#vortex generators

It didn’t take long for an aerodynamic controversy to crop up in this year’s Tour de France. At the 14km individual time trial, riders from Team Sky wore custom Castelli skinsuits with integrated dot-like patterns on their upper arms (shown above). By the next day, a sports scientist with a competing team cried foul play, claiming that these fabrics could have given Team Sky as much as 25 seconds’ advantage over other riders. The Sky team finished with 4 out of the top 10 places on the time trial, and their leader, three-time Tour winner Chris Froome, finished some 35 seconds ahead of his expected competitors for the yellow jersey.

Vortex generators explained

So how could a few dots make a measurable difference? These protrusions are vortex generators meant to modify flow around a cyclist. Humans are not aerodynamic and what typically happens when air flows over a cyclist’s arms is shown in the flow visualization above: the air follows the curve of the arm part way, then it separates from the body, leaving a region of recirculation that increases drag. Vortex generators can help prevent or delay that drag-inducing flow separation by adding extra energy and turbulence to the air near the arm’s surface. Because turbulent boundary layers can follow a curve longer before separating, this helps reduce the drag by reducing the recirculation zone.

About that time savings

Aerodynamically speaking, those vortex generators can make a difference, but the question is, how much? In his complaint, Grappe cites a 2016 paper by L. Brownlie et al. that wind-tunnel tested different vortex generator patterns for use in running apparel. The speeds tested included those relevant to cycling. The specific numbers Grappe quotes aren’t directly relevant, however:

As noted above, race garments that contain VG provide reductions in Fd of between 3.7 and 6.8% compared to equivalent advanced race apparel developed for the 2012 London Olympics which in turn provided substantially lower drag than conventional race apparel.

the effectiveness of 5, 10 and 15 cm wide strips of VG applied to each flank of a sleeveless singlet revealed that the 5 cm wide strips provided between 3.1 and 7.1% less Fd than the 10 cm wide strips and between 1.9 and 4.3% less Fd than the 15 cm wide strips.  

Here Brownlie et al. are specifically describing the savings for running apparel, which uses vortex generators in very different places than you would on a cyclist. Note the second quote even refers to a sleeveless singlet, so the vortex generators measured are definitely not in the same place as these skinsuits!

The bottom line

I fully expect that vortex generators give a marginal aerodynamic edge, which is why Sky and other teams have already been using them in competition. But I hesitate to declare that the savings is as high as 5-7%, and I have no way to verify Grappe’s subsequent claims that this translates to 18-25 seconds in the time trial. Those are numbers he gives without citing what model is being used to translate drag gains into time.

In the end, what is needed is clarification of the rules. As they stand, one rule seems to allow the skinsuits because the vortex generators are integrated into the fabric, whereas another states clothing is forbidden “to influence the performances of a rider such as reducing air resistance”. Those two stances seems contradictory, and, for now, the race officials’ verdict to allow the suits stands.

Anderson Composites Type-AR Carbon Fiber Rear Diffuser - Ford Focus RS 2016+

Vortex Generators for Sustainable Agriculture Webinar

I’ve been quiet lately, but busy. Reading more than writing, shooting video, and getting some of the bugs out of the phaelosopher.com site. I also realized that the WordPress would likely still be here, although perhaps in a simpler state.

In my capacity as co-founder of the President Water Company I’d like to invite you to join my partners and me on a Zoom Webinar:

Vortex Generator Meeting via…

New Post has been published on http://www.phaelosopher.com/2016/11/24/saying-good-bye-hello/

Saying Good-bye, and Hello

NOTE: This article is a duplicate of the last post from my WordPress site. This is a one-time event. 

Earlier this month I received a quiet announcement that Thought For Food had been on WordPress for 10 years. Working with, and guided by an India-based web site designer/SEO analyst Radhey Sharma, the new Thought For Food (www.phaelosopher.com), will be an amalgamation and synthesis of my interests and work. Upon reaching and celebrating my 65th trip around the sun (Nov. 19), I decided not to enroll in Medicare, or Socialist (in)Security. I have no nest egg (not even a nest yet), no savings, and at the present moment, no money.

As is custom in our society, it doesn’t cost you anything to build a mountain of debt, which you then spend your life attempting to climb while the mountain gets taller. As such, I have a full set of bills to pay, with more on the way since Dr. James Wagner, D.D.S., who I have termed a Zen Dentist, has agreed to rehabilitate my mouth and install a new set of hardware.

On the road to regrubbery.

These are not complaints. They are motivators to move forward, rise to the occasion and be equal to the challenge. The new Thought For Food is one of the ways it will be done. I will continue to spout off about the world at large and how we might better navigate through it.

I will continue to bring you a perspective as well as information that I feel is worth your consideration. Here are some examples:

Molecular Hydrogen (H2)

Hydrogen molecule isolated on white

It might surprise you to know that the greatest known antioxidant is not oxygen, but hydrogen. In this case, molecular hydrogen, normally referred to as H2. I first learned of the therapeutic power and value of hydrogen through a friend who, with an HHO generator (also referred to as Brown’s Gas) to infuse water, apply topically as a gas, or inhale, achieved some amazing effects. We found other case studies that showed similar, dramatic improvements.

While this simple point is often overlooked, the key litmus test to determine how effective water is, when consumed, is hydration. The term “hydration” refers to the degree to which hydrogen is available and exchangeable within one’s ecosystem. Generally speaking, simply drinking water will not necessarily result in adequate hydration. Yet, given that hydrogen is the greatest antioxidant, you can begin to see how pH levels are a direct indication of the health of one’s Oxidative Response System.

Source: Mama Pumpkin

While HHO is amazingly effective, and if you know what to do, can be generated on one’s own, some enterprising people have made it easier to get more hydrogen offering a range of H2 generating products. One such company is called Brilliantz. Offerings range from tablets that you drop into a glass of water, to hydrogen generating drinking bottles, filter replacements, a pain creme that people have called amazing, and a countertop molecular hydrogen water dispenser that is called, HIM2 (Hydrogen Infusion Machine). They have a line of H2 products, and a novel marketing/distribution model that also might be of interest.

Brilliantz Molecular Hydrogen Products

Hydrogen Infusion Machines are not water ionizers

If you visit the site, notice that my name appears at the top of the page, with a phone number. I had to take and pass not one, but two tests in order to be certified as knowledgeable enough to represent the product. Representation and “selling” have always been two different processes to me. I want to help people know for themselves whether a product, or even a concept, is in their best interest, and of value.

Vortex Generators

Molecular hydrogen products are a perfect complement to our vortex generators (President Water Company), which can impact the rest of the ways that we consume water, from showers to cooking, swimming pools, hot tubs, gardening, agriculture, and many more. Vortexing water will, in time, become a must thing to do prior to consumption or use. One of the fundamental effects of running water through a vortex generator is an immediate increase in available hydrogen ions, both positively (syntropic) and negatively (entropic) polarized, which nets an increase in molecular hydrogen presence.

A new rite of passage: Electrical conductivity is checked after installing a PW400 vortex generator (4″ line) at Andrew Peace Winery, in Australia.

This has been missionary work for me, but I have learned quite a bit. We have a small, but growing band of customers, and expect significant growth, particularly with new, never-seen design elements that we are adding. These units are now made in Australia. While they may be over-engineered, they will last generations. For now, until we get demand up, delivery will take 2-3 weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_hJzgxuSFs&feature=youtu.be

Money Consciousness

I could tell you stories about how money as an idea has helped distort and retard the perceptions of otherwise intelligent people. We need to change so much about how we interact with each other in a society where money is deemed to be “of value.” It is not. You are the value, as am I. That said, money is not going away anytime soon, particularly if we don’t do anything different. That is why adoption of block-chain, or cryptocurrencies, is on the rise. It allows bankless, “peer-to-peer” interactions to occur between individuals even without internet. A simple cell phone is all that is needed.

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency, which was, and to some extent, is still somewhat esoteric to me. However, it remains a subject that merits investigation and engagement. I have added the ability to receive payments in Bitcoin and Litecoin to the PresidentWater and Planetawear sites, with more to be added.

I am also investigating a new cryptocurrency called OneCoin. The company uses some MLM elements where people who join, can and do make money when new people enroll, in addition to the value of the currency itself. So far, there are 2.6 million OneCoin owners, and growing at a rate of 100,000 per month. Needless to say, there are detractors and naysayers, even among the cryptocurrency community.

Raw milk producers, who are rare today, but produce the very best milk, have their own detractors and naysayers, generally from within their own industry. I’m not saying that OneCoin is the very best. However, the presence of critics, naysayers, and detractors, even among the cryptocoin community does not mean that it is a scam. It is worth investigating and knowing for one’s self.

HonorPay

HonorPay, an Open Awards Network site, was brought to my attention by a long-time subscriber to Thought For Food. I am grateful that she cared enough to set up what they call a “ghost account” in my name. She then wrote to let me know that the account was set up. This appears to be fairly new, given the paltry number of YouTube views of the video below.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2B24l3rAhU

However, to anyone who sees value in the information that I produce and share, and is able to help me continue by making a one-time or on-going contribution, HonorPay may be the perfect way.

My HnoroPay Profile.

Crowdfunding

I need to raise money for personal situation and teeth, and to capitalize our business operations. To redesign the internals of our vortex generator products, I am learning 3D design. Using Fusion 360 by Autodesk, which has made it easy to stay with the product long enough to begin to get familiar. For many months, I had to get serious about making time to learn. As much as I wanted to, it was far easier, or so it seemed, to defer to someone else who already knows, or try to hire someone. However, expedience did not equate to effectiveness, quality, or satisfaction.

This is one of our early designs.

President Water Central Vortex Unit Concept

When we have the designs completed, we have several people who are ready to present our package to investors. However, this may be when we crowdfund, because it is just as important to have an informed consumer-base as it is to have adequate working capital. We are not designing and preparing to manufacture a product that needs to be “sold.” America has a major problem with water that is acknowledged, but standard water treatment methods do little to improve, and a lot to make worse.

Podcast

Shortly I will begin hosting a regular program on my YouTube channel about the art of being healthy in sick times. It is not the body or environment that needs attention, nor is it the presidential transition. Health begins, and is maintained or restored, between one’s ears, and in conjunction with that central space near the heart. I have been reticent to do this, but on the other hand, there are many amazing truths just awaiting to be discovered about who and what we are, and the quality of life that is ours to create, if we are willing, just for a time, to stop fantasizing that a “hero” (or “shero”) making big promises is going to make your life great. It’s not going to happen if the hero (or shero) isn’t you.

These are some of the reasons that I’m foregoing Medicare and Socialist Security. I am going to trust myself. Put it another way, I am going to fill myself up with trust (as I do with love), until it is overflowing. Then my trust in others comes from a genuine place within me, without depletion.

The future is ours to create, with or without politicians and actors. Distractions are intended to keep you from looking within, and getting to know, trust, and love, yourself. If you truly love you, there will be no room for doing anything less than love and respect another. Even in disagreement, no harm would be possible. These thoughts are given for the reader to ponder. Take what you find useful for you.

In the Meantime

Unless I can figure out how to write once, post to multiple WordPress venues, this will be my last post from this site. I will publish a duplicate of this post on the new site for continuity. If you have received my posts directly to your email box, first I want to thank you. Secondly, if you want to continue receiving posts by email, you will need to go to www.phaelosopher.com, and subscribe.

Subscribe on the new Thought For Food where indicated by the red circle.

Thank you for your steadfastness over these years. You know who you are. If you’re new to this forum, thank you too. There is much more ground to cover, through the written word, and by video.

Saying Good-bye, and Hello

This will be my last post on this site. Earlier this month I received a quiet announcement that Thought For Food had been on WordPress for 10 years. Working with, and guided by an India-based web site designer/SEO analyst Radhey Sharma, the new Thought For Food (www.phaelosopher.com), will be an amalgamation and synthesis of my interests and work. Upon reaching and celebrating my 65th trip around…