of intensive work in the climatic wind tunnel.
Even the one-arm windscreen wiper of the new Le Mans sports car was developed at the Audi wind tunnel center. “The issue is not trivial,” says Dr. Martin Muehlmeier. “Although we have experience from the DTM. But there, the wiper is almost never used. Also driving a DTM car 250 km / h and not 330th In Le Mans, the demands on the windshield wipers are much higher. “
Fogging and staining of the complex-shaped windshield that is curved differently than a production car, not only in one direction, but in two directions and is made of plastic, was also tested in the climatic wind tunnel. To prevent fogging, the disk is heated. And for possible contamination, a three-stage plan was developed, which provides depending on the degree-free wipe, wipe with cleaner and more layers of tear-off.
The contamination of the discs is a concept of handicaps, which brings a closed Le Mans sports car with it. But by working in the Audi-climate wind tunnel were the disadvantages be minimized as much as possible.
[Source: Audi AG]
