---------------------------------------------------------- Rocket-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 11/10/09: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:11 PM - Re: High Temps! (Kevin Shannon) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:11:56 PM PST US From: "Kevin Shannon" Subject: Re: Rocket-List: High Temps! Re: Rocket-List: High Temps!All great info thanks Tom, my cowling is a very early HR II version and the exit ramp is not deep enough to clear the exhaust pipes without cutting it off forward of the firewall. I see now that I should have done it over back when I was building, made it about an inch and a half deeper and extended it aft, which would suck air out instead of creating turbulence. Looks like I have something to do this winter! Kevin Shannon HR II ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Martin To: rocket-list@matronics.com Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 5:36 AM Subject: RE: Rocket-List: High Temps! It is nice to see some action on the rocket list! Engine cooling, especially with rockets, has been something that I have been working on for quite a few years on quite a few planes. My focus has not only been to properly cool the engine but to do so without increasing drag. If you open the bottom of the cowling you will, usually, improve cooling. However if not done properly this will also increase drag and hence reduce speed. Yes I know that there will be those that say that they have not noticed any degradation of speed but that has not been my experience. Lay on your back under your airplane and look up at the firewall. If you can see the firewall you have increased the drag of your airplane. The air exiting the cowling is pushing down that firewall and creating turbulence with the rest of the exiting air and the outside air that is rushing past the cowling. If you need more opening it would be better to drop the floor of the cowling and extend it aft. Yes this is more work but what it does, is to get the air exiting the cowling going in the same direction as the air going past the airplane. Internal ductwork in the lower cowling and cleaning up the outlet area can also improve flow and reduce drag by increasing the speed of the exit air. All that work will be for naught if your inlets are not formed properly. By that I mean that there should be no rough edges, there should be a smooth transition area and tight seals around the inlet and the upper plenum. My work has been proven in the races that I have participated in during the last few years http://sportairrace.org/index.html note the recent Pagosa Springs race where my average speed was 220.5 knots placing me in front of three, count them three, Glassair IIIs. The HRIIs, over the last few years, have not been doing that well in the races as compared to the F1s and particularly in regards to John Huft=92s very fast RV8. He has been kicking some rocket butt. You will not see huge exit air outlets on any of the fast airplanes in these races. While you may not be interested in racing, drag reduction, with improved cooling, will save you money on each and every flight you take. Checked by AVG. Checked by AVG. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 11/06/09 12:39:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message rocket-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Rocket-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/rocket-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/rocket-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.