Kayak and Canoe Design Bulletin Board

Turbulators:

Posted By: mike allen
Date: Monday, 29 November 1999, at 3:49 p.m.

> Myth.

> For turbulance initiators (seams or ridges) to reduce drag they must cause
> the transition from laminar to turblant flow. These do not, therefore any
> reduction in drag is caused by some other factor.

My limited limited understanding of boundary layer trips, turbulators or vortex generators is that they energize (mini turbulence) the boundary layer such that separation (major turbulence) is much delayed and also more predictable. Therefore only in comparison w/ the alternate is drag delayed. (some super and killer laminar airfoils are tamed of radical separation by these methods). I wonder if the bike effect is only good when his body is quite still.

With respect to water, I would sure like to know if we do operate in a laminar regime. And continually bouncing over say 6" waves - does this cause turbulence enough that turbulators are pointless?

With regard to surfing - I wonder if the use of turbulation would allow less directional pointing. Or would ventilation be better for this? or does it happen anyway? ie for spinning

Where's John Winters when you needim?

-mick

Messages In This Thread

Turbulators:
mike allen -- Monday, 29 November 1999, at 3:49 p.m.

Re: Turbulators:
Pete W. P. -- Tuesday, 30 November 1999, at 12:24 p.m.

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