yes / This paper presents a two-way thermally-coupled FEM-CFD co-simulation method for ventilated brake disc rotor heat transfer analysis. Using a third party coupling interface for data mapping and exchange, the FEM and CFD models run simultaneously under a standard heavy duty braking test condition. By comparison with conventional one-way coupling methods and experimental results, the performance of the co-simulation system has been investigated in terms of prediction of the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) and disc temperatures as well as computing time used. The results illustrate that this co-simulation method has good capacity in providing cooling effect and temperature predictions. It also shows that the data exchange between the FEM and CFD codes at every time increment is highly accurate and efficient throughout 10 brake applications. It can be seen that the cosimulation method is more time efficient, convenient and robust compared to previous oneway coupling methods. To utilize the potential of this method, future works are proposed.

Sufficient heat dissipation is crucial to the effective operation of friction based braking systems. Such cooling is generally provided by ensuring a sufficient supply of cooling air to the heated components, hence the aerodynamics in the region of the brake components is extremely important. The objective of the research was to develop an understanding of how aerodynamics could be used to improve the cooling of automotive disc brakes. Two separate sets of wind tunnel experiments were developed. Tests were performed on a vented disc (rotor) to measure the internal flow through the vents on a rotating vented disc under various conditions, including an isolated disc in still air, the disc in still air with the wheel on, the disc in moving air with the wheel on, and an on-road simulation using a ¼ car. On vehicle tests were also performed in a wind tunnel using a purpose built brake test rig. These tests measured the thermal performance of different brake discs under various operating parameters; including constant load braking, and cooling from high temperature under various speeds, wheels and disc types. It was found that airflow through vented rotors was significantly reduced during simulated on-road driving, compared to when measured in isolation, but not particularly affected by the vehicles speed. In the situations tested, vented discs offered a 40+% improvement in cooling over an equivalent sized solid rotors. However the research indicates that the greatest benefit of vented rotors over solid will be in vehicles where air entering the wheel cavity is limited, such as low drag vehicles. It was also found that the most significant improvements in brake thermal performance could be achieved by maximising the airflow into the region of the brake components; including increasing the open area of the wheel, and increasing the vehicle velocity. Other improvements can be achieved by using a wheel material with good conductive capability, and increasing the mass of the disc. Evidence of vortex shedding was also discovered in the airflow at the exit of an internal vented rotor, any reduction in this flow disturbance should lead to increased airflow with associated improvements in thermal performance.

In this diploma thesis active aerodynamic components are designed, specifically brake cooling duct and active automotive wing. Cooling duct prototype and also active regulation controlling electronics including the software were created. Road test was performed to measure the duct parameters. Construction design and the active regulation function of the automotive wing were created. The influence of the wing on aerodynamic characteristics of the car was determined.