Understanding and improving the convective cooling of brake discs with radial vanes

Introuction Convective heat dissipation makes the greatest contribution to brake disc cooling in most road vehicle driving conditions this mode of heat dissipation is further exploited by creating internal passages within the disc

Introuction The approach was to use a simple method – a small vane placed in the middle of the existing channels – and, by creating a ‘venturi effect’ within the channel, to improve airspeed distribution and increase convective heat transfer.

Introuction Airflow and convective cooling from this disc were studied theoretically using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations Although this much simplifies the real brake working environment Theoretical and experimental studies can be conducted under identical conditions and easily repeated.

Introuction Baseline brake disc

CFD disc model Brake disc CFD model

CFD results for the baseline disc design Baseline disc: relative velocity at 800 r/min

CFD results for the baseline disc Baseline disc vanes: convective heat transfer coefficients at 800 r/min

Brake disc cooling test set-up Experimental set-up Brake disc cooling test set-up

Validation of CFD modelling

Baseline disc: radial near-wall airspeeds in the channel at 800 r/min